If you guessed the model 61 Escort 22lr you’re a S&W nerd like me
This is the last variant 61-3

Had a forged machined aluminum frame, vs the earlier cast version
They can be picky on ammo, but i had a blued one that ran fine

Only 6600 nickel made out of 68k or so total production
Couldn’t pass it up for the price, looks unfired but no box or pouch unfortunately

ACCESSORIZE IT!

Low are axis on that one. I believe a number of years later S&W designed a full sized pistol based on that action.

quote:

Originally posted by Fredward:
Low are axis on that one. I believe a number of years later S&W designed a full sized pistol based on that action.

They did, the 422 was one version, I shot a model 2206 as a range rental a couple times too.

quote:

If you guessed the model 61 Escort 22lr you’re a S&W nerd like me

[raises hand] Second guess was the .380 Sigma.

Was this model actually a turd (i.e., constant stoppages), or did it just not sell?

"Fussy" I think would be a good description. (Maybe even "very fussy"?) Which for a pistols sort of marketed as a defense gun wasn't a good thing. That doesn't help how malfunctions are received. If your plinker, "tackle box" gun jams now and then, no big deal. If your self defense gun does, big deal.

The 422 and similar models seem to be in order from what I gather. The two variations I owned function pretty flawlessly. Maybe not perfect guns, but they worked.

Couldn't they have at least put some decent-looking grips on it? Of all the colors they could have been, they had to pick bile-yellow.

That is a pretty cool looking little gun. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

As a young policeman I was excited over the Escort. The gun magazines all praised it and I just had to have one. I pictured it as perfect for the rear pocket of the uniform trousers as a back up. And, size-wise, it was.

So I bought one-it failed more often than it fired. Failed to feed, failed to eject or didn't go bang.

Bought a second, same thing. Waited a while (couple of months I think) and bought the third one which was still not reliable for beans.

I still love the concept, love the size but will never buy another.

Bob