Could someone school me on the model variations of the SW 610?

[nickE10mm]

Hey all,

I never really "got" having a 10mm in a revolver... but as I got older, I got into big bore revolvers for handgun hunting (my Ruger SBH Bisley Hunter .44 mag is one of my absolute favorite firearms I own).... and I've thought about picking up a SW 610 ... but ONLY if I could find one with the 6.0 or 6.5" barrel and an UNFLUTED cylinder.  It seems that there are many variations of this fine looking mid-bore revolver ...

Is there a straighforward way to describe the model variations of a fellow 10mm nut?

Thanks in advance!
Nick

[MCQUADE]

If you like the unfluted cyl. Get a -2 or -3 w/lock. Have you ever tried a Ruger Buckeye? One of the most accurate guns I have ever shot and a member here can assist with some 38-40 loads for that cylinder that will add a "little" fun 

[nickE10mm]

If you like the unfluted cyl. Get a -2 or -3 w/lock. Have you ever tried a Ruger Buckeye? One of the most accurate guns I have ever shot and a member here can assist with some 38-40 loads for that cylinder that will add a "little" fun 

Thanks... I can't stand flutes on revolvers ... not sure why. 

Do you mean a "-2 with lock"  or "-3 with the lock" or simply that -2 doesn't have a lock?

I haven't ever shot a Ruger Buckeye, no.... Not sure how I feel about that model but I'm sure its a nice gun.  Ruger ONLY makes nice guns. 

[MCQUADE]

The 610-2 has no lock, the 610-3 does.

[ahoss79]

The 610 came in 3", 4", 5", and 6.5".  I believe the 3" ones were not fluted, but there were only around 200 of them made for Lew Horton.  I know that some of the 4" ones were non fluted.  Don't think I've ever seen a non fluted 5".  The 6.5" I believe came in non fluted on the -2, but I could be wrong on that.  I do know that some of them were non fluted.

[nickE10mm]

Thank you both for the reply - I appreciate it!

[MOUNTAIN WILLIAM]

Just to expand on the info already provided. The original 3-4-5 & 6.5" models had hammer mounted firing pins and with the exception of the Lew Horton 3" they all had a satin finish, the unfluted Lew Horton 3" has a beadblast finish on it. I've seen both fluted and unfluted 4" models but I've never seen any unfluted 5" or 6.5" versions. I don't recall if either the 3" or 4" models were "Classic" models with hard chrome target hammers and triggers and quick change front sights or not but the 5" and 6.5" models were.
When the -2 models came out they had frame mounted firing pins and quick change "Classic" model front sights but were not marked "Classic" on the barrel. Well, all but two according to the factory.
All variations of the 610 can utilize the 40 S&W with moon clips, a very versatile gun.

http://10mm-firearms.com/10mm-revolvers/let%27s-see-your-610-revolver!/msg27359/#msg27359

edit for; typo

[nickE10mm]

Thanks... all good info here.  I still REALLY want a 6.5" unfluted 610.... yummmm!

[dakota1911]

Less good than above but:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_%26_Wesson_Model_610

[Captain O]

Thanks... all good info here.  I still REALLY want a 6.5" unfluted 610.... yummmm!

You'll be jealous of me! I have one of the originals. 

[oldman10mm]

Mine

[Captain O]

Mine

Mine looks just like it.