What Makes S&W 610's so special?

Izzydog

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Recently I've noticed a growing interest in S&W 610 10mm revolvers. Some I've notice are commanding $1k-$1400 per specimen. My question is why, and which versions are the most desirable. It seems like the only way anyone could get the most out of those things is to hand load, and even then it would be a costly venture. Please enlighten me, what am I missing?
 
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Limited production, pre MIM and Lock Smith N-Frame revolvers are all rapidly escalating in value. The original M610 no-dash has been in the sweet spot for some time, especially the 5" version. The fact that they are excellent shooting guns doesn't hurt either.

Bruce
 
Ammo versatility is what makes the 610 special. The moon clips allow it to shoot the much cheaper 40mm, and some owners will hog out the cylinder to accept 10mm Magnum too. They're skyrocketing in price only because whoever runs S&W doesn't have the smarts to make them again (or maybe i don't have the marketing smarts to understand why they don't)
I was lucky to land this 610-2 through trade..
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I have my eye out for a 610 for quite a few years, but never passionately. Just interested. Finally, got a 5" that was advertised here and paid $1000 and glad to do it. It is a great shooter, I was surprised how accurate and easy to shoot it was. I might even reload for it someday.
 
If you find one for a $1K you should grab it. I have been watching 10mm revovlers sell on GB for the last bunch of months, usually never go for less than $1,500, usually closer to $2K. $1K would be a great score these days.

The 310 Night Guards (10mm) usually go for over $2K.
 
If you find one for a $1K you should grab it. I have been watching 10mm revovlers sell on GB for the last bunch of months, usually never go for less than $1,500, usually closer to $2K. $1K would be a great score these days.

The 310 Night Guards (10mm) usually go for over $2K.

I got mine, a dash 3, with interlock, about a year ago for $600. It was in the box with two sets of grips, original and wooden Hogues with $79 price tag on them. Original owner said he shot fifty 10MM and fifty .40 caliber in it and put it up. The gun was located about 120 miles away and he met me half way. This was the only time I did not try to negotiate a lower price on a gun.

 
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I bought two of them most of twenty years ago. Like new in the box. One is five inch and the other is I think six and a half inch. I am sorry to say that I never shot either one of them. They keep each other company in the gun safe. At the time I paid $425 each.
 
I can honestly say that my 610 is one of my favorites. My shooter 610 is the 4 inch pre lock. I paid more than it went for originally but am happy I did, but it's one that I can honestly say warms my heart every time I bring it to the range. I shoot a lot of 40 S&w because I reload it. It's one of my guns that makes me feel competent because it's always on target and just a pleasure to shoot. They demand a high price but I've never seen any negative feedback so if you find one you'll enjoy it.
 
Mine is the 610-2 4" non fluted Cylinder. I paid $575 OTD in 2001, I had to borrow $150 from my dad. I've often considered selling it, but it has some sentimental value to me. I'm toying with the idea of getting a turret loader and dies, and reloading. I still have oodles of .40 S&W, I really should take it out more.
 
I have posted on this before--It is a mystery to me why manufacturers can't give away these semi-auto caliber revolvers when they are in production. Then once production stops, the same, $200-$400 revolvers become highly sought after, $2000 grail guns.

Correspondingly the biggest mystery to me in modern firearms marketing/production is why there are not readily available revolvers in 2.5, 4 and 6 inch in 9mm, 40 S&W, 45 ACP, and maybe 10mm. It would seem they would be ideal companion pieces to the pistols. Further, one could take advantage of mass-produced, relatively cheaper bulk ammo the common pistol calibers seem to generate. (Of, course 10mm is an exception to that).

When I have mentioned this before the highly knowledgeable forum member here have told me "they don't sell." Yet I see thread after thread, post after post, both extoling the virtues of 9mm/40/45/10mm revolvers and searching for them. And when they do come up for sale on here, they are gone instantly.
 
If they would make an L frame 10mm it would sell

That would be my thought--L frames in 9/40/45/10.

I would think a J framed 9mm and maybe 40 would be immensely popular as well.

I would buy a 4 inch 586 in .9, .45 and .10 in the bat of an eye. I know we LOVE our 3 inch 625-3.
 

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About the perfect all-round revolver, IMO. A .40 cal magnum powerful enough for big game plus full moons for fast reloads and .40 SW for defense.

No, I don't own one and likely never will.

If an unknown rich uncle were to leave me millions, I'd probably buy a pre-lock 629 and have Bowen Arms build me a 610 Mountain Gun.
 
I bought my 610 No Dash new in the early 1990's.
I wanted it for a Duty Revolver, and the 5 Inch barrel was not the best length for LE Duty Holsters.
I took my 5 Inch to Ron Power "Power Custom" and had his Full Power Custom Combat work done to it, and also had it shortened off the back end to a 4 Inch. (The length it should have been offered in to start with) I carried it for 15 years as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff, and most of my last 2 years as Police Chief. I carried it in a Tex Shoemaker Semi Break Front Security Holster. My spare ammunition was carried in a Black Basket Weave Custom Quad Carrier, 2 Up and 2 Down. I always had a few extra moon clip reloads in the glove box. In the Winter I carried a couple extra in my coat pockets.
I never felt under gunned. As I live close to Mayberry, most of my gunfights were with deer hit by cars. Full House 10mm did a super job on crippled deer. I liked to carry plenty of ammunition because at Midnight help might have been an Hour away.

The 357 Magnum 125 is rated at 95% One Shot Stops. I will guarantee Full Power 10mm with good bullets is ahead of the 357 Magnum in stopping power, and not nearly as ear splitting loud.

Bob
 
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