Smith & Wesson is reintroducing their Model 610 N-Frame double-action revolver in two brightly-polished stainless steel offerings. The Moldel 610 is chambered for 10mm Auto and is now available with a 4-inch barrel or a 6.5-inch barrel.

The 10mm Auto cartridge, when loaded to its full potential, pushes the limits of what conventional self-loading pistols can handle. But Smith & Wesson’s N-Frame is more than enough to contain the cartridge and it has no problems running the hottest 10mm loads.

And since .40 S&W is based on 10mm Auto, shooters can practice and plink with lower power, lower cost ammo. Both models have cylinders cut for moon clips and each gun comes with three.

Shooters and manufacturers alike are renewing their interest in 10mm. Even though it’s typically an automatic cartridge, its high pressure and high muzzle energy make it suitable for revolvers as well. It’s good to see more options from more manufacturers in both cases.

“With the recent increase in popularity of the 10mm Auto cartridge, we felt it important to offer a 10mm revolver for personal protection and handgun hunting,” said Smith & Wesson general manager Jan Mladek. “The N-frame revolver has long been a staple in big-bore revolvers, and the 10mm is a natural caliber addition to the line.”

The only real difference between the models is barrel length. Both have 6-shot cylinders, the same glossy finish and full-size synthetic grips. The 4-inch model will be a little easier to handle and carry while the 6.5-inch will have more energy at the muzzle, a longer sight radius and an overall longer effective range.

The Model 610 has regular N-Frame sights with a black blade interchangeable front sight and an adjustable white outline rear sight. Since these are standard N-Frame guns in all other ways the aftermarket, such as different sights, grips and accessories including scope mounts and holsters, is sizeable.

Overall these weigh in at 42 and 50 ounces and measure in at 9.5 and 12 inches long for the 4-inch and 6.5-inch versions, respectively. The full-length underlug adds a good amount of mass to help cut recoil.

Both the 4- and 6-inch barrel versions of the Model 610 have a $969 suggested retail price. Typical in-store and online prices for Smith & Wessons are less, but sometimes unusual models like these run closer to their MSRP.

While there are plenty of hot and harder-hitting revolver cartridges on the market, the Model 610 is a fun and practical way to shoot 10mm. Whether the Model 610 is being used for personal protection, the range or the field, these look up to the task.