Need advice on my first revolver (S&W629 or Ruger Redhawk)

S

Sharp

Inactive
I plan on buying new so in terms of quality,durablity,
and over all enjoyment to shoot.
My two choices are 629 with a 4 inch barrel (i like
the contoured look of the trimmed shroud)or a redhawk
with a 5.5 barrel. I plan on just shooting 240gr magnums or 44
special. Thanks for any advice.
 
In my opinion, the S&W wins in every category except strength. The S&W is plenty strong, but the Ruger is as strong as an ox. The S&W especially wins with the loads you mentioned. The Rugers come into their own when you start talking 300 grain and up.
 
I agree with Sundance. Out of the box the Smith is a bit lighter and the trigger generally is a lot better. If you plan on shooting the 300+ gr. loads the Ruger will last a lot better, though.

Mag
 
I hate myths!

This dude shot this Alaska Grizzly using 310 grain Garrett hammerheads and a M629 snub nose revolver. Animals don't get any more dead with anything more. Want the best DA .44 Magnum revolver on the market, get the 629. Want "not as good as a Smith & Wesson" or "its cheaper", buy Ruger.


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If you plan to shoot hot-n-heavy loads, go with the Ruger. If you plan to shoot nothing more powerful than factory 240 grain loads, the Smith would be good. The Smith will be a bit lighter when carrying, which could be important.
 
Agree with Sundance!

I have a SRH in 480 RUger and a RH .44.

The redhawk is a strong gun, although I am partial to Rugers; I like the Ruger construction that is a solid frame with no side plate.

I would go with the RH, but buy what you like best. Both are great handguns!

Jamie
 
I knew most people would favor the 629 but when I was in the market I chose the almost indestructible Rugers. I have a Super Redhawk and a Super Blackhawk. Well of course I am a Ruger fan. The 629 is a great gun but I stand by the Rugers.
Jim Hall
 
I went with a redhawk.

The smith is a fine firearm and does what needs to be done for some people. Mostly normal 44 mag loads and some rare hunting, or heck often hunting.

But with some research on this and other sites smiths have a rep for shooting loose and needing a trip home for refurbishment or retiming.

I compare a smith to a more refined expensive car, used properly it is fine for most.

The redhawk is more along the lines of a muscle car, it can do commuting but also makes the owner happy when out abusing it as well.
 
I have a SRH in .454. It seems indestructable. But I've had several S&Ws in .44 magnum. I shot a lot of heavy loads through them and they didn't loosen up. When I say heavy, I mean hot 240 grain "store bought". Has anyone actually shot loose a recent 629 (not the old 29s)?

I have actually hurt a Taurus .44 mag, not the Raging Bull though.
 
i like both.
1)-the 629 can loosen the ejector rod under the recoil of several rounds;say at the range. when this happens it binds the cylinder in the frame. a screw driver or other small impliment must be used to push the top of the ejector rod"in" while you push the cylinder release,to drop the cylinder. my gun was a 629 classic 5".
S&W's are great for finding the gun that fits you. triggers are generally good,fit and finish varies.
2)-make sure the redhawk grip is'nt too large for your hand. the length of pull was too deep for my hand for optimum handling. i disagree with those who rate the S&W better. the redhawk has better sights that are easily interchangable, the revolver can easily be broken down for detail cleaning, mine had a fine trigger,and the gun is simple and tough; you don't have to baby it like a S&W. rugers are more consistent from a fit & finish stand point.
i currently own a ruger super redhawk which has a much better grip for my hand size. i have recently contemplated getting a S&W again. if i trade in my SRH, it's not because i don't like the revolver. i simply refuse to collect more firearms than i need/want. as a non-hunter, i draw the line at 3 firearms.
 
BTW-your taste in revolvers parallels mine. my venture with the same 5.5" redhawk was an attempt to avoid the problems i had with the 629 classic. i always liked the same 4" 629 you do,but at the time S&W only offered the classic with the then stronger yoke.
enjoy your decision.
i was wondering, what experience do you have with firearms?
i simply feel obligated to suggest you take a gun safety class,and consider a 22 for practice.
 
No experience with the standard Redhawk but I have owned a 2 of the Super Redhawks both 7.5" and 2 of the Smiths both 6.5" - a 29 Classic and a 629 Classic.

My first Super Redhawk was one of the best Rugers I have ever owned - very good accuracy and seemingly well built. The second one was a great disappointment considering the excellence of my first SR. Accuracy was substandard even when installing a scope and firing from a benchrest. The cylinder binded and the revolver had a defective bore as far as I could tell - how the hell something like this ever got out of the plant is beyond me. I guess I should have never sold my first SR!

In the time I owned my SR's I never had the notion or desire ever to invent my own loads - my thinking being if I needed to exceed SAAMI specs on a load they why not get a more powerful gun to begin with. Same goes for the Super Blackhawks I have owned. Rugers can be blown up! Even with the Rugers I stick to published data in reputable reloading manuals.

Both the Smiths I have owned have been superbly accurate- more so than any other revolver I have owned. But like I said - my first Super RedHwk was no slouch either! I enjoy the crisp creep free trigger pulls of the Smiths when firing in the single action mode - something I have never experinced in any stock Ruger.

So I now own the Smith 629 Classic. But I still like Rugers - may actually own one again some day - probably will go back to the single action for my next Ruger.
 
I own both!

A 629 "Trailboss" with a 3" barrel and a 5.5" barrel RH. Everything that has been posted to date is right on. The Ruger's stronger and the S&H is "prettier". Go figure. Good shooting:)
 
To "The Blind Lefty." My wife to be will dump my *ss quick if she reads your message about refusing to own more then 3 guns.
Good Grief Man!
By the way I vote one of each.
 
I have both of these 44mags - the Redhawk and the latest S&W 629-6. Both are 4". (Redhawk is cut down.) I originally bought the Redhawk for 300gr loads. I got tired of the Redhawk's weight and bought the Smith. Like it MUCH better - much lighter, better balance, faster on target, beautifully made. But I wont shoot the 300gr loads in the Smith.
 
e'ville

I've had two S&W .44 mags. I shot the hell out of a 29 and the Mountain Gun shot the hell out of me. I believe both guns would outlast me though. I wouldn't baby a S&W.
 
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