Interested in a 6-1/2 inch 610...but which one?

[jhackl]

Got this 5-inch 610 from the original run in 1990 and find myself falling in love with it after a paltry, sporadic 500 rounds. I never found the original stocks, but the price was irresistible when I got it a couple of years ago.

I figure I could use it in ICORE or USPSA if I ever have enough time to participate in those games. However, I'm also curious about the longer-barreled 610s for load development, long-range experimentation, just because. But I'm not sure which one to look for. There appear to be four "versions" of the 610 with a 6-1/2 inch barrel:

1.) 610 with fluted cylinder, ramp front sight from the initial production from 1989 to 1992.

2.) 610-1 Classic with the frame pre-drilled for mounting optics, unfluted cylinder. Was this produced in 1998 only?

3.) 610-2 Classic Hunter with MIM lockwork, unfluted cylinder and quick-detach front sight.

4.) Performance center production in 2000. I feel like I've seen a 610-3 with the internal lock and a 6-1/2 inch barrel, but I don't remember where.

Which one of these do you own or would you prefer? What does the Classic Hunter's front sight look like? I'm not really a fan of unfluted cylinders, but if the later dashes have better quality, it may not be a big deal. I understand that MIM isn't really desirable, but I've never heard of it wearing out prematurely under usage that far exceeds what I anticipate doing.

Which of these is worth the effort of finding it?

 

[onemanwolfpack]

Here's a 610-1 with Optic mounted. Unfluted or not this thing is a tack driver...it's the only 610 I've fired however i'd be surprised if any of the other mfg revisions are better (likely they are equal). I've heard of no quality issues with any of the models.

 

[scooter123]

I have the 6 1/2 inch 610-3 and the only possible complaint I would make is the lock hardware has caused a rub mark on the hammer. Considering it's seen at least 1500 rounds downrange, a rather silly complaint.

As for MIM not being desireable, I don't understand why. The fact is the MIM guns are easier to tune than the older forged lockwork guns, they have features incorporated in the parts that have to be added to the older guns. In addition the MIM parts are far more consistent in size and shape than the forged parts, so no real fitting is required. The only fitting that I've had to do was on my 620 and that was due to a trigger/frame rub which was a frame issue. Adding a 0.0015 shim to the trigger stud solved that issue. Now both 620 and 610 have triggers so smooth that they can't be staged reliably unless the thumb on the support hand us used to reference the trigger finger.

I would advise you purchase whatever you can find, 610's aren't easy to find for sale, I've been looking for a 4 inch 610 for about a year and a half with no luck at all.

 

[jhackl]

Here's a 610-1 with Optic mounted. Unfluted or not this thing is a tack driver...it's the only 610 I've fired however i'd be surprised if any of the other mfg revisions are better (likely they are equal). I've heard of no quality issues with any of the models.

Nice guns! Is the unfluted blued gun with the adjustable front sight a 29-5?

 

[jhackl]

I have the 6 1/2 inch 610-3 and the only possible complaint I would make is the lock hardware has caused a rub mark on the hammer. Considering it's seen at least 1500 rounds downrange, a rather silly complaint.

I've read about your exploits with this gun (it must have been the one I've been thinking of, and I know I've seen long-barreled 610s with the internal lock on gunsamerica.com before). Your old posts influenced my decision to get my 5-incher when I found it!

As for MIM not being desireable, I don't understand why. The fact is the MIM guns are easier to tune than the older forged lockwork guns, they have features incorporated in the parts that have to be added to the older guns.

I personally don't have a big problem with S&W internal mechanisms incorporating MIM parts either. My first handgun was a four-inch 686 bought brand new in 2008, and its trigger certainly felt slicker than guns from the 1970s I've bought and shot since I sold it. I made the comment to acknowledge concerns about MIM, and to add that, given my minuscule knowledge of Smith & Wesson (and gunmaking in general) at this time, MIM is not a deal-breaker for me.

I would advise you purchase whatever you can find, 610's aren't easy to find for sale, I've been looking for a 4 inch 610 for about a year and a half with no luck at all.

This seems to be the consensus based on the replies in this thread and the discussion about 610s in previous threads. Dash numbers make a big difference in the other guns (termination of pinned-and-recessed production, endurance packages in magnums, etc.). Since the 1990s saw a lot of engineering changes in a comparably short time (beginning of CNC production methods, MIM), I figured I'd ask explicitly and see if anything stood out.

 

[Dave T]

I recommend you get the 610 (no dash) but only after you sell the 5" to me! (smiley face goes here)

Dave

 

[onemanwolfpack]

Nice guns! Is the unfluted blued gun with the adjustable front sight a 29-5?

Thx Man! The unfluted blue is a M29-3. I believe it's a Lew Horton as it has the adjustable front sight. I bought it a few years back for ~$700 (which is decent here in California).

 

[jhackl]

I recommend you get the 610 (no dash)...

Your recommendation is duly noted up to this point, but...

but only after you sell the 5" to me! (smiley face goes here)

...My existing 5-inch no-dash is not and (hopefully) never will be for sale