Smith & Wesson Model 610
The Model 610 is a six-shot, double-action revolver chambered for the 10mm Auto cartridge.[1]
| Model 610 | |
|---|---|
 The Smith & Wesson Model 610 (top) with a Bren Ten | |
| Type | Revolver |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Smith & Wesson |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 42.5 oz (1,200 g) (3.875 in barrel) 49.4 oz (1,400 g) (6.5 in barrel) |
| Length | 9.5 in (240 mm) (3.875 in barrel) 12 in (304.8 mm) (6.5 in barrel) |
| Barrel length | 3.875 in (98.4 mm) 6.5 in (165.1 mm) |
| Cartridge | 10mm Auto .40 Smith & Wesson |
| Action | Double-action revolver |
| Feed system | 6-round cylinder |
| Sights | Interchangeable front blade, adjustable rear notch |
The 610 was manufactured by Smith & Wesson on the N-frame, similar to the Smith & Wesson Model 29 in .44 Magnum, and the Model 27/28 in .357 Magnum. The 10mm Auto is a rimless automatic pistol cartridge, so moon clips are used to hold cartridges when loading and extracting spent cases en bloc. The Model 610 can also chamber and fire .40 S&W rounds, as the .40 S&W cartridge is a shorter, less powerful variant of the 10mm Auto with the same diameter.[2]
History
The Model 610 debuted in 1990, but shortly after its introduction, popularity of the 10mm round was declining and slow sales caused Smith & Wesson to retire the model in 1992.[2]
After a six-year hiatus, it was reintroduced in 1998 for competitive shooting matches with a few changes. The firing pin was moved from the hammer to inside the frame and an internal safety lock was added.[2] This reintroduction was at the behest of members of the International Practical Shooting Confederation, although the Model 610 is more commonly used in International Defensive Pistol Association matches.[2]
In 2019, Smith and Wesson reintroduced the 610 in 4-inch (10 cm) and 6-inch (15 cm) barrel lengths. Like the 1998 version, the 2019 models have a six-round capacity, stainless steel for all major parts, and Smith and Wesson's safety-lock system. The 2019 version comes standard with black synthetic finger groove grips, a black blade interchangeable front sight, and an adjustable white outline rear sight. The 610 is capable of firing both 10mm and .40 S&W cartridges, using moon clips that come standard with the revolver.[3]
References
- Supica, Jim; Nahas, Richard (2007). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Iola, Wisconsin: F+W Media, Inc. p. 250. ISBN 0-89689-293-X.
- Sweeney, Patrick (2004). "The 610: The revolver for a pistol round". The Gun Digest Book of Smith & Wesson (Iola, Wisconsin ed.). Gun Digest Books. pp. 118–125. ISBN 0-87349-792-9.
- " TTAG 20190327"