S&W 681

[Barmcd]

I found a stainless steel S&W model 65 in a local gun shop. The gun looked to be in great shape, but the crane moved fore and aft quite a bit when open and the cylinder also moved fore and aft quite a bit. The trigger and hammer operated normally and the bore looked good. I understand that the crane can be shimmed and the cylinder can be "stretched" by a competent gun smith, but that's a lot of effort and probably money that I don't want to spend. I really liked the size of the gun and fixed sights, but I passed .

Now I've come across a model 681 which I understand is a 686 with fixed sights. Its a little bit bigger, but is essentially the same gun, in an L frame instead of a K frame. I'm hesitating because the gun has what looks like grips off of a N frame revolver on it and it looks awful. Does anyone know if 686 grips will fit a 681? From the pic, it also might be a round bottom grip.

Any information about the gun would be appreciated.

 

[Biblethumpncop]

Yes, K and L frame grips will fit it.

 

[mcb]

What are they asking for it? I would love to have a fixed sight L or N frame. I have a model 10 and love the fixed sights on it. I just wish S&W would make a fixed sight L-frame in 10mm Auto.

I would not let grips stop you from buying it. Grips are easily changed and there are a plethora of them out there to chose from for an L-frame.

 

[Jonesy814]

Factory N frame target grips are fairly valuable themselves. I wouldn’t let the wrong grips stop me

 

[ditmo]

Any K or L frame square butt grips will fit. My 681 no dash has a hogue monogrip on it. Still have the original wood grips, but they'll stay in the box. If its a decent price I'd jump on it. Love mine

 

[PistoleroWadcutterGANG]

just my two cents: don't let this become one of those gun regret moments. GO GET THE REVOLVER!

 

[jmr40]

I've only seen a couple of those and they both had a round butt. I missed a chance to buy one at least 20, maybe closer to 30 years ago at a good price. There was a guy who had a couple at a gun show that were supposedly an overrun that was made for a LE agency.

As said above, K or L frame grips will fit that gun. A N frame grip should not work. Just make sure if it is a round or square butt.

 

[Pat Riot]

All of a sudden I find my heart rate elevated in conjunction with hot flashes and drooling…

Oh, I wouldn’t let that 681 get away if it’s decent and priced right.

 

[Ranger99]

The few that I've seen and handled
had the wrong stocks on them.
I would imagine that a police armorer
probably put whatever was in the
junk box when it came time for the
department to trade in the issue guns
( only explanation I can think of)

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

A 681 was my 1st handgun. Had to sell it to feed the kids. Miss it everyday- it was the perfect revolver.

Do.Not.Pass.It.Up.

(But if you do tell us where it is, plz)

 

[243winxb]

a model 681 which I understand is a 686 with fixed sights

I would wait for an adjustable sight model, if barrel is 4" or longer. Different ammo doesnt shoot to the same point of impact.

Just my preference.

 

[Ranger99]

Need to share the purchase location
if you're talking yourself out of it.
I wish I'd have bought 3 or 4 when
I could have

 

[nick22]

I agree that's a nice collectors piece how much are they wanting for it would determine how interested I was. I suppose that goes with all firearms though if it's under a 1,000 bucks I would grab it.

 

[P5 Guy]

Original grips were Magna, Targets are easier handling for me, but I settled on a rubber Hougue mono grip.

 

[Barmcd]

Yes, K and L frame grips will fit it.

Thanks.

 

[Barmcd]

just my two cents: don't let this become one of those gun regret moments. GO GET THE REVOLVER!

That’s good advice. Too many I didn’t purchase that I regretted later.

 

[Barmcd]

I would wait for an adjustable sight model, if barrel is 4" or longer. Different ammo doesnt shoot to the same point of impact.

Just my preference.

I shoot a lot of Colt 1873 Army clones and actually prefer the simpler sights on those guns. I reload so I can tailor the velocity to the gun.

 

[Barmcd]

I agree that's a nice collectors piece how much are they wanting for it would determine how interested I was. I suppose that goes with all firearms though if it's under a 1,000 bucks I would grab it.

I bought it this morning and it was under $1000. It was at Collectors firearms in Houston. They’re shipping it to their Austin location so there won’t be any FFL fees and I’ll have 3 days to return it.

 

[Jim Watson]

Agree, K and L grip frames are the same, the same stocks will fit either.
You just have to pick square or round butt. And if you have a round butt gun, you can buy round-to-square grips that fill in the superfluous curves.

Yes, I said superfluous curves, I consider myself to have made a mistake having a gun butt ground down from square to round. I would not now want a round butt on anything but a 2 or 3 inch model.

 

[CajunBass]

My dealer had a near identical one to it a couple of days ago ($800 IIRC). I was SO tempted, but I've already got a Model 19 on layaway, and I will not get sucked into THAT trap...(more than one on layaway) again. With all the Smith and Wesson's I've owned over the years, I don't think I've ever even fired an L-frame. Owned a couple, but never fired them.

 

[Dave T]

I've never seen a 581 (blued version) or 681 with a round butt. Maybe I've lived a sheltered life, despite owning both at one time or another.

My biggest complaint about the 581/681 Smiths I owned was the miserable front sight. Of course that applies to all S&W fixed sight revolvers in the last few decades. YMMV.

Dave

 

[Barmcd]

I've never seen a 581 (blued version) or 681 with a round butt. Maybe I've lived a sheltered life, despite owning both at one time or another.

My biggest complaint about the 581/681 Smiths I owned was the miserable front sight. Of course that applies to all S&W fixed sight revolvers in the last few decades. YMMV.

Dave

Just looking at the shadow at the bottom of the rear of the grip makes me think they might be round instead of square. I won't know for sure until I pick it up. Heck, this is the first 681 I've seen.

 

[Brian Williams]

I have 2 581s and they are great.

 

[JERRY]

This 681 was my first issued gun. Its a range toy now because I'd hate to lose it to evidence in an incident. It's got sentimental value.

I'd encourage anyone looking for a nice "fighting revolver" to get one. Mine was used for fighting, though its back up 640 just hurt some egos.

 

[Onty]

I bought it this morning and it was under $1000. It was at Collectors firearms in Houston. They’re shipping it to their Austin location so there won’t be any FFL fees and I’ll have 3 days to return it.

Are you talking about S&W 681?