S&W Performance Center 681-4

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RetLawman590

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S&W Performance Center 681-4 .357 Magnum 3" Barrel, Smith & Wesson, 7-shot Non-Fluted Cylinder, 3" Quadra-Port Barrel, Chamfered Cylinder, Trigger Overtravel Stop, Fixed Sights, Product Code: 170200.

Anyone familiar with this gun and is a $700 asking price fair, NIB? I'm looking to buy it.

Thanks
 

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I had one of the earlier 681 PC Quadraport revolvers, and the revolver was a mixed bag. It had some really nice features, including the seven-shot cylinder, the three-inch barrel with the full-length ejector rod, and nice fixed sights. Unfortunately, the PC action was pitiful with the strangest issue being that the overtravel stop did not contact the triggerguard, meaning it was useless. How that made it out the door I do not know. It also had the worst feeling trigger of any S&W I ever tried.

I still purchased it, hoping lots of dry firing would smooth out the action and not really needing the overtravel stop. Then I learned it shot about six inches to the left for my eyes. And it shaved lead and spit.

At that point, I was done with it. I sent it to S&W, got it fixed, and sold it to a buddy who is a collector.

My lesson: Do a better job of checking it out than I did. If it looks good, $700 is a fair price. On the other hand, you can find a four-inch 681 for about two-thirds (or less) of $700. That is what I did when I purchased an old Atlanta PD 681-1. That gun was not pretty, but it was worth the $300 I paid for it. And it shot to POA with 158-grain JHP.
 
I've actually owned 2 of this model. I didn't like the black front sight and replaced it with a white outline night sight. The trigger was smooth but very heavy. I had an action job and it was very nice. Great shooter. And, yes it's not ported. If it's something you want I think $700 is a very fair price for it as long as it's in really nice shape. I wouldn't pay that for another one because I'd have to add the price of night sights and possibly an action job, but you'd be hard pressed to find a nice one cheaper.
 
Another option. A 586 L comp 3" 7 round cylinder. Fun PC gun about the same price maybe. Exact POA. Perfect timing. Trigger is smooth but on the heavy side. S&W likes it that way. Goes bang every time.

586Lcomp.jpg
 
S&w 681

I was able to trade for a 681(No Dash) about 20 years ago. I gave a new (Take out of a totaled new car) AM-FM Cassette Delco Radio+$50.00 cash.
And, YES, the first thing that I did, is have my Sheriff Dept. buddy run the #'s=CLEAN!!
The trigger only gets smoother over the years and it shoots to point of aim with 158gr. ammo.
This Smith shoots more accurate than most of my adjustable sight pistols do.
As said before, I would go this route for half the $'s...Bill.:uhoh:
 
Thanks for the replies. Still waiting on more pics of the gun. Looks was its not what was advertised with the ported barrel. It also has a black fs which is useless for my eyes. I think I'm going to pass unless I can get it for a steal (650 shipped).

I like that 586L Comp!
 
It's a PC 681 though, as pointed out, not the QuadPort version, it's an earlier run with different features. It's a deal at $700, if you can get it for that, I've seen the ad and won't be surprised if it ends up selling for quie a bit more than the starting price. If I didn't already have 586 L-Comp I'd be bidding on it myself.

As far as the description, I'm sure it was just an error of the seller's part. I know the seller, I've purchased a number of guns from his website and have been very happy with the transactions. If you have any questions or concerns you should get his number from his website and just call him directly, he's a good guy to deal with. He could have one of each and may have mixed up the pics, he's liquidating an estate and has a ton of guns he's dealing with.

And so I can keep up with 340PD, here's a pic of my 586 L-Comp. It's had a bit of work done on it -
SDC10809.jpg
 
Yep, dealer said it was an estate sale and took it off until he can re-evaluate the gun and its correct specs. Thanks
 
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