Professional advice sought

[Patchez]

So I'm currently on the hunt for a Pre-lock 610 w/ a 4" barrel (very challenging hunt thus far) and I've come across several w/ a 6" barrel…I've been tossing around the idea of buying a 6" model and just having the barrel changed, so my first question is "Are there any disadvantages other than additional cost?"…my second question "Fluted vs. Unfluted" Cylinder, are there any differences besides the obvious aesthetics? I apologize in advance if these are questions that I should have posed in a different forum, but this seemed like the right place to me…thanks much for your time and assistance!

-Patchez Childers

 

[chief38]

Fluted vs unfluted is mostly a cosmetic preference, however I suppose one could argue that the unfluted cylinder is slightly stronger, weighs a tad more and would dampen recoil ever so slightly. The real life difference would be more cosmetic than anything else IMHO.

As far as swapping out barrels goes, I'd only do that as a last resort for several reasons. When doing so you would obviously incur additional costs for the new barrel and Gunsmithing, plus when doing so you always run the risk of damaging the frame. Supposedly a top notch experienced Gunsmith should not run into a problem, however there is always the risk of something going wrong.

Last but not least changing the barrel out would probably devalue the gun a bit as it would be a non original Revolver at that point. But again, someone who can't find a 4" Factory version might not care. At the end of the day it all comes down to how much you want what you want, how much you're willing to pony up and how much of a risk you are willing to take having barrels changed.

 

[teletech]

Disadvantages:
Well, you already had cost down, but make sure you can actually find a replacement barrel.
If in 50-100 years someone looks at your gun, it might be worth less because it's not as shipped from the factory.

Un/fluted: fluted is lighter to carry but soaks up less of the recoil.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

In addition to the extra gunsmithing cost, trouble trying to find a donor 4" barrel, & possibly needing to change sight(s), I suspect most popular gunsmiths have a long waiting list for such work.

.

 

[Countrycuz]

Why don't you try a new 4 inch 610? Maybe you'll like it. If what you really want comes along later you can always sell the first one.

 

[Patchez]

Why don't you try a new 4 inch 610? Maybe you'll like it. If what you really want comes along later you can always sell the first one.

I've read that the ILS has (rarely) been engaged when firing high recoil pistols, and that in some documented cases even jammed the pistol up preventing not only subsequent shots, but also the unloading of the pistol leaving it in such a state that it had to be sent back with live rounds in the cylinder to be remedied by S&W or another professional gunsmith. I intend to carry this gun in bear country and therefore have no desire to leave my life to chance. Yes I know it's rare, but even if it were as rare as getting struck by lightning, people still get struck. At least in a thunderstorm I can take preventative steps to avoid the lightning. I wish S&W would simply stop putting the ridiculous lock on their guns. I appreciate everyone's time and advice, thanks again and have a great day!

-Patchez

 

[mikerjf]

ILS can be removed. Like was said, maybe that would cover you until the right one comes along.

But yeah, it's a b looking for those elusive critters.

 

[Sevens]

Removing the ILS is very easy work, far easier than changing barrels.

As for chances… possibles… rarities… odds… please consider that statistically speaking, you have a better chance of a dead primer or squib failure with your ammo than your ILS locking up.

My only ILS-equipped S&W revolver is a 8-3/8" 460XVR. With a 240gr XTP Mag at 2,000 fps, I promise that I've got more recoil and chance of ILS failure than a 610 can muster.

The precious few ILS fails have been ultra-light revolvers mostly. In mathematics, it's occurrence nearly ceases to exist. Lightning strikes are far more prevalent.

 

[Patchez]

I'm now having a "duh" moment…I hadn't even considered removing the ILS…I suppose I couldn't see the forest for all the trees in the way…I'm going to look into locating a gunsmith willing and able to remove the ILS…if anyone has any suggestions, I'd appreciate those as well…thanks again!

 

[AlHunt]

I'm now having a "duh" moment…I hadn't even considered removing the ILS…I suppose I couldn't see the forest for all the trees in the way…I'm going to look into locating a gunsmith willing and able to remove the ILS…if anyone has any suggestions, I'd appreciate those as well…thanks again!

