Smith & Wesson 610 / Savage 16FSS / FABARM Red Lion / Gibbs
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The American Rifleman has used the phrase “Dope Bag” at least since 1921, when Col. Townsend Whelen first titled his column with it. Even then, it had been in use for years, referring to a sack used by target shoot- ers to hold ammunition and accessories on the firing line.“Sight dope”also was a traditional marksman’s term for sight adjustment information, while judging wind speed and direction was called “doping the wind.” CAUTION: Technical data and information con- tained herein are intended to provide information based on the limited experience of individuals under specific conditions and circumstances. They do not detail the comprehensive training procedures, techniques and safety precautions absolutely necessary to properly carry on similar activity.Read the notice and disclaimer on the contents page. Always consult comprehensive reference manuals and bulletins for details of proper training requirements, procedures, techniques and safety precautions before attempting any similar activity. ® S&W MODEL 610 CLASSIC double-action pull was notable for con- sistency and predictable letoff. Inserting or removing full-moon clips was smooth and jam-free (they act very much like speed loaders in this respect). Even after firing many rounds of .40 S&W ammunition, which left powder residue in the front of the chambers, the longer 10 mm Auto cartridges chambered without difficulty. The Model 610 revolver is equipped with S&W’s hammer-block safety system, which prevents the gun from firing unless the trigger is pulled. This feature is designed to help prevent an accidental discharge The S&W Model 610 Classic Hunter is a stylish, should a loaded revolver be inadvertently N-frame, double-action revolver aimed at the dropped or struck. A key-operated trigger handgun hunter and big-bore competitor. It lock is included with every Model 610— fires both 10 mm Auto and .40 S&W cartridges. and every other Smith & Wesson for that matter—whether you want it or not. In addition, the hard, blue, plas- HIS stylish, N-frame, six-shot double- and elevation. An easily interchangeable tic case can be locked and the illus- action revolver is aimed at handgun front blade enables the shooter to match the trated owner’s manual contains numerous Thunters and big-bore competitors. characteristics of the ammunition and tar- safety warnings and tips. Chambered for the powerful 10 mm Auto get. For those who favor optical sights, the A couple of nagging, though minor, cartridge, the S&W Model 610 will also fire Model 610’s frame is drilled and tapped for problems did crop up during the course of .40 S&W ammunition using moon clips. scope mounts. our evaluation of the Model 610. First, the 1 Configured with a full-lug, 6 ⁄2" barrel and After firing hundreds of rounds full-moon clips are difficult to fill and even an unfluted cylinder, the Model 610’s empty through the Model 610 without a hitch, harder to clear after firing. Snapping the weight tops 52 ozs. several characteristics became evident. clips into the cartridge’s extractor grooves Constructed of stainless steel, the Model First, the Model 610 is comfortable to proved a painful thumbuster as the clips 610’s exterior surfaces—the barrel, frame shoot even with heavy 10 mm Auto loads. seemed considerably undersized and did not and cylinder—feature a low-maintenance, Perceived recoil is modest due to the long, loosen with use. In our experience, the stub- natural, satin finish. The target hammer and heavy-weight barrel and is easily con- by .40 S&W cases were worse than the target trigger retain their case-hardened col- trolled thanks to the comfortable stocks. longer 10 mm Auto cartridges in this ors, which contrast nicely with the frame. Despite the full-lug barrel, the gun bal- respect. The cartridge extractor groove slots The factory-supplied stocks are comfort- ances well and does not feel muzzle heavy. in the full-moon clips need to be slightly able Hogue units of black rubber with fin- We found the single- ger grooves and surface stippling. action trigger pull The blued, standard S&W rear sight is crisp and pleasant MUZZLE VELOCITY COMPARISON micrometer click-adjustable for windage out of the box. The Caliber Bullet Bullet Catalog Actual Diff. Diff. Brand Weight Muzzle Muzzle (f.p.s.) (%) A full-length barrel (grs.) Vel.@15' Vel.