I’ve got nice 1911s and hi-cap 9mms, and lately I’ve been settling around my model 69 snubby loaded with Winchester Silvertips 210 gr. Magnums. I have a speed strip of 5 more Magnum Silvertips on the belt, for a total of only 10 rounds.

I shoot this particular one well with this load. Even though it’s heavy and big and only shoots 5; I like it, and I think it works well.

Anyone else like the .44 for daily carry? How do you carry, and what’s your load of choice?

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My self defense load for bipeds is a reduced power .44 Mag 165 gr Cor-Bon cartridge.

Good for you! My own personal history has gradually led me to a 2" Model 15 at age 75, but if a cataclysmic event or two led me to a more powerful pistol, I might consider my 3" double-Magnaported PC 629 loaded with STHP 210gr cartridges as a possible substitute. Close second would be my roundbutted 4.25" 25-2, with any of several effective cartridges (Black Talon, Federal HydraShock, Federal EFMJ). Galco or DeSantis pancakes work fine for me. It seems to me that a really good gun belt, like from thebeltman.net or some others, is a big help, but Red Nichols seems to feel that with a really good holster, the belt is not so critical. I am not so sure which one of us is right.

I think that you are well off carrying the best your bod will handle. This changes slightly with age.

If in doubt, go with the better belt.

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Formerly Model520Fan

The "School of Callahan" says the .44 is a good choice!

Underwood makes a .44 Spl. 200 gr. Hard cast Full wadcutter that does 1,000 ft/s. At lower velocities, the special seems to be a hit or miss with expansion, so if/when I want a controllable special load, that’s the one I have; a sharp shouldered chunk of solid lead.

I use the following analogy arguing for large caliber, heavier bullet.
Have a moped and trailer truck roll along at 50 mph. Now run them into a stand of 4” diameter trees. Which one makes it farther through the trees?
As Elmer said: “Nothing takes the place of bullet weight and caliber”.

I have a 3" 29-3 that I've carried often in a pancake owb. I'm 6'4" and 230 so it may be easier than for some folks. Perfect for me, but not the only option I'm likely to choose. That 69 does make an appealing

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ol' country Jim

Oops! Didn't mean to hit send . . .

What I was going to say is the 69 makes an appealing EDC option.

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ol' country Jim

I carry mine on occasion. Usually it’s the 686 plus though. Great package the little 69 is. I usually carry warmed up specials in the 240 jhp configuration.

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No gold. Only lead. Bobby

I approve.

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Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

I pack a model 629-6 3" deluxe with Underwood 220 grain Xtreme Penetrator rounds in a Tucker Gun Leather Texas Heritage IWB revolver holster daily.

Who makes your holster? It looks like just what I need for my 69.

I pocket carry this with home brewed 240gr LSWCHP moving about 1100 fps.




Yes, that IS a gun in my pocket, and YES I am happy to see you my dear

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On the Oak Savannah

Check out Tagua holsters. This one rides high, has a broad support, and is a perfect forward cant. Disappears beneath a simple T-shirt.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachm...1&d=1582513467
I carry this in a Dale Frickie AIWB with a couple or three 5 star speed loaders and a 180 Hornady JHP at @ 1420 fps

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I carry the 210gr Silvertips in my 3" M629 Deluxe. I previously carried Underwood's now discontinued 200gr 44 SPL. "Discontinued" is a bit of a misnomer, but they have de-tuned it to be weaker than it was.

No other way about it, a model 629-6 3" is a chunk of metal in an IWB but the holster conforms and it is second nature.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachm...1&d=1582530028

http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachm...1&d=1582530028

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But do you think that a .44 magnum has enough 'stopping power'???

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Nothing wrong with carrying a .44 for SD, or any N frame snubie. In my 629-1 I also use 210 Silver Tips. My N frame snubies ride in a Galco shoulder rig or Combat Master.

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213th FBINA

I guess you might make someone's day.........................

In my "Burb of the Burgh" I'm good to go with a 9mm 3913...... but have often thought there would be nothing wrong with a .45acp or .44 special....... but would pass on a full bore .44 magnum.

Depending on daily dress, physical build, etc., a short gripped .44 is doable. Never carried a magnum but a 21-4 w/ 200 gr. Gold Dot .44 Special ammo was o.k. if just out and about, etc. Still, it was not so good unless one had a jacket. Small revolver or pistol was much more easily carried w/o attracting anyone attention. After all, that is why it is called cc. Sincerely. bruce.

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<><

Thanks! I ordered one last night.

When I carry my 69 2-3/4" these days, it's off-body in a tactical backpack. With the holster, I'll be able to carry it on-body.

For ammo, I carry the now-discontinued Speer Short Barrel 44 Mag round, which was designed for lower recoil. I've not chrono'ed it, but I understand I should be getting about 1000fps with the 200gr Gold Dot.

