Just needed some insight or guidance on a 44 mag option. I was looking at a model 57 in 41 mag but is it worth it for the lack of ammo choices? I admit the "Dirty Harry" nostalgia is making me lean that way. Thoughts?

All my smiths are 38/357 so far.....

Jared

I don't have any 41 mag, but I know that the folks who do seem to love them. For me the cost, limited choices, and limited availability of the ammo - and even reloading components - make it a non-starter - but that's just me. I tend to stick to the more common calibers.

44's are another story. I have a couple of magnums AND a couple of specials. Lots of choices for ammo and reloading components. They're more expensive than 38/357 ammo and reloading components, but still less than for the 41 magnum.

I have both a 57 and a 29. My advice, ........if you reload snag that 57. If you don't and plan on reloading someday, snag that 57..........At the end of the day you can't go wrong with either.

Thanka Steve, what is the reason for wanting the 57? Less felt recoil does appeal to me also. Are your 57 and 29 comparable barre lengths and such?

Jared

41 mag has always appealed to me too, but if you're not a reloader and don't have either a 44 mag or a 41 mag, get the 44, no question. Unless you're looking at an insane bargain on a 41. So much more ammo available. Even in terms of factory ammo, you can get some magnums that are slightly on the light side, so you can duplicate pretty much any 41 mag experience. I've been buying 240 gr 44 mags from LAX ammo that are loaded to a hair over 1000 fps. You'll notice the difference if you fire those, then a few 1250 fps rounds. LAX has 41 mag ammo from time to time at a reasonable price, too.

I have both , have had for years . Ammo selection for the 41 is small and fairly pricey . If you reload then that is not a problem .
The 44 ammo is more common + the 29 will shoot 44 special . There is no 41 special factory ammo available for the 57 . You really need to be a handloader to enjoy the 41 magnum loading from mild to wild . I hope this helps .

The 41 mag is a great cartridge no doubt but the advise about hand loading is spot on ,that said tne 44 mag is a great cartridge in its own right also you can't go wrong with a 29/44 mag . If taken care of they hold and generaly gain value and they are excellent firearms .

The .44 Magnum would be a more practical choice in my opinion.

Admirers of the .41 M are a devoted group, but the .44 M has much broader appeal.
This is important if you ever decide you need to sell it.

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If I go for a 44, what's the best 29 dash #? Anything to look out for?

Jared

Here is my 29-3 (on the right). My model 27 on the left.
2nd from left is the model 29 in Myres #614 Tom Threepersons.

Somewhere on here there is a thread about the throat being slightly
different size after dash 5 than those up to dash 5. I have never had
a problem, so I don't really know if that is an issue. I like the dash 3
just fine. It is shown with Herrett's stocks.

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In Omnia Paratus

Has anyone shot a 4" model 29? Is it silly to have that beast with a less than 6" barrel?

Jared

I am certain that others, who are more knowledgeable that me, will be along to provide great advice on this topic. If I was in the market for another .44, I would look for a dash -4 in either the Model 29 or 629.

I believe that the dash -4 in both models would insure that that they have the "endurance" package and will survive a full diet of magnum loads. The truth of he matter is, for me, simply finding one that you want and selecting the barrel length that you like or prefer should be the ticket.

Any rationally minded person should be able to select ONE Model 29 or 629 and be perfectly content. You will find however, that acquiring a .44 magnum is like eating cashews. The first one is really good, the second one is even better and therefore, its on to the third.

Not being able to be satisfied with just one, I stated with a Classic DX with a 6.5" barrel, stumbled onto a second one with a 3" barrel, after foolishly selling/trading a 3" 629 to a forum member and lastly decided, with the help of my fellow S&W addicts on this forum, that I just had to have a 4". They were right, of course and it may be my favorite of the .44 that I am fortunate to own.

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Mine is a 4" Model 29 and I shoot it all the time.
44s are more pleasant, but I shoot some magnums
also just to keep in practice. We have Grizzly in Idaho
and I don't want to be their dinner.

I carry Federal's 300-Gr. cast flat point in it for
serious bidness.

When tramping around in bear habitat I carry my Model 29
in a Crossfire Alaskan. It is a bandolier worn on left side of
chest for a crossdraw. As a rule I don't like nylon or tupperware
holsters, but this one seems to work well for my use.

