Here is the deal. When I go on a hunting trip, I know I will carry a 44 Mag in the field. So many times I leave my 1911's at home and go with the 44 Mag as my carry gun. Even right now, after my Nov deer hunt, I am still wearing my 44 Mag at the house, because I know I will be leaving in a few days for another hunt.

I have a 325 NG, in 45 ACP that I really like. So I am thinking I want a short compact 44 Mag, to use as a No2, or a No3.
I like to limit the number of calibres I carry when on a trip. Some of my trips last for a month or two...

I want a short 44 Mag. The barrel must be under 3". I mean if I was going to carry a 3" gun I would just as soon carry another 4".
The short barreled gun, even a N frame will fit in pockets, pants, vest, coat, that 4" guns cannot go...

Also I just do not like the full lug guns, short or long barrels.
But i would not totally rule one out.
So I am looking at a 2" to a 2 3/4" S&W 44 Mag.
Is the Night Guard the best choice, or should I go with the adjustable sighted Back Packer? I am a big fan of adjustable sighted handguns.

And would a steel framed shorty 44 Mag be better over all???

This is a gun that will be carried a lot, and shot some. I am not opposed to carrying heavy 44 Specials, or light 44 Mags in it for better controlability, especially for the first 6, but it will be able to shoot any of the 44 Mag loads I use in a pinch. Which is its main advantage over my standard pocket 38 bodyguard, or my 325 NG...

So what are your suggestions/thoughts.

Oh, let me add, I hate the lock, but I do not "fear" it, as I will just remove all of it. So it is a non issue to me...

I have a round butt 629 3'' and a 29 4''. The 3'' is noticably lighter, especially over time and it shoots straight as a laser.
I too like adjustable sights and the 3'' needed a fair amount of windage adjustment when I got it new from the factory. I like to adjust for different loads also.
I put 'Cokes' from Eagle Grips on mine, the round/ square conversion grips. I have a lot more control with these on it.
I do shoot Mags and the 3'' does kick a bit more than the 4'', of course. I don't think I would want to go any shorter so I would vote for 3''. Also,it will fit in a NorthFace vest pocket as I found out at the range when changing targets.

Here is what I mean by 'straight as a laser'...Free standing, two hands at 20 feet.

Look for one of these... the Camfour 2 1/2" 629's.... Little bit hard to find.. only 300 made in 1999.

peppercorn

Thanks for the info. Good shooting.

Sebago Son

Even though I am not a fan of the full under lug, I have considered that model. They do look pretty slick.

Thanks for the info.

^^+1......

Here's mine. Brutal w/ heavy bear loads, manageable w/ 240gr, shoots 44 Specials wonderfully. Not a fan of the lock either but this 629PC grows on me daily.

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Desert Fox, Thanks.
That gun is definately in contention.

My main thoughts are Steel, or Scandium???

That is the biggest choice to make IMHO.
Adjustable sights or fixed is a second consideration.

After all this will be a No2 or a No3...

When you say carry a lot and shoot a little, the steel frame is not what you need. I believe the perfect solution for you might just be the 329PD Alaska Backpacker as you mentioned. It already has adjustable sights and a gold bead front sight. It's black with 2.5" barrel and stainless steel cylinder for an edge on durability over the Ti. Only 29.5 oz. If you don't mind the shiny cylinder, since it's a Talo exclusive, it will always retain a little more value and desireability. The engraved Grizzly is cool.

The 329 Night Guard is another you mentioned. It's black with 2.5" barrel and black stainless steel cylinder for an edge on durability over the Ti. Only 29.5 oz. I'm pretty sure you can just replace the rear sight with a factory adjustable because the frames are all milled the same.


The 329 PD Airlite Sc is a little lighter at 26 oz. with the titanium cylinder. And already has an adjustable rear site. Just lop off the barrel to 2" or 2 3/4". I put a standard Baughman ramped front blade in mine to replace the 'glow worm' site.

I would also recommend the Hogue 'Tamer' grips from the 500 Magnum for either choice. They have sufficient padding over the rear grip strap and absolutely essention for recoil, especially with 300 grain bullets. Available from Smith only, and for about $35.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

The "carried-vs-shot" proportion strikes me as irrelevant. If you are going to shoot it at all, it needs to be steel; weight is the price you pay to have a controllable gun in your hand. I don't even like .44 Special in a scandium gun, and I took steps to heavy up my 296 because it was so uncomfortable to fire in its factory configuration.

If I had my eyes open for a .44 Magnum snubbie, I wouldn't look any further than the unfluted Performance Center UDR. I have a couple of those in .357 and love them. Wouldn't mind having the .41, either.

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David Wilson

One other idea, the Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan in .44. It has a 2 1/2 " barrel, stainless frame, and the Hogue Tamer grips. It handles the .44 mags quite well.

I'd reconsider the 3" barrel, at least get your hands on one. I have this 3" 29-10 that started as a "Bounty Hunter" but was worked over by Mag-na-port. The quad port set up makes it very manageable, even with full house loads. It's really well balanced and is easy to carry comfortably.



