Need help. Big problem with my 610-3

[AKMac]

Hey guys. I have a big problem with my new old stock 610-3.
My first shots revealed something interesting. My load was as follows:

Case: New Starline
Bullet: Hornady 200gr XTP
Powder: Bluedot
Charge: 9.3
OAL: 1.260"

I was using rimz moonclips. After firing I couldn't eject the spent cases. After tapping on the ejector rod, I was finally able to extract the cases. These loads didn't feel like they recoiled any worse than my 686 which I shot side by side. In fact, the recoil felt exactly the same.

Thinking that perhaps these were too hot (even though Hornady's own manual says 9.4gr of bluedot is max and hornady is typically conservative) I decided to lower the charge to 8.5gr of bluedot and use a MBC 200gr "steeler". I left the OAL at 1.260" since this is the max OAL for any 10mm cartridge.

Well I just came back with the results and I'm quite puzzled.

I fired one moon clip full of 10mm, and once again I could not get it to extract by hand. Next I fired a cylinder full without a moon clip. Every single case fell out except one. Once I got home and tapped out the brass I noticed that the case had ruptured.

Now I'm not exactly new to reloading, but I admit I'm not beyond making a mistake, so I pulled one of the bullets. Within 4 taps, the bullet released and as expected, 8.5gr fell out (well the scale shows 8.1, but a small amount of the powder didn't make it to the pan.)

Also, something else is odd about this revolver. All of my other smiths have a very smooth chamber, almost polished looking. This revolver does not have that. It has what appears to be a cross hatch pattern in the chamber. Almost like the last step of polishing was left out. I'm not sure if this is considered normal for 610's or not. However my 686, 629, 500 and model 60 all have polished chambers. Below you can see the cross hatches I'm talking about in the top chamber.

Now if you look at this brass closely, you will notice that you can see those same cross hatch marks on the brass. Once again, I've never seen this before.

Finally, something else that is odd about this revolver. If I take a piece of spent brass, it will freely fit into each chamber except one! Here is a video of that:

S&W 610 issue - YouTube

So considering all that, what the **** is going on!
Did I get a batch of bad brass from starline?
Are my chambers cut wrong or are unfinished?
Did I make a stupid reloading error and overpressure the brass?

Also here is a dimensional drawing of the cases before and after firing.

Thanks for any help.

 

[F-111 John]

Is the crosshatch pattern only in the one chamber the fired brass from your YouTube video won't fit?

Was the ejection problem caused by the full moon clip being held back by one chamber?

Have you tried factory ammo?

The crosshatch pattern is definately a manufacturing error on Smith's part, and on QC's part for not catching it.

 

[AKMac]

No the cross hatch is present in all chambers. I forgot to mention that the case that split was found in the camber that won't accept the fired brass. That camber is definitely "tighter" than the others.

I fired it with and without the moon clip and the results were the same.

I haven't tried factory ammo yet. 10mm isn't easy to come by for me.

 

[Brian Williams]

Call S&W.

 

[788Ham]

What is the grayish/white-ish looking powder thats present on the cylinder and the frame of the revolver? Just curious, looks like maybe a type of grinding power, or possibly polishing powder.

I'd definitely call or send to S&W !

 

[Snowbandit]

Another quality control issue from Smith & Wesson. They will fix it but this kind of mistake is costing them.

 

[AKMac]

The powder is just burned powder from firing.

I will give them a call and send it back. In case anyone is curious, I tried to get a better picture of the chambers.

 

[MartinS]

That lower left one shows it very clear, good photo.

 

[bluetopper]

Wrap some steel wool around a bore brush and attach the other end of the cleaning rod to you hand drill then insert the steel wool in your chambers and polish them yourself.

It's really not rocket science

 

[Old Fuff]

Take a bullet, drop it in a chamber, and use a piece of 3/8" wood dowel to push the bullet through the throat. I should be easy to push it through. If it isn't I suspect the throats are tight because the chambers were never finish reamed.

Too-tight chamber throats could increase pressure considerably and also tight chambers would hinder extraction.

Send the revolver back to Smith & Wesson and include the fired cases. A phone call to the company Customer Service Department should get you a free shipping label.

1 (800) 331-0852 They may be closed for the holidays.

 

[Drail]

I almost wonder if someone besides S&W has been inside that cylinder. It sure looks like Bubba work to me. The extractor's finish doesn't look like S&W's work either. The transition from chamber to throat is also unlike any S&W cylinder I have ever seen. New old stock huh? Can't wait to hear what S&W has to say about this (and the 7 shot/6 chamber cylinder on Japle's gun). Your photos are VERY good sir.

 

[AKMac]

Yeah it will be going back to S&W after the holidays.

Drail - It was pretty clear that this revolver hasn't been shot much (only the 30 rounds or so I've put in it) No drag line, no carbon on the cylinder face, etc.