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In Omnia Paratus

Yup, I have - and I have a 29-3 Classic Hunter with a 6" barrel and an Astra Terminator with a 2-3/4" barrel. They are all fun. the 4" is the best overall compromise IMO. Long enough to get the velocity out of the magnum cartridge, and have a good sight radius, short enough to be able to holster & unholster cleanly.

Does anyone have any input on endurance package? I see a 29-2 4" on GB but I'm intrigued by the notion that early model cannot digest super hot loads of any regularity.....also, define "hot"?

I'm just new to the 44 world

Jared

I honestly don't think the endurance package will have an effect on anyone other than competition shooters who have high multiple thousand round counts. After all, that was the reason for the upgrade.

A normal 29 or 629 should last the average person a lifetime of magnum shooting.

Still, it is nice to have the added bonus of stronger design. I really like the 629-1 Lew Horton 3"s, but I continue to be pleased with my 629-2E because it got all of the endurance upgrades. In most cases, it's purely personal. I know I wouldn't shy away from an older one because it doesn't have the endurance package.

Hot is a silly word, but it gets used a lot. Only a fool pushes his handloads beyond safe, published limits. I disagree with some about the value of the newer models versus the older ones. I am no big fan of super-heavy bullets in the 44 Magnum (viz., anything heavier than 270-280 grains) and I have both older and newer 29s and 629s. The newer guns do seem to handle loads with heavier bullets (300 grs.) better than my older guns.

As to the 4-inch barrel, yes it is a bit controversial too. I don't shoot magnum loads in my 4-inch guns any more. BTDT and had enough! Magnums in a 6.5-inch gun are far more tolerable, IMO. I like the looks of both guns, so that's not a factor for me. The 4-inch is just a vicious kicker! I'm done with it and magnum loads.

44 Magnum. The 41 is worthless. It's a caliber that solved a problem that didn't exist. 44 has more (and readily available) ammo options, including 44 special.

As far as barrel length goes, I prefer the 6" for shooting any magnum round. The 4" is certainly more popular now, so you will pay more if that's your choice. They are handier though and probably easier to carry, if that's a consideration. Not to mention that any 4" N-Frame looks like it really means business.

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You're shy a few manners.

There are merits to the " endurance pkg " . The cuts for the cylinder stop are longer , the yoke has better heat treatment and there are some internal improvements . Brian Pierce wrote a great article a few yrs ago. A little bit of effort and you should be able to locate it on line . I have read it there several times .
I have felt for some time that since load data has been decreased, the max psi reduced that the modern day ' magnum " loads are probably safe in all Smith 29's . That just an opinion . At one time Elmer Keith felt that a cast bullet out of a revolver traveling faster than 1200 fps was just wasted energy . People get too caught up in velocity- first , accuracy- second ,recovery time for the next shot- third . I can tell you that a good mid range 44 load shooting a 240gr bullet , cast , plated , jacketed will take care of a lot of problems one might face .
The 41 magnum is a fine cartridge that served Law Enforcement very well for over 10yrs for some , more for others . It has less recoil , is a bit of a flatter shooter and is a true " 41 " . The 44 mag is not a true " 44" , it should of been called the " 43 " . I shoot 4" 44's and 41's on a regular basis . 4" is not hard to handle in loads from " mild to wild " , once you learn how . Let the recoil be absorbed in both arms , through the elbows and shoulders . DON'T stiff arm it . That's a huge mistake . You are NOT shooting a semi auto so " drop ' the tactical shooting **** . I have never had a " bloodied , bruised , broken hand and I don't wear shooting gloves . I shoot several hundred rounds of each in a session . I took my 29 / 6.5" 44 mag to a defensive shooting training . It was absolutely the most fun I had all day . I would do it again , given the opportunity .

I've never bothered with the 57 because the 29 exists, and when it comes to reloading the 44 has a wider bandwidth for power. I reload, and thus haven't really bothered wit .41 Magnum as a result/consequence of my logic. Now that being said, if a smoking deal on a 57/657 fell in my lap, you better believe I'd start loading 41 Magnum. Even though the 44 is more versatile in performance spectrum, the 57/657 is still an N frame Smith that launches 200gr plus chunks of lead.

