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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


View Poll Results: Which S&W 629 is "best" for the range?
629 Classic 5" 51 66.23%
629 PC V-comp (4.25") 25 32.47%
Other - tell me your thoughts and experiences 1 1.30%
Voters: 77. You may not vote on this poll

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  #1  
Old 02-21-2011, 04:22 PM
ShrinkMD ShrinkMD is offline
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Default 629 5" Classic vs 629 PC V-comp?

I've been dreaming of getting a 44 magnum, and after reading a lot of threads I had decided on the 5" classic.

But, then I started reading about the PC version with the V-comp, and I'm curious. How much of a difference is there in balance and feel compared to the 5"? Can you use the v-comp break with lead ammunition? How difficult is it to clean? Is the 5" still more controllable, or does the comp even it out?

This is purely for a range toy.
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Old 02-21-2011, 04:26 PM
bigshot500 bigshot500 is offline
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629 DX, cream of the crop with out breaking the bank.
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  #3  
Old 02-21-2011, 08:52 PM
CWH44300 CWH44300 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigshot500 View Post
629 DX, cream of the crop with out breaking the bank.
he's right
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  #4  
Old 02-21-2011, 09:22 PM
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cochise cochise is offline
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My 5" 629 Classic balances wonderfully. I put Hoque grips on and with my El Paso holster it looks as good as it shoots. I bought 7 .44 mags . Two 4", a 4 3/4", two 6", an old 6 1/2", and of course my 5". I use the Classic more than my Andaconda or Ruger. It is a well made revolver and should last many life times. :-)

Good luck making your choice.
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  #5  
Old 02-21-2011, 09:27 PM
ken158 ken158 is offline
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Get the Classic. Have had both and still own my Classic...
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  #6  
Old 02-27-2011, 04:22 AM
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TraderJack TraderJack is offline
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629 5" Classic vs 629 PC V-comp? 629 5" Classic vs 629 PC V-comp? 629 5" Classic vs 629 PC V-comp? 629 5" Classic vs 629 PC V-comp? 629 5" Classic vs 629 PC V-comp?  
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Yeah... What Ken said...
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Old 02-27-2011, 04:32 PM
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629 5" Classic vs 629 PC V-comp? 629 5" Classic vs 629 PC V-comp? 629 5" Classic vs 629 PC V-comp? 629 5" Classic vs 629 PC V-comp? 629 5" Classic vs 629 PC V-comp?  
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I'm fortunate to be able to choose carry S&Ws from a large collection. My favorite varmint hunting, woods pistol is the 629-6 "Classic" pictured below.

You don't even need to "pony up" the extra money for the "DX" version unless you want the barrel stamping. The front sight blade is easily interchangeable on all the 629 "Classics."

Once you own a 5" N frame you'll be hooked....

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Old 02-27-2011, 11:47 PM
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Have you ever shot a magnum with a compensator or MagNaPort?
It's LOUD! Think blast in the face. (This from a guy who just
ordered one).

5" Classic = beautiful
V-Comp = Ugly

Opinions are worth what you pay for them.

I am having this gun Mag-Na-Ported. I'll let you know
how the blast is once I get it back.
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  #9  
Old 02-28-2011, 08:37 AM
ShrinkMD ShrinkMD is offline
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I thought that the whole point of the v-comp port was to allow a 4" barrel to be as "shootable" as the 5", since you are reducing some of the muzzle flip. I was also hoping that the Performance Center gun's trigger and other parts/fitting would be improved compared to stock. I also have other standard revolvers, so I was actually thinking that something different looking (unfluted cylinder, funny comp) would be sort of cool. I'm not sure I need a louder magnum!

Then again, I was looking at that ghastly two tone 627PC, and starting to think that might be interesting as well. I read someone else's review saying that unless you are shooting hot 357 you don't really get much assistance from the comp on that gun, but I wonder if it makes more of a difference in 44 mag?
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Old 03-02-2011, 02:59 AM
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Porting always has SOME effect witness the fact that many
Olympic type .22's are ported (when allowed).

As to the blast, most African safaris have banned ported
guns. Realize though that these are the biggest cartridges
used in hunting and the extra blast is IMMENSE. The ban
came about due to hearing loss/total deafness of the gun
bearers and PH's in close contact with these guns as
they went off.

I chose to port my Mountain Revolver as it ends up pointed
straight up in the air when fired with full loads. I'll let you know
how different it is with the ports when I get it back. It can't
be any worse
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  #11  
Old 03-02-2011, 01:12 PM
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The Classic

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  #12  
Old 03-11-2011, 02:01 PM
tgmr05 tgmr05 is offline
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While I like the classic, I recently came into a prelock 4.25 inch v-comp 629. I have not shot it, yet, and probably will not use the comp when I do, but the 'feel' is much more what I was looking for. Plus, the PC ball/detent yoke lockup is something I would prefer to have, too.

