[Marine63]

Hello. I have purchased a model 681 with serial# AAExxxx. Would anyone be able to help me with a date? Thank you.

 

[tnmedic]

1980 three letter serial numbers started with AAA000 in 1980, I would guess with the letter E would be 84 but I could be wrong.

 

[Marine63]

Thank you. I was also informed that AAD shipped on 81 and AAF shipped in Oct 82. So have narrowed down enough too have a good idea. I appreciate your time and effort. Very helpful, have a great day

 

[Jack Flash]

Off topic, but I really wish Smith had made a 3" round butt 681.

 

[Johnny_Revolver]

I've said this before but an S and W wearing those big target grips just makes me swoon.

 

[Ranger4]

I've said this before but an S and W wearing those big target grips just makes me swoon.

Actually those grips on a model 29 will cut the flesh out of the center of your hand after about 50 rounds, actually long before you get to 50. . I keep mine in the presentation case, I keep Hogues with finger grips on the gun. I just never learned to master them on the 44. When the muzzle flips up it is like sand paper in your hand. LOL We were shooting 240 grain ammo at 1,500 fps out of the 4 inch. It is the real deal. You have to buy Buffalo Bore, Corbon or Double Tap to get real 44 mag ammo these days. The hot ones are 1,200 fpe. All the Winchester, Rem, Federal and those load the ammo down to 750-1000 fps. Not even close.

Those grips do make a pretty display. When I was a young police officer guys carried them on the 19, 57 or 29 whatever we carried. They do look good on the belt and everybody knew you were carrying a "magnum"..

 

[Johnny_Revolver]

They do look good on the belt and everybody knew you were carrying a "magnum"..

All the reasons I'd need

 

[Ranger4]

All the reasons I'd need

Sometime in 1977-78, I was in Wash D.C. in the reserves at the time. Two of us were police officers and while there for training a few weeks took the opportunity to go ride with the metro D.C Police. At the time they were averaging something like one felony call per hour. Back home we might get one per day, maybe only one a week. SO, we wanted to see what it was like in the big city.

Pretty funny. The felonies were muggings and robberies not like some armed domestic back home, but still those guys were busy. Not many bad guys there had guns, back home everybody did, so it was interesting.

But the local P.D. guys were fascinated with our duty guns. They carried very old SW model 10s. They did not carry hollow points (dum dums), and they only carried like 18 rounds. They did not have shotguns or long guns in the patrol car, instead, they had a riot baton, 2 inch thick 38 inches long. And a radio, that was their combat load, LOL. They did not even use speed loaders, just rounds in belt loops.

So, what is it like to shoot a "Magnum" they would ask. I do not recall any of them having ever fired a 357. And the hollow points were a big deal to them. They were fascinated. Probably from the Dirty Harry movie--1971.

Today (since 1989) the DC Police carry Glocks, 19 and 17s with the EMD unit carrying Sigs, all in 9mm, last I heard.

 

[Johnny_Revolver]

Today

Cops in my state use a Glock 22 in 40 s and w as far as I know. I thought they carried 40 rounds but their own Website states 3 clips and 90 which seems a little out there.

I know I wouldn't want to fall in the creek wearing the vest they do, it's loaded with all kinds of crap.

 

[blue fox]

Sometime in 1977-78, I was in Wash D.C. in the reserves at the time. Two of us were police officers and while there for training a few weeks took the opportunity to go ride with the metro D.C Police. At the time they were averaging something like one felony call per hour. Back home we might get one per day, maybe only one a week. SO, we wanted to see what it was like in the big city.

Pretty funny. The felonies were muggings and robberies not like some armed domestic back home, but still those guys were busy. Not many bad guys there had guns, back home everybody did, so it was interesting.

But the local P.D. guys were fascinated with our duty guns. They carried very old SW model 10s. They did not carry hollow points (dum dums), and they only carried like 18 rounds. They did not have shotguns or long guns in the patrol car, instead, they had a riot baton, 2 inch thick 38 inches long. And a radio, that was their combat load, LOL. They did not even use speed loaders, just rounds in belt loops.

So, what is it like to shoot a "Magnum" they would ask. I do not recall any of them having ever fired a 357. And the hollow points were a big deal to them. They were fascinated. Probably from the Dirty Harry movie--1971.

Today (since 1989) the DC Police carry Glocks, 19 and 17s with the EMD unit carrying Sigs, all in 9mm, last I heard.

I worked there from 70-73. all we were allowed to carry for issue ammo was 158 gr. round nose lead. We were subject to disciplinary action if we got caught with anything else and that included in any off duty weapon we chose to carry. Hopefully they didn't still have the swivel holsters when you were riding with them. The swivel had a
tendency to break often. sucked to go on a call and find out your duty weapon and holster were still in the car. We did carry blackjacks back then and the original Mace which didn't work well.