S&W 610 Classic vs. S&W 629 Classic

A

Ala Dan

Member in memoriam
Greeting's To All:

I am seeking information of a comparison nature between two
Smith & Wesson revolver's; namely the 610 (10mm) Classic vs.
the 629 (.44Magnum) Classic. I know that the 610 will also
chamber and fire the shorter .40 caliber S&W round; and the
629 will chamber and fire .44 Special's. But, what about
recoil and muzzle blast between the 10mm vs. the .44 Magnum?
Also, which one do you consider the most accurate? I own a
5" model 629 Classic; but I'm considering a 6-1/2" 610
Classic, also. Does the 10mm draw enough interest to warrant
it's purchase? All replies are welcomed.

Thanks In Advance,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
I am searching high and low for one of the previously produced 5" or 3" 610s myself. S&W is supposedly coming out with a 4" model this year IF they survive. I really like the 10mm round and believe it will be around for awhile as a cult round similar to the .41 Mag. Inexpensive range ammo is scarce however, the 10mm is a good one for handloaders.
 
The 5" barrel version would suit my needs better, also.
Anything less (than 5") might have a serious bite; unless
it is produced with the full length under lug.

And A Beer, Looks like the 3" model you are seeking would
definitely be a no-no. Are you considering this as a CCW?

Regards,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
"And A Beer, Looks like the 3" model you are seeking would definitely be a no-no. Are you considering this as a CCW? "

Yepper. And possibly IDPA. I don't think it would be that big of a beast to shoot, no worse than my H110/140gr. loaded 627. Were I to be wrong on this, I could always load with .40 AGP. I just loves me some 10mm. ;)
 
Calif Hunter - You must use half or full moon clips with the S&W 610. I have tried both on my 6" model. The full moon clips are superior. In addition, should you purchase one of these guns (preferably pre-owned), buy an extractor tool to dislodge the expended brass. It works great. You can purchase both full moon clips and the extractor tool from Brownell's.
 
Aw, go ahead & guess what I will say...

Yep, the 610 is it. I have a 629, 2 count'em 2 FLUTED 610's (one of each flavor) and I had a 3" 610. The blast,recoil,kick etc. on a 610 is nothing. Even on the 3" it felt like a 38. An N frame whith .4 holes, that's alot of steel. Now my 629, that thing shakes my teeth loose! I have a 3".357 Mod.60 that is brutal with 125 gr mags, but even my home brew 1.4 COAL 200gr 1400fps 10mm deer loads were not bad even in the 3". I didn't like the balance or look of the unfluted cylinder (but O jez was the action slick!) and the full lugged 3" tube. The ticket- buy a pre treason/used 6.5" 610, have Cylinder & Slide cut it to 4" and suffer with that butt ugly unfluted cylinder. reload from light 40s to long/hot 10s (knock, knock knock'in on .41's door) & you got a CCW/IDPA/deer gun.
 
Ala Dan-I've owned THREE S&W .44's-an 8 & 3/8 inch Model 29, A 6 inch Model 629 and a 6 inch,full-lugged Model 629 "Classic Hunter". In addition, I've had two Model 610's...a five-inch AND a six-and-a-half inch from the ORIGINAL production run-with the FLUTED cylinder...still have all but "long-tom" and the five-inch 610-DRAT! The .44's are a definite HANDFUL with "Full-power" ammo...the 610's seem to recoil less than the Model 51/657 in .41 Magnum...in other words, not at all unpleasant for the amount of "horsepower". Both calibers are EXTREMELY ACCURATE, in my experience...as far as RECENT-PRODUCTION S&W's go, I've not seen ANY that were any MORE ACCURATE than the recently-made 610's. I LIKE the ability to fire "Full-bore" 10MM ammo OR .40 S&W...makes for a REAL VERSATILE set-up! Some people don't like the moonclips...I happen to think that the "Full-moon" clips are the greatest thing since sliced bread! The only problem I see with the Model 610 is ammunition AVAILABILTY...you can go into "Wallymart" or "K-smart" and find ammo to use in your 29/629, but as far as 10MM...gunshops only, and at GUNSHOP PRICES!!! My two cents' worth, anyway....mikey357
 
Thanks guy's for all the response. Maybe, when the funds become available a S&W 610 will be in my future.:D:) Even
though I own mostly auto loader's; I might be a revolver
kind'a guy?:eek:

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
The only problem I see with the Model 610 is ammunition AVAILABILTY...you can go into "Wallymart" or "K-smart" and find ammo to use in your 29/629, but as far as 10MM...gunshops only, and at GUNSHOP PRICES!!! My two cents' worth, anyway....mikey357
Click to expand...

at least you can still buy .40 from wally world...
 
10mm and .44 Mag.
Arabian and Percheron ?

10 kinda like .41 mag. Both at full tilt and boogie are heavy hitters.

.44 Mag at full tilt and boogie much much stouter...at both ends.

Accuracy of either 10 or 44 can be super with the right load for YOUR gun.

Sam.....opiniated, as always.
 
As an owner of a 6 1/2" 610, I can say they are a real easy shooter. Basically the only revolver (mine or friends) that I can come close to "Jerry Miculek" rapid firing. I have been looking for another for awhile I like mine so much.
 
If you're really getting .41 mag speeds out of your 10mm, the kinetic entergy just might be passing the .44 mag somewhere between 75 and 125 yards--with 200-gr 10mm and 240-gr .429 bullets.

Something to consider if you're taking deer beyond 25 yards. Ballistic coefficient can be quite important when the bullets are blunt.
 
I recently aquired a 610-2 and after hunting down moon clips (the ones that came with the gun were 45) and a tool, finally got to shoot it and was very impressed. Wiith either 40 S&W or 10MM it was accurate and controllable. One thing though, it has the unfluted cylinder (ugly) and a 4" barrel When I looked in my blue book it listed 5" & 6 1/2 ". Is the 4" unusual???
 
Dan,

Let me offer one comment that is somewhat off-topic to your initial inquiry. I really like the 10mm round, although (as Sam indicates) it is quite similarly ballistically to the .41 magnum. Which brings me to the point: We know that current S&W quality -- even for "N" frames -- is inconsistent. You could get a superb, flawless 610 or a lemon. Therefore, might it not make sense to look for a top-quality, older, M57 in .41 magnum.

I'm sure not trying to suggest to you how to do your business, but I have been considering the same 10mm revolver question for some time -- because I really want one -- and unfortunately feel the risks with new S&Ws may be greater than I am willing to incur.

Warmest regards -- Roy
 
True to a point...but I have YET to hear of anyone reporting accuracy trouble from a S&W 610 of any "vintage." I think that overall, S&W uses tighter tolerances with the 610s than the 629s...
 
RWK-

I appreciate your thought's and comment's, regarding the
Smith & Wesson model's 610 vs. the very popular model
57. You know, I had a 4" model 57 years ago that I really
enjoyed; but after shooting it for some time the caliber
seemed to get boring. Now, I can see that it wan't boring
at all; but I thought I wanted a S&W .44 magnum, like
everybody else. So, the chance came to trade my model
57 with an "S" prefix serial number for a nickel model 29
with an "S" prefix s/n; so I made the trade. Wish I hadn't
now Roy; but as they say hindsight is 20/20. If I could
locate a 657 .41 magnum as nice as my 629-5 "Classic"
.44 magnum, that would be great too. I don't think the
657 is offered in the 5" barrel length, if memory serves
me correctly? But, I sure could settle in with a nice 4"
or 6", as it really doesn't matter. Either, would make
me forget about a 610 I do believe.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
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