View Single Post
 
Old 05-05-2011, 08:07 AM
Stainz's Avatar
Stainz Stainz is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Pinson, AL
Posts: 2,106
Likes: 57
Liked 656 Times in 307 Posts
Default

If .45 Colt is your ambition, either a 25 or 625 MG is your only recent choice. My first-ever S&W was my 625-7 MG, bought new for me as a gift from my wife - I later added a LN 625-6 MG in .45 Colt as a shooter, hopefully preserving my 'first' S&W, as I really had shot it a bunch. My second buy was a new 4" 625-8 in .45 ACP/AR. My third S&W would be a new 629 MG. I now have a production 4" 629 - and I am much happier.

First, a 4" 629-6 - current production #163603 weighs 41.5 oz vs 39.5 oz - two ounce more. The majority of that is in the non-tapered barrel - out front - where it helps with muzzle flip. Also, while the MG's sights are black/black, the production gun is orange ramp/white outline. The larger hammer and trigger are nice attributes, too. Then there is the spotty, at best, production of all MG's - the production 4" 629 is 'always' available. My biggest physical complaint re recent MG's - the laser-etched barrel markings - you can erase them with normal cleaning. Oh, and I have a 3" 696-1, bought new over eight years ago, that I like - but the 4" 629 will be here when the 696 is long gone.

So, if you want a recent production .45 Colt S&W - get a MG - about your only choice - and take a picture of the barrel markings. If you want the .44 Magnum, go with the huge 5% added mass of the standard 4" production 629. JMHO!

Stainz
Reply With Quote