A couple of members here sell lock delete kits. One I know of is JDinAZ Lock Delete - ORIGINAL PRECISION - Home of J.D.'s Original Works .. JD took great care of me when I bought something else from him. He also has an ad in the For Sale Accessories section, currently on the first page.

 

[Sevens]

Just for the sake of interesting conversation... I'll also add that while there are tons of different options (and passions and reasons for chasing them...), it's at least worth a discussion of why this needs to be a 10mm Model 610 for this project.

If you already owned a 610 or you are extremely passionate about the 10mm cartridge, these are fantastic reasons for putting a 610 in this role.

If you are in the position of not yet owning a capable handgun for protection against animals and especially bears while hiking bear country, it seems that a more easy and obvious answer would be the plethora of options in .44 Magnum, where options in 10mm are far, far less.

Not saying that 10mm "ain't enough" or even that .44 Mag is definitely the answer, but I am certainly saying that the options for buy-test-pack and GO are far, far more with .44 Magnum then it is to find the goldilocks 10mm in the barrel length you want. (or heavy .45 Colt, .454, .460 or .500....)

 

[Patchez]

Just for the sake of interesting conversation... I'll also add that while there are tons of different options (and passions and reasons for chasing them...), it's at least worth a discussion of why this needs to be a 10mm Model 610 for this project.

If you already owned a 610 or you are extremely passionate about the 10mm cartridge, these are fantastic reasons for putting a 610 in this role.

If you are in the position of not yet owning a capable handgun for protection against animals and especially bears while hiking bear country, it seems that a more easy and obvious answer would be the plethora of options in .44 Magnum, where options in 10mm are far, far less.

Not saying that 10mm "ain't enough" or even that .44 Mag is definitely the answer, but I am certainly saying that the options for buy-test-pack and GO are far, far more with .44 Magnum then it is to find the goldilocks 10mm in the barrel length you want. (or heavy .45 Colt, .454, .460 or .500....)

I always appreciate a good conversation, and especially one that enlightens me regarding a topic or perspective that I hadn't previously considered or been aware of. That said, I am already (and have been for many years) a fan of the 10mm cartridge. I even carried a G29 as my concealed carry for a couple of years. I still own a few firearms chambered in 10mm (a G20C, and an MP5), but as I only own a couple of revolvers, I would very much like to add a wheel gun variant of the 10mm to my battery. Coupling that with my desire to have a highly reliable (revolver) sidearm for use in the back country, I felt it was time to acquire a 610. I've only been looking for about a week now for a Pre-lock variant, so I'm gonna keep looking for another week or two, then if I still haven't found anything I'll likely get a new production model with the lock, remove it, install the plug that was previously mentioned, and use that until I (with luck) eventually find what I'm looking for. Thanks again to everyone for the information and advice! Living and learning always...



-Patchez

 

[Sevens]

That right there sounds like a fine reason to chase a 610. I also carried a G29 concealed... from 2008 to 2015, almost exactly 7 years.

Just for the fun of having options... Ruger has recently offered the 10mm in both a Redhawk and a GP-100. The Redhawk models are all longer barrels I believe, but the GP-100 models in 10mm had a wide array of different barrel lengths.

Keep these in mind as other possibilities.

 

[brendonjames65]

That right there sounds like a fine reason to chase a 610. I also carried a G29 concealed... from 2008 to 2015, almost exactly 7 years.

Just for the fun of having options... Ruger has recently offered the 10mm in both a Redhawk and a GP-100. The Redhawk models are all longer barrels I believe, but the GP-100 models in 10mm had a wide array of different barrel lengths.

Keep these in mind as other possibilities.

I agree with Sevens, while it may seem sacrilegious to recommend a non S&W brand, I feel the Ruger GP100 in 10mm is a most excellent and handier revolver than the larger S&W 610, which I've always felt was overly large for the caliber. Too bad S&W never introduced an L frame 10mm.

I routinely carry a Glock 29 10mm in grizzly country and feel adequately protected. Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[Lou_NC]

Have you considered buying that 6-in, and having the barrel shortened and a new site installed? That would actually give you the option of a 5-in barrel which I own on a 629 and would probably prefer in a 10 mm myself. Sure, the barrel engraving would be centered for a 6-in barrel but if that really bothers you you can even have that machined off. I think of these options because I have a good friend with a milling machine and a lathe, so these are easy options for me to consider.