It's unhandy to sit with a 6" barrel. A 4" digs in the seat a little but is not a problem. A 3" with a round butt is the best to carry. I carry more than I shoot so I choose shorter barrels. The longer barrel doesn't help me shoot more accurately because I'm too blind to see the sights. Larry

I'm going to agree with Steve357,
I'd go with the .41 if you're a reloaded, I have two 6 inch 57 N/Ds. Reloading materials are readily available from Midway, Starline brass, Hornady JHPs, Acme bullets carries coated SWCs.
If you want to shoot them and have to buy ammo it's cost prohibitive if you can find it. I was at a range in OKC and they had never heard of a .41 magnum. I love mine.
.44 magnum ammo is not as expensive but is available most anywhere. Both can be loaded down if you use the right powders.
Good luck in your quest

The above words almost deserve a 'sticky'. Every now and then, someone posts here who had been shooting semi-autos exclusively or almost exclusively, buys a .44 and some factory loads, then goes to the range and comes home with bloodied and/or bruised fingers and hands, and sore wrists. The common advice given these people is to get different grips and try again. This may help some, but the real problem is that no one told them that, if they want to shoot magnum loads in magnums without pain and/or blood, they need to relax their grip and arms as noted above, and allow the gun to recoil how and where it wants. This is entirely different than shooting a semi-auto(with the possible exception of a desert eagle), and novice magnum revolver shooters just have to retrain themselves. My experience with my .44s almost mirrors that of cowboy4evr. Lots of rounds at the range, no gloves, no special grips -and no pain or blood.

comfortsource: Pardon the above rabbit trail if it's not helpful to you -and it wasn't directed at you; just an observation about a common problem that shows up here occasionally. You've been given good answers from the others to most of your questions, so I see no need for me to duplicate them.

You did ask about the "best" dash number for a 29, and that just depends on several issues, some of which are merely personal. We don't know, for instance, how important aesthetic considerations are to you, or how tied you may be to features which were only available on older guns, such as recessed chambers and pinned barrels, which are available only on dash 2s and older.

Well, I've just plumb run out of time right now. I wish you the best in your search and decision. Enjoy whichever gun you get.

Regards,
Andy

Tons of good comments here and I can't say I disagree with much of anything already said.

You ask about the 4" m29, well I have a 4" m29-2 and she's my baby. I handload and the queen gets a diet of 200gr XTP's sitting on a max charge of AA#9 most of the time. Yes, it's punchy but not unbearable. No, I don't believe I could fire 300 rounds in a session with it but I have done stints of 100rds. I have somewhat large hands and my only issue is the middle finger knuckle on my shooting hand gets a little banged up by the trigger guard. Probably could be addressed if I got rid of the fat factory combat grip and went with something with a bit more clearance between the grip and trigger guard.

I also have a 6.5" 629 Classic, that one gets 240gr XTP's sitting on a max charge of AA#9. Feels very similar to the 29 when shooting being that I'm launching heavier bullets with that one.

All of that said, I have a pair of 44's I absolutely love and yet still desperately wish to add a m57 to my modest collection at some point. Preferably a 6.5", blued.

Here is my pair.

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Back to your question of which 29 or 57 to buy. 29-2 or earlier & 57 no dash both have pinned barrels and recessed cylinders. They will bring more money IF you chose or need to sell. I know another twist to look at. Newer models I'm suse are just as dependable. I believe any N frame will handle just about any load the average person chooses to shoot. I prefer 6 inch or 6 1/2 inch to shoot but not to carry, don't know your end game. Here's a couple of pix got you. 57s & 29s

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Heres the 29s

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I have owned numerous Model 29's and 629's in the past. The 4" barrel is hands down, my favorite barrel length for a .44 Magnum. I currently only own one S&W .44 Magnum, a 4" Model 629-4. It has the full Endurance Package.
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Dave Brown
SWCA #3279

DBrown, where do yo get your bullets and what's their weight. Nice piece

Gentlemen, I cannot express my thanks near enough. At the end of the day I need and desire a gun that functions well with anything send down the tube. A dash 2 appeals to me as it is P and R and a 4" is what I'm leaning towards for maneuverability and carry. However, if a good prelock 629 comes across my path might have to just acquire it! Take care everyone. I am very appreciative of this forum.

Jared

When I bought my Model 21-4 in Midland, TX way back when they were first being offered for sale, I split a case of Black Hills Thunder Ranch .44 Specials with the owner of the gun shop. I got five boxes, and he kept five boxes.
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Dave Brown
SWCA #3279

Couple of thoughts:

The .41 has a cult following, not unlike us who carry and shoot a .410 on upland game birds. can't help but love the long, skinny cartridge.

.41 ammo is harder to find and more expensive. Hand loading will solve some of that problem. Bullet styles and weights are more limited however.

