Mod 61 Escort

[H Richard]

Started the new year off early with a Mod 61 Escort that I have been wanting to add to my collection for some time. Local auction had one, an ANIB that has no indication of having been fired out of the factory. It included the box (a little rough but about 80%), the special zipper pouch it came with, instruction sheet, warranty card, & unbroken bag of tools.

Dates to first year, 1970, just 50 years old.





I paid a lot more then the SCSW4 shows as value, but this was the first one in near that condition I have ever seen. Probably bought a few years too "early".

[lonestar57]

Looks really nice. Fun little pistols. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do mine.

[GeoJelly]

A long-time friend loaned me the money for mine 45+ years ago. His health is failing now so I gifted it back/transferred it to him last year. They are neat little pistols ... but I’ve since acquired a stnls TPH that has been 100% reliable ...

[HOUSTON RICK]

I saw one at my LGS and considered buying it, but was told (right or wrong) that it was more of a curiosity than a reliable firearm. I hope that your Model 61 is a lot of fun.

[lonestar57]

Originally Posted by HOUSTON RICK

I saw one at my LGS and considered buying it, but was told (right or wrong) that it was more of a curiosity than a reliable firearm. I hope that your Model 61 is a lot of fun.

These were the precursor's to the 422, 622, 2213, and 2214 or other 22LR models of later on. Yes, some 61's were problematic and reliable erratic but others shot anything you fed them. If I were to give any advise to anyone looking at these I'd say; go for the Dash 3 model. Although the no Dash through the Dash 2's have been reported as problem free I think your best chance of success would be with the Dash 3 models. The down side to all with these would be the 5-round capacity magazines and if and that's a big if, if you can find them today.

[HOUSTON RICK]

Originally Posted by lonestar57

These were the precursor's to the 422, 622, 2213, and 2214 or other 22LLR models of later on. Yes, some 61's were problematic and reliable erratic but others shot anything you fed them. If I were to give any advise to anyone looking at these I'd say; go for the Dash 3 model. Although the no Dash through the Dash 2's have been reported as problem free I think your best chance of success would be with the Dash 3 models. The down side to all with these would be the 5-round capacity magazines and if and that's a big if, if you can find them today.

My LGS currently has a -2 ($450) and a -3 ($400). I now have too many other things ahead of these. If you are interested, PM me and I will tell you where they are.

[JohnHL]

Very nice package!

I love the genuine imitation tortoise shell grips!

John

[k22fan]

The first hand gun I bought was a Model 61. I foolishly thought a .22 should be either a dedicated target pistol like the High Standard I wanted or a pocket pistol. I did not like the idea of mediocre plinker size .22s. The 61 was a bad choice and it being a jam-o-matic did not help. Teenagers have done dumber things. I bought it new about 1972 for $55 and later sold it to a gun/pawn shop for the same $55 but with about 3 additional magazines that I'd bought separately. I bought the High Standard Citation new about 1975 for $150 IIRC.

Designing the Model 61 S&W borrowed heavily from an early 19th century Belgium pocket pistol, the 1908 Bayard. The recoil spring above the barrel and take down by lifting the front sight up and out came from the Bayard. The Bayard .380 was barely any larger than the Model 61. Its small size for caliber was way ahead of its time. As mentioned above those design features were carried forward into the 1990s S&W 422, 622 & 2206 series.

[smith627]

I received this 61-3 when my brother-in-law passed away last September.
It was neglected and maybe never cleaned but the inside of barrel looked great. The aluminum frame had some corrosion which I have removed and I have removed most of the rust from the steel slide which is showing some mild pitting. The slide is surprisingly easy to rack and the safety works fine.
Before I took it apart, I took it to my gun club and was surprised that the small fixed sights hit dead center point of aim on a steel plate at 10 yards.
Using CCI standard velocity, it had a few stovepipes in 20 rounds.
I am going to shoot it again after I clean/reassemble parts using CCI high velocity 40gr and see if it improves. It has very small plastic grips with no cracks or chips and practically no recoil.
I would much rather shoot my Browning Buck Mark but this endeavor is a fun little project and I will probably get rid of it after I get it back together and test fire it.

[PALADIN85020]

Maybe they weren't one of S&W's best sellers, but they were interesting little pistols, based on the 1908 Pieper Bayard pocket pistol. I wrote about them in my book 101 Classic Firearms.

This one is mine, and it shoots quite well with high speed plated bullet rounds.

John

[BC38]

I picked up one in about 90% or better condition last year for just under $200. Gun only, no box, rug, papers, etc. and only one magazine.

It is a 61-3 in blue, and it likes hotter ammo. Mild stuff causes stovepipes, FTE, and feed failures.

I got lucky and found a spare mag for around $30 IIRC. Took a bit of shopping around to find one though. They aren't plentiful and the price when you find one reflects that scarcity.

[Dvus]

I picked one up recently in the box with 2 mags pretty cheap. When I went to try it out I made the mistake of using standard velocity target loads. It was basicly a mag fed bolt action as it would not cycle the action enough to extract the empty case. Sounds like Stingers would be the way to go with this one.

[smith627]

I would try the CCI high velocity 40gr rounds first to see if it improves reliability.
You wouldn't want Stingers or Velocitors to damage the gun or you.
CCI SV didn't function well in my 61-3. After I reassemble it I will shoot some CCI HV's 40gr and hopefully improve reliability.

[Sevens]

It’s been mentioned a couple times that the 422/622/2206 was the evolution of the Model 61 Escort but at the same time, nobody has mentioned the closest thing they made?

This is the Model 2214. Size is awfully similar and the magazines hold 8 rounds, a solid upgrade from 5.

It would be interesting to compare the size of these two models directly. While the 61 is definitely more nostalgic, there should be little argument that the 2213/2214 likely runs better and would be more effective in any similar role.

These days, an aftermarket accessory barrel nut makes this model a fantastic suppressor host for those so inclined.