Brian B

I shoot my 610 in standard revolver class on IPSC/USPSA and must have 100% reliable ignition. I use 40S&W and make Major. In addition to the advice you have recieved regarding the hammer spring tentioning screw and flat moonclips, there are two things that I do that are essential : 1) Install a competition extended firing pin (do it yourself in one minute; show clear, take the side plate off, cock the hammer, remove the old firing pin and spring, put in the new pin and spring, decock the hammer, replace the side plate. There is no need to touch the trigger clockwork) https://apextactical.com/store/product-info.php?pid2.html 2) use only Federal Primers in your ammo. Thin primers are key. Wheel guns with moonclips do not like hard primers; especially Lead Free Primers ( marked with a LF on the primer head). I also shoot PPC 1500 in 38 special HBWC and all my primers are also Federal. I have a Para 16/40 Limited open race gun in 40S&W and it will consume anything I feed it. It is now a safe queen since I have graduated from the bottom feeder class. The following has made my relationship with moonclips warm and friendly, I highly recommend it: http://www.bmtequipped.com/products.php Fast target aquisition using front and rear fiber optics is a dream, I have them on my practice 617 and my 610. http://www.cylinder-slide.com/index.php?app=ccp0&ns=catshow&ref=SWsghts A trigger job by a Smith who is experienced with wheel guns would be the next step (lighter trigger springs would be installed) Regardless of all the money you can spend, just keeping your hammer spring tentioning screw tight with blue locktite and using federal primers in your ammo should solve 99% of your ignition problems. Buy more ammo with your savings? The 610 has an excellent reputation for reliability and accuracy. Have fun!

Fiber optics should be added to this questionair: I use them on my 617, 610 and 627. They are high quality and I recommend them for anyone who has eyes over 50 and those who want a significantly improved sight picture. http://www.cylinder-slide.com/index.php?app=ccp0&ns=catshow&ref=SWsights Please note these Fiber Optics are for the Front and Rear sights! Whereas many use only a fiber optic front sight the addition of fiber optic to the rear sight is an amazingly bright three dot image to align with the target: Red, green, red. I shoot standard revolver with my 610 in IPSC/USPSA and these sights are legal and make for fast transitions between targets. I use my 617 for practice.

The price you paid for the gun also includes the price for the warranty. I suggest you get your moneys worth and send it back immediately to Smith & Wesson.

Failure to fire problems are often reduced by installing an extended firing pin, all my competition wheels have one; inexpensive and reliable. Bang bang click bang usually results in a time wasting reload. Federal primers always: https://apextactical.com/store/product-info.php?pid2.html Nice wheel gun , congratulations Shoot what you got and have fun. Once you get good and want to get real fast then consider a moon clip on a 610 (what I use) or a 625.

I let my wife pick what she wanted out of a wide variety of new pistols and wheel guns and it was a 627 PC. She loves it and puts soft shooting specials through it when we go to the range. I had initially bought her, with my selection a bling gun: polished stainless CZ75 which she learned to hate because she had difficulty racking the slide. So i decided to keep my nose out of her decision. She had already used most of my guns and knew what she wanted, the smooth trigger pull sold her on the 627 PC . It is an excellent revolver however I would not have bought it for myself ; I compete in USPSA/IPSC using a 610 and PPC 1500 using a tricked out 586, in both sports anything more than 6 rounds is useless. I also use pistols, shotguns and an AR15 in both. I do not shoot ICORE or IDPA. She truly enjoys comming to the range to shoot as well as the social aspects of the club. Happy wife happy life!

Try these: http://www.trausch.com/form/crossesbise.htm I've ordered one for my wife's S&W 627 PC. She also has small hands. There is an interesting curl that comes back above the web of the hand. Their web site discussed how women police officers in France use these grips. Reasonably priced as well. Good luck.

