44 Magnum

D

desertstormvet

New member
I'm itching for a 44 Magnum and I'm seriously toying with S&W 629, but am being temped by the 29. My problem is that I very much appreciate quality (and nostalgia) but at the same time would like to fire it (~100-200 rounds / year ...no hunting) and not be too concerned with depreciation. (I don't want a safe queen, but she'd be in the safe often and well cared for.) Recommendations...29 vs 629, 4" vs 6" vs 8", new (629 deluxe) vs used (e.g. 629 no dash)...etc. I know I'm not apples-to-apples, but I do like the new M29 (4", Blue) and the M629 Deluxe (6.5", SS). Help! :confused:
 
Hi

I've owned both a 6 inch Blued model 29 and a 4 inch stainless 629. Both were High quality big strong N frame revolvers. if you can get a 29 6 inch I'd do it

Gary
 
I have a 629 8-3/8". Got it 1/4/1984. I've put a lot of rounds through it and it's still a real gem of a gun.

The 29's are beautiful with their deep bluing. But the stainless is going to handle more punishment. And when it does get the occasional scratch or ding (and it will), it isn't hardly noticeable with the stainless. Fewer curse words will be uttered.

Back in '84, I favored the long barrels. These days, I'd like something a little shorter. Either the 5" Classic, or the 4" V-Comp. One of the two will most likely be my next gun.
 
Aesthetically...I'm a big fan of the wood grips, but that is severely limiting my options (e.g. only Talo distributes the 629 Deluxe 6") and increasing my pricing. Is there a benefit to going to synthetic grips? I hear that help with recoil.
 
I think a .44 Mag. needs a 6" barrel. Shorter and you lose a lot of power (although the flash is definitely impressive). Longer gets unwieldy - at least for me. I would take either a 29 or 629 without a second thought. Which finish do you like better? That's really what it comes down to.

I bought a used 6" 629 (no lock) and have put hundreds of rounds through it. I don't worry about depreciation because I'll never sell it. I carry it in the woods more often than any other gun.

Oh, and you need to decide if you prefer the look and feel/balance of a full-lug barrel or a half-lug barrel. I personally prefer the half-lug.
 
What do I need to know about internal locks? I read that after the 629-6, internal locks were provided to appease the pacifists. For light use as a target pistol or (very rare) bear repellent, should I care?
 
You can`t go wrong with either. I have a 629 and a 329 PD both with 4 in. barrels and both shoot real well. I love the 329, but the recoil is more than most people want.
 
Is there a benefit to going to synthetic grips? I hear that help with recoil.
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Well, I have small hands. So the synthetic grips I got for my 629 (and I've tried a few) were oriented toward improving my grasp on the frame. So they were streamline and small. They made felt recoil worse.

The best grips I've had for my 629 in terms of recoil (and aesthetics) are the stock units. Back in '84, they still came with those beautiful wood ones. (And I've kept mine in perfect condition, I might add.)

44 Magnums recoil. It comes with the territory.
 
What do I need to know about internal locks?
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You need to make sure it's in the unlocked position; remember where you put the keys; then forget about it. It's no more complicated than that.

There's been chatter about recoil engaging the IL. . . Yeah, whatever. My 629 doesn't have the IL. But I have 2 other Smiths that do (686, 67). I don't notice the hole any more. I don't think about it any more. End of story.
 
Years ago I had a 629 Classic DX with the 8 3/8" barrel. With the factory Hogues, that gun shot like a dream and the recoil was pretty tame, even with hotter loads. That 629 is long gone, but I still have a .44 mag in the stable. A 6" Colt Anaconda now resides with me and it sports a nice set of wood combat style stocks. I can tell you that felt recoil with those aforementioned hot loads is noticeably stouter with the wood over the Colt ' s factory Hogues, although I can't really tell a difference as far as barrel length vs the 629's longer tube.

When I get my next big bore wheel, it'll be a 4" or so, but that'll be the only requirement. Although a half underlugged 29 does make me think.......lol.
 
What do I need to know about internal locks?
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Its going to depend on who you ask, especially in regards to whether it can lock up your gun under recoil. The lock mechanism can be removed and there are videos on YouTube that would show you how.

Personally, I have never owned a lock version and I wont, not because I'm afraid of it locking (odds are pretty slim that it would lock up when you depended on it) but because I don't believe in encouraging S&W to continue to produce models with internal locks by buying them. They cut that deal and continue with it to this day, and that's enough for me to avoid them. If enough people refused to buy them locks would be history already. But then, I'm more spiteful about stuff like that then most people are I guess.
 
Either/or.
Keep your bullet weights to 250 grains and under & you shouldn't have issues.
The blue 29 will probably show more holster wear if you carry it afield.

I read that after the 629-6, internal locks were provided to appease the pacifists.
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During the Clinton administration several cities were suing gun manufacturers.
It came to a head of sorts when the SHOT show was scheduled to take place in New Orleans and New Orleans was one of the cities suing.
SHOT moved to Atlanta (1999) and sure enough Atlanta sued also.
Too late to stop the show in '99, but, the show moved in 2000.

In order to put an end to the threats of suits, the Clinton administration made an offer of a "deal".
Part of that "deal" was in internal lock.
Tomkins PLC - a British owned company, also owned S&W @ the time & they signed right up for the "deal".

The backlash was enormous and S&W nearly went under from lack of sales.
Tomkins sold S&W for a huge loss.
 
would like to fire it (~100-200 rounds / year ...no hunting)
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Given your criteria either the 29 or 629 would suit your purpose admirably. I wouldn't worry about depreciation unless you're an investment banker.

Seriously, just buy the one you like and enjoy it. I have two 29-2s and like them fine. I've owned the 629-1 but prefer blue steel and wood. But either model is a great choice.
 
I freely admit to being a recoil wimp. I find the S&W 29 with full loads to be most unpleasant to shoot. With that said I have two Model 29s. I had a 6.5" M29-2 for many years simply because I felt like I should have one. Same reason I have a pre-64 Model 94 Winchester. Then 18 months ago a friend offered me an unfired 1976 M29-2 with a 4" barrel at a price I couldn't refuse. It's brutal to shoot that thing. I managed 12 rounds before giving up. Yes, I shot that unfired gun.

If you want a 44 Magnum to appreciate and shoot once in a while I suggest the classic M29-2 made 1962-1981. One made after 1967 will be much cheaper because up until then the 44s came with "Coke" style stocks and those add several hundreds of dollars to the price. The 6.5" is the classic barrel length and is easier to shoot than the 4" gun. The post 1981 guns are all right, but have less panache without the pinned barrel and recessed chambers.

Here are mine.

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100-200 rounds of 240gr ammo, per year, is nothing to a Smith.

Since both revolvers are virtually identical, AND I don't care for stainless, my choice would be an 8-3/8" Model 29 - as long as heavy loads (like 300gr JSP's) are abstained from.

For shooting heavy loads, a Ruger Redhawk or Super Redhawk would be a much better choice.


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You mention you're a fan of quality, so you should avoid buying a NEW S&W, they're the crappiest "things" ever to come out of S&W to date. There is no quality there any longer. I'm in the same boat as yourself, and am looking for an older but in great shape Model 29 in 6". Those two shown above are gorgeous!!
 
My advice to the OP is to get (maybe) an older model of either type or both for that matter and carry and /or shoot the heck out of them and don't get too worried about anything.
 
I love my 6" 629. Now would I trade or sell it for a 6" 29? Probably no. I would sell something else instead lol. You can't really go wrong with either.
 
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