Do I get the 29 or the 629?

Hey guys,

I'm a newbie here and thought I'd ask the seasoned veterans a question that I've been debating. "Do I get a model 29 44 or a 629?" I was originally going to get the 29 but I've talked to a few people and they have been trying to discourage me saying that it slips in your hand when you fire because of the handle being wood, or the up keep is very bad, that kind of thing. Being a fan of the 29 I'm still leaning towards getting the original however if the 629 is really that much better maybe I should consider that one?

Any feedback is appreciated,

Mike

Just get one or the other. Because when you do get one you'll want the other also.
Don't know what they are talking about with the wood grips but if you don't like wood grips get some rubbers to shoot with. They're easily changed. Some members here shoot with rubber grips but take pictures with pretty wood grips. It's all good.

If you wish to be true to your namesake then get a 29 by all means.

If however, you want a more durable finish, then the stainless 629 is the way to go.

/c

Only get a 629 if you are going to wear it alot, live in a salty or really humid environment, or you cannot afford a nickel 29. The model 29,blue, preferably a 29-2 6", is the defining .44 mag IMHO. John

I own them in blue, SS, and nickel, but prefer the blued guns by far for looks. The SS is easier to clean because you don't have to worry about removing any finish if it needs a really good cleaning after shooting a lot of lead bullets through it. The nickel cleans up the fastest, but also gets marred the fastest.

Don't listen to anyone tell you what they like. Get the one that you like best. There are a ton of blued ones around, and not very many are rusty, or have a lot of finish wear to them. Blued guns last just fine when properly taken care of. We've had blued guns for a few hundred years at this point, and if they were all that bad, the finish would have been dropped as soon as stainless became viable for guns.

Assuming this is your first S&W 44 Magnum, I would definitely buy the bright blue one (assuming it is a 29-2 or earlier version) as you will not be disappointed. I have all the different finishes, and bright blue is the best.

Bill

Get the one you want. The people you have talked to sound like they know just a hair more about guns than a lugnut would. The grips can be changed out for ones that are more comfortable for you. For the life of me I can't see where the up keep would be any worse than any other blue steel revolver. If you change the grips hang on to the wooden grips, most collectors don't like a 29 that doesn't have them with the package.

Thanks for the input guys! After looking at both I definitely prefer the Blue one with the wooden grip or I guess the "movie" one. As far as a revolver goes the thing is just breathtaking and assuming it handles similar to the Ruger 6" .44 I shot then then I'm sure i'll love it. I probably will go with the 29. I found a gun shop near me, the Silver Bullet. He said he could order either for me. Since this would be my first gun do you guys have any suggestions on cleaning and maintaining or where to find out more information on firearm ownership etc? I don't know too much about firearms yet overall, but want to learn as much as I can before I have the license in hand.

thanks again,

Mike

IMHO, generally speaking carbon steel has a little better tensile strength that stainless. For a .44, that might be worth the extra care a blue gun requires.

This is your first gun? Wow, most folks start out with something with a little less umph like a 357 Magnum. I'm not going to try to change your decision, you made a fine choice. I'm just saying I'm impressed. Cleaning practices are generally routine and slightly personal. Each person does it slightly different from the next. My advice would be to get a good high quality cleaning kit. You don't have to pay a whole lot starting out, the average kit costs about 15 - 20 dollars. You will quickly add new items to it so look for a decent size tool or tackle box to carry all the cleaning gear you will accumulate over the next few years.I have 2 kits, one for work and one for home. The work kit is my main kit and I do take it home to help out with my other guns. One source for gun related stuff is Brownell's. Check them out. Don't go hog wild and buy up the whole catalog, leave something for the rest of us. Just kidding, get the items you need as you need them. The folks at Brownell's will do right by you. There are others but this will start you in a good direction.

My first 44 magnum

Welcome to the forum. I have had this gun for over 25 years. It started life as a 6" 29-3, but has been since modified by me. It has had literally 1000's of rounds shot through it and been carried 100's of mile, but is still going strong. At the time I could have bought a used 29-2 for less, but this was also my very first new gun. I now own a safe full of 44 magnums, but this one would be the last to go. Post pics when you find the one you want whatever it is.

Black Knight said:

This is your first gun? Wow, most folks start out with something with a little less umph like a 357 Magnum. I'm not going to try to change your decision, you made a fine choice. I'm just saying I'm impressed.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice on the kits. Yea I originally was thinking the same thing "Why start with something so huge?" but since I've shot it and actually didn't do too bad with it(I actually impressed the female instructor we had...I think she liked me)My shots were just shy of the bullseye and were consistent, not all over the place. I only fired 12 rounds total so I couldn't really improve beyond that at the time. Anyway the friend I went with who is a big gun guy told me to just go with what you want if you don't intend to be a collector or "gun nut." So thats what I figure i'll do. Now granted I'm sure once I get into the sport/hobby i'm sure i'll be hooked and end up with a bunch of them but for now we can pretend that won't happen.

