S&W Model 61 Escort

[H P Bushrod]

I've been wanting to get my hands on one of those .22 pistols with the pouch it came with. A co-worker of mine called me from the gun show today telling me he ran across a nickel M-61 with the pouch for $450 (!). Tell me if I'm wrong, but I think that's a little high. Anyone know anything about this little pistol? Thanks for your feedback!

 

[gmiller0737]

$450 sounds a little high to Me too,I have a Blue 61-3 mint condition in Factory Box & Pouch,I seem to remember back when the 61 was in production reviews in Gun magazines were not too good as far as Reliability,I have only fired mine once or twice & it functioned Ok,Would I carry it as a CCW No!

 

[BUFF]

Sounds way high to me. ANIB $350 with original box, pouch and papers is about it.

 

[S&W Oldtimer]

I paid less than $50 for a new one in 1973.

 

[RKS]

I've been wanting to get my hands on one of those .22 pistols with the pouch it came with. A co-worker of mine called me from the gun show today telling me he ran across a nickel M-61 with the pouch for $450 (!). Tell me if I'm wrong, but I think that's a little high. Anyone know anything about this little pistol? Thanks for your feedback!

$450 sounds a little high to Me too,I have a Blue 61-3 mint condition in Factory Box & Pouch,I seem to remember back when the 61 was in production reviews in Gun magazines were not too good as far as Reliability,I have only fired mine once or twice & it functioned Ok,Would I carry it as a CCW No!

By pouch, do you mean rug?

 

[Jack E]

Model 61s

I have a Blue and a Nickel Model 61 that I bought new a number of years ago. I am going to have to sell them and was wondering if $700 for the pair would be appropriate. One of them may have been fired a couple of times but I don't think so. I have the pouch and original box for each. Thanks for your help.

 

[Armyphotog]

I bought my Escort 61-3 almost NIB a few months ago for $425 and thought I paid too much for it. Just wanted it, so what the heck! It was nickel with all accessories plus extra mag.

 

[oldscout]

anyone know if mags or parts avail from S&W?

Numrich Gun Parts Corp. - The World's Largest Supplier of Firearms Parts and Accessories
several pages the above link

 

[S&Wman]

There's a great write-up in the Notable Threads (Sticky) section.
Remember the Escort
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/165167-remember-escort.html

 

[ubu]

WANTED: S&W MODEL 61-1

I A INTERESTED IN A MODEL 61-1 [email protected]

 

[gmborkovic]

Absolutely the biggest piece of **** that S&W brought out since the 35 cal. I sold a lot of them when they came out. Fouled up, would not ext or eject. Not to mention the cracked frames. Nothing but heart ache for a dealer. Just an interesting curio like the 35cal. $350 for one of those is absurd! Is this the one that had the button safety thru the plastic grips?

 

[shoot summ]

Absolutely the biggest piece of **** that S&W brought out since the 35 cal. I sold a lot of them when they came out. Fouled up, would not ext or eject. Not to mention the cracked frames. Nothing but heart ache for a dealer. Just an interesting curio like the 35cal. $350 for one of those is absurd! Is this the one that had the button safety thru the plastic grips?

I have a 61-3 that is a fun gun, runs great with the right ammo.

I understand the previous versions were not so great though, that is why I bought the -3. The OP on this was from back in 2010, I still see these things going for prices well above $300 if they have all of the goodies with them including the box.

These have a sliding safety on the front of the grip, and a heal mag release.

 

[Lonestar57]

The S&W 61 Escorts are very fun little pistols and have a unique place in the Company's history. Most folks will recommend to get the 61-3 if possible since it will have the latest upgrades and tend to run better. The original 5-shot magazines are very hard to find. And yes for one of the above posters, they are called "pouches" they're made of Vinyl and Monogramed with Smith & Wesson. Now, if you can find a deal on one of these great little pistols, grab it. I picked this one up for $450 and glad to give it. I'm partial to Nickel.

 

[gmborkovic]

Let me ask, would any of you carry a 61 as a personal defense gun?
Heck NO!. A 442 is the logical answer. A 61 is a fun little gum, with the right ammo, to go shoot down by the creek at a beer can. Some of you all
live outside the real world in LaLaland.

 

[shoot summ]

Let me ask, would any of you carry a 61 as a personal defense gun?
Heck NO!. A 442 is the logical answer. A 61 is a fun little gum, with the right ammo, to go shoot down by the creek at a beer can. Some of you all
live outside the real world in LaLaland.

Who said anything about one of these as a carry gun? No one mentioned, even the 8 year old posts, using one as a carry gun. So it seems you might be the one in LaLaLand...

 

[Wrangler Rich]

Well, that's a bit harsh.......

 

[shoot summ]

The S&W 61 Escorts are very fun little pistols and have a unique place in the Company's history. Most folks will recommend to get the 61-3 if possible since it will have the latest upgrades and tend to run better. The original 5-shot magazines are very hard to find. And yes for one of the above posters, they are called "pouches" they're made of Vinyl and Monogramed with Smith & Wesson. Now, if you can find a deal on one of these great little pistols, grab it. I picked this one up for $450 and glad to give it. I'm partial to Nickel.

That's a very nice nickel version, I'd like to pick one up someday, but as you indicate they are priced much higher than the blued.

 

[gmborkovic]

Just hold a darn minute Mr. summ, when the 61 first hit the market, it was touted as the perfect little carry/defense gun. I was selling a lot of last ditch guns to undercover cops. When the poop hit the fan , they carried the
High- Standard 22Mag O/U derringer. The 61 is a fun little gun, what ever that means. Its still a piece of **** and nothing more than a curio. Mike

 

[chief38]

Admittedly, I've only shot two Escorts over the years however from what I've experienced the two I've shot suffered reliability issues. Wether it was the ammo, poor cleaning technique on the part of the owners, or just bad luck - I will never know, but just stating what my limited experience was.

While you may indeed get a good Escort that functions well, I'd never want to carry a .22 Rimfire as a SD gun due to the reliability issues of Rimfire ammo design. Even the highly coveted CCI brand which is the best and most consistent, occasionally will have a stinker in the box.

I can see buying an Escort as a collectible, plinker or conversation piece, but unless it was brand new in the original box with all accouterments, $450 is way on the high side IMO.

 

[GeoJelly]

Good info and some great pics, Thanks! I had one from 73 until this year. It went full circle as I gifted it back to the original owner. I had fired it a few times and didn't have any issues but didn't use any hollowpoints. I'm hoping finances will let me pick another one up next year - my blued version was very well finished and has been missed ...