Yes, it's a horrid green color but that is temporary, just dropped it off to the 'smith today for some cosmetic work, including a bead blast and refinish.

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Don't kiss smiling dogs!

WC145:

I like that revolver a lot just as it is! Please post up a photo of the 'new' 29 when it comes back from the 'smith.

Chris

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/at least she finds me handy.

Don't know why you need a shorter than 3" 44 Mag.
Here's an old pic of my son with a 3" 629 with facrory mags.
Daylight, nuff said

I am gonna weigh in with a recommendation - 2 1/2" steel with fixed sights. I have the round butt fixed sight 2 1/2" with a special thin 1940's era style small wooden grip. You cant wreck it, it packs nice, you dont have to worry about rounds jumping crimp. It is simple to carry and use. When you need your revolver for real, you'll do well with your "kinda" "sortof" sight picture with the fixed version. The sights wont snag on the way out if you have to go fast from concealment. The small wood keeps the profile low as possible. Stay safe.

You must have pretty deep pockets there Brother Bill...

Thanks for the posts, and keep them comming.
A few comments on some of the posts.
First the reason I mentioned 3" barrels is that I sorta felt that for just a recuction of one inch in barrel lenth no need to buy another revolver just carry my other 4" MG.

Also on the Performance Center ported guns, they are a good gun, but will not work for me as I shoot a lot of the Speer shotshells, and I do not think they would go good with the port.

Steel vs Scandium. This is a tough one. Of course my brain tgells me steel. But the last few days I carried my 325NG around the house. First in my left front pocket as a No2, and later as my primary.
You hardly notice it is there.

The Night Guard with full power 45 ACP mmo is controlable no problem. I have shot the 4" 329 with full power loads and wood grips, it is uncomfortable.

Fixed vs adjustable sights. Again as much as I like adj sights for this particular gun i think fixed is the best way to go. They do not dmag and as some have stated they are rugged. With the NG you have the advantages of non snag fixed sights and the advantages of a good sight picture, and a front night sight as well.

Well thanks for the advise, and I am still open for more opinions.

You guys are making me wonder if I need more than one little bitty 44 Mag...

....I think you have answered your own question...either stay with the MG or go with the NightGuard and buy an extra hammer and have it bobbed....

Using the Speer .44 Magnum Short Barrel Load will give you a bullet that will turn inside out with modest recoil...

I need to buy a 357NG/.41 Magnum before they are all gone....


Bob

Consider one of these... a 58-44 conversion...



A S&W Model 58 converted from .41 to .44 Magnum.



Before I am branded a heretic, I should say that I bought it after it was converted..

This happens to be an "S" Frame 58, but with the "new" 58 classic series there's plenty of donor guns around now.

True it's a 4" gun, but I've found that this packs well and will carry in my rear jeans pocket fairly easily... as you can see it shoots pretty well.



Drew

Though a bit large for my carry needs sounds like you might like the Stainless version of the 3" 29-3 / 24-3 Lew Horton guns .



My buddy carries a 4" 329 PD,
IMO it is ideal for backpacking in bear country but SHOCKINGLY light.

You already have my favorite 44 in the 4" 629 Mountain revolver....
Wondering what your .44 Mag partner rifle is?
Mine is the venerable old Ruger "Deerstalker" carbine.

Bob, that is the direction I am leaning toward, the NG is probably the best choice for what I want it for.

Sebago, I would never modify a Mod 58, if I did I would have to look over my shoulder all the time as Bob [Super Man] above would probably hunt me down...

Engine49, My first centefire rifle was a Ruger Deerstalker, I have owned a Marlin 44 Mag and my current 44 Mag is a Winchester Trapper, with a reciever sight.

I would go with a 3" 629-4 (backpacker, Lew Horton or the like) or 3" 29-4. For the outdoors the stainless 629 would be a lot easier to deal with though.

I like 'em all! This one is most usually packed however:

Strengthened with a SS cylinder from a 696 for a little hotter 44's than recommended for the Ti cylinder, the ultimate snag free draw, point and shoot.



If that isn't going to do it, then I pack my itty bitty .500 3".

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Jim
S&WCA #819

...what can I say...it is true.... Since it is a capital offense I would have no choice. Simple possession of a so modified 58 can result in the loss of ones shooting hand....

Bob

Come on now Bob....

Does that same rule apply to someone who would magna-port and beadblast a 58?....

Drew

You guys have missed the central issue raised by the poster.
He talks of his hunting trips and wanting to limit his calibers and then sneaks in the following-"Some of my trips last for a month or two..."
I want to know what he does for a living that allows for hunting trips that last for a month or two (it sure as hell ain't practicing law)?????? More importantly I want to know if there is an opening.

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Forum consigliere

Right! My gosh, what would you do on a hunting trip that lasts for a month or two?

I have heard about such things (during the early part of the last century) but can't imagine it in today's world. Heck, if you didn't have a generator and fuel supply, the battery in your Ipod would run down.