The .44 has about 15% more energy and about that much more felt recoil. Again, hand loading can help with that issue.

I have carried a 4" model 29 in the field for 35 years now. Like the shorter barrel for riding in vehicles and general carry. You will hear stories about loss of velocity and the like from short barrels. I hand load my 250 grain Keith's to about 1100 FPS which is all I need/want.

Bottom like is you can't go wrong with either. 12 ga. vs .410? Give me the .410 every time. .41 vs .44? You pick.

Ok guys, one more question. I "stumbled" onto a 29-3 and I am perplexed. The price is pretty fair (as far as the research I have completed) BUT it's a 3" barrel. Any thoughts? I am really working on the whole patience thing (wait for the right one to come along) but....... does anyone have any insight into a 3" versus a 4"?

THANKS

Jared

This is my story and I'm sticking to it! What does a Dan Wesson Revolver and 41 magnum revolver have in common? You better like it, because you will die still owning it.

A light 41 mag loading and a heavy 357 mag load (180 grain bullet) are close to each other but the 41 has the edge. A heavy 41 mag is close to a light 44 mag loading (215 grain bullet), but the 44 has a slight edge.

If you are a careful scrounger or shameless dumpster diver, you can accumulate an adequate supply of 44 mag brass. In 38 years of scrounging brass I have found 4 pieces of 41 mag brass. In the same time at the same ranges I am now the proud owner of 1,900 pieces of 44 mag brass. Most of this brass was once-fired by people that did not reload.

Forty-one Magnum owners are more passionate about their orphan caliber handguns than Dillon progressive press owners. When you meet some one that shoots 41 mag and owns a Dillon progressive press, you have just met that Special Some One.

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S&WHF 366

Reloading is greatly beneficial to virtually all shooters, even more so for owners of things that might be out of the mainstream despite the good qualities said "out of the mainstream" cartridge may possess.. I am speaking as the proud owner of a Win 94 Big Bore in 375 Win...

Some cartridges almost require the owner to get into reloading if he/she isn't already.

I can't help but agree that for someone who does not reload, the 44mag is the better choice than the 41.

My brother has a 4" m57 and I love it. Back when I was buying my first S&W about 7 years ago, I had narrowed my choice down to three different specimens under the LGS glass. Those three were a new 686-6 with 6" bbl, a used 629 no dash with 6.5" bbl, and a used 57 no dash with 6.5" bbl. Only 30 bucks separated the cheapest from the most expensive. At that time I was all about stainless and full underlugs and don't get me wrong, I still do like both but since then my horizons of taste have broadened quite a bit. An older gentlemen next to me at the counter told me I would not be disappointed in that m57 in terms of being the tweener of the 357 and 44mag. At the time I had never even heard of a 41 mag and was not reloading. The m57 was the first one I eliminated from the running. All said and done I went with the 686 and while it was a nice first wheelgun, today I wish I could go back in time and kick my own rear-end for leaving that 57 under the glass! Hind sight....sigh.

I have seen it said the the N-frame wasn't REALLY designed for the 44mag, and some folks say it isn't up to the task of full house heavy loads compared to a SRH even with the modern revisions of the endurance package and whatnot. Having said that, the 41mag seems almost like the perfect cartridge for the N-frame.

This is all just me thinking out loud. I love my 44s, but still need to get that m57 I was so stupid to pass up before.

Define "price is pretty fair"....


A 3" makes a great carry gun, but isn't quite as much fun as a 4" for range shooting. A 6" or 6.5" is great for the range but not so much for a carry gun (IMO) unless you're hunting and carry it in a chest holster. For my money the 4" is the perfect compromise. If I had to choose only one 44 magnum a 4" is what I'd be hunting for.

"This is my story and I'm sticking to it! What does a Dan Wesson Revolver and 41 magnum revolver have in common? You better like it, because you will die still owning it."

Fine by me, I have a Dan Wesson .41 Mag and yes I reload, best of all possible combination, selling it would be one of the last things I would ever consider...

The price is $750 on the 3" gun. I am still looking for a 4", but as others have posted, it seems those are some of the most sought after (4"-6.5"). Has anyone actually used a 3" for target shooting? does it adversely affect recoil and accuracy versus a 4"? I don't want longer than 4"......

Jared

Priced at $750 in good mechanical and cosmetic condition, that one is a BUY if you ask me. Especially if you can get the seller to negotiate the price down a little. Of course that assumes you have the spare funds.