I regularly carry my 44 SPL Rossi M720 in colder months. Occasionally I will carry my Ruger Alaskan with the now discontinued Speer Gold Dot 44 Mag short barrel load.

While not everyday, I've been known to carry a 44. When I do carry regardless of which gun, its loaded with 200 grain Gold Dot HP .44 Special ammo.

629's





296





696





The only time I carry magnum ammo is while deer hunting. Then I carry this one.

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Bill

THe 4" M29 is probably my fav handgun & if forced to only have one handgun, that would be my choice. Though IMO, better tools are available for ccw/edc. Most 44mags are just too heavy & diff to conceal compared to a flat semi in any caliber. It is also probably the only handgun I would routinely carry with handloads. A big fat, soft 250gr WNLHP @ 900fps is easy to shoot & wont over penetrate.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

Daily carry is a M-696, 44 spl. with 240 gr. lwc. Works well for me at age 75.

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Sal,
SWCA #2768

Buffalo Bore has a devastating Anti-Personnell .44 magnum load. Would be about the most effective load for it.

Daily carry for me is a 21-4 .44 sp with a 4 in barrel. Loaded with 240g
Hornady JHP. I have shot these into wet packages of typing paper with
cardboard wrappers and got expansion up to .83 inches. My thinking is
they would do the job on any threat I might encounter.
In cool or cold weather a light jacket or winter coat conceals great. Warm or hot weather an Aloha shirt works well, never been made as
far as I know. I carry a .22 mag as a back up all the time and on
occasion only the .22 mag.

Hand cannons, nice revolvers you gentlemen have, congrats!

If I did conceal carry my 6.5" 629, I'd load a 240 grain hardcast SWC running about 1000 fps.

But my everyday carry Smith is a M&P9.

Jim Sharp, there is an "edit" feature on the site.

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'Merica!

I occasionally carry a 3" 629, but loaded with .44 SPL gummy tips. I shoot .44M at the range, but they're on the unpleasant side for routine self defense.

I make an exception in brown bear country, or should criminals start wearing body armor, but with hard cast Keith-style bullets.

Jay,

That gun started life as a Smith & Wesson model 58, a fixed sight 41 Magnum. At some time in it's past, the barrel was removed and a model 29 barrel was chopped and added. A 44 magnum cylinder was fitted, and the frame round-butted. I bought it at auction under the belief that it was a 41 Magnum, but later found out the auctioneer was mistaken and that it was indeed a 44. It came with some abysmal stocks for a K frame which were discarded post haste. It now wears Secret Service style stocks.

I have thoroughly enjoyed carrying it in a front pocket of my Levi's 501 jeans. I have been to several large functions with loads of gun guys and LEO's and nobody has noticed. My wife, however, thinks that I am happy to see her

The closest model that S&W ever made to that gun is the model 629-5 Camfour limited. One of 300, pictured below, on the far right.

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On the Oak Savannah

My fun zone with my 629-3" is a 270gr LHP @ 1000fps. Beyond that it gets a bit ugly. Though I can rapid fire that load in DA mode quite well. In bigger bear country, I would cast them harder so they don't expand & run them at 1100fps. Still controllable but not as much fun to shoot.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

You will probably never have to shoot anyone twice with a 44 Magnum.

The Eagle Secret Service stocks are no fun with full power loads. I have some Pachmayr compact professional stocks that are better suited to range days. The secret service stocks work well for concealment though.

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On the Oak Savannah

I have a Lobo pancake on order for this:

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SWCA #3356, SWHF#611

I carry this when wandering around in the woods or on the river. I just got a 2 3/4" version and have ordered a Mernickle holster for it. Got to look into your Tagua holster. Looking good.

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Foster Positivity.

I like the new 69s. Just have never been able to find one that carrys up on all cylinders yet, new or used.

Sent from my SM-T510 using Tapatalk

Why do you carry the strip with one round short?

The model 69 is a five shooter....


.

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

I own a SW629 with a 4" bbl. Owned a Galco VHS shoulder holster for years to tote it, recently bought an El Paso Saddlery Tortilla (pancake) OWB holster and 2x speed loader carrier for it, so I can tote it more.

Back before the turn of the century,

I carried this rig purty often with Ol' Elmer's 44 Special loading.





The square butt frame seems to fit my hand somewhat better.








Got a 44 Mag on the bench right now for summer carry....pics to follow soon.


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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

I keep it simple and carry some moderately warm factory loaded 240gr Hornady XTPs in my 29-3 3" as pretty much an all purpose round. OWB thumbstrap leather pancake. Speedloader in a snapped leather speedloader belt holster.

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SWCA 3563
10mm aficionado