S&W 24 or 29?

M

maxer51tx

New member
I'm thinking about future purchases and am wondering which of these would be a better choice for .44 special. Seems like the 24 would be obvious, but...I like the magnum flexibility even though I would seldom, if ever, shoot it.

It looks to me like the matter comes down to accuracy, maintenance, availability.

So, using .44 sp:

Is the 29 as accurate as the 24?
Would it be a pain to keep crud from building up in the 29's cylinders?
Does the rarity of 24s relative to 29s make the 24 a pricier propsition?
 
maxer51tx,

I have a Model 624, a 4" Model 29, and a .44 magnum Mountain gun. I can tell you that as far as accuracy goes, I have not noticed any difference between the three. I got a deal I couldn't pass up on the Model 624, but really did not have a need for it, especially given that I already had the other two. As far as the cylinder crud goes, I use a brass bore brush and it knocks this down in a hurry. Personally if the choice were mine, I would buy the .44 magnum, giving yourself more flexibility. On the other hand, the Model 624 can be loaded pretty heavy with the .44 special, right up to .44 Magnum ballistics. Mine devours the Buffalo Bore 255 grain @ 1000fps load as well as my own reload of Elmer Keith's famous 250 grain @ 1200fps load just fine. Good luck and let us know which one you get.

.44mag


http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#44spl
 
In theory there is a slight accuracy loss using the shorter cartridge in the longer chamber but most of us aren't good enough to notice. Maybe from a machine rest. If you do shoot Specials in a Magnum be sure to scrub the chambers thoroughly after each shooting session or crud will build up preventing the loading of the Magnums.

If you think you will ever want Magnum power then get the Magnum.
 
I favor the Model 29. I currently own the 629 classic DX. Accuracy is great as it is scoped. It is easier to download a 44 Mag to 44 special than upload the 44 special to 44 Mag. In addition, the heavier the gun (within reason) the more comfortable to shoot a "lot". Weight can be your friend
 
29

Cylinder crud is easy to deal with.
After shooting specials, take a fired .44magnum case and push it into each cylinder. It scrapes the ring out.
 
If you don't plan on shooting magnums then get the M24. The versatility of the M29 only comes in if you plan to shoot the magnum loads.
 
When the 24 and 624 are the same size and weight as the 29 and 629 I reasoned that whatever accuracy differences there are weren't enough to influence my decision at all. And why not pick the .44 mag so you have the most options possible with regard to power. You can load .44 magnum cases to everywhere from very mild, Cowboy mousephart loads right on up to full house .44 magnum power and all kinds of nice "in-between" loadings (my favorites are the "starting" loads for .44 mag.)

So my choice was a 3" 629. I don't hunt with the gun, so a long barrel was of no interest to me. This gun packs well, shoots well, feels great... very pleasing in every way. I love blued guns and have a number of them, but stainless is just so much more practical that I gave the nod to stainless. I love how blue guns look, but their finishes are so delicate and you can't just buff them up to remove scratches like you can with stainless.

M629_Left.jpg


M629_Right.jpg


M629_LF.jpg
 
I have never noticed an accuracy difference between shooting specials out of a gun specifically designed for them and shooting them out of a magnum gun. I shoot alot of 38s in 357 magnum guns and a lot of 44 specials in 44 magnum guns (because I don't reload). The guns are more accurate than me even shooting specials. I have never seen the theoretical difference in accuracy that people talk about.

If it was me I would stick with the magnum. The 44 special was once a real popular round but that was decades ago and the cannot be routinely found in every sporting ggods or gun store for that matter. Rounds for the 44 mag can be found anywhere even if they weren't the first choice for the days shooting.
 
Thanks for the great replies. Seems I would lose nothing with a 29/629 but gain the MG capability.

Hal, good tip about using a magnum cartridge as a scraper. All my revolvers are chambered for one cartridge length only so i don't have experience with this phenomenon. I am a meticulous cleaner.

DHart, there you go with those beautiful and distracting photos. I may go buy an m29 tomorrow. You really ought to publish a coffee table gunh pix book. The Museum of Modern Art in NYC hosted an exhibition of motorcyles, revealing them to be iconic works of art. Your photography could achieve a similar feat for revolvers. Your eye reveals them as exquisite, deadly, seductive machines. Ralph Nader would buy one if he saw your shots.
 
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