Looking at a worn 581

[Biblethumpncop]

I have been keeping an eye on a worn S&W 581 at a local pawnshop since May. They have it priced at $600... way over priced for the wear and mangled grips that are on it. Looks like an old police service gun with scratches, major blueing wear and wrong wood finger groove grips with little finish on them. I think it is a good candidate to get a 3" barrel and dovetail front night sight, bobbed hammer and Metalife hard chrome finish.

$300-$350 seems more reasonable. Anyone have one?

 

[Mr. Mosin]

With the way things are, I'd be laying hands to every handgun I could find, and all the ammunition too.

 

[Biblethumpncop]

They won't budge past $500. I will pass and take another shot at it in 6 more months.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Id ignore the finish wear and look at the ratchet and bore. It may have been carried a lot and shot a little. The 581 is a very rare bird- Ive never seen one in the flesh, but I did have a stainless 681. It was hands down the best overall revolver, maybe handgun, Ive ever owned.

Had to sell to feed the kids. Miss it everyday.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I stumbled into my 95+% example in the Cabela's Used Gun Room after they just put it in the case for $400. The guy doing prices that day was a big polystriker lover. I seem to have good luck there, and this gun represents my only L-frame since I am usually not a big fan of full underlug barrels.

 

[ontarget]

One of the LGSs a couple of towns over has a M&P that was rechambered to 38 Spl. After the war. I'm not sure what it was originally chambered for. 38-200? IDK.
Anyway they want $600 for it.
As we all know, prices are just stupid these days.
What happened to the M10 trade ins for $279?

 

[243winxb]

Pass.

 

[Engineer1911]

M686 and a M681 with an Aristocrat rib. Bought the gun about 10 years ago $275 and rib for $100. There is no muzzle flip with the M681 that is DAO, aim and pull the trigger. The sights don't move off the target.

 

[P5 Guy]

Scarce maybe but not really rare the S&W5/681 with the wrong grip and obvious finish wear would, in normal times be a $400-$450 gun. With all the papers and box in as new might fetch $750 to the ardent collector.

 

[Biblethumpncop]

The 581 at the pawn shop is ugly enough to sit for a long time at their price. It is also ugly enough to customize if I can get it for $400 out the door. I will be patient.

 

[Confederate]

They won't budge past $500. I will pass and take another shot at it in 6 more months.

You're right to wait. Gun stores are greedy these days and you're better off with with a private sale.

You might also consider a used Ruger Speed-Six or Service-Six, both astoundingly great pistols, and perhaps more realistically priced. I also love the Ruger Security-Six as well. S&W stainless revolvers were rarely seen in the 80s and 90s, and the only way to get them was to get on a waiting list. The Security-Six was more available where I was, but they were scarce elsewhere. The guns were great and the sights can be blackened with a black magic marker.


The S&W 66 was, and is, very difficult to find at any price.


Ruger Security-Six revolvers can be found, but some are in pretty rough condition.


Security-Six revolvers are easily disassembled and reassembled in the field.


The Security-Six (bottom) is lighter to carry than the S&W L-frame
in 4-/6-frames.

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