What are my chances of finding a 610

[redneckwoman]

Been looking hard for a model 610. Why are they so hard to find?

 

[trapshooter870]

There are two of them available on Gunbroker right now.

 

[sourdough44]

If I want some bad, off to gunbroker I go.

 

[Simmy952]

Finding them is not really difficult. Finding them at a good price is the hard part. Been trying to find a 4" prelock to add to the collection for quite some time. The 3" & 4" are the most popular. Just depends on what you are willing to pay. Be prepared to spend around $1000. Missed a heck of a deal on a 4" 610 and a Bloodwork .357 just recently.

 

[Allen-frame]

Hmmmm, they are and they aren't.

I had it in the back of my mind that I wanted a first issue 610
for my collection of 1989 stainless N frames.
I looked on gunbroke and scoured the shops and shows.
Then one day on a Sunday, small show, there was a 610 5" no dash.
I asked to handle it and checked it mechanically right there in front
of the seller. When I showed him it had 'push-off' and made an offer
I got it for the price if $600.
A new trigger rebound spring fixed the push off.

The question here is; how much time are you willing to spend in your search?
If you have money then you can find one right away.

Good luck
Allen

 

[redneckwoman]

Well price is no problem as long as it's not insane and in my neck of the woods most prices are insane which is the very reason I'm planning a trip home with stops in as many gun shops as I can.

I checked out gunbroker and wouldn't buy one like that as it looks like someone took steel wool to it to clean it.

 

[Dave T]

...there was a 610 5" no dash.
I asked to handle it and checked it mechanically right there in front
of the seller. When I showed him it had 'push-off' and made an offer
I got it for the price if $600.

I am extremely...no, insanely jealous! (smile)

Dave

 

[505Gibbs]

The 610 may follow in the footsteps of the once discontinued model 57 - when S&W figures the pent up depand is starting to peak - it may re-issue the model as it did a few years ago. They aren't going to miss sales on something that is no more than a bit of tooling revisions to once again offer it! The barrel and cylinder aren't unique parts per se.

 

[Shooting4life]

I paid 700 for my no dash. Save your money though. I have seen them with locks go for 1k and no lock versions go for over $1200. It's starting to get silly with 610 prices.

 

[on the prowl]

Finding them is not really difficult. Finding them at a good price is the hard part. Been trying to find a 4" prelock to add to the collection for quite some time. The 3" & 4" are the most popular. Just depends on what you are willing to pay. Be prepared to spend around $1000. Missed a heck of a deal on a 4" 610 ... just recently.

They offered a 3" 610? I didn't pursue this but I've come across a 4". Do the 4 inchers tend to command a greater premium than the 6"?
I hope it's not gonna be $1000.

Well price is no problem as long as it's not insane and in my neck of the woods most prices are insane which is the very reason I'm planning a trip home with stops in as many gun shops as I can.

I checked out gunbroker and wouldn't buy one like that as it looks like someone took steel wool to it to clean it.

I've only recently gotten back into guns. Now I can't get enough. I stumbled upon the S&W 610 after renting a Glock 10mm, gasp! I was actually looking for another gun. They're no longer made, so that will make your search harder. But I did see the same 2 you thought were steel wooled & thought the same of the finish.
For me, price is a factor, but so is a quality piece.

 

[Simmy952]

Not mine but here is a link to a pic - Lew Horton #610 - AR15 Armory.com.

I was searching through my pics and don't have any. There were issued through Lew Horton. Also had a 625 at one time in the same size that was a Lew Horton.

Usually the 3" and the 4" models will bring higher money. Also if they are prelock models.