Agreed, my JM grips on my 610 left me cut and bruised after one range session so I replace them with : Model 500 Impact Absorbing Hogue Square Butt Conversion Grips $36.76 Now I can shoot my 610 through an IPSC match with enhanced speed, accuracy and in comfort. I highly recommend these grips. The beautiful wood grips that came with my wife's 627 also are uncomfortable. I'm going to try a different grip for her which I found yesterday on the Internet. I'll try a pair for my Ruger Security Six also as their original wood grips can be improved. I like the curve above the web of the hand. Apparently they are used by the police in France for their similar pistol grips. http://www.trausch.com/images/new/pages/shashin_eng/tj95eng.htm

I've used these speed loaders and loading blocks for a few years with my S&W 617. I highly recommend them: DS 10 Speed http://www.revolversupply.com/documents/speed_loaders.html

http://www.cylinder-...ow&ref=SWsights Fiber optics at the front and rear have worked very well for me. A large bright light green at front and two bright red lights on the rear sight make target acquisition very fast and accuracy superb! I shoot revolver USPSA (IPSC) with them. I've put them on both my S&W revolvers : 617 and 610. If you think your eye can differentiate small variations in black steel front and rear sight just imagin how much more effective these replacement sights are? These are high quality items made of steel with FO inserts by a respected expert in revolvers. I had my gunsmith do the installation. "Wow" is the typical response when my revolver friends take a sample sight picture at the safety table. They are worth every penny and I highly recommend them. Good shooting and have fun

Model 500 Impact Absorbing Hogue Square Butt Conversion Grips I put these on my model 610 and can shoot though an IPSC competition without hurting my hands. I bought a set of JM grips but they were brutal on my medium sized hands. I highly recommend these inexpensive grips, available directly from S&W. http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_765464_-1_758003_757843_757837_ProductDisplayErrorView_N A loading block would be very helpful: I have one for my 627 http://www.5starfirearms.com/357_l.htmlhttp://www.5starfirearms.com/357_l.html I also have 4 loading blocks for my 617 and three loading blocks for my 586 for PPC ( from safariland) http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=12499/Product/SAFARILAND-SPEEDLOADER-LOADING-BLOCKS you can get leather speed loader holders on the web, I crack the plastic ones. Get a 20-30$ pouch holster to start, A good carpenter with a drill press could easily make a few blocks for you. Just give him your cylinder and speedloaders for templates. Think about a level three volume of rounds: 240? I've been shooting IPSC in different classes for 15 years; open, limited and production pistols as well as three gun. I've been shooting PPC with revolvers pistols and their three gun. I decided to go to IPSC Standard revolver about a year ago with my 610 and it truly is a pleasure.

USPSA STANDARD REVOLVER DIVISION limits the gun to fire only 6 rounds before a manditory reload and penalties if you shoot more; classic ICORE CLASIC DIVISION restricts guns to 6 cylinders; therefore you should avoid 7 or 8 shot revolvers. It is always better to shoot major power factor of 165 in USPSA whereas ICORE does not reward a power factor above the minimum of 120. You may want to consider the S&W N Frame models 625 (45apc) or 610 (.40 cal). You can shoot both in USPSA and ICORE. I shoot the 610 because the 180 grain .40 cal makes major and costs 10-15% less in ammo costs in new ammo and is 30-35% less expensive if bought as factory reloads. (I add to my savings by practicing a lot with my 22lr model 617). Barrel length should be considered as a function of your ability/preference to deal with recoil. The shorter the barrel the stronger the mussel flip and the longer time to reacquire the A zone. My 610 has a 61/2 inch barrel and recoil is a baby and double taps super fast. You ask about gear. Here is what I use: Sights http://www.cylinder-slide.com/index.php?app=ccp0&ns=catshow&ref=SWsights Grips http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_765464_-1_758003_757843_757837_ProductDisplayErrorView_N Moonclips http://www.moonclips.com/cart/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=30&cat=%2E40+S%26W+%2F+10mm Moonclip carrier http://www.speed-e-rack.com/ Competition extended firing pin https://apextactical.com/store/product-info.php?pid2.html Mooner tool (a big time saver!) http://www.bmtequipped.com/products.php Good shooting!

http://www.cylinder-slide.com/index.php?app=ccp0&ns=catshow&ref=SWsights Fiber optics at the front and rear have worked very well for me. A large bright light green at front and two bright red lights on the rear sight make target acquisition very fast and accuracy superb! I shoot revolver USPSA (IPSC) with them. I've put them on both my S&W revolvers : 617 and 610. If you think your eye can differentiate small variations in a filed down rear sight just imagin how much more effective these replacement sights are? These are high quality items made of steel by a respected expert in revolvers. I had my gunsmith do the installation. "Wow" is the typical response when my revolver friends take a sample sight picture at the safety table. They are worth every penny and I highly recommend them. Good shooting and have fun

