Hey guys. I've been looking for a 629 for a while now. I had my heart set on a 3" classic hunter but I definitely don't have the $$$ for one of those.

I have it pretty much narrowed down to the 2.625" Performance Center model or the 3" Talo exclusive model. I'd be interested to hear what you have to say about these two guns.

I really like the looks of the full barrel lug and non-fluted cylinder. This gun will be used for backwoods protection and general plinking. I need the short barrel to pack into a SafePacker holster when hiking.

I reload 44MAG and want a revolver to shoot cheap with. I don't really reload for much else besides .308 so I'm not looking to start reloading for a different caliber.

I have the 3" Talo, I like it. Obviously, it's a handful with heavy loads and the short barrel, but it carries well. I carry it for CCW sometimes in the winter. I have no problems getting spent rounds to fall out, I'm not sure if that would be the case with a shorter barrel. The Talo grips look good, but plan on putting them in the closet and buying another set. They are too small to allow for good control on a large caliber, especially for follow-ups. The grips also jamb your forefinger under the trigger guard and with stout loads it beats you finger to death.

I love my 3" .44, I load it with medium loads and enjoy shooting it.

JMO, but I cannot imagine buying a gun with those "cute" little bears on it.......i.e. the S&W backpacker. It's a .44...I'm not going to buy the colored griped Charter Bulldogs either, call me old school.

I've had the bug for one for quite a while now but been trying to suppress it. Don't know how much longer I'll be able to hold out.

I can endorse this model. Go Performance Center if at all possible. The grips look great and work well with 44 Specials but are brutal with heavy loads. For carry (and blasting) it wears S&W 500 Hogues.

And I totally agree with the previous poster RE: having a bear and bear tracks etched into my 44 Mag. Not my bag, and it isn't Performance Center. IMOHO, S&W is guilty of doing a few too many "special runs". I counted at least 6 629 snub variants: 629 Mountain Gun, 629PC, 629 Alaska Backpacker blue w/ stainless cylinder, 629 Backpacker w/ bear etchings, 629-6 unfluted 3", 629 Lew Horton, 629 Talo... and plenty more with longer barrels.

Thanks for pic DesertFox. That looks awesome. I've been leaning towards the PC model. I think that is what I will go with.

You missed the 629 Trail Boss.....that's the one I've been carrying for some time now. I replaced the Hogues with a set of Pacs off a Night Guard, they really help to tame the recoil on the heavy loads.

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Even older, even crankier....

Yea the Trail Boss looks pretty nice but I really like the look of a full barrel lug. Not sure why, its just the way I am.

I understand completely.




Be patient, one will come.

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

Guys a little about the 3 inch N snubbies.

I've owned the Lew Horten Backpacker (stainless one and a blued one) as well as Lew Horten 24 3 incher (still have it), 625 .45 acp 3 incher (still have it to.)

Now with full .44 magnum loads they are very difficult to control, especially one handed. Now loaded down to say, 240 gr at 1000 fps and they are fine, better than most .357 magnum rounds, but full loads are tough, especially if you like wood grips (and I most certianly do!)

I perfer my 625 snub with .45 supers and 24 with 240 at 800 fps loads. The hotest loads I use are 240s at 1000 fps from my 4 inch 629-1.

But, uh, I tend to pack my 10mm Glock with top loads. Not because the Glock is superior in any way in the field but cause I can use 200gr 1300+ loads and not worry about me or the gun. And if I drop a Glock (or it gets scrached) I don't cry.

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Deaf

I am a huge Glock fan. I had a G29 a few years ago but it seemed too bulky in my hand. I sold it and bought a '92 lever action 44MAG rifle. Since then I have been a bigger fan of the 44MAG. I still like my Glocks for EDC but I'd like to carry the 44MAG for hiking and backpacking. I also just want a cool revolver...it will be my first revolver.

i have the stainless M657,41 mag.in 3" as well as the M29-3 3"combat magnum...both carry well and are great shooters

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

Then you should think about the Trail Boss or the 629 MG. I know you like the full lug, but the TB or MG is lighter and a better all day carry option. JMO.