I have a 2-3/4" Astra Terminator - which is almost but not quite a S&W clone - and I have done some target shooting with it.

Like most shorter-barreled revolvers it is a little harder to shoot well than a longer-barreled version. Not as hard as a 2", but harder than a 4". Also, being a short-barreled 44 magnum weighing in at 2 to 2-1/2 pounds, it is quite a handful with full power magnum rounds. The short barrel causes more muzzle-flip than you get with a longer one. The secret is to "ride" it (allow the muzzle to rise but control it), rather than trying to prevent it. But that is a shooting technique thing.

My advice, (and this is just my opinion) if you can only get one, keep looking for a 4", and preferably a 629 (which is the stainless version). BUT if there is any way you can swing it financially and still afford the 4" when it comes along, I'd have a hard time passing on getting that 3" 29-3 in the meantime.

I don't think I could walk away from the 3" 29-3 for $750, I would also keep looking for the 4", as said many times before you can never have too many big bore N-frames

I have a 629-4 , 4" barrel . It's stainless , has the endurance pkg , no key lock and hammer mounted firing pin . That is about the best there is . Just be patient . Remember you can look all you want but you can only spend that money one time . So get what you really want , just be patient and it will come along .

I would get the 44 since you can shoot 44 specials and reloading is a good option as well. Since I bought a 44 spl my 38 and 357 don't get shot much. I now carry a 44 spl instead of the 38/357. The 44 spl recoil is nowhere near a 357. I can shoot a 100 count box of 44 with no discomfort. I will not do that with 357 ammo.

The 41 is to much of the red headed step child in my opinion.

[QUOTE=comfortsource;139756870]Has anyone shot a 4" model 29? Is it silly to have that beast with a less than 6" barrel?

Jared[/QUOTE

Jared---I owned a four inch 29-2 for about 5 years--foolishly traded it--it was
very easy to shoot---shouda kept her.

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JAREDSHS
LEO(retired)

I get a much more rewarding thump in the 41 Magnum. I reload for all three of the classic magnums. the 357, 41 and 44 Mag, good calibers all. The 41 Magnum can pretty much do what the 44 Magnum can but with a tad less recoil.
If you do reload you can tailor the bullet weight and speed to your liking and for the 41 Magnum that's a big plus.

I don't know what I can add after all these great responses but here goes my 2 cents. I shoot 41 mags, more 41 specials now a days. I think it has more recoil & noise than it should. I have hunted with handguns for over 20 plus years and used a 44mag mostly over any caliber I hand load for. It's extremely versatile weather you hand load or not. Commercial 44 mag and 44 special loads are everywhere. It can do anything a 41 can and much more. Go with the 44 especially if ya don't hand load. Recoil is suggestive, not everyone perceives it the same. honestly if you can't handle a given caliber, don't use it. Go what your comfortable with. I have been shooting 44's since before I was old enough to drive, while some people bust their heads open with loads I think are mild. It's all in your shooting technique. Don't be afraid of it. My 137lb wife shot my 45lc Bisley with my "warm" hand loads and 320gr hardcast wfn's , sure her arms were up and hands twisted left but I would expect that and she didn't complain at all. Grips make a difference to so go with the iconic 4", Elmer K. and may others have pushed it's limits including myself, you won't hurt it so don't worry about "dash...." model to me there's Smiths and newer MIM with Lock Smith's only. Call me old fashioned

629-4 5” packs nice, holsters ok strong side w/ high ride holster
Nice balance, no gunsmithing to add optic sight, retain more velocity
Than a 4”. JMHO/YMMV

5 inch barrel on an N frame to me seems the prefect compromise. On a K frame 4 inch is. My 29-3 is 8 3/8 inch barrel which is fine for me just target shooting at the range but no way could I carry it aND she is long. Shooting my Highway Patrolman with 4 inch barrel just seems ever so slightly short. 5 inch just has the perfect look and feel with àn N frame. Just my humble opinion as I am sure a 5 inch 44 is not a cheap proposition.

I picked up a 4inch 29-3 off GB a few weeks ago for $700 and I find that to be a perfect size for me. Not going to see many magnums but some will be fired. I did change the grips.

That's a beauty JohnRippert. I, too, was on the hunt for a 41 mag until I ran into an early 29-2. I worked up a 250 gr. Keith running about 1100 and kind of forgot about the 41.....

WILDPIG

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