What makes the Model 581 so rare?

[Hair Trigger]

Looking at a 1st year production model 581 and being told they are “rare” and “hard to find”, which seems to be somewhat true when you search Gunbroker and Armslist, but what makes them so rare and hard to find? Do they hold their value, will they appreciate in value? I don’t own one and curious of your thoughts before I get to serious about this one.

GB and AL would tell you it's rare just to jack up the prices, if they had one on the block. Probably not many there because what owners are out there probably have them for a reason and won't sell them because they can't get what they paid for them. SCSW doesn't give production numbers for the M581, but it says "approximately 53,180" of the M681 were produced in a run that lasted four years longer than M581 production.

How do you know the one you're looking at is a first year gun? Production started in 1980, ended in 1988. SN's should start with AAA, and if the box is available, there would be a Julian date code on the label. Whether it will become a collectible won't be truly known until everyone is clamoring for one and its prices go into the stratosphere. If you like it, and the price is right (SCSW ANIB value as of 2016 was $700), buy it and hang onto it.

I always liked the simple look of a fixed sight frame but also prefer a shrouded extractor rod. That one sort of has both (but I'm not a fan of the full length underlug of L frame guns, myself), preferring something that is shorter than the barrel. The M581 looks somewhat similar to an N frame gun that is collectible, and of the same era, the M520.

 

[Draw4u]

GB and AL would tell you it's rare just to jack up the prices, if they had one on the block. Probably not many there because what owners are out there probably have them for a reason and won't sell them because they can't get what they paid for them. SCSW doesn't give production numbers for the M581, but it says "approximately 53,180" of the M681 were produced in a run that lasted four years longer than M581 production.

How do you know the one you're looking at is a first year gun? Production started in 1980, ended in 1988. SN's should start with AAA, and if the box is available, there would be a Julian date code on the label. Whether it will become a collectible won't be truly known until everyone is clamoring for one and its prices go into the stratosphere. If you like it, and the price is right (SCSW ANIB value as of 2016 was $700), buy it and hang onto it.

I always liked the simple look of a fixed sight frame but also prefer a shrouded extractor rod. That one sort of has both (but I'm not a fan of the full length underlug of L frame guns, myself), preferring something that is shorter than the barrel. The M581 looks somewhat similar to an N frame gun that is collectible, and of the same era, the M520.

thanks for the thoughts. I am not sure if it is a first year model now. The owner said S&W said it was, but I agree that AAA is 1980 and AAC appears to be 1981 - 1982. I will go look at it in a while and see for myself and then make the decision. Thanks again!

 

[CH4]

To my mind rare would imply not many were produced, or it's for sale at a gun show or on GB.

 

[Draw4u]

Well, I went ahead and pulled the trigger (no pun intended). Very clean and made in 1981ish. Lol! And it looks like there was a recall on these in 1987, not sure why, but S&W told me it should be marked with a "M" above the model number if the recall work was done. This one does NOT have the M stamped on it. Does it matter, should I send it in for the recall work or leave it as-is?

 

[murphydog]

Looks very nice! I doubt the difference between an AAA prefix and your new gun is significant, condition is more important. Enjoy!

 

[Draw4u]

Looks very nice! I doubt the difference between an AAA prefix and your new gun is significant, condition is more important. Enjoy!

Thank you Alan, I appreciate it. I am very happy with it and can't wait to shoot it some!

 

[soFlaNative]

My guess would be the people that have them will keep them.
Such is the case with mine, just happy I found one here on the Forum some years back.

 

[gerhard1]

A true fighting handgun. Personally I prefer fixed sights

As do I. The fixed-sight guns were a bit more rugged that those with target sights, IMHO.

This is my 681. The lanyard loop was added by a gunsmith a few years after I got it.

 

[gerhard1]

BTW, the 681 pictured above was the gun I used in my first serious shooting session in a couple of years.

It was fun to shoot once more!

 

[gerhard1]

Well, I went ahead and pulled the trigger (no pun intended). Very clean and made in 1981ish. Lol! And it looks like there was a recall on these in 1987, not sure why, but S&W told me it should be marked with a "M" above the model number if the recall work was done. This one does NOT have the M stamped on it. Does it matter, should I send it in for the recall work or leave it as-is?

Send it in, especially if you have other toys to play with. The work is free and the only cost to you is the time that you don't have the revolver in your hands.

 

[Retired W4]

For what it's worth, I have owned, and own 581s without the M over stamp and had no problems with a variety of ammo.

 

[Walter Rego]

I like to think of the Model 581 and its stainless brother the 681 as the 1980's updated versions of the old .38/44 Heavy Duty models. And I predict that in another 20 years they will have achieved the same kind of respect and reverence.

All business, and able to handle hot .357 loads without the worries that compromised the K frame Magnums and not as heavy to carry as an N frame.

 

[gerhard1]

I like to think of the Model 581 and its stainless brother the 681 as the 1980's updated versions of the old .38/44 Heavy Duty models. And I predict that in another 20 years they will have achieved the same kind of respect and reverence.

All business, and able to handle hot .357 loads without the worries that compromised the K frame Magnums and not as heavy to carry as an N frame.

I like the way you think!!!

 

[Tanners Owner]

Send it in, especially if you have other toys to play with. The work is free and the only cost to you is the time that you don't have the revolver in your hands.

I recently acquired a M581 no dash that the factory confirmed it hasn’t seen the recall. I just sent mine in for the work. Hopefully it won’t be long

 

[Draw4u]

I recently acquired a M581 no dash that the factory confirmed it hasn’t seen the recall. I just sent mine in for the work. Hopefully it won’t be long

I will need to consider sending mine in as well. Just not sure I want to yet

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I bought this for what now would be obscenely low price from a guy who was closing his table at a gun show. I wanted to see what this revolver stuff was all about. I own a few more S&W 357's now.

 

[Retired W4]

Draw4u. if you send it to S&W for the modification you will get a new hammer nose (firing pin) and hammer nose bushing. The problem, as I understand it was a very few "failure to fire" incidences with certain hard primer ammo. If you are going to use it in a self defense mode you might want the mod for self assurance/confidence.

As I mentioned, I've never had a problem with my unmodified 581s running several brands through them. The FTFs were few and far between but the lawyers at S&W rule the court in these matters.

 

[Draw4u]

Draw4u. if you send it to S&W for the modification you will get a new hammer nose (firing pin) and hammer nose bushing. The problem, as I understand it was a very few "failure to fire" incidences with certain hard primer ammo. If you are going to use it in a self defense mode you might want the mod for self assurance/confidence.

As I mentioned, I've never had a problem with my unmodified 581s running several brands through them. The FTFs were few and far between but the lawyers at S&W rule the court in these matters.

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it! Definitely not my carry gun and it will be in the safe next to the other revolvers, so it will be rarely taken out and shot. Picked it up since it is a bit hard to find and it’s super clean, so I thought it would be a good one to add to my long-term collection.

 

[rosewood]

Just for the record, ConRail stood for Consolidated Rail Corporation, a quasi-government entity started on 04/01/1976 that folded in the assets of 6 bankrupt NE US railroads (Penn Central, Erie Lackawanna, Reading, Lehigh Valley, Jersey Central, and Lehigh & Hudson River).
.

I always thought it was short for Continental Railroad, you learn something knew every day.

 

[rosewood]

I recently acquired a M581 no dash that the factory confirmed it hasn’t seen the recall. I just sent mine in for the work. Hopefully it won’t be long

I sent mine a few months back, seems like it was maybe 3 weeks before I got it back. Will have to check. I posted it on here somewhere.

Rosewood