Why such a difference in value between 625 and 610 revolvers?

[Lou_NC]

I own and enjoy the 625 revolvers in .45 ACP very much. Since I like the moonclip loading and wanted to add to my revolver collection, a few months ago I started looking for a 610 to compliment the 625's.

I'm kind of amazed at the price differential I'm seeing for 610's compared to 625's. To me, these two models are more similar than different........both are N-frames, both can take moon clips, both shoot popular rounds.

Is there something about the 610 that seems to be driving prices several hundred dollars above comparable 625's? Are they THAT much more popular, were there THAT many fewer 610's made than 625's? Or perhaps is it that you can still get a new 625 today (although I personally wouldn't buy one with the hole) and you can't get a new 610?

Just curious what people might think the reasons are.

Thanks,
Lou

 

[Jack Flash]

M610s are much more rare. If not already, they are becoming more of a cult gun, similar to the M58.

 

[diamonback68]

Jack said it! A lot fewer made and people that have them, hold onto them and people that don't have them, want them, thus the price goes UP! I believe economist call it supply and demand.

 

[Simmy952]

Really the only difference is how many that were made. The 10mm is really a cult following. The 10 is also a flatter shooting round out to longer distances. Other than the round, that is really the only difference. I had four at one time but sold two of them. Hanging on to the other two.

 

[amazingflapjack]

Yes-there were fewer made, but in my view, there is more to it than that. I have a custom 625, and a 610-2, and while the 625 is indeed one of my favorites, the 610 has an allure that is uniquely its own, and has to be handled and fired to discern.

And...they still make 625's !

 

[red9]

It is the same as the various stainless 32 Long/Magnum revolvers. Nobody wanted them when they were new. Therefore, Smith & Wesson discontinued them. Now, because Smith & Wesson discontinued them because nobody wanted them, everybody wants them. Is something wrong here?

Bob

 

[diamonback68]

Now, because Smith & Wesson discontinued them because nobody wanted them, everybody wants them. Is something wrong here?

Bob

Same reason some mediocre artist works are worth more after they are dead. The supply is gone, but demand may increase with population and more collectors.

 

[TSQUARED]

The age old difference between supply and demand.

 

[627 city hunter]

Its the rare .40/10mm revolver. I want one too.

 

[BobR1]

I picked up a 610 No Dash when they first came out. In I believe 1992 I took it by to see Ron Power (Power Custom) and had him do his Power Custom Combat work to it, as well as shorten the barrel off the back from 5" to 4". It is a tack driver, and one of my favorite handguns.

I have also had numerous 45 acp S&W revolvers, and still have my 3" Power Custom Combat 625. It is also an excellent handgun. Ron told me when working on it that it had perfect cylinder alignment on all 6 holes. At that time he said it was the best 625 he had worked on.

I also have a 310 Night Guard. Another Great Handgun. I picked mine up for $775 which I did not think was a terrible price for a 10mm/40 S&W revolver. Probably a bunch of people missed the boat on getting a 310NG when you could.

I believe a 10mm S&W Revolver is a thinking mans gun. They normally were bought NEW on purpose, and the owner is keeping it. I carried mine in a Tex Shoemaker Semi Break Front Security holster for 16 years, as a Reserve Deputy and Police Chief. I finally went to an XDm the last year as Police Chief due to the qualification course being set up for Hi Cap guns. It was getting hard to make the times doing a couple extra reloads with the revolver. I took it by to see Ron Power last Summer. It needed an endshake bearing to be back in perfect condition. Not bad for 20 years of shooting. It is still my most accurate carry handgun.

In 2012 I have buckets of 40 S&W Range Brass. Talk about helping with economical reloading. Another good reson to own a 10mm/40 S&W revolver.
The 610 is also my favorite Steel Challange handgun. At our Club we shoot Steel Challenge one month and Outlaw IDPA the next. I shoot my 610 for steel, and my 64 for SSR in Outlaw IDPA.

Did I mention my 610 and 310 were bought on purpose, and they are not for sale either.

Bob

 

[Jack Flash]

Red9 makes a lot of sense. For all its qualities that are being extolled here, just not that many people wanted to buy one when they were being made. Thus, not that many were made.

Also, at that time the 10 mm was considered by many to be a dead cartridge. Who wants a handgun that fires obsolete ammo? Besides, if you really liked 10 mm, why not buy an autoloader, since that's what the round was designed for? Not to mention that autoloaders usually had mags that would hold a lot more than 6 rounds.

Now that they are no longer made (at least w/o the IL) some people want them just because they are rare. Others, especially dedicated handloaders, like the power and versatility they get from the round without having to worry about different bullet types jamming up as they may in a bottom feeder. Add to that the abundant, cheap, and readily available .40 S&W ammo and brass (which the M610 will also fire, with moonclips of course).

So given their relative scarcity, and that there are a lot of handgunners and collectors avidly seeking them out, is it any wonder that they are pricey?

 

[N-FRAME657]

A thinking man's gun is right. I'm still looking for that 5" 610. 6.5" is fine for steel but no go for USPSA I believe. Sure would be a nice compliment to my semi's in that caliber but they are running 1K plus....

Regards,
Ed

 

[7tenz]

Mine isn't for sale either.

I wanted to stress this first, not bragging, but about ten years ago after I bought my 610 LH 3" I expressed I might want to sell it. It was in another now-defunct gun forum.

I got a lot of replies from people chomping at the bit, so I decided to not put it up for sale, and I think some got mad thinking I backed out or whatever.

I'm mostly an auto person, and I thought I clicked on the semi auto section and found myself here in wheelguns, so I decided to use it. I have a more narrow interest in Model 29s. I do like the wheelgun, it's just a slight preference for the self-stuffers.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Why is the 610 worth more?

First 50 shots out of the gun offhand at 15 yrds. Wow, look at the accuracy. They just made something right on the 610's and others like me said no way I am selling it.

 

[mes227]

In 2011 I bought both a 625JM (.45acp) and a 610. Both used but in excellent (and essentially identical) condition. I paid the same for both guns.

 

[Rodentman]

I found a 610-3 not too long ago at my LGS. Since I reload 10mm I wasn't concerned with the price of ammo, so I bought it and love it!

It had been sitting so long in the case that it was really dirty-looked like it was used but it was BNIB. The dirt wasn't from being fired, it was surface dirt that just gathered on it from sitting so long.

 

[505Gibbs]

I wouldn't be at all surprised for S&W to wait a bit more for the demand to be pent up and the - surprise, another re-release of the 610. They did it a few years ago with the model 57 so this, if it occurs, would not come as a shock to me!

 

[pacificpt]

Reading about them makes me want one. And since I can get .40 brass for free...

 

[Bello]

I own both the 610 and 625 the 610 is rare took a few months to find it. Both are great shooters love them I think my kids will enjoy them when they get older.

 

[ken158]

I take my 5" 610 deer hunting and take my 5" 625 target shooting. Both fit in the same holster!