S&W Revolver M681???

B

Beyond_Visual_Range

New member
Heard from a friend of a friend of a friend (you know how that goes), there's a S&W 681 .357in very good condition for sale $220. What do u think?

I couldn't find any info on S&W website on a model 681, could someone got it wrong and it's a 686? It's a stainless, with 4" barrel, that's about the only info I have. What would be a fair price for it? I'm thinking of going to take a look, but it's abit of a drive so I want to make sure it's worth the trip first. Thanks for any info.
 
681 was produced from 1981-1992. L frame .357
Pretty much the same gun as the 686 except the 681 has fixed sights.
Price seems reasonable if the condition is indeed very good.
 
The price is MORE than reasonable..... Depending on true condition.

Lots of them were cop guns. Some cops take care of their weapons and some don't. A cop friend of mine has some of the dirtiest, rusty junk you'll ever see. I tease him all the time about it.

If it is indeed in very good shape, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. It would make a great CCW gun.
 
Ditto what others have said. I would like to pass on a bit of other information that you may find interesting or useful. I bought one of them at one time and since have given it to my Brother-in-law who keeps it in his home but doesn't shoot it much. Anyway, recently I came across information of a recall that Smith and Wesson had on 681's, 581's and 586 and 686's without a number suffix (686-1, etc.). It did have a link to the original SW recall but must have deleted it. It was a "minor" issue that "some" .357 loads "might" have primer backflow that could get past the firing pin bushing and tie up the gun. Smith said that .38's were fine and "most" .357s but that anyone who depended on the gun for defense or duty should allow the factory to replace the firing pin bushing, the hammer nose and other associated parts to avoid any problems. Guns so modified were stamped "M" just above the model number on the inside of the crane. I immediately checked my brother-in-law's revolver, which was a police turn-in, and, sure enough, it had been modifed sporting a nice "M" just above the "681" inside the frame. This came up on another board (smith-wesson forum in a discussion of pre-suffix 586's (one of which I was looking at at my dealer). I believe the issue was with X86 and X86-1s and was corrected by X86-2 and I believe it affected all X81s since they were only made for a year or two. Bottom line is that apparently Smith and Wesson is still performing this modification (should it be necessary) to this day and for free. I believe they will pay the shipping and all. If you decide to biuy the gun you might check it out and if it has not been modified you might contact Smith and Wesson. I pass this on not as warning not to buy but just as, I hope, useful information. Good luck. Mine (my brother-in-law's) was and is a really nice revolver, lanyard ring and all. Good luck.
 
Update to 681 info - I found a saved word file on the recall. I'm sorry if this is long and I hope it's OK to publish this with quotes:
I did not save the URL where I found it:

"SMITH & WESSON, MODEL 581, 586, 681, 686, or 581-1, 586-1, 681-1, 686-1 & 686CS-1, REVOLVERS
Reports have been received from the field where the combination of a SMITH & WESSON L-FRAME 357 MAGNUM REVOLVER and some .357 Magnum ammunition has resulted in unacceptable cylinder binding. L-frame revolvers bearing model numbers:
581, 586, 681, 686, or 581-1, 586-1, 681-1, 686-1, 686CS-1
Cylinder binding can cause a failure to fire. Mishandling a revolver while freeing the cylinder can result in accidental discharge.
Cylinder binding can result from a number of causes, including characteristics of an individual revolver or the use of ammunition, which does not conform to industry pressure specifications or is particularly fast burning. Recent developments in ammunition manufacture emphasize the production of .357 Magnum ammunition with increased velocity and greater primer sensitivity.
Although there have been very few reported incidents of cylinder binding, in view of our concern for our customer's safety and the reliability of Smith & Wesson products in all circumstances, we issue the following warning:
In a situation where a failure to fire can be critical - such as law enforcement or personal protection - do not use .357 Magnum ammunition with an L-frame revolver bearing model numbers 581, 586, 681, 686 or 581-1, 586-1, 681-1, 686-1, 686CS-1 without an "M" over the model number until you have had the revolver modified.
Those who need to use their L-frame revolver under these conditions prior to modification can safely fire .38 Special caliber ammunition.
Smith & Wesson has developed a modification to improve existing L-frame revolvers. This improvement enables them to fire all .357 Magnum ammunition, without cylinder binding. Shipments of L-frame revolvers from our factory after August 21, 1987 already include this improvement.
You can check if your revolver includes this improvement by looking at the left side of the frame when the cylinder is fully open. If your revolver has been stamped either with a "2" or higher number after the basic three-digit model number or with an "M" above the model number, your revolver includes this improvement and does not need modification. If your revolver bears the model number 581, 586, 681, 686, or 581-1, 586-1, 681-1, 686-1, 686CS-1 without an "M" over the model number, it does not include this improvement and your should have your revolver modified.
Smith & Wesson will modify your L-frame revolver free of charge to eliminate the possibility of cylinder binding with .357 Magnum ammunition. Law enforcement agencies wishing to arrange for modification of L-frame revolvers should call 800-458-8469 between 9 A.M. and 6 P.M. Eastern time (MA residents call 413-734-8244). Other users should send their revolvers to a Smith & Wesson Warranty Service Center, specifying "L-frame improvement program" and enclosing their name and return address.
One of the modifications to improve the L-frame revolver is the installation of a new hammer nose. This obsoletes all old L-frame hammer noses (part numbers 4702 and 7513) and all old L-frame hammer assemblies (part numbers 3366, 3378, 3380, 3382, 3391, 4722, 4723, 4726 and 4728) in field parts inventories. Superseded parts should never be fitted into a modified revolver as this may result in malfunction. It is essential for safety that you return these obsolete L-frame hammer noses and obsolete L-frame hammer assemblies for a free exchange to:
Smith & Wesson
Service Department
2100 Roosevelt Avenue
Springfield, MA 01101
Do not return L-frame hammer-nose bushings from your spare parts inventory inasmuch as they are useable in J, N and K-frame revolvers, which are not included in this Product Warning.
We regret any inconvenience this may cause. Smith & Wesson's first concern is the safety of its products and the protection of its customers.
Source:
Shotgun News November 1, 1989; page ?
Guns & Ammo, December 1987; page 6"
 
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