P.S. 29aholic thats a sweet lookin magnum!

If you are near salt water or going to be standing on an ice flow in the snow waiting for a polar bear, buy the stainless. If you love the look of blued steel and wood and have some oil, get the 29. Either way, get a reloading press and make some light 44s or buy 44 specials if you've got the cash. You won't be shooting many factory 44 mag loads. The woods are full of 44 mags that have only 6 shots through them!

Also look into Renaissance Wax for preservation of both exterior finish and stocks. Good luck and enjoy whichever .44 Magnum revolver you decide to go with.

Now listen up, if you bought the 629, we will no longer be referring to you as DirtyHarry44...we will rename you to....DirtyHarry NEW44....just kidding.


anyhoo, sounds like you will be shooting a lot and if you do go balls out 340 grains of Meet-Thy-Maker power, my suggestion is 629.

Maybe an original Model 29???

You might want to consider an original Model 29 instead of ordering a new one (Classic) from your local gun shop. As mentioned earlier, it's tough to beat a Model 29-2 (or earlier) with the pinned barrel and recessed cylinder...smooth as silk, deep dark bluing- a beautiful and handcrafted piece of Americana. I have a 4" and a 6", and plan to add a 6-1/2". I've picked up both of mine at local gun shows in VG to Excellent condition for $500 or under (with wood target stocks). I've seen several with 6-1/2" bbls. for ~$625 - $700. Remember, in honor of your chosen namesake, you need a blued 6-1/2" Model 29. Good hunting and good shooting! Welcome to the Forum.

Buy the blued 29,you can get a 629 at anytime,Go ahead make your day.

An actual original 29? Where would I come across one of those? The only ones I've seen are the "new" versions for sale online

Well that puts a different light on the subject. I know when I was bit by the 44 bug,I looked around for awhile and could not find a blued 29. I am not into buying things on line so I just stick with local shops.Then I found an almost new Nickle 29-3 with 8 3/8'' bbl.And just knew it was for me. So I guess if you have to ''fix'' the 44 sickness,you will have to get the one that comes along first. They are all great and you will be happy with it untill you get bit again,and then it starts all over. So have fun,happy hunting,good luck,and welcome to our merry group.

Where? Well . . . RIGHT HERE, in the Classified Section is where many of us find those special Smiths . . . and generally at fair (to all) prices. The screaming deals last mere minutes, the great deals maybe 12 hours and the really good deals a day or so. Of course, there are a few "dreamers" out there with crazy prices but as you lurk a while you'll start learning what to get and . . . umm . . . when to "pull the trigger" in the classified section.

Here are TWO fine Smiths I've purchased via the Classifieds here in the past two years or so, a 1971 Model 37 .38 snubbie (which is my ALWAYS carry gun) . . . with this photo made in January of this year, and a pristine Model 27-2 .357 in nickel from 1970. BTW, the Model 37 is an aluminum-framed gun so the "blue" is a different shade on the aluminum part vs. the steel parts. Still looks GREAT. Heck . . . these are forty year old guns that are nicer than the new stuff out there!





Frankly, I don't buy ANY new Smiths anymore. The vintage ones are revolvers that get my heart racing . . . and they are more collectible/valuable in the long run too!!! And . . . the "hunt" is half the fun of getting them!

Start lurking in the classifieds and you'll see some good stuff on an almost daily basis.

Yes indeed, I'd wait for a vintage prelock and hang around. The real heavyweight S&W historians and collectors lurk here and everyone is so helpful!!!

BTW, since I don't get my handguns wet generally and take good care of them, I prefer the GENUINE classic ones in blue and nickel. Here's my hunting .44 Mag which I've used extensively in the woods for over a decade of deer hunting plus shooting in numerous handgun competitions. IMHO, it still looks great for a working, shooting gun!

This one was made in late 1989, and I much prefer the Model 29-5 for guns you are going to SHOOT a lot. Starting with the 29-4 Smith began the "Endurance Package" that beefed up the Model 29s, including the longer lock up notches on the cylinder for the bolt.

Yep . . . it still looks GREAT to me . . . and I'm looking forward to gun season starting in a few weeks here in Georgia. This is my MAIN deer gun, for I prefer to handgun hunt and have taken a LOT of deer with this one through the years. Still looks great too, IMHO!!!



Hope this helps, and welcome to the forum!

Tom