Smith & Wesson Model 610

The Model 610 is a six-shot, double-action revolver chambered for the 10mm Auto cartridge.

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.

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.

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.

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.