 

[on the prowl]

I was wondering what's the deal w/. these lock vs prelock guns?
The prelock has greater value, right? (fits old saying, what consumer is willing to pay). But function the same, begs question, lock version has a flaw as it relates to weakness? Not sure, but today before I joined this forum, I quickly researched this, & here's what I found, perhaps I need to do more sleuthing. So what are these documented cases spoken of below, as S&W says it doesn't affect reliability. Is there somewhere or somehow I can see pics like a red circle or arrow around mechanism for this internal lock vs no lock? I'm intrigued, I try to buy superior products whenever I can & can afford to as well.
Or some good reading, w/o reading 4 billion posts & going on just as many websites. Kind of a "in a nutshell" synopsis would suffice. As it may affect my thoughts on value I place on a "potential" firearm purchase going forward.

Internal locking mechanism
All Smith & Wesson revolvers have been equipped with an internal locking mechanism since the acquisition by Saf-T-Hammer. The mechanism is relatively unobtrusive, is activated with a special key, and renders the firearm inoperable. While the lock can simply be left disengaged, some gun enthusiasts prefer "pre-lock" guns. Smith & Wesson has repeatedly stated that the locking mechanism does not affect reliability, although several cases have been documented.[31]

Smith & Wesson announced in March, 2009, that it would begin phasing the internal lock out of its revolver lineup.[32] Smith and Wesson is now producing the original model 442 and 642 without the internal lock.


Read more: Smith & Wesson: Definition from Answers.com

 

[Simmy952]

The locking mechanism is a hole above the cylinder release button. It is on the left side of the gun. Do a search on the forum for "The Plug". A member here made a plug to fit in the IL hole. He also has pics on how to install.

I know there has been cases of them sticking or jamming. I could not tell you either way because all of my wheelguns do not have them.

 

[contender85]

I checked out gunbroker and wouldn't buy one like that as it looks like someone took steel wool to it to clean it.

My 610-3 looks the same way, suppose thats how they finished em?

Mark

 

[Ursoboostd]

My brother just paid $1K for one with a 6 1/2" barrel.

 

[Jack Flash]

I really like M610s. Every once in a while you see one in the Forum Classifieds. They go quickly though!

I can't comment on the IL since I never have never owned one with that "feature".

 

[scooter123]

I have a 620, 610-3, and 625 JM with the lock and haven't ever had a problem with it in any of them. IMO the lock is mainly a problem in the featherweights when shot allowing a massive amount of muzzle flip. Since none of these 3 are definately NOT featherweights I really don't ever expect to have a problem with the lock and if it ever did malfunction I'd just remove it.

 

[on the prowl]

... I was searching through my pics and don't have any. There were issued through Lew Horton. Also had a 625 at one time in the same size that was a Lew Horton.

Usually the 3" and the 4" models will bring higher money. Also if they are prelock models.

The locking mechanism is a hole above the cylinder release button. It is on the left side of the gun. Do a search on the forum for "The Plug". A member here made a plug to fit in the IL hole. He also has pics on how to install.

I know there has been cases of them sticking or jamming. I could not tell you either way because all of my wheelguns do not have them.

Thanks for info Simmy.

I have a 620, 610-3, and 625 JM with the lock and haven't ever had a problem with it in any of them. IMO the lock is mainly a problem in the featherweights when shot allowing a massive amount of muzzle flip. Since none of these 3 are definately NOT featherweights I really don't ever expect to have a problem with the lock and if it ever did malfunction I'd just remove it.

Gotcha.
I should have a 625JM in about 2 wks. I can't wait.

 

[RLingo]

I have four model 610's. A no dash 5", a 6 1/2" -1, a 3" -2, and a 3 7/8" -3. All are excellent shooters and great guns. I joke about the 3" because it's the hardest to find and I bought it sight unseen without knowing the barrel length and would have sent it back but it came on December 30, 2000 which was the last day we could purchase "not unsafe" guns from out of state. Sometimes I think I'm the poster boy for the "blind squirrel".

 

[MTKTM]

A couple of years ago I was trying to find a new 610 in 4" to use in IDPA/IPSC revolver. S&W had them on their website which, at least to me, that they were being manufactured. I tried to special order one through several different shops and nobody could get one. My assumption then (and now) is that they had been discontinued for whatever reason. I wish they'd produce some more.