I have what I need/want in semi-auto pistols. I have two modern sporting rifles. One chambered for 5.56. The other chambered for 7.62x39. I have a single rimfire pistol and a single rimfire long gun. I'm not drawn to bolt action rifles. I've owned them, but they never were shot often. There are only two types of firearms that are tickling my fancy at the moment.

1. S&W 629 44 Magnum with a 6.5" barrel.



2. KelTec KSG. I'm rather fond of bullpups. I sort of miss having a shotgun, and this one would work perfectly for home defense given my environment.



The practical side of me is leaning towards the S&W. Not much to worry about. .44 Magnum is fun to shoot. Even though I wouldn't shoot it every range trip, it would more than satisfy my masochistic need for loud report, stout recoil. The home defense rationalization for the KSG is weak.

The kid in me wants the KSG because just because. I know it's a KelTec and will most likely make a trip back to the KelTec mothership, but for some darn reason I want it. Sometimes you just want something.

I'm leaning towards the revolver, but the KSG's "cool" factor is hard for me to ignore.

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-John

Get a DP-12 shotgun. I haven't heard a negative thing about them. Here is a link to an in depth review.

I abstain. I don't like either one.

Only one thing to do when you can't decide, buy both

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Forged From Freedom

For me I'd opt for the shotty but maybe not that particular model. Seems like I've read some less than positive reviews on the KelTec but I could be mis-remembering.

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BCCI Life Member #2068

KelTec, Smith&Wesson, KelTec, Smith&Wesson... Repeat it several times and listen to yourself as you say it out loud.

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Join the NRA today

From your comments, this seems an either-or situation, not both. Your decision depends upon which one you would use the most. The Kel-Tec would not be an ideal hunting gun, but more for SHTF purposes. If you feel you need a shotgun, you might consider something more suitable for sporting purposes, which could also be used under more dire circumstances. Even though I have two .44 Mag revolvers, I shoot my .38 Specials far more often. I think that from a practical perspective, you might get more fun and utility out of a little lesser caliber revolver than a .44 Mag.

I'd buy the Kel-Tec. I recently fired one, and they're the bomb . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Easy question to answer - for me anyway.

The 44 mag wins hands down. I'm not into tacti-cool, or shotties, so the Kel-Tec wouldn't even be in the running.

But that's just my opinion, which is what the OP asked for - opinions.

Want a shotgun and want something different get a Vepr 12. 12G, semi auto, mag fed AK. Otherwise get the 44mag

between those 2, i'd vote for the .44

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John 14:6, Luke 21:11

If you want to hit flying targets consider how that Kel-Tec stock actually fits you--probably very poorly.

Otherwise, this is like asking us to help you decide whether to buy a pair of snow skis or a pair of water skis without telling us what you plan to do with them.

Pretty easy pick for me........The 629 by a long shot

Another vote for the 629.

I'd trade my KSG for a nice 629 in a heartbeat, and I really like the KSG.

It's hilariously fun to crank out 18-19 mini slugs out of that thing, but nothing like shooting a quality piece like a S&W large bore.

I would also agree with DWalt, that something like a 686 might be more useful among your current collection.

I would select the 629 for its versatility, 44 special, and then add a 20 gauge 870 express that the other half can also use in home defense.

I own a 4" 629 and love it. But I also reload and that's were a 44 mag revolver becomes really versatile. Neither 44 mag or special ammo is cheap. Come to think of it, once you reload all ammo becomes expensive!
I've owned 2 Kel Tec's (PF-9 & sub-2000) and had great luck with both. A bullpup shotgun? I don't know. Other than out right self defence I don't see it. I own a Rem 1100 and a 870. Have short (20 and 18 inch) barrels and mag extensions for both and then 28 and 30 inch barrels for both. They sit in the safe with short barrels just in case and in a couple of minutes they are ready for me to embarrass myself at sporting clays!

O.K., how about thinking OUTSIDE the box. Why not a S&W Governor? I know it doesn't shoot .44 but the .45 Long Colt, .45 ACP (with moon clips) or .410 shotshell is a hoot!

