S&W 610-3: Initial Report

The 610 had such a mild recoil with the 10mm loads because the Silvertips and CCI's are mild loads. Try some of the hotter loads on the market and it becomes a magnum then. Not punishing or brutal, but it does raise the recoil level a notch. The Silvertips are probably the softest shooting 10mm load on the market.
I've fired hundreds of 10mm round out of my 610 without the clips just as I have done the same with my 625, 25, and 26. A pencil can be used to punch the cases out of the cylinder. Of course this is done at the target range where you have the leisure time to do this, but it can be done with no prolem.
 
I have thought about getting a 610, but found that loading my 625 was a bit slow compared to a traditional speed loader. The edges of the bullets for some reason tended to get hung up on the cylinder holes more than I thought they should. I'm much faster using a speed loader in my .357. If someone would make a duty rig for carrying moonclips I would consider one again though.
 
Putting a slight chamfer on the rear of the cylinder bores will speed reloads noticeably. This works for both moon clips and speedloaders.
I'm surprised that a duty rig for moon clips is not readily available considering the popularity of the 625. moonclips.com comes to mind. I'm sure others can chime in with more help.
If I had a 625, I would probably not have bought a 610. All in all, I would rate the 610 highly. Power when you need it with the 10mm and ability to shoot .40 for plinking/practice/competition/whatever. Like shooting .38 in a .357 or .44 special in a .44 mag.
 
Great looking gun RWK. Thanks for the post. I have the 610 Classic. I really want an older fluted cylinder blued model in a two or three inch. Another advantage that moon clips have over speed loaders in competition is all the brass stays together when you dump it. I polished my cylinder mouths and extraction star and even a moon clip loaded with empties drops right in if it is even close. By the way to those that mentioned it, there is a duty rig for moon clips.
 
"By the way to those that mentioned it, there is a duty rig for moon clips."


Well, don't leave me hanging. Who has them?
 
"Well, don't leave me hanging. Who has them?"

My apologies for leaving you hanging. I am searching as I type and should have done so before hand. I realized my mistake as soon as I clicked :o "submit reply". I will go out on a limb and say I believe it was in the Blue Press cat that I saw them. Bear with me and try to hand on a bit longer.
Gary
 
That 4" 610 is nice, but I sure would like a 5".

It would be entertaining to learn what the Centimeter can do out of a strong revolver. :D
 
i have only shot 40 loads

so far but it will push a 180 at 1200 fps with a 4 inch barrel.that is the same speed i get from a 5 inch auto thanks,keith
 
S&W 610's

GKL-- I do not believe Smith & wesson ever made a 'blued' version of the 10MM in a revolver.Ruger did, and I have 2 of those as well. I find that they hold up, and then some to a load that equals, or surpasses the original loading. I use a load that would never hold up in a semi-auto, at least not for long, but in the revolver, it is a pussycat. :) This is a original 610 in the 5" version. :D
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There was a L frame model that was chambered for .40SW. I believe it was a PC model # 646. While I'm not a fan of the .40, I would buy one of these at the right price. The 610 does offer the added bennefit of using both .40 and 10mm.

I'm intrigued by moonclip revolvers, and I will add one eventually. I'd really like a 4" 625 without the internal lock.
 
You can find the 646 for about $499. Try gunbroker.com if you really want one. The biggest problem is that after a cylinder or three, the next moonclip won't want to drop in or extract. The IDPA guys are scrubbing out the charge holes between stages.

I don't have that problem with my 610, whether I'm shooting 40 S&W or 10mm.

610g.jpg
 
Try Double Tap ammo for really high power 10mm loads. BTW, they are a joy to reload and that SAVES you money?
 
Good thread! I've been seriously considering a 610 myself. I've got a S&W 625 that I love. In fact I loved it so much I couldn't pass up a Ruger Sp 101 in 9mm when I stumbled onto one. I reallly like the whole moonclip concept.
FWIW, here are a few things I've learned:
1) It helps 300% if you use a good crimp and round nosed or RNFP bullets when reloading. ( I really like .452,200GR RNFP cowboy bullets from Brownells!) This makes the rounds drop right in even without champhered cylinders. I personally find it faster and more compact than speedloaders.
2) In both the above mentioned moon clip guns, they CAN be loaded and fired without the clips but extraction means knocking the shells back out one at a time with a wooden dowel. (i.e. Something best saved for an emergency.) FWIW, the ruger blackhawk convertables shoot 9mm or 45 acp with no clips. Extraction is simpler with the SA system ejector rod.
3) the rimz ( at least in .45acp) are easier to load/unload but don't hold the rounds as well (say if you drop one.) I'd preffer the steel clips for cost and holding power.
 
GLK,
You're correct about Blue Press Catalog having them. It's their #B86-18173, two for $17.90. They also have them for 7 and 8 shot moon clips.

1-800-223-4570
 
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