Model 610

[BLUEDOT37]

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

.

 

[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.

.

.

 

[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.

.

.
.
.

.

 

[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.

 

[scrufff]

As a Canadian with our silly gun laws here,,I would love it if S&W were to make a 41/4 inch barrel. Anything under that length is not importable into this country.So then I would have a 4 1/4,,5,,6 1/2 inch guns