Smith & Wesson Model 610

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
Weight	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 Model 610 is a six-shot, double-action revolver chambered for the 10mm Auto cartridge.^[1]

The 610 was manufactured by Smith & Wesson on the N-frame, similar to the Smith & Wesson Model 29 in .44 Magnum, and the Model 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. Since the .40 Smith & Wesson is a shorter, less powerful variant of the 10mm Auto but has the same diameter, the Model 610 can chamber and fire .40 Smith & Wesson rounds.^[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 6-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 but the Model 610 is more commonly used in International Defensive Pistol Association matches.^[2]

References

1. Supica, Jim; Nahas, Richard (2007). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Iola, Wisconsin: F+W Media, Inc. p. 250. ISBN 0-89689-293-X.
2. 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.