Female shooter: 610 5” vs 625 5” vs 686 6”

[jtcarm]

I have yet to see a 610 or a 625 available as a rental.

If she likes the 10mm, a Ruger GP100 MC would fit the bill in a 686-sized package.

I dunno WTH smith doesn't make an L-frame 10mm.

You could always take the 610 to a gunsmith to remove a bunch of that underlug (something I'd probably do if I owned one.)

 

[keithhagan]

Hate to break it to you big boy, BUT your whole post comes over as the classic:

I want a gun, from this list of 3, I have a girlfriend who wants a gun of her own, but she has like tiny wrists and cant hold the gun up after a few cylinders.

I wanna get her one of the guns I want for myself, because like she wont actually use it herself. So I get my new gun PLUS I can look like im being really nice by buying my girl a gun"

Essentially your being a classic gun store *******. She cant work the gun for very long, therefore the gun ISNT the one for her.

Remember long ago I was told that if you want a snubnose 38, you CANT get one until you can go to a range, rent one, and put a WHOLE box of ammo through it in one session.

Session meaning, start shooting at one, and keep shooting till box empty. NOT a 5 hour day taking a shot every 20 minutes at the target.

Box of ammunition meaning 50 rounds. In his day ammunition came in limited sizes, 50 rounds, 500 round half cases, and pallets, and pallets in a rail car.

Thank you for your response. It should prove instructive and add to the knowledge of the forum.

 

[Coastie762]

OP, first off it sounds like you have a great girlfriend! If she likes to shoot with you that's certainly a plus.

A couple of other suggestions to muddy your choices. If you/she wants to stay with 10mm, you might want to look at the 4" 610-3. S&W lists its weight at 42.6 oz, just shy of half a pound lighter than that of the 6 1/2" version (50.1 oz). It is also currently available and at a substantially lower price than an older 5" version.

If you are not hard over on the 10mm but want a fun boomer I would look at the .45 ACP model 625s, either the JM or PC version. I have both. Oddly despite the different barrel profile my PC is only about a 1/2 oz. lighter than the JM, probably due to different grip on each. mine weigh between 40 and 41 oz., probably due to the different material grips on each.

If you are interested in the 686 as an option, again take a look at the 4" length. My 6" 686-3 weighed in at 45 oz and my 4" no-dash came in at 39 oz. .357 Mag will give you plenty of power as well as the option to shoot the lighter .38 specials when desired.

Good luck in your search!

 

[StrawHat]

I favor the N frame ACP revolver. I have several and they are all4" tapered barrels so they are relatively light weight. Very light compared to the three you mention.

If target stocks are too large for her hand, try magnas with a grip adapter.

Good luck and keep us in the loop.

Kevin

 

[joedegs]

986??

"Don't pick one for her - let her pick her own. Don't you have ranges that rent, or friends with guns that she'd like to try?"

I agree with Pizza Bob. I have not shot a 625 5" or 610 5" but would think that it's more then the weight that's hurting her wrists, so I would say the 610 5" is out?? 686 is great, start with shooting .357mag then switch to .38spl when tired. And you can get a plus to add an extra round. I'm assuming that the recoil of the 686 is great then the 625?? So, maybe she can shoot the 625 longer??

There's also the 986 5" 9mm 7-shot. Bring the 610, when tired switch to the 986. Yes, it's not the big bore but it's cheaper and with some for the hotter rounds you'll be surprised.

Joe

 

[joedegs]

Grips??

The type of grips she uses can also make a difference. So not only do you have a revolver to find but a pair of grips for show and a pair of shooting. Unless it's all about shooting.

Joe

 

[Rocket3]

I recommend the 686 also. 357 is a great round and 38 special is fun at the range.

Several to pick from on GB, I would go pre-lock.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

My wife's gun: a 4 inch Model 681 with Crimson Trace grips.

Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk

 

[lrrifleman]

Keith,

Sounds like you found a great girl that may want to be seen as "one of the guys", so don't go against her interests, you could lose more than a shooting partner!

Reducing muzzle weight could actually increase the muzzle flip which seems to be causing her wrist pain/fatigue. You might want to consider either a 6" barrel or possibly a lighter recoiling round. The fact that she seems comfortable with a revolver is a plus.

The 686 6" in 357 would be my leading recommendation. However, she may feel insulted if the round doesn't start with a "4". You said she can handle the 10, the question is, is she shooting groups with the 10 and at what distance? Is she shooting paper or steel?

Based on your answers, if I read this situation correctly, I would suggest:

610 with 5" or 6" shooting 40 S&W then 10mm,
625/25 with 5" or 6",
629 with 6" shooting 44 Specials, followed by
686 (+) using 38s then 357s.

Rentals are a great option, if that option is available to you. Have you discussed with her getting her own pistol and what she would want?

 

[keithhagan]

Reducing muzzle weight could actually increase the muzzle flip which seems to be causing her wrist pain/fatigue. You might want to consider either a 6" barrel or possibly a lighter recoiling round. The fact that she seems comfortable with a revolver is a plus.

