Just obtained a model 610. 6 1/2 inch barrel. Serial BFA 7XXX. Can anyone give me a guess as to when this was made. I have little experiance with S&W handguns and would like to know more about this model. Can anyone point me to some reference material. I tried using the search function but had little luck.

What is the dash number on yours? Here is my 610 no dash. It was made either late 80's or early 90's just cannot recall at the moment.

Mine is just like yours and has no dash. The stocks are smooth wood with finger grooves.

The model 610 was introduced in 1989. They were made in 5" & 6 1/2" barrel lengths. The model was dropped in 1992 with a total number of 4560 being made. This run of 610 has a fluted cylinder. The next run of 610s were produced with an unfluted cylinder. In 1999 Lew Horton had 300 3" guns made! Today these 3"guns are highly prized collectors items(very expensive)!
jcelect SWCA#LM723

1989 - I think my 6.5" 610 no-dash also has a BFAxxxx serial number, and was made in 1989 per the SCSW3.

I very much appreciate the information. Any shooting impressions? I haven't fired mine yet but plan on remedying that later in the week. As HEAVY as the barrel is, I don't expect it to be punishing. Do you shoot 40 S&Ws in yours? What sort of accuracy have you been getting? I anticipate doing most of my shooting at 15 and out to about 25 yards, though I may shoot a bit further.

One of my favorite S&W revolvers. You can fire 10mm and .40 S&W. I shoot .40's for IDPA competitions. 10mm for home defense, and Pigs (I hope).

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Rolan Kraps
Gainesville, Ga

I have the 610 in 4" brl and it's fantastic! Shoots like a dream, felt recoil is very mild. I was just on the range with it last week with my gf and we were each comparing the felt recoil of factory 10mm with factory 40 S&W and there was little difference - I doubt I would have picked them out on a blind fire test. There's an important difference in ballistics, of course, but as far as range work I'm going to start buying whichever is cheaper. For carry or home defense I'd stick with the 10mm round, which is an excellent choice for either.

i've had a couple 610s over the years but never a 3in. man i would love to get my hands on one of those

Actually I would have prefered a 4 inch barrel (I'm long since OVER my long barrel phase) But this one came along at a terriffic price and I couldn't help myself.

I had mine shown above converted to 10mm magnum. Felt recoil is comparable to a 41mag for me. Mine did come with a set of combat grips that were the flat side style. Have them on anothergun at the moment.

Factory 10mm ammunition is not loaded up to par with what the round is capable of...FYI.

I love my 610. Given the recent popularity of the 40 S&W I'd say the company is missing a market by not reintroducing the 610. Dave

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Time Wounds All Heels

DFrame,

You probably would enjoy a 4" 610 because they are appropriate for many of the popular matches. Mine makes it to more maches than any of my other centerfire revolvers. 610s aren't as quick to reload as 625s but at least for a collector they make up for that by being a little unusual at matches.


Offhand, all the no-dash 610s along with 627s & 629DXs that I remember from the '89-'93 time period had flat sided combats. Do you know if the non-flat sided style was produced before, after or concurrent with the flat sided style? If my memory is right my long gone Lew Horton 24 had none flat sided combats but other than it, I haven't owned a gun with non-flat sided combats. I associate them with 1980s snub noses. Is that correct?

Gil

I believe it was traditional style combats up to about the mid 80's then the flat style from the late 80's to early 90's then they switched to rubber/plywood grips