610

[Kenneth L. Walters]

Years ago I owned a S&W 40 caliber revolver. A performance center model 646 I think. Truely horrible gun. One of the few revolvers I've ever bought from Smith that just didn't work. I've forgotten all the problem it had but...

So when the 610 came out I stayed away from it. But it has been out for awhile now and I've not seen anything bad said about it so I'm considering one.

For those of you who have shot one a lot, what do you think of it?

 

[Rock185]

I owned two of the 5" bbl. ones from about 1991. They both handeled any 10 mm load with no problems at all. I used the real 10mm stuff, rather than the later, watered-down, .40 S&W type loads. The old Norma 200 grain averaged a little over 1200 fps and the original CorBon 135 grain averaged 1585 fps out of the 5" 610. Both the Norma 200 grain and Corbon 135 grain loads were reduced in velocity by their manufacturers in later years. I also used my own reloads loded to similar power. All factory and reloaded ammo displayed easy extraction, no pierced primers or any other issues. Both revolvers were more accurate than my Glock, Colt Delta and S&W Semi-Autos chambered in 10mm. They were both excellent revolvers in my opinion. I no longer own these guns and wish I kept at least one of them...

 

[Roadranger]

Ken, the 646 was built on the L frame and was not fully developed before it was sold. The 610 is built on the N frame and has more than enough strength for any 10mm load. I have a 3.87" barrel on mine and it works flawlessly with moon clips and will of course shoot 40's as well. I installed a green fiber optic front sight for my old eyes and Hogue grips. I don't particularly care for the full lug barrel and would prefer a Mountain gun profile barrel. Bob

 

[Kenneth L. Walters]

Thanks! Interesting comment about the 646. I think that there were three runs of those, two from the Performance Center and one regular production. My understanding is that the regular production gun worked.

 

[clang444]

I believe the 646's had titanium cylinders (the rest of the gun was stainless). I never owned one, but there wer lots of people complaining about stuck shell casings.

I have a 6.5" 610 dash nothing. I've fired both 10mm & 40S&W from it with no problems.

 

[Big Cholla]

KLW: I have and shoot regularly a 610 no dash. With run-of-the mill PMC factory loads it holds under 1 1/2" at 25 yds. I shoot both 10mm and 40s&w. It is my 'go-to' heavy duty revolver even before my 44 mag. Get several of the full-moon clips and the squeeze type clip/brass unloader. IMHO, you won't regret the purchase of the S&W Model 610. ..... Big Cholla

 

[manny25]

i have a 610 6.5 inch no dash and a 610-2 lew horton 3 inch both of mine work just fine i just shoot 40 ammo out of mine i also have the 646 none pc from 2003 and it works good and has a really nice trigger pull i think the problems was with the 646 was with the pc gun i have never really seen nobody talking about problems with the none pc 646

 

[TSQUARED]

I have atwo of the S&W 646's from the last run. They both function flawlessly. I have never experienced ejection problems.

 

[handgunner356]

It does seem the few problems I've heard related to the titanium cylinder used in the PC models.

 

[James NM]

I'm very fond of my no dash 6.5".
In fact, it has become one of my favorite revolvers.

 

[manny25]

i like shooting my 610 6.5 no dash to its a very good shooting gun the trigger pull is very good

 

[EK and KK in FM]

My 610

Revolvers are so interesting and fun. I liked the idea of having the power of 10mm and 6 shots in a big "N" frame. Just a really good looking gun. Bought plenty of moon clips and shoot mostly .40 cal for practice, but would carry with 10mm for self defense or in the wilderness if in an area where big creatures lurk. I have a fanny pack equipped to carry concealed, but seldom do because I have other smaller guns for personal defense.

Mine is and has been a good shooter--better than I am. Haven't given it a name yet, but will think of something catchy.

 

[nn]

It is a great gun, need moonclips for .40S&W ammo. Best with moonclips for 10mm as well.

 

[SW357Addict]

I have a newer 610-3 with the 3 7/8" barrel. Love it. Seems to have the best balance. It also has an amazing trigger right out of the box. Love the fact that I can shoot both 10mm and .40 S&W with it. And it is very accurate.

 

[Old Navy]

I wish I could find someone with a 610-2 4" that wanted my unfluted cylinder 686 5" more then his 610, we both would be happy.

 

[maxxpower]

I have a 610 purchased this spring. I use a Red Dot sight and it shoots really well at 25 yards. Every once in a while I take it over to the 50 yard range and I don't embarass myself.

It has been sent back to S&W because I was taking some shrapnel in my left cheek. No problems since it's come back.

 

[WPD26]

I have a 610-3 with the 3 7/8 barrel that I have shot a lot, mostly with 40 S&W ( I get that stuff for free!), but also 10mm and both reloads and factory and have never had any extraction problems with it. It is one of my favorite N frames.

I let one of my friends shoot it and he had to buy one with the same barrel length, and he now also wants one in 6.5 inch.

The only downside is unloading all of those moon clips after a range session!

 

[manny25]

i like the moon clips u can bring all ur brass back and not look for it i don't mind unloading

 

[Old Navy]

i like the moon clips u can bring all ur brass back and not look for it i don't mind unloading

Love those moon clips, they are the cats meow for sure.