Range Report on the 581 & concerns

P

pdh

New member
Went to the range today to try out a 581 S&W I recently bought. I went out on a limb for this as I always wanted a S&W 357mag. She's well used....
I stopped at wally world and found some Remington 38 special, 130gr MC. Have not shot the 357mag loads yet.
Does the accuracy potential seem to be on par with the S&W revolvers? The groups were shot in the off hand position at 15yds and 25yds. No bench so hard to really test out it's accuracy.

15yds.....best groups
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25yds....best groups
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Concerns are......I do not know if there might be any issues in the lock work/cylinder gap...a few times....firing in single action...the hammer would not cock back...had to swing out the cylinder...snap it back in and then I could cock the hammer back. Anyone have any ideas on what's going on here.....
I may send it back to Smith & Wesson have them to go over it and reblue it....
Thanks so much
 
the accuracy is fine, it will shoot better but the rest is up to you. I love my 581 and as far as the hammer not locking back, sounds like it needs a good scrubbing to take care of that. Just clean it well and oil it well, you should come out fine.
 
+1 beeenbag. The accuracy off hand looks good to me. If a good cleaning and oiling doesn't do it, call S&W. They will most likely pick up the shipping and repair cost. As for the re-bluing, how would you rate the original bluing?
 
Shadi Khalil....to take a novice's opinion like mine on the rating of the bluing..70-80%.....maybe a little worse.

little better pics
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I think it definitely was a duty weapon. Holster wear at muzzle and up the barrel some.
I bought it off my Aunt who's husband recently passed away and she did not know the history of it.....
I have no manual for maint instructions. So is it necessary to remove the side plate to clean and lube regularly in there? This is my first S&W revolver...know nothing about cleaning and lubing them but the barrel, cylinder and such.
Thanks so much for your help :)
 
The only thing you need to take off are the grips. CLP is your friend, use it gratiously. Make sure to use a toothbrush or the likes of that and get around the locking lugs, the extractor star (under is important also), and in/around the firing pin hole on the breech face.
 
While the accuracy doesn't look too bad to me, bear in mind that different guns may like different ammunition better than others. This is why gun magazines usually test for accuracy with several different loadings.

I also noticed that some of your groups look a touch low. Because 158gr is standard weight for both .38 Special and .357 Magnum, fixed sight revolvers in those calibers usually have their sights regulated for that weight. When bullets of lighter weight, such as the 130gr loading you tried, are used, the point of impact is often lower than the point of aim.
 
Not bad shooting. I would second Webleymkv suggestion to try some other types of factory ammunition.

My stainless 681 is a tack driver using Remington 125 grain 38+P JHP. Good luck! :) Regards 18DAI
 
Yes... I have read the fixed sight revolvers are regulated for the 158gr bullets.
I had trouble finding 158gr loads in my area.
I plan on experimenting on different loads and do plan on reloading also.
Thanks
 
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