[Ant Mod]

I am sure you get alot of these "i bought this gun how much is it worth?" questions. Well here is another one.

I bought my second handgun today, the first handgun I ever bought was purchased a week ago and was a cheap Star BM 9mm. This is the one i bought yesterday.

http://world.guns.ru/handguns/sw681.jpg

Bought it for $300 plus tax. I checked all the regular things that needed to be checked according to a website IU found and it seems fine. I am just a big impulse buyer and am hoping I didnt really mess up. Its a S&W 681 .357.

[Johnny Guest]

Probably a pretty decent purchase, depending on where you are. In my part of the country, it might have been slightly over market, but so what? In five years, who will care? If you checked it for timing and end shake, and the chambers and barrel are good, the revolver will give decades, proobably generations, of good service yet.

Fixed-sight revolvers are pretty rugged, and stainless doesn't show wear and tear like a blued gun does. You might have to test a few different factory loads to get one to print exactly to the sights, but that's just fun, anyway. The L-frame Smiths were produced to stand a bit more shooting of full house magnum loads than the K-frames would, while still being lighter than the N-frame models. Do you handload? If so, your 581 will take a goodly diet of mid- to high-end loads for years. I'd hold off on the true barn burners, but that's just me.

Yessir, we get a LOT of that type question. They're fun to read, because we get to see what other members are buying. Heck, I've been buying and shooting S&Ws for well over 35 years, and I wrote a similar post recently. ;)

Let us know how it shoots, huh?

Best,
Johnny

[Ankeny]

There are several 681 revolvers on Guns America. The cheapest is $335.00. You didn't steal it, but you didn't get screwed. Looks like a decent price.

[FPrice]

You didn't mess up, in fact you done real good!

I had a 68(6?)(the adjustable sight version) many years ago and found it to be a fine revolver. $300 is probably a good middle of the road price.

Shoot well! And often.

[C.R.Sam]

Good tough work n fun gun.

Check on the frame under the crane and tell us if there is a dash number after the 681.
And if no dash, or if dash -1, is there an M stamped in that area ?

Concerns a free factory upgrade for the early ones.

Sam

[Ala Dan]

As other's have said, "great gun at a decent price". Now,
take those firearms to the range and shoot them.:D

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[Neal Bloom]

Been looking for one of those myself. Congrats and have fun.

[SouthpawShootr]

I think you did pretty well. $300 is par for the course with these guns, which have just started showing up on the used market (I'm assuming some large PD somewhere went to autos). My favorite dealer had one for $259, but it had rather severe holster wear (I don't know whether he's sold it or not). You should get plenty of use and enjoyment out of this. It is a good solid revolver.

[Ant Mod]

Check on the frame under the crane and tell us if there is a dash number after the 681.

On the frame it just says "MOD 681." On the crane itself is the serial number with "E2" it looks like stamped above it. There is also a weird symbol I can only desrcibe as a sideways $ without the line going through the whole thing, just coming out the the top and bottom. I can take a picture of it if anyone REALLY wants to see these marks.

[C.R.Sam]

Sounds like you have a pre 1986, no dash 681.

In 1987 there was a recall of 681s and 681-1s for rework.
Those that have been reworked will have a M overstamped on the frame under the crane....where the model number and serial are.

No M....call S&W service dept for instructions.
They should update it for you on their nickle, including shipping.

Sam

[Archie]

I bought a 581 (blued, fixed sights) revolver.

I still have it. I still like it.

Shoots WW Silvertip 145 ammo to point of aim at 25 yards.

[FPrice]

"I can take a picture of it if anyone REALLY wants to see these marks."

Go ahead, we LOVE pictures around here. :D

Especially pictures of guns.

[Oracle]

Looks like you've bought a nice gun for a good price. Congrats!