Model 610

[kmfleming]

I've noticed that Smith & Wesson has reintroduced the Model 610 in 4" and 6.5" barrel lengths. I am just wondering from those of you who own them which length you prefer. I see it is a N-Frame as well.

Thanks for any input

 

[S&W-Keeper]

I like my 4".Very accurate.

 

[AManWearingAHat]

I'm considering one for a backpacking / bear gun. I would be getting the 4". I think I will be waiting for the initial reviews to come out first.

 

[kmfleming]

I'm thinking the same thing. I'm partial to 4" revolvers. The only 6" i have is a Model 29. Of course I would have to see the reviews too.

 

[tlawler]

I've got a no dash 6.5 inch already, so I'm anticipating the addition of one of the new 4 inchers soon. My only 4" N frame so far is a .41 mag model 57 and I love the way it handles.

 

[jughed440]

4". Excellent woods carry and home defense revolver.

I sold the 6 1/2" because the small velocity increase compared to that of the 4" wasn't enough to carry it instead.

 

[Fazer386]

I vote FOUR INCH also. I packed a 6" 686-3 for a few years, then I stumbled into a 4" 586. I bring both guns on family camping trips, most prefer the 4" 586 with .38's vs magnum loads.

Get the 4" and never look back.

 

[Breakaway500]

Do the 610s use moon clips? Interesting development.I have a lot of 40 S&W and would like a revolver to shoot them, and bulk 40 is now very cheap as somehow..it has become the redheaded stepchild of ammo. Trends are so odd..

 

[Coastie762]

610's do indeed use moon clips. Shooting .40 S&W through a 610 is akin to shooting .38 specials through a .357 magnum.

As far as barrel lengths, I'll be the one to go against the grain here. I'm looking at the 6 1/2" barrel length. This will primarily be a range gun for me, the added sight radius when shooting irons is a plus. If I decide to use it for hunting, it'll likely get scoped and carried in a chest rig.

Not to say the 4" wouldn't work. Truth be told don't be surprised if I end up with one of those as well. I'm kind of weak-willed that way...

Now if S&W decided to release a 610 with a 5" barrel, I'd be at the head of the line!

 

[RSBH44]

Do the 610s use moon clips? Interesting development.I have a lot of 40 S&W and would like a revolver to shoot them, and bulk 40 is now very cheap as somehow..it has become the redheaded stepchild of ammo. Trends are so odd..

This is my sentiment as well. At this point I'm not really looking for another caliber to reload but since it will also shoot .40( which I have a ton of) I'd consider it.

 

[tlawler]

4". Excellent woods carry and home defense revolver.

I sold the 6 1/2" because the small velocity increase compared to that of the 4" wasn't enough to carry it instead.

Looking on BBTI it's about 100fps and 50ft/lb difference average. I agree that's not that significant of a difference to not go with the 4".

 

[Loyaljeeper]

Remember that on ballistics by the inch they don't include the cylinder length. A 4" revolver will actually have the same velocity as a 5" barrel tested. A 6" revolver will be the same as a 7" BBTI test.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I've got a 4" that like like just fine. I suspect a 6" with the full underlug would be a little nose heavy, but some people like them.

 

[colt_saa]

I am exceptionally fond of both the 6 1/2" and the 5"

I will be buying a 4" when they come out

I have re-chambered all of mt 310/610 revolvers to accept the 10MM Magnum cartridge

So now my revolvers can shoot all three of the cartridges

 

[Invictus357]

This reintroduction is fantastic news.

If you guys look closely at the new 610 the SW logo is stamped and not laser etched. Looks so much better.

I can't wait to get mine in 6.5".

 

[deputydon]

610's do indeed use moon clips. Shooting .40 S&W through a 610 is akin to shooting .38 specials through a .357 magnum.

As far as barrel lengths, I'll be the one to go against the grain here. I'm looking at the 6 1/2" barrel length. This will primarily be a range gun for me, the added sight radius when shooting irons is a plus. If I decide to use it for hunting, it'll likely get scoped and carried in a chest rig.

Not to say the 4" wouldn't work. Truth be told don't be surprised if I end up with one of those as well. I'm kind of weak-willed that way...

Now if S&W decided to release a 610 with a 5" barrel, I'd be at the head of the line!

I have a 5" but not a Classic. NO!, not for sale.

 

[colt_saa]

If you guys look closely at the new 610 the SW logo is stamped and not laser etched. Looks so much better.

I can't wait to get mine in 6.5".

The majority of the 610s already in the marketplace have roll-marked text and logos, not laser etched

 

[hkcavalier]

6.5" full underlug is just too muzzle-heavy for me. Out of the two, 4", but I'd rather have a 5". OR a 6" standard lug.

 

[Invictus357]

The majority of the 610s already in the marketplace have roll-marked text and logos, not laser etched

Yes that is true. Some years ago SW started laser etching most new revolvers.

I am glad they brought back the 610 with the roll-marking.​

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
Wish they put it on an L frame

 

[BLUEDOT37]

They'll be doing that as soon as everybody who wants one buys it in a N-frame first.

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[jughed440]

The quick change front sight is a great feature. I think that every suitable S&W revolver should have one...that's just me, though.
I swapped in the HiViz green sight for woods carry, and a factory rear sight has since replaced the Millet sight (better suited for a target revolver).

The fluted cylinders on the latest 610s are nice too. Some don't care for the un-fluted look, but I like the looks of both.

 

[gmerkt]

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.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

If 610-3's have been made with both fluted and unfluted cylinders, isn't that an engineering change?

No, S&W has done that off & on for many different models over the years. The TALO 3-5-7 Magnum Series of the 686+ comes quickly to mind. The TALO's had unfluted cylinders, which differentiated them, along with their 3", 5" & 7" barrels. Still a 686-6.

I put the Hogue conversion (round to square butt) grips on all of my range guns too, except the one's that kick too hard & need some extra cushion on the backstrap.

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[gmerkt]

The reason I like the factory rubber grips on the new 610, they don't have the distinct notches for the fingers. I have a very large second knuckle on the middle finger of my right hand. It no longer fits the first notch. I have two other S&W's that came originally with notched grips, a 16-4 and a 986. I've had to change the grips on both of these for this reason.

 

[Nemo288]

May I ask, Sir, what is that objet d'art in the background of your picture?
Looks like a fancy ashtray or fish plate machined out of a meteorite.
(Nice gun BTW)

 

[BLUEDOT37]

It's kind of fishy... an Orthoceras

Thanks.

It's a fossilized sea creature.

I picked it up at the Wanenmacher's Gun Show a few years ago. They have a little bit of everything there.

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[gerhard1]

I've noticed that Smith & Wesson has reintroduced the Model 610 in 4" and 6.5" barrel lengths. I am just wondering from those of you who own them which length you prefer. I see it is a N-Frame as well.

Thanks for any input

I just picked up a 4"and just love it. The recoil is there, but it is manageable.

There is also a very old 5" 610 in my collection, but until recently it has not been shot all that much, as the moon clips were a pain in the butt to load. I now have a BMT Equipped tool that Makes loading the moon clips much easier and faster.

 

[gerhard1]

The reason I like the factory rubber grips on the new 610, they don't have the distinct notches for the fingers. I have a very large second knuckle on the middle finger of my right hand. It no longer fits the first notch. I have two other S&W's that came originally with notched grips, a 16-4 and a 986. I've had to change the grips on both of these for this reason.

Just a thought: Pachmayr Compacs are good comfortable grips I have them on nearly all of my RB N-frames.

 

[eTripper]

As others have testified here, the 4" bbl. is probably the best all-around length. I bought this one, during Smith's last production-iteration of the model.