@15' lug, unfluted cylinder (f.p.s.) (f.p.s.) and Hogue finger- groove rubber stocks .40 S&W Triton 135 1325 1453 +126 +9.6 contribute to the low .40 S&W Winchester 155 1205 1297 +92 +7.6 .40 S&W PMC 165 1010 1125 +115 +11.4 perceived recoil of .40 S&W Black Hills 180 1000 1012 +12 +1.0 the S&W Model 610 10 mm Federal 155 1330 1365 +35 +2.6 revolver.The 610 also 10 mm CorBon 165 1250 1333 +83 +6.6 features S&W’s new, 10 mm Winchester 175 1290 1233 -57 -4.5 more-ergonomic cyl- Actual velocities taken from Model 610 at 15' using an Oehler Model inder release on the 43 chronograph. Factory velocities taken from published sources. left side of the frame. 50 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN • July 1998 larger in diameter. S&W’s Model 610 double-action revolver can fire .40 S&W or 10 mm Auto ammuni- Fortunately, tion using metal moon clips. Three full- Ranch Products— moon clips are supplied with the gun.The (Dept. AR), P.O. 10 mm Model 610 allows shooters to fire Box 145, Malinta, .40 S&W loads through it for relatively inex- OH 43535—offers a pensive—and more pleasant—target prac- tool that makes the tice, much akin to firing soft-recoiling .44 job of removing the Spl. loads through a .44 Mag. cal. revolver. cases easier and far less painful. The short, sharp (but not heavy) recoil of the full power 10 mm Auto car- Muzzle energy levels of 10 tridges caused a moderate amount of muz- mm Auto ammunition when 1 zle flip, even with the fully lugged 6 ⁄2" bar- fired through the Model 610 rel. Adding compensator ports to the barrel place it between the .357 near the muzzle would further lower per- Magnum and the .41 Magnum. ceived recoil and could well transform the This would certainly be suitable Model 610 into an outstandingly stable for hunting varmints and small shooter. game as well as many species of Recesses for the cylinder stop are cut larger game at typical handgun into the thinnest parts of the chamber hunting ranges. walls. Certainly, S&W’s engineering staff The barrel cylinder gap in has considered this carefully and found it the Model 610 revolver did not safe. Other revolver manufacturers, how- contribute significantly to When filled, full-moon clips act like speed 1 ever, have moved the stop recesses to a velocity loss. In fact, the long 6 ⁄2" barrel loaders, although their primary purpose is position between the chambers where the more than made up for whatever loss did to position the rimless cartridge cases in metal is thicker. occur because of the gap. Factory ballistics the cylinder.The clips—as with most such units—proved hard to fill and empty in our for .40 S&W and 10 mm testing, though tools are offered by after- Auto are developed in market suppliers to make the job easier. ACCURACY RESULTS much shorter 4" to 5" bar- rels. The longer barrel of handling characteristics, which combine .40 S&W Vel.@ 15' Smallest Largest Average the Model 610 enables Cartridge (f.p.s.) (ins.) (ins.) (ins.) balance and power with low perceived these loads to actually recoil. On the competitive side, the ability to Triton 135-gr. QSHP +P 1455 Avg. 2.03 3.16 2.68 exceed factory catalog TR40QSA 20 Sd fire .40 S&W or 10 mm loads using moon velocity levels by as much clips combines both the power and reliba- Winchester 155-gr. STHP 1295 Avg. 1.12 3.13 2.24 as 11 percent. A brief X40SWSTHP 19 Sd bility demanded by wheelgun bowling pin comparison of published shooters. S&W’s lifetime service policy PMC 165-gr. FMJ 1125 Avg. 2.03 3.16 2.67 factory velocities vs. 40DPMC 21 Sd adds another plus. The Model 610 will like- those turned out by the ly not interest the majority of big-bore com- Black Hills 180-gr. JHP 1010 Avg. 2.16 3.40 3.05 Model 610 with an Oehler BH40JHP 26 Sd petitors—save for die-hard fans of the 10 Model 43 is listed in the mm Auto and some bowling pin shooters— Average Extreme Spread 2.66 accompanying table. but it is a worthy and welcome addition to 10 mm Auto Cartridge In terms of price, the S&W’s big-bore revolver lineup. Federal 155-gr. JHP 1365 Avg. 1.82 3.71 2.56 Model 610 is slotted 2 10E 20 Sd percent higher than the CorBon 165-gr. JHP 1335 Avg. 1.86 4.19 2.67 .44 Mag. cal. Model 629 S&W 610 CLASSIC CB10165 31 Sd Classic stainless, but is fully 21 percent higher MANUFACTURER: Smith & Wesson Winchester 175-gr. STHP 1233 Avg. 1.89 2.84 2.45 (Dept. AR), 2100 Roosevelt Ave., X10MMSTHP 16 Sd than the .41 Mag. cal. Springfield, MA 01102 Model 657 stainless. Average Extreme Spread 2.56 MECHANISM TYPE: double-action The S&W Model 610 revolver Five consecutive five-shot groups from 25 yds. fired from Outers Classic will no doubt CALIBER: .40 S&W/10 mm Auto Pistol Perch.