The trade-off of reduced weight vs increase felt-recoil is the crux of the question. I.e. will the weight savings of that 1" in barrel (and the force multiplier of it coming off the end) reduce the weight enough to avoid fatigue without the trade-off of too great of an increase in felt recoil?

I appreciate your perfectly valid comment with regard to her potentially misplacing the blame for her fatigue with the weight of the revolver rather than the felt recoil of the 10mm-revolver system, but I'd rather not muddy the discussion by bringing that into consideration, quite yet.

Although, from our perspectives, it is indeterminate whether it is the weight of the revolver or the recoil that gives her trouble, she says it is the former not the latter, and I, as a large man (and what I imagine is the majority of this forum), can never appreciate the experience. So, for purposes of this exercise we should (whether incorrectly or not) take her at her word when it comes to her body, at least for now.

The 686 6" in 357 would be my leading recommendation. However, she may feel insulted if the round doesn't start with a "4". You said she can handle the 10, the question is, is she shooting groups with the 10 and at what distance? Is she shooting paper or steel?

With the 610, she's shooting steel out to as far as 50yds and paper out to as far as 25yds with 6" groups offhand.

 

[Kurusu]

You forgot the "right answer" in your poll.

Whatever she wants.

 

[Ispy12]

I won't stray from the initial post in regard models mentioned.

Without a doubt the 625 is king for numerous reasons.

First of all, the cylinder weight...far less with a fluted .45 hole. Solid, unfluted cylinders weigh more, and the smaller the hole the more they weigh. They look good to some, wipe down easy, and batter the piss out of the gun with full power loads...ask us early 627 shooters.

Next up is pressure. 45 acp does more at less pressure than you think. You can run lighter 180gr loads in a 4-6" 625 and shoot all day.

If you don't want to hassle with moon clips, the 686 is the answer and she can run .38 special.

I may be in the small minority here, but full house loads with heavy cylinder weight makes for shorter life expectancy without a tune up. I have considerable experience with heavy loaded revolvers as well as full custom target revolvers. In the SW line, I find the 45 cals on the N frame with 4-5" barrels the ultimate in handling...either acp or colt. The acp is easy to find ammo for but the colt can provide a world of power above factory loads if that is your game. For a smaller framed person, balance and weight combined with the correct grips makes for a wonderful experience.

Don't forget to look for the 625 classics

 

[keithhagan]

You forgot the "right answer" in your poll.

Whatever she wants.

Certainly, but that wouldn't make for nearly as interesting a poll.

 

[jughed440]

You could consider a .44 Special too. I let a lady shoot the 3" 24. She watched her husband shoot it with barely a kick, so she just had to give it a try. She was amazed at how 'soft' it shot.

Other than the higher ammo price, a 4" 24/624 would be a great choice. Better yet, get a 29 or 629 since she'll probably be shooting .44 Mag very soon

 

[Doug M.]

With the 610, she's shooting steel out to as far as 50yds and paper out to as far as 25yds with 6" groups offhand.

*
Although some of the answers are well intentioned (most relatively new shooters are better served with .22s, 357s allow for use of .38s for less recoil, etc.), they are not relevant to question. Given that seems to be able to shoot reasonably well and does not sound like a newb with no clue, I would discard all of those answers as not addressing the problem.

Myself, I would think the 45 ACP revolver is the best choice of the bunch suggested for lots of reasons.

 

[oink]

*
Although some of the answers are well intentioned..., they are not relevant to question..... I would discard all of those answers as not addressing the problem....

Except none of the poll options addressed the problem. The problem was weight but with an apparent preference for longer tubes and also an apparent preference for a bit of power. Thus the logical alternative is one not listed in the poll, a 6" 66.

 

[m657]

What of the L-frame 44mag/special model 69?
I've been working up some pleasant 165 & 200g cast lead loads that are not only accurate at range distances but quite addictive to shoot lengthy strings. Yes, a 5 shot & 4"+ tube. Yet at 37 oz it is trim & very manageable while retaining the 'enough power' component.

 

[Grayfox]

Don't pick one for her - let her pick her own.

This right here! When will guys learn to never, ever presume to know what a woman wants? She makes the choice, your job is to provide the chance for her to try as many options as possible.

If she's a fan of the 10mm cartridge, have you considered a 1911?

 

[Jim Watson]

I like the recommendation to hack the ugly underlug off.
My biggest routinely shot revolver is an old M25 sawn off to 4".

Are you handloading 10mm?

 

[oysterer]

These are all big guns and looks to me like an excuse for you to buy more guns you want to have...ask me how I know this.

I think there is a big difference between her finding a gun pleasant to shoot vs loving a gun she picked.

Like others said, let her pick and even if it's a Ruger shooting 38 specials etc or a polymer 9. A 10mm 1911...really...No sense for you making choices.