A Review of the S&W Model 681

[Pharr Shot]

The Smith & Wesson model 681 is the very weapon I took with me to CLEET way back in the summer of 1990. I qualified with it the very first time with a 78.

After a few other qualifying runs, my score climbed every time to the mid 80's and finally to my best score which was somewhere in the upper 90's.

Mine was actually shooting to the right just a little bit, so I told the coordinator, Glen McEntire about it and he said, "ok, lets go see the gunsmith. He can sight it in for you."

I said, "sight it in? But it's a fixed sight gun."

He smiled real big like the cat that just ate the canary.

We walk into the gunsmith's shop, McEntire told the smitty, "hey this guy's revolver needs sighted in." The smitty grabbed a piece of a wooden broom handle, laid the gun down on his bench and proceeded to pound on the barrel of the gun with the broom handle!

I said, "hey, HEY, HEY!!! What in the hell are you doing?!"

Hey pulled a bright and shiny Smith & Wesson glossy blued model 27 with a 3.5 inch barrel out of his holster, laid it down in front of me and said, "if I leave a single mark on this hogleg, that 27 is yours."

I told him, "pound away my good man!"

After he was finished, it shot spot on and no, there wasn't a mark on it anywhere.

I miss that ol' magnum. Hell...I miss 'em all.

I can't stop laughing now!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TheLastDaze]

I used to have a S&W 686 that was used by OSP(ok state pen)
Shouldnt have sold that one.

you and me both !!!! I had a 686 no dash, had it for 13 years and only fired it maybe 50 rounds... bought it used for 180 at a pawn shop back in the day, sold it on GB because I didn't use it much....... Kick myself everytime I see one similar

 

[Brandi]

That's a nice S&W! I'd call it a keeper too, I'm liking the lanyard loop. Well done! I've got two "keeper" revolvers, one is my S&W 629 V-Comp and the other my Ruger Wiley Clapp GP100.

I would love to get a stainless S&W 64-1 or 65 (can't remember which is the right model) OHP .357 magnum model with the badge on the side plate, I've wanted one since I first saw my first trooper as a child.

This is my first and only (so far) S&W wheelie gun but she is spectacular! S&W 629 V-Comp Performance Center .44 magnum currently equipped with a Trijicon RMR. The action is absolutely fantastic, as all PC guns are from what I've heard, and the accuracy is amazing. The recoil and muzzle flip are very controllable with the compensator attached. This gun sort of ruined me, I love my Ruger's but S&W's PC revolvers are so sweet you can't have just one. I've already decided, should finances ever allow, that a S&W 627 V-Comp is necessary to keep my 629 V-Comp company. There's also a S&W 460V on my radar...girl has to have dreams you know.

 

[Johnny]

I am not aware of a 3" 681 ever leaving the factory, but at one time during the Clinton administration S&W did make a 3" 686 for the Customs service. And if I am not mistaken they still make a 2 1/2" 686.

Personally, I prefer the 4" myself.

Oh, and rather than surplussing them, the Customs service melted them down.

I think they made 3000 and only 1500 went to the customs service. The other 1500 are floating around somewhere. I missed on the other day.

 

[gerhard1]

Referring to the 3" Model 686.

I think they made 3000 and only 1500 went to the customs service. The other 1500 are floating around somewhere. I missed on the other day.

If that's true, then they are rarer than my NYSP Model 520.

 

[gerhard1]

That's a nice S&W! I'd call it a keeper too, I'm liking the lanyard loop. Well done! I've got two "keeper" revolvers, one is my S&W 629 V-Comp and the other my Ruger Wiley Clapp GP100.

I would love to get a stainless S&W 64-1 or 65 (can't remember which is the right model) OHP .357 magnum model with the badge on the side plate, I've wanted one since I first saw my first trooper as a child.

This is my first and only (so far) S&W wheelie gun but she is spectacular! S&W 629 V-Comp Performance Center .44 magnum currently equipped with a Trijicon RMR. The action is absolutely fantastic, as all PC guns are from what I've heard, and the accuracy is amazing. The recoil and muzzle flip are very controllable with the compensator attached. This gun sort of ruined me, I love my Ruger's but S&W's PC revolvers are so sweet you can't have just one. I've already decided, should finances ever allow, that a S&W 627 V-Comp is necessary to keep my 629 V-Comp company. There's also a S&W 460V on my radar...girl has to have dreams you know.

That's an interesting handgun. I have the standard 627. I put Pachmayr Compacs on mine as I do with nearly all of my S&W RB wheelguns. The Model 65 in my avatar is the exception.

Oh, I forgot: My model 686 has Hogue Bantams.

 

[gerhard1]

Here is a picture of my 681.

 

[mtngunr]

Keeping to the theme of adding to this thread every half decade or so, just bought this one last week, as not many are ever let go by owners, under 55,000 produced in only 11yr run which ended in 1992, circa 4800 per year average.

This was in a local store, lot, LOT of holster wear (the ONLY damage to finish), zero flame cut or even etch to top strap, zero bore erosion to throat, some jacket fouling on lands as proper for likely mainly .38 +P shooting and very little, if any, .357 use, and mechanically near new with very little sign of much firing, including hammer recess. Weight is about equal to a 1911, or stainless 6.5" Single Six for that matter, and a just right smooth drawing, smooth shooting, and VERY accurate revolver. Carries about as comfy as my 1911 carries mex, which is about as good as it gets. My first real shooting with accuracy and speed was with a Military & Police, and this gun is like coming home.

I probably paid too much, but this is one of those classics where you cannot pay too much, but only pay too soon.

I'll be swapping out the entirely serviceable Pachmayr Gripper for a less bulky also older classic Barami Hip Grip and T-grip when the Barami arrives today, but will likely skip the wad of rubber bands twisted around grip, and will add the photo here when done.

 

[mtngunr]

Keeping to the theme of adding to this thread every half decade or so, just bought this one last week, as not many are ever let go by owners, under 55,000 produced in only 11yr run which ended in 1992, circa 4800 per year average.

This was in a local store, lot, LOT of holster wear (the ONLY damage to finish), zero flame cut or even etch to top strap, zero bore erosion to throat, some jacket fouling on lands as proper for likely mainly .38 +P shooting and very little, if any, .357 use, and mechanically near new with very little sign of much firing, including hammer recess. Weight is about equal to a 1911, or stainless 6.5" Single Six for that matter, and a just right smooth drawing, smooth shooting, and VERY accurate revolver. Carries about as comfy as my 1911 carries mex, which is about as good as it gets. My first real shooting with accuracy and speed was with a Military & Police, and this gun is like coming home.

I probably paid too much, but this is one of those classics where you cannot pay too much, but only pay too soon.

I'll be swapping out the entirely serviceable Pachmayr Gripper for a less bulky also older classic Barami Hip Grip and T-grip when the Barami arrives today, but will likely skip the wad of rubber bands twisted around grip, and will add the photo here when done.

Tah dah! Behold! Transmogrified! (sorry I am about 4yrs early with this reply and breaking the pattern on this thread)

 

[mtngunr]

The flip/more conventional side highlighting the finish where you just don't worry throwing this one unholstered into the glove compartment. I found a far nicer looking looking one listed out of state for under $100 more than I paid for this one, but it would have needed be unfired to beat this one mechanically, and this one I KNEW was righteous...
I will be using it as primary carry gun and leaving the 1911, Blackhawk .45, and CZ75 at home...I love the Military and Police, and this is ultimate M&P in my book.

PS- would have added these posts/photos all in one post, but editing ability timed out before photos taken throughout the day.