These grips are installed on my S&W 587 custom 1500 PPC revolver which has a heavy bull barrel. (NRA PPC STYLE) They are excellent and worth every penny. I bought them through their German based international distributor as I live in Canada, their service was prompt and courteous, in English . I was requested to sign off on some German government export laws docs which was done smoothly and without a hitch. It took about 2 weeks for receipt of the grips directly from Germany. Good shooting and have fun http://www.nill-shop.com/product_info.php?cPath=80000&products_id=587 Smith & Wesson, K/L-Frame square butt 167.00EUR Art.-Nr.: SW04YHOXL Surface: stippled, laquered Size: extra large Hand: B Material: Walnut Group: D Model: K/L-Frame square butt 10 4 inch / 13 4 inch / 14 6 inch / 17 / 19 4-6 inch / 64 3-4 inch / 65 4 inch / 66 4-6 inch / 67 / 617 / 648 / 586 / 686 /... In the last couple of years many titles have been won by shooters competing in the 1500 and the Bianchi Cup utilizing this grip. The bottom of the grip is extended and allows for the secure placement of the second hand for two handed shooting. Designed to accommodate speed loaders.

Apex competition extended firing pin in my new 610 solved most of my ignition problems. These problems were related to slightly warped moon clips. https://apextactical.com/store/product-info.php?pid2.html The second source of problems were with lead free primers. These are marked with the letters LF. They fire perfectly in my 40 caliber pistol but have troubles with my revolver. This is a consequence of my trigger and hammer springs being changed during a gunsmithing. The leadfree primers are significantly harder than the federal primers. I am not a mechanical genius. It took less than 60 seconds to change the firing pin. Remove the sideplate remove the firing pin and put in the new one. Be careful not to lose the firing pin spring. It's not necessary to disassemble the trigger mechanisms. Make sure that all your dry firing practice is done with snap caps to minimize any damage to the firing pin. I have enjoyed shooting IPSC/USPSA with open, production, and limited pistols for 15 years and now I've found happiness with a revolver. Best regards and have fun

Curious, why REAR FO's? Fiber optics on the front and rear sights is all a question of how fast and accurate do you want your revolver. When I shoot my PPC using my aristocrats sights on my model 686 I have a black front and rear sight in that this is not urgent, we should have enough time before the end of the whistle. When I shoot IPSC Time is urgent and acquiring a fast shooting picture more accurate if I have two red fiber-optics in the rear sight and one bright green fiber-optic in the front. I have found this to be a very significant improvement over black front and rear sights. Rear fiber optic sights are relatively new in the industry and I am confident they will become much more excepted as time goes on.

Curious, why REAR FO's?

I have a model 617. And I have shot many of thousands of rounds through the last 17 years. A failure to fire always what's extremely rare. I believe the extended firing pin was designed to work in center fire revolvers only. I put an extended firing pin in my S&w model 610. My intention was to accommodate small warpages in the moon clips. I also find it useful detonating harder lead free primers. Good luck and have fun

Regarding moon clips I have both the one dollar revolver supply blue steel clips and the seven dollar Hearchco stainless steel clips. I would not buy Hearthco clips again because they're simply not with the money. http://www.revolversupply.com/documents/moon_clips.html My wife enjoys plinking away with her 627 using 38 specials. I also use 686 for PPC competition; we therefore have an efficiency in ammo usage. When shooting IPSC I use 180 grain 40 Cal Smith & Wesson in my model 610. I make major power factor and the recoil is almost nonexistent which makes for many double Alphas. Perhaps buying a 610 instead of another 627 might be a better alternative? Good luck and have fun

https://apextactical.com/store/product-info.php?pid11.html Or http://www.moonclips.com/cart/shopdisplaycategories.asp?id=49&cat=S%26W+Moonclips I bought 50 moon clips from TK supply made by Hearthco and they cost me seven dollars per clip. Their round center it fits perfectly on my speed E rack. I have since bought 50 clips from the revolver supply company for less than a dollar per clip and they are blue steel instead of stainless. They would fit: http://magnumshooterssupply.com/James-Austin-Moon-Clip-Server-JAUSTIN001.htm Or http://shootersconnectionstore.com/North-Mountain-Moon-Clip-Holder-IDPA-Single-Post-w-Tek-Lok-P1803.aspx I really would never buy the Hearthco 7 $ clips again, although excellent they are simply not worth the extra charge. They bend out of shape just as quickly as the blue steel. You should also consider the polymer clips which have a strong following: http://www.ezmoonclip.com/page_4.htm I strongly recommend the remooner which will save you hours mooning and demooning your clips it is a marvel of engineering : http://www.bmtequipped.com/products.php Good lunch and have fun

