Great advice re a model 10 and the old 'FBI' load, the +P 158gr LHPSWC. Current 10, 64 (SS 10), and 67 (SS adj sight 10) models are +P rated, check with S&W on older models before a diet of such are used. In 'One Shot Stop' stats, that load from a 2" barrel was ~8% more effective than 230gr ball ammo from a typical 1911. My 2" 10 is loaded with them - actually, the Remington #R38S12 version. A great new model to consider is the 620 (SKU #164401 38 oz) - it's a 4" 7-shot L-frame .357M, like the 686+, but has a partial lug, like the 66 it replaced.
The 4" 625's, like the feature-laden 625JM I bought two years ago, are heavy - 43 oz - actually a bit nose heavy, due to that full lug. Plenty of moonclips kept loaded is the answer for range trips. It is a bit more harsh in the sudden onset of it's recoil at max levels. It is a higher pressure round, at 21kpsi, than the .44 Special & .45 Colt, both 14kpsi - seemingly offering more of a push there, too, rather than the more brisk .45 ACP's recoil. Remember, some recoil energy in a semi-auto is absorbed in the mechanism and spring... you power the ammo feed in a revolver. A .45 ACP revolver will bump more than a semi-auto.
You can save some weight by going to a similar 4" N-frame, as having a partial lug saves a bit, making the standard 4" 629 (SKU #163603) weigh 41.5 oz. Another two oz can be pared away if you find the tapered tube 629 Mountain Gun, but it is not currently in production. I replaced my old 629MG last year with a standard 4" 629 and like the change (Sights, trigger, & hammer). My 4" & 6" 629's now have the same sights, hammer, and trigger and sport the backstrap-enclosing Hogue .500 Magnum grips for recoil absorption. That 4" 629MG was fine with my smallish rounded non-f.g. cocobolo Ahrends stocks with any of my 240gr LSWC loads or the excellent 200gr Gold Dot .44 Specials , Blazer or GA Arms variants). The .500 Magnum grips, and try the fit of your hand via handling a .460 or .500 S&W at your dealer, are $35 from S&W - and a bargain, as far as recoil help is concerned. The one grip fits K,L,N, and X-frames, so you can use it to tame a 625 - or even a 686 with hot magnums.
I have a 296 & 696 - I'd get the 4" 629. A new one will be less than a used 696 - and weigh only six ounces more - and has one more round, another inch of barrel, and real .44M capability. But... consider that 620. Real .357 Magnum capability - super .38 7-shooter. The gun really points well, but begs for other grips, IMHO (I hate open back Hogue rubber OEM grips!). I liked the K-frame standards, the Uncle Mike's Combats, a la the current 10, 64, & 67. I really like wood - everything but those 629's sports wood - mostly Ahrends. They could always come later...
BTW, my wife is 5'10" - and doesn't like the N-frames - especially that 625JM. Her idea of a bedside gun is that 2" 10 - with my 5.5" SS .45 Colt Redhawk as her 'house' gun. She shoots my 250gr Speer GDHP's and 255gr LSWC loads, both ~840+ fps, like they were .22LR. I wish I could get her back to that 2" 10... but, I let her decide!
Stainz
PS I have two 625MG's in .45 Colt - she hates them... go figure!