I'm considering getting one or the other. Would potentially use it in the action games and as a range toy.

Can y'all compare the two with pros and cons?

625 reloads quicker in theory with the bigger holes. But I am sure if you practiced you could be quick with either.

I have a 610. It is one of my more accurate revolvers or at least it shoots very well for me. I like it because I can shoot 40S&W in it as well as full house 10 MM.

I also have a 25 and a 1917 Classic that I shoot 45 ACP out of in moon clips. You will like both, the 610 and 625 so, buy both and start reloading.

I'd go for the 25 without a doubt. Heavier bullet from the .45 will do a number on bowling pins, plates and people. Has less of a bite to it over the 10mm and is an inherently accurate round. I shot a 3" 625 of 1989 and loved it. Was very accurate and a pleasure to shoot. I'm actually thinking of selling a couple of my S&W's off to buy one as I really loved it and the .45 ACP is my go to SD round. I'm not nearly as quick reloading revolvers as I am with my 1911's, but did pretty well with the moonclips and that big snubbie N fame. If you ever decide to use it for SD the old .45 is the winner as them HP's will expand to .75"'s and penetrate very well. To this day its still near the top of the heat for that application. I pack one daily as I know it will get the job done.

You also have a much larger selection of factory rounds for the .45 vs the 10mm. Something to consider if you don't reload as the .45's are less expensive to shoot. You will also most likely pay less money for the 25 than the 610.

JMO and happy shopping! .45's ROCK!

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V/R
Roger / SG

I have had both for over 20 years. The 610 is the best choice for games if you are a reloader. Loads just as fast with moon clips and you can shoot plates with powder puff loads (140 grain LRN @ 600 to 800 fps) or pins (200 grain XTPs going at 1200 fps). you can also shoot 40 S&W rounds too. If you are not a reloader go with the 625.

I'd sure like a 610 no lock myself, but they must be gold plated these days. They cost a small fortune when you do find one. Seems to me that the 625's are cheaper and easier to find than a 610's.

You will eventually end up with both so don't sweat the decision.

I have both a 4 inch 610 and 5 inch 625 and use moonclpped ammo in both guns. For action pistol games the 625 reloads faster than the 610 in my hands. The 610 with 40 S&W loads in slightly less expensive to shoot with the lighter bullets.

I own "several" 625's and have been considering adding a 610 to the "group". Every time I get close, I balk at the current prices of 610's vs. the prices of the 625's I've found.

So, I've "rationalized" that if I'm going to own an N-frame six-shot moon-clip revolver, why not stick with the ones that are drilled out "all the way" to .45 caliber?

Lou

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NRA Certified Instructor & RSO

I have both and use both on the job. 610 only been used with .40SW amazingly accurate. .40SW is easy to come by as only one department in the area uses the .45ACP round. Most of the officer's are surprised as it uses the .40SW round with the 10mm chambering.


Frank Ruple
NJPTC Firearms Inst.
NRA Firearms Training Counselor
NRA Chief RSO
SWCA # 2087

I have both a 610 and a 625 in 5" barrels. They're great guns. As most say here...get 'em both!

Since I don't reload, and assuming the cost of the 625 is less than the 610, I'd probably recommend the 625. However, if I could only choose one of mine to keep, I'd probably keep the 610.

Tim

Like RGPM1A I have had both for 20 years.

I have a 4" 610 No Dash Power Custom Combat, and a 3" 625 Power Custom Combat. Both are as slick as a S&W revolver gets.

Like RGPM1A was saying you can load 40 S&W cases with 140 grain round nose lead cowboy action bullets for a 38-40. The round nose just fall in the chambers. I shot a Steel Challange match Saturday using the 610 with 140 bullets, and had no problems with any targets going down.

I use 230 round nose lead in the 625. Using round nose in both the 610 and 625 I cannot tell one reloads faster than the other.

Reloading: 40 S&W brass is easy to come by and very cheap. On the other hand 45 acp is not nearly as plentiful as range brass. I have not bought any 40 S&W brass since the cartridge was new on the market. I have bought 45 acp.

My 610 is probably my most accurate carry handgun.

Power is about a wash between the two. Most 10mm has been down loaded to keep from trashing out Delta Elites, and S&W 10mm auto's. The only semi auto that would take a steady diet of full house 10mm was the Glock 20 from what I have read.

If you are reloading for a 610, you can put the sudds back in a 10mm, and bring the power right back up to serious.
You can also go another route that is fairly inexpensive. Send the cylinder off and have it rechambered to 10mm Magnum. Brass is available from Starline. Now you are into 41 Magnum power with a much better bullet selection. This is not an uncommon conversion.

The only real advantage I see to a 625 over a 610 is cost. Also finding a short barrel 610 may not be easy, or cheap. I suspect their are more 5" and 6-1/2" guns on the market, than 3" and 4" ones.

Which ever you get, you cannot go wrong. They are both very good guns.

If you might consider concealed carrying one, check out the 325 Night Guard, and the 310 Night Guard. I also have the 310NG and it is my favorute concealed carry gun for town carry. Infact it is what I am carrying as I type this.

Bob

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ICORE MO2908

Thanks all. Much appreciated!