Yes indeed. Also if it has to go back to KEL they are world class. Only had one to go back I am less than 30 mins from plant. lost a trigger. on a 380. had over 3000 threw at time. they fixed it in less than half hour. is now has over 5000 no other issue

My own reluctance to the 44 magnum persisted for many years...it seemed like the only people that owned them were the braggarts that wear the cowboy hat with the feathers all the way down their back, have a big silver engraved belt buckle about 10 inches in diameter and never been out west. There was always one at the range asking me to shoot his "real" gun and telling me not to worry..."that 357 will grow up to be a 44 magnum one day." The big turn off was that they always loaded the ammo way too hot and I could never hit anything with a 44 magnum.
Then one day a few years back a buddy of mine that I would have never guessed was even into guns came over to go shooting. He pulls out a 44 magnum with good quality reloads and I was heading to the LGS the next day. I bought the exact gun you have pictured and after fixing a few S&W mistakes {barrel not indexed, muzzle crown needed recut and the throat polished} I really love the gun. It has so much more usefulness than a "looky, looky here" shotgun. Get both, you know you will!!!!

When I purchase a firearm, it tends to be mission specific, but not limited to a single mission. I doubt that I would purchase a firearm that can only be used in a single dimension.

For example:
My Browning Gold Sporting Clays is for trap and hunting.
My Wingmaster is for trap, waterfowling, deer hunting, and home defense.
ALL of my target rifles are match specific, but versatile enough to be more than adequate for hunting or combat duty.
My handguns follow a similar pattern:
My Model 27 is used in IHMSA matches, bowling pin matches, and hopefully for handgun hunting.
My Model 57 was purchased for handgun deer, but it has been used for PPC and Bullseye.
My 439 was purchased for plates and bowling pins, but is now pulling duty for concealed carry.

The 629 you are looking at can be used for target shooting, self defense, handgun hunting, action pistol, and metalic silhouette, among a myriad of other fun games.

That bullpup shotgun would be more self defense, and blowing up stuff at the local pit. Chances are good that your Kel-Tec bullpup will not be welcome at your local shotgun or pistol range, and may only find that it is fired at the local pit. Additionally, it could find itself victimized because of its looks and not be seen as fulfilling a socially redeeming role.

If I were you, I would get the Smith, then a conventional shotgun with a upland bird and deer barrel set up.

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Judge control not gun control!

The Smith, without a doubt. The Kel-Tec is just another gimmicked up shotgun.

Great, now you made me want one ...

Get the smith

I'd go with the 629, no question. I wish you hadn't posted a pic of that gun, I was trying to get it out of my mind...!

Yeah, same here. I'm no help.

You know that itch ain't never going away.

I've seen enough of your posts over the years to know you like tinkering. The KSG will need a forward grip, red dot, maybe irons too. You'll experiment with different shells including the minis. KSG has JaPes written all over it.

I agree with Vepr 12 or modified Saiga 12; magazine-fed versatility made by the pros. Never had one hiccup. Did have a non-factory mag once I didn't like.

That said, I'd buy the S&W over the Kel-Tec. My humble opinion.

The 629 in a heartbeat. No shotgun can be cooler than my Model 12 Riot Gun.

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LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

Ranges like that need to go. I've been to a few an when the local Fudd in charge makes a remark I like to point at things with my middle finger and then grab my AK and stand to the left of everyone. After a thousand rounds of steel case shower they get the hint. Of not, I always have more ammo

You ask this on a Smith and Wesson forum?

My opinion on which one is for you would be kinda worthless really.
I will opine that if you do some serious research and objective review reading on both, youll get your answer.

I've owned a .357 Mag 6" and snubbie. Along with range rentals, they were how I discovered my revolver preferences and that I have a on and off again masochistic need to experience stout recoil and loud report.





These pistols are what motivated me to learn to reload. I also learned a very important lesson that reloading requires 100% Focus and 100% Attentiveness via first hand experience.



This event didn't stop me from reloading, but gave me pause for about a month. I audited my processes, made the necessary changes to add QC stops, and went back at it. I had to give up reloading because my current work-life balance does not leave me the quality time that reloading requires.

I've been there with a .357 Mag. The 629 would be for pure enjoyment on the range, probably shot once every three to four months to satisfy that masochistic need for stout recoil and loud report.


Excellent suggestion. When newbies ask questions about fit and preferences, the single most difficult hurdle to overcome is the newbie's lack of experience. They don't have enough trigger time to have discovered their preferences. As ChatanoogaPhil attests, I'm a tinkerer. I have a tendency to want to get hands on experience.

