Model 61-2 Escort

[Retired W4]

This one is a little outside of my collector interest but it is such a nice example and so rarely seen around here for sale I could not help myself. Appears to be unfired outside the factory with the original S&W zipper pouch. I field stripped it to clean it but there was nothing to clean. One of ~6600 nickel Escorts made in the 3-4 years of production. I believe the early problems were fixed with the -2 variation (barrel nut) but I've never fired one.

 

[Breakaway500]

Ive got one...they are quirky little things but quite..interesting to shoot. I believe it wasn't till the -3 that they changed to a forged frame as the earlier ones had cracking issues when shot a great deal.

Had to go find mine.
I thought I had others but only this engraved 61-3. I bought it from this forums classified. It's so odd it's cool. Plus someone liked it enough to scratch it up "properly".
I've shot it with standard velocity 40gr lead lubed Remingtons etc. It cycled fine..made me laugh as I remember. . I consider it the father to the 422-2013 model line of S&W autoloaders. Relatives for sure with that low barrel.

I've seen them at gun shows but not in good shape…tagged at $450. You sure can't go out and shoot it like an old Ruger Mk. Series. But…not its intended target. Pun intended.
W4, if you'd like a pair of new brown grips (factory I was told and they look it somehow I ended up with 3 pair) shoot me a PM.althpigh the white looks great on tha nickel! That a keeper!

 

[Retired W4]

SCSW does not say much about them so I'm a little lost here. What do you run through yours?

 

[Breakaway500]

Only shot mine with std velocity 40 gr lead and just a 50ct box count may go up today..odd little mutts!

(Put some oil on that pouch zipper or it'll jam on ya.

 

[4T5GUY]

Nice Escort. High condition and even the left grip panel is flawless. Most ones you see have a crack @ 2:00 at the indicator plunger running back. Unfortunately even though my nickel 61-2 is in excellent condition the left grip has that crack. I'm too cheap to get the available NOS replacements even though I didn't pay very much for it.

Mine also runs fine with standard velocity but I've heard others need a little hotter load. They are fun little things.

Paraffin works great on pouch zippers. It won't stain, isn't messy, doesn't dry up and lasts forever. I've only done my Browning pouches, and Escort pouch one time. All are still gliding easily and smoothly.

Jim

 

[Retired W4]

I figured the grip panels would crack around the screws. That crack at the cocked hammer indicator seems a little odd. I'd rather have a loaded chamber indicator but, oh well. The 61 is a strange bird with the barrel in the frame and not the slide. I know I've seen that design on another pistol but I cannot remember which one.

I'll run some std. velocity ammo through it to see how it performs.

 

[sceva]

I figured the grip panels would crack around the screws. That crack at the cocked hammer indicator seems a little odd. I'd rather have a loaded chamber indicator but, oh well. The 61 is a strange bird with the barrel in the frame and not the slide. I know I've seen that design on another pistol but I cannot remember which one.

I'll run some std. velocity ammo through it to see how it performs.

A Bayard wasn't it?

 

[Retired W4]

A Bayard wasn't it?

That's it. Recoil spring above barrel.

 

[armorer951]

And the S&W 2206, 422, etc.

 

[huthike]

I have never seen a scratched up 61 before. Interesting.

 

[BC38]

And the S&W 2206, 422, etc.

And the 2213, 2214 as well.
The model 61 wasn't one of S&W's most successful firearms, but it's design ended up being the basis for the development of several of their most successful 22LR auto pistols.
I have a 61-3 that I picked up for a song. Neat little pocket 22, and it is easy to see how it evolved into the great target pistols that are so prized by S&W collectors today.

 

[copfish]

Love the 61, have a 61-2 that shoots as good as the 2213 and 622.