I bit for one, the four inch. This is my third time around for the 610. First one I bought new in 2004, kept it until I got bored with it, let it go in 2006. It was four inch, serial alpha prefix CHK, made around 4-2004. I guess that made it a 610-3; it had the unfluted cylinder.
I guess I regretted letting the first one go, so in 2015, I bought a used one. This one was another four inch, ser. alpha prefix CFS, Julian date on box was 12-2002. Also had the unfluted cylinder. This gun I fired about 50 shots and put away. It was a retired competition gun, I didn't like it all that much. I let it go about a year and a half later in 2017.
The key lock has never been an issue for me. I own a few with it. I'm not gonna let Hillary get me down and win on this issue. So when the announcement came recently that the 610 was coming back, I took it as good news. I've been waiting for them to show up in stocking dealers. I stopped by one of the stores on "my string" and they had three in stock. Two fours and one six point five inch. I spent a half hour looking them over, decided on one of the fours.
Dirty birds at Smith & Wesson and Ruger, they ship dirty guns after proofing. I know it saves them money and I guess pride in product is not an issue. I asked the dealer to clean the barrel before I would buy it, which they did.
One thing that makes me go "hmmm." If 610-3's have been made with both fluted and unfluted cylinders, isn't that an engineering change?
My new 610-3 has stamped rollmarks. The alpha serial prefix is DLC, made in 4-2019.
All three 610's that I've owned had round butt frames and rubber grips. I didn't like the rubber grips on the first two. What I really like are the wood target stocks. So for each of the first two, I bought N frame round to square conversion grips. The new 610 also has rubber grips, but they are different from the older type. And I kinda like them. Just the same, I'll buy another (of course I let the first two pair go), third round to square conversion stock set. Just to have it even if I decide not to use them.
I've got two 10mm semi-autos, both 1911's (Colt & Ruger) so I'm well fixed in that department. The new 610 is the last one of those I'm gonna buy.