I used to own a Taurs Judge. It was a hoot to shoot .410 and .45 Colt out of it. Once that initial infatuation cooled off, I realized that the gun didn't serve any purpose. .45 Colt ammo was a tad expensive. The indoor range banned the use of .410 shot loads, and only allowed .410 slug. Cleaning it was a royal pain. I've also handled and shot (not owned) revolvers chambered for rimless pistol cartridges, requiring moon clips. I discovered that wasn't my thing either.


Right here is an example of the debate between the practical side and irrational side of my personality right now.


My proclivity for tinkering tends to lighten my wallet. As I've progressed in both experience and age, I've been able to start to keep it under control. If I bother to think about the firearms and calibers I just had to try for myself, I'd want to kick my own butt.

It's because of my experience and age, I'm very grateful to everyone who weighs in. If I make a purchase, I won't do it until March or April. Any later and I believe I'll run the risk of getting caught during the inevitable election year cycle firearms/ammo/accessories panic.

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-John

Eh.... nothing to it.

Aimpoint Micro $700
Battle quality irons $200
One of Magpul's QD slings and hardware $100
Forward grip $25
$200 in different shells to experiment with

Less than an additional $1500 and you'll be ready to go to the range. Can you hear that KSG calling your name?

KSG under $800 shipped. Kel-Tec KSG Black 12GA 18.5-inch 14Rds w/ Picatinny Top Rail Online Gun Store

That 629 probably wants a very meticulously done trigger job. Think in terms of removing molecules with your finest Arkansas stone. Total cost, assuming you already have the stones for you knives, under $15 for Wolff rebound springs.

You'll get back to reloading. It's only a matter of when your work load lightens up. When you do your .44 can be a macho deer gun or kick like a .38 special. Not considering concealed carry or needing a pistol that meets a job requirement, if I could only have two handguns they'd be a K frame .22 and an N frame .44 mag. With no grizzles in the neighborhood that covers every thing in the woods. A few of the locals had their 629s machined so they'd be competitive against 625s in timed matches. That costs about $100. Oh, yes. You can also blow up things at the gravel pit with a .44--just do not leave your litter behind. That inevitably gets them posted no trespassing.

Now I think you know which gun I'd pick.

Didn't read all the above but 44 mag is a buck a round if you don't reload. Larry

True, hence it wouldn't be shot very often. Just for when I want to experience stout recoil and a big boom. It puts a smile on my face.

I rationalize .44 Mag's per round of factory ammo cost by comparing it to the cartridges that would give me similar, yet stronger, recoil jollies. I usually buy ammo from SGAmmmo.com.

• .454 Casull = $1.30 per round
• .460 S&W = $1.35 per round
• .500 S&W = $2.50 per round

.44 Mag can be had for a low of 56¢ per round.

So my illogical rationalization tells me that I'm being reasonable and financially prudent for settling for a .44 Magnum instead of a .500 S&W.

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-John

Pre lock 629

I'm 61 and live & breath the S&W 629-3 or 629-4. I would rather have that for a "keeper" for EVA! If I already owned a nice prelock smith revolver in any caliber for a keeper, there is NO doubt what I would buy for a Macho, kinda fun, show-off and all around nice 44...It would be a NIB Ruger Alaskan,I don't think you could wear one out if you tried, and the "cool factor" is def there. Can be carried fairly easy, ammo is endless, shoot the Corbons, Buff bore etc with NO worries, and a muzzle flash that would bring tears to anyones heart! regards Ernie

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Rimfires Makes me "Insane"

So, you're considering buying a gun that you already doubt the quality of? What, because it's cool? Who are you trying to impress?

Get the 629. Then later, buy a real shotgun, not a piece of plastic.

You asked for opinions, there's mine!

I'm not trying to hijack this thread, but I just had to show a gun similar to the one you said you'd buy, the Ruger Alaskan. This is one of my most used revolvers, a RSR with the barrel trimmed to 2.75". I like it because it shoots so good, is handy with that short barrel, and is as rugged as a gun can get. My friends like it because it is BA. My wife thinks it's pretty.

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Good post! A search will turn up a number of Alaskan aficionados on this Forum. Even some J-hounds among them!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

I also abstain. I like neither.

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But then, what do I know?

Forget it kid! You'll put your eye out.