Just kidding. Let us know what 44 you buy. I would be inclined to buy the Backpacker model, since I share your fondness for adjustable sights on any S&W magnum. But truthfully, I believe if I already had my 44 Mountain Gun with me, which you say you will, I might be inclined to take a smaller gun along instead of another 44. Two come to mind (from past musings). I might consider a .38 Super in a tuned-up Colt Commander, or even a .22 Magnum (Model 51 or 651). The Super can do some serious penetration with the correct loads and ammunition is not nearly as heavy and bulky as .44s and .45s. The .22 Magnum in an accurate revolver has a lot of utility out in the field, but it is loud. A Model 34 might do almost as well.

Well see I am a bit 'different' from other folks, so what I would do is find a ratty looking 44 of just about any model and make it a project gun and build it how I want it. Granted I love to tinker and can't leave well enough alone, but I would go for a beat up 29 and make a great companion out of it. Then start a thread that begins with 'THE ULTIMATE.....'

3" heavy barrel without full length underlug. I changed out the original "fish scale" round butt, finger groove grips. They looked great, but tore skin from my hand when shooting magnum loads. It now wears Jerry M(however-you-spell-his-name) grips, which are much more comfortable when firing.

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Sorry for the bad pic.

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CrazyMFFM, may I ask what modifications you have in mind (barrel length, round or square butt, etc.)?

lol....

or....

I like this one.........

Sabego....it is not the "modification" of a Venerated Object, such as refinishing or making it be more shootable....it is the Desecration of said Object, as in "caliber change" that Cult members have a "problem" with..... :-)

Cajun...NE and I go back 30 years. When I lived in Texas we taught, hunted, shot and competed together....and all I can say he is "a hunter"... He is a very frugal person and last I knew he was still driving the same SUV he bought in 1985....and all the money others spent on new cars went to African safaris and month long hunts to Alaska....

As to what he "did" for a living...lets just say...he was a "shooter"....and was very very good at what he did....

Bob

I do not disagree with that. Even I think the Mod 58's should not be tampered with...

Again, thanks for all the good posts.
Temember I will still be carrying my MG or some other 44 Mag as a Primary. This "little bitty" 44 Mag will be a second gun, a No2.
It would only move up to a No1 if the Primary became inoperable.

And being small and light it can always be carried and not left in a vehicle of back in camp, where it might be stolen.

I have carried at least 2 handguns most every second of every day, for over 35 years, it is just standard procedure for me.

I usually carry a 38 Bodyguard as a No2, but for hunts I prefer to have something more powerful so it might as well be in the same calibre as my Primary.

I like everything about the 325 NG, it is light, compact, for an N frame, and has good, for fixed, sights.

I am thinking the same gun in 44 Mag is looking like the best all round choice.

If this revolver was going to be a Primary, I would definately go with a steel frame and most likely adj. sights.

Also for those of you thinking a 22 LR would be a good No2 for hunting trips, I have and I am exploring that option as well, one my last hunt and on my next hunt I will carry the Mod 34 2" in Nickle.

However I have killed a lot more small game with shotshells in the 44 Mag, and 45 ACP, than I ever have with a 22LR.

Bob, actually I bought that SUV in 1987. Still driving it...
It is getting long in the tooth, I am going to try and replace it sometime after first of the year.

Thanks for the compliment.

Where can I get those grips?

Dogmann,

Those stocks are regular K-Frame Round Butt Magnas.... factory wood from the 80's.... pretty common. The fit isn't perfect around the frame knuckle, but I just tossed them on for the photo to show how small these grip frames really are.

These 629's shipped with rediculously huge and ugly Hogue Fingergroove Monos.

Drew

I didn't think K rounds would fit. Did they ever make a n round like that?

How's the fit on the blackstrap ? Could you post a few close ups ?

My "Ultimate" vote as well but I had someone else do the work........

Magnaport customs, all with 2 5/8" barrels......

Yup. The last I looked the S&W factory store still has some of the Heritage N-Frame Round "Retros" in stock.

Here's a link:

Product: N Round Old Style Checkered Service Grip

Also, Altamont has a N-Frame Round Butt "Magna-like" stock set.

Altamont - Pistol Grips

And so does Eagle.

Gun Grips | S&W Rosewood Reg. Panels N Frame - S&W Rosewood Reg. Panels N Frame Round Butt Checkered | Gun Grips

Eagle used to mount S&W Medallions for you if you paid the extra price for it.... Not sure if Altamont will.

Drew

I like the S&W, followed by the eagles...

I really like this 3"



It shoots well and is maybe my all time favorite gun.

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Shoot fast & live long
Warren

I would get a 629 carry comp. If you can save your pennies for the pre lock version. I don't think a power port would be much of an isse with shot shells.

I think a 329ng is the best choice for what you describe. I, like you, when in a rural locations depend on a 329pd. For me the natural choice is the 329ng and is on the I'm gonna get list when the funds are available.

Here is my old shooter 29-2 that originally had a 6" barrel after I bought a 3" barrel from Numrich for $100.

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I thought you owned a 329pd?