Before you start working on the gun; You will need moonclips: plastic, Rimz http://www.ezmoonclip.com/page_7.htm Or steel http://www.revolversupply.com/documents/moon_clips.html And a moonclip loader (spectacular product, I have two, one each for my 610 and PC 627) http://www.bmtequipped.com/products.php And a moon clip holder: http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/gun-games-shooting-competition/158239-austins-moon-clip-server-uspsa.html Or http://shootersconnectionstore.com/North-Mountain-Moon-Clip-Holder-IDPA-Single-Post-w-Tek-Lok-P1803.aspx Grips: my JM grips do not absorb enough for my taste. JM has big hands and strong forearms and I don't Model 500 Houg recoil reducer Extended Firing pin: https://apextactical.com/store/product-info.php?pid2.html Finally and most importantly Sights: FRONT AND REAR FIBER OPTIC SIGHTS (I have two sets my 617, 610 and am now ordering for my 627, they really are outstanding) http://www.cylinder-slide.com/index.php?app=ccp0&ns=prodshow&ref=CS0358SET The rest you have a good idea. Shoot 500 dry fire, 500 live then do your trigger job by a gunsmith. Have fun !

I used my 6 inch 10 shot 617 ( 43oz ) to teach my 8+10 year olds how to shoot. The new 8 shot 4.2 inch Ruger sp101 (30oz) would be a better choice had it been available. Difinatly worthy of consideration, fiber optic front sight also as standard.

My first revolver was a 6 inch 617 10 shot. When it comes to deciding how many rounds just ask yourself : do I want to practice shooting or practice reloading? The DS-10 speed loaders and loading blocks are inexpensive and highly recommended. I shoot revolvers in NRA PPC as well as USPSA/IPSC. My PPC revolver is a totally tricked out 686 with a 6 inch bull barrel. My IPSC revolver is a model 610 with a six and half inch barrel. Every time I go to the range for practice I will put down 200- 250 rounds 22lr in the 617. I will then shoot between 100 and 150 rounds of the competition revolver of choice for that evening. Meanwhile in the booth beside me my wife is banging away on her 5 inch 627 PC eight shot. If I am not using the 617 then she is. You may wish to consider that a longer sight radius of 6 inches will give you more precision than a shorter barrel of 4 inches. Have fun!

I purchased an extended firing pin for my Smith & Wesson model 610 and that put an end to any failure to fire due to light strikes on primers that were seated just a little too deep. Good luck

I bought an N frame model 610 brand new last year for $1100 Canadian, Plus about $130 for a speed e rack and another couple hundred dollars for some custom-made moon clips.I shoot IPSC Revolver with it. I load it with 180 grain 40 caliber Smith & Wesson which makes major power factor. Recoil is almost nonexistent. (The 10 mm round is absolutely brutal). It is an extremely accurate revolver. A 4 inch barrel in Canada is unfortunately prohibited, a 4 inch 625 revolver is unavailable because of that rule. My 610 has a six and half inch long barrel which assists in longer shots. I also have a 617 for practice as well as a PPC full competition 686. The small difference in price between the 45 and the lower price 40 ammo will easily catch up for the higher premium you may have to spend for the 610. USPSA / IPSC revolver classes are restricted to six rounds otherwise I would use my wife's 627. I highly recommend my Smith and Wesson 610 revolver. Have fun and best regards Brian.

If you are shooting IPSC or USPSA only 6 rounds are permitted before a mandatory reload, any additional shots taken gets a procedural penalty. Extra cylinders aren't useful. Check the IDPA and ICORE rules also if you want to play . S&W610 is the way to go: 40 is major, ejects quicker than 10mm, very accurate, Speed-E-Rack made mine custom for 40 which is an excellent product, TC moon clips are expensive but were worth the investment, I bought 40 clips and their loader and unloader also, recoil minimal and easy back on target with big N frame . I shoot 100% manufactured reloads 180G for practice and 180G original factory ammo during competitions. I now have Lee equipment but no time yet to reload myself . I've been shooting IPSC 15 years, open, and production with pistols. I'm 57, heavier and slower than I used to be, therefore the elegance of the revolver has returned the fun back into the game for me. My buddies joked that it would take a calander to time my COF...now they are all wanting to try my wheel gun. I bought my new 610 last year. I researched the decision on this forum as well The Firing Line and the SW forum. I also practice a lot with my 617, saving huge $ on ammo.