As far as looks, well, it is a toss up, right now. I actually like the v-comp look, but the classic, well, what can you say that the name does not.....
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Old 03-11-2011, 04:22 PM
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I'm a little late to the party....but IF the 629 Vcomp is anything like the 627 Vcomp, I would grab that one in a hurry!!!
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Old 03-11-2011, 05:54 PM
zorba zorba is offline
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I voted for the 5" Classic for range use because it has less muzzle blast to shooters on either side of you.

With the V-comp, wouldn't the 4" barrel with the comp attached be about the same length as a classic 629 with the 5" barrel? It seems like the difference would be that with the comp it would be louder and might have a little less velocity. And with the 4" barrel, you would have a 1" shorter sight radius. So it would seem that unless you are occasionally going to enjoy the convenience of the 4" barrel without the comp attached, there would be little advantage to getting the V-comp (unless you just like the looks, of course.)

Either barrel porting or a compensator attached at the muzzle can reduce muzzle rise during recoil and both make the muzzle blast sound louder to another shooter standing next to you on the firing line. It can seem pretty obnoxious or downright painful to the guy standing next to you. However, I have been on the firing line with a shooter on my left firing a ported 629 (4" barrel) while a shooter on my right was firing a 629 with a 2.5 inch barrel. Both were using magnum ammo. I didn't have a decibel meter, but the the snub sounded as loud or louder to me than the ported barrel. Strangely, people only complained about the noise of the ported barrel but not about the equal or perhaps greater blast emanating from the snub. I left the line after hearing two shots from each revolver.

It's been several years since I have fired a 629 with magna- ports or with a S&W style comp. But IIRC, the comp was a little more effective than the magna-porting (which had 4 trapezoidal ports, two on each side of the barrel) but it didn't direct as much of the sound to the side to blast the adjacent shooter as badly. When I fired a magna-ported 629 with 6" barrel with only one trapezoidal port on either side, I didn't think the porting reduced the muzzle jump or rearward thrust of the recoil to a significant degree. However, with only two ports total, the ported barrel didn't sound much louder either. On the 629 with 4" barrel and 4 ports, the blast seemed much louder, but the reduction in muzzle jump seemed much greater as well.

Whatever you choose, always wear earplugs plus earmuffs when shooting a magnum revolver, with or without ports.
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Old 03-11-2011, 06:55 PM
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I like the classic as well. I think the name itself speaks volumes. What more can be said. Never owned one of the PC comp guns though, so my opinion may be biased...
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Old 03-12-2011, 01:14 PM
tgmr05 tgmr05 is offline
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I am a little surprised with the poll numbers, considering there are soooo many more Classics out there. There are many, many folks who have had the opportunity to see/own/shoot a classic, but not nearly as many who have had the opportunity to see/own/shoot a pc v-comp.

Based on that, it would seem the v-comp is doing quite well, at least at this stage of the poll. I was expecting 8-2 or 9-1 Classic response based on the sheer numerical advantage of volume produced.....no to mention aesthetics ingrained over time....
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Old 03-13-2011, 12:02 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tgmr05 View Post
I am a little surprised with the poll numbers, considering there are soooo many more Classics out there. There are many, many folks who have had the opportunity to see/own/shoot a classic, but not nearly as many who have had the opportunity to see/own/shoot a pc v-comp.

Based on that, it would seem the v-comp is doing quite well, at least at this stage of the poll. I was expecting 8-2 or 9-1 Classic response based on the sheer numerical advantage of volume produced.....no to mention aesthetics ingrained over time....
Excellent point and I've gotta admit I'm guilty of making a judgment on the PC v-comp without having owned or shot one.... I like my 5" Classic so much I just jumped out in support of it. Please eliminate one vote in favor of the Classic from your poll in fairness to the PC V-comp....
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Old 05-18-2011, 10:44 PM
ShrinkMD ShrinkMD is offline
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Default Great gun

I ended up going with the PC V-comp, and it has the best revolver trigger I have shot. The comp works very well, as although I was flinching and need to work my way up with more powerful loads, the recoil was almost all straight back, with little muzzle rise even with some powerful factory rounds. I really enjoyed shooting it.
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Old 05-18-2011, 11:58 PM
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I own both the 627 and 629 v-comps - love them both and they shot great. I understand some folks can't get by the looks but they are wonderful weapons. But I don't think they shot any better than any other 627 or 629 in equal or close to barrel length. All triggers can be made sweet - all a matter of personal preference.
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Old 05-19-2011, 09:41 AM
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I love my 2ea 629-3,5" Classic DX's better than all my other Smith or Ruger 44 magnums.
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Old 10-22-2018, 10:47 PM
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Personal preference is... personal. I much prefer the balance of the 5" vcomp to either 5 regardless or 4 vcomp. So... my recommendation would be to see what feels best for you.
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44 magnum, 627, 627pc, 629, classics, compensator, detent, fluted, performance center, prelock, ruger, snubnose, unfluted

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