Bullzaye
US Veteran
This. Plus, the same factor applies to the entire length of the barrel...more metal being retained due to the smaller bore.
S&W 610 or S&W 629
- Thread starter klhender
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I did take the extra weight of the revolver into account. That's why I found it strange. Even with the extra weight of the revolver factored in, the felt recoil was still a little less.
Weird, I know. Both loads were factory, so it doesn't add up.
I agree with this. Neither of these guns is a great choice for a first revolver, especially for the non-reloader.
A .357 or .38 is a more PRACTICAL choice. .38s will be generally available to the new shooter. The light recoil of the .38 encourages practice. Practice builds proficiency.
But then again, the heart wants what the heart wants.
I just hate to see a new shooter buy that .44, which is a great gun and caliber and get turned off to revolvers due to the recoil.
I just hate to see a new shooter buy that 10mm, which is a fun gun and get turned off due to not being able to find ammo. Moonclips are not for everyone either. They have their pluses and minuses.
Bullzaye
US Veteran
The OP has verified that he's *not* a new shooter, he *already* owns a revolver, and he *already* has a .44 Magnum!
I would get the 629-4. You can shoot 2 cartridges and the resale will be higher IMO
Bullzaye
US Veteran
Not disagreeing with the 629, but...the 610 can also shoot 2 cartridges, and the .40 S&W is the most affordable of them all, and the .44 Special is likely the least affordable. For anyone who isn't reloading...I don't even mention .44 Special as an advantage. Too expensive, not particularly abundant.
That's something that I hadn't thought of. Good point.
Loyaljeeper
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I love the 629, and I regret selling the two I have owned. A prelock 610 is worth almost twice what a prelock 629 is worth. As a matter of fact, my first 629 was bought as a compromise. I really wanted a 610 but at the time I got outbid on gunbroker. I vowed to go up to 1200 and the auction closed at 1205. I found almost the exact same gun as a 629 for less than 700 and I bought it. I never fired it and traded it for two desireable Smiths a couple of years later.
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The last time I reloaded was about 10 years ago and a couple of years ago I decided to make it official and start selling all my reloading gear. I mostly own and shoot semiautos but like having a revolver or two. Not sure if the OP reloads or not but otherwise we sound fairly similar.
I bought a S&W 69 in 44 magnum right after they came out and shotrly after that decided to sell my the prelock 610 with 5 inch barrel and combat grips I bought new in the early 90s. A 44 just makes a better revolver. Its almost like the cartridge was designed for revolvers
A revolver needs to offer something I cannot get in semiauto. Its personal preference but for both carry and home defense I would rather have a 9mm semiauto. So to be useful a revolver has to offer some combination of better accuracy, more power, versatility and fun at the range that I cannot get in a autoloader.
The 610 was very accurate but dealing with moon clips got in the way of fun at the range. But my 69 is also very accurate.
When it comes to power the 44 is the clear winner. Even though I don't shoot much full power 44 magnum ammo through it I like having the option.
Unless you live in California or some other state that doesn't allow mail order ammo the 44 is also more versatile. For about $0.50 to $0.60 I can find ammo ranging from weak cowboy loads and 44 special up to somewhat weak 44 magnums. The full power 44 magnums cost a bit more but I do not shoot many of those. Ammo for the 610 is less expensive if you shoot 40 but you basically get 2 power levels, 40 and 10mm. If you want very mild ammo like cowboy loads you have to load them yourself with 10mm.
The 610 and 629 are both fine guns. But now that I own a 44 revolver I don't have much use for one chambered in 10mm.
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Just get the one that falls in your lap first!! Be an opportunist, like I have been for quite a few years. I have stumbled into a lot of my Smiths. Plus, you know you are going to want the other one anyway, at some point!!
You are correct Nightowl - I don't even have the S&W yet and I'm already thinking about getting my hands on both.
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I am in the process of putting together a reloading bench and have found a friend willing to teach me. But to answer your question directly - no, I do not reload at the moment.
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That's great! Especially the part about having a friend teach you. When you reload you can dial the 44Mag down to 10 or even 40 power levels, or you can crank it up to levels the 10 can't touch.
Right now is kind of a tough time to get into reloading because components are scarce, but that will change.
sparkyvega
Member
I'd be hard-pressed to make this choice!
Loyaljeeper
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I'm a little late to the discussion, but I have some strong feelings about these two. The 629 with magnums is more gun than 95% of us need. I have never had the pleasure of shooting a 610, but it is a gun I want to own. I have owned 10mm semi autos though and love the caliber. I have also owned 44spl and 44mag revolvers. If you want to shoot your revolver and enjoy it, the 610 is a better shooter that takes two calibers that are cheaper and more readily available than the 629's two calibers. In fact 40s&w is the only handgun caliber in stock at most of our local gun shops and is the equivalent of 357 mag with a 180gr bullet at 1000fps. If you reload, you can sab make the same argument for the 610.
You will be well served with either, but if you are scared of the 610 for any reason don't be. I don't own either because I have a 625 that fills the need very well. The 625 in 45 acp gives you the option of a rimmed case with 45auto rim that is also very well supported for hot loads.
You will be well served with either, but if you are scared of the 610 for any reason don't be. I don't own either because I have a 625 that fills the need very well. The 625 in 45 acp gives you the option of a rimmed case with 45auto rim that is also very well supported for hot loads.
I can appreciate the OP's dilemma. I went through the same debate, but mine was compounded because I also own and shoot a Model 57 (41 Magnum). Over the years, I developed a soft 41 load, so it can match the 610, and leave it in the dust! I chose a 3" Model 629 with the intention of feeding it a steady diet of Skeeter's 44 Specials.
Perhaps (down the road) I'll buy a 610, but while I like the 6.5" barrel , it's weight puts it on the potential ban list, so a 4" may be in line. When I have seen moon clips and a moon clip tool at a reasonable price, I jumped on it. I already have the dies and mold for 40/10mm since a Sig P229R is on the way.
Honestly, I don't envy the OP with the decision he must make!
Perhaps (down the road) I'll buy a 610, but while I like the 6.5" barrel , it's weight puts it on the potential ban list, so a 4" may be in line. When I have seen moon clips and a moon clip tool at a reasonable price, I jumped on it. I already have the dies and mold for 40/10mm since a Sig P229R is on the way.
Honestly, I don't envy the OP with the decision he must make!
