S&W Model 610 vs. Ruger GP 161 - The Firearms Forum

wookie810 · 01-07-2008, 11:00 PM

I am interested in buying my first revolver. I have two choices in mind The S&W 10mm model 610 and the Ruger .357 mag GP161. I was wondering the advantages and disadvantages of both of the guns as far as ballistics, cost, durability, accuracy and overall performance as a hunting side arm and a recreational target shooter as well as a home defense firearm. I am kind of partial to the S&W because I used to own a .40 caliber S&W semi-auto but want something with a little bit more power and accuracy. I am new to revolvers and would like some honest opinions on the pros and cons before I go out and purchase either of these guns.

demented · 01-07-2008, 11:26 PM

I'd take a pre-lock Smith over Ruger most any day. By that same token, I doubt I'll ever buy a trigger locked, MIM parts Smith. As for your caliber choices, the .357 will cost less to shoot, either factory or reloads. What are you planning on hunting? I consider the .357 to be a 50 yard shooter at best when going after deer size game. Either caliber will do fine for self/home defense. I prefer a big bore non magnum revolver due to the blast and flash of the .357, I would think full load 10mm's would be as bad.

wookie810 · 01-08-2008, 12:22 AM

I plan on hunting deer, but where I hunt in the U.P. there are a lot of black bears and would feel a lot safer with something that would stop one if the need should arise. I highly doubt that would ever happen but I would rather have it if I need it. I would use this gun as a backup. Mostly I hunt deer with my .308 Winchester but if it didn't work or I had to close a shot it would be the one I use.

demented · 01-08-2008, 03:01 AM

Some might say the .357 will do for Black bear, not for the price of my hide! The 10mm with heavier bullets would, I feel, be better than the average, off the shelf .357 load. A .44 magnum double action revolver sounds even better! How big the Blacks get up your way? Here, a 300#'r would be big. Those Canadian bears I see being hunted are big enough that I'd insist on a .44!

dusty9 · 01-08-2008, 10:32 AM

I second demented's thoughts. If there is any possibility of encountering a bear, a .44 Magnum is the smallest caliber I would consider. S & W and Ruger both make excellent .44's. S & W's have better triggers, while the Rugers are stronger. A .44 Mag revolver will handle a wide variety of loads, including .44 Special. Another possibility is a .45 Long Colt revolver in a S & W or Ruger. Their large heavy bullets are proven stoppers, especially at short range and there is a variety of good ammo available for them now.

DWARREN123 · 01-08-2008, 03:49 PM

Need a Ruger RedHawk in 10mm!
I only wish they made them.

wookie810 · 01-10-2008, 12:26 AM

The bears around here are 300 easy. I Have shot a .44 and think it is a little to much gun for me though. At least to shoot effectively after the first shot. After thinking about it I guess the gun would be used for primarily hunting, and recreation. The home defense could be covered by my mossburg 500 tactical.

neophyte · 01-10-2008, 04:40 AM

wookie810: Sir; I know little about the 10mm and much more about the 161.
Being able to walk into a country store, general store, and ask the counter person for a box of shells. Around here; 10mm come from gun stores only.
Ballistics on the 10mm are very good, .357 can be a very formidable weapon.
Ruger GP100

tex45acp · 01-12-2008, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWARREN123

Need a Ruger RedHawk in 10mm!
I only wish they made them.

They do, and much better. The Ruger Redhawk in .41magnum. I have been using this caliber for large game hunting for over 25 years. Heres my 3.

A Leupold scoped 7.5", a 5.5" and my custom 4"....all three stainless.

01-07-2008, 11:00 PM	#1
wookie810 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 53	S&W Model 610 vs. Ruger GP 161 I am interested in buying my first revolver. I have two choices in mind The S&W 10mm model 610 and the Ruger .357 mag GP161. I was wondering the advantages and disadvantages of both of the guns as far as ballistics, cost, durability, accuracy and overall performance as a hunting side arm and a recreational target shooter as well as a home defense firearm. I am kind of partial to the S&W because I used to own a .40 caliber S&W semi-auto but want something with a little bit more power and accuracy. I am new to revolvers and would like some honest opinions on the pros and cons before I go out and purchase either of these guns. -->

01-07-2008, 11:26 PM	#2
demented Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 13	Re: S&W Model 610 vs. Ruger GP 161 I'd take a pre-lock Smith over Ruger most any day. By that same token, I doubt I'll ever buy a trigger locked, MIM parts Smith. As for your caliber choices, the .357 will cost less to shoot, either factory or reloads. What are you planning on hunting? I consider the .357 to be a 50 yard shooter at best when going after deer size game. Either caliber will do fine for self/home defense. I prefer a big bore non magnum revolver due to the blast and flash of the .357, I would think full load 10mm's would be as bad.

01-08-2008, 12:22 AM	#3
wookie810 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 53	Re: S&W Model 610 vs. Ruger GP 161 I plan on hunting deer, but where I hunt in the U.P. there are a lot of black bears and would feel a lot safer with something that would stop one if the need should arise. I highly doubt that would ever happen but I would rather have it if I need it. I would use this gun as a backup. Mostly I hunt deer with my .308 Winchester but if it didn't work or I had to close a shot it would be the one I use. Last edited by wookie810; 01-08-2008 at 01:18 AM..

01-08-2008, 03:01 AM	#4
demented Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 13	Re: S&W Model 610 vs. Ruger GP 161 Some might say the .357 will do for Black bear, not for the price of my hide! The 10mm with heavier bullets would, I feel, be better than the average, off the shelf .357 load. A .44 magnum double action revolver sounds even better! How big the Blacks get up your way? Here, a 300#'r would be big. Those Canadian bears I see being hunted are big enough that I'd insist on a .44!

01-08-2008, 10:32 AM	#5
dusty9 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: West Texas Posts: 56	Re: S&W Model 610 vs. Ruger GP 161 I second demented's thoughts. If there is any possibility of encountering a bear, a .44 Magnum is the smallest caliber I would consider. S & W and Ruger both make excellent .44's. S & W's have better triggers, while the Rugers are stronger. A .44 Mag revolver will handle a wide variety of loads, including .44 Special. Another possibility is a .45 Long Colt revolver in a S & W or Ruger. Their large heavy bullets are proven stoppers, especially at short range and there is a variety of good ammo available for them now.

01-08-2008, 03:49 PM	#6
DWARREN123 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: BETWEEN TN & KY Posts: 764	Re: S&W Model 610 vs. Ruger GP 161 Need a Ruger RedHawk in 10mm! I only wish they made them. __________________ Have a nice day!

01-10-2008, 12:26 AM	#7
wookie810 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 53	Re: S&W Model 610 vs. Ruger GP 161 The bears around here are 300 easy. I Have shot a .44 and think it is a little to much gun for me though. At least to shoot effectively after the first shot. After thinking about it I guess the gun would be used for primarily hunting, and recreation. The home defense could be covered by my mossburg 500 tactical.

01-10-2008, 04:40 AM	#8
neophyte V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NC Posts: 63	Re: S&W Model 610 vs. Ruger GP 161 wookie810: Sir; I know little about the 10mm and much more about the 161. Being able to walk into a country store, general store, and ask the counter person for a box of shells. Around here; 10mm come from gun stores only. Ballistics on the 10mm are very good, .357 can be a very formidable weapon. Ruger GP100 __________________ Craig By the standards of many