Save a little more and get what you want. I enjoy my 629 carry comp.

Really good advice there... every single time I have compromised with myself and bought a less expensive version that was "kinda like" what I wanted, I have regretted it. I also usually end up buying what I really wanted later anyway. So, it is cheaper in the long run to get the more expensive version.

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Proud anachronism

I really like my 3" 629, and the wooden grips feels great.






Ernie

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S&W .500 Magnums RULE !

I just dropped the money in the mail today for a 629 PC snubbie I found new on GB for a good price. $829 + free shipping. My dealers transfer fee is $30 so it'll be $860 when I get her home. Can't wait!

cool, post up some photos when you can and congrats on your new gun

Looking forward to seeing some pics of your 629-PC.

If you decide the 629 snubs become addictive, you can start the search for one of the (300) fixed sight pre-lock 2.5" 629-5 snubs.

These were a special run for Camfour Dist. about a decade and two years ago.

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C & L

Just picked up my 629 PC today. Only had enough time to handle it a bit. I does fit in my Safepacker holster nicely with one speed loader. Can't wait to get home and pop a few rounds! I'll post pics tomorrow.

Good for you, hope you enjoy it

Awesome, can't wait to see the pics! I have the 629 talo and I sent it to S&W for the master revolver action package and a set of fixed C&S extreme duty rear sights. Its an awesome shooter:

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NRA Certified Instructor

Haven't had a whole lot of time to take pics. Here is the only one I have taken so far.



Shot it a bit yesterday...only a dozen rounds. The light loads I worked up were very pleasant to shoot. Load is 180gr Nosler JHP over 5.5gr of Titegroup.

Not sure yet but I don't think the grips are going to stay on it. I think it needs a set of Pachmyer Compac Pros but I don't think they make them for the N-frame ( bummer). Any other comparable grips that I should look into? I also need a good holster and some of those Tuff QuickStrips.

I am going to enjoy this gun!

Awesome, sweet gun. Even though I dislike rubber grips, I had to hide my ego and use one and I actually like the Hogue Monogrip. Its not soo overly huge but the wide plam swells really spread the recoil impulse over a larger area of the hand than just the web. Its much more comfortable than the laser etched S&W grips it came with:

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NRA Certified Instructor

These are Pachmayr Compac grips (not Pros however) on my N frame 627-PC. The grips were made for a K-frame round butt and are the one piece hinged in the back style. I've got a couple sets and they also fit my round butt 629-5 N .44 just fine.

Beware...Pachmayr Compacs for K-frames are also available in two piece design...these won't fit.

Of course the Pachmayr N-frame Nightguard grips will fit. I had a some of those and didn't like them. A little bigger and softer...sold'em.

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C & L

Beautiful gun Cocked & Locked and an awesome pic.

I too am a fan of 5 star speed loaders and the 627 is high on my want list.

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NRA Certified Instructor

Thanks C&L. Those are the exact grips I am looking for. I'll see if I can find the one piece version.

The picture of the Compac grips on the Pachmyr website does not look like the grips in your picture. The ones on the website have a cutout in the pinky area.

Here are a few more pics.

I always like to see some perspective regarding the size of a pistol. Here is me gripping the gun.



Here it is with my Wilderness Tactical Safepacker holster







Just ordered some Tuff Quikstrips.

DesertFox,

Can you please tell me what holster you have in this picture? I need a good holster for my 629PC.

Thanks!

I've not looked at their website...but, the ones with the pinky cut out are the style made for the small frame Colt, Charter Arms, Taurus, etc. And of course the S&W J-frame.

The larger size grips for the S&W K's & N's and Ruger Six series are without the cut out.

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C & L

Ok, great! Thanks.

Do the N-frame Compacs have an open back strap? I like the open back strap since it does not increase the trigger reach. If the Compacs do not have an open back strap, I may get the Compac Pros and try to modify them to fit an N-frame.

Great looking 44 Mag.

I know you said you reload, but here are some random thoughts.

A buddy of mine had a S&W 329, the light weight framed revolver.

The Federal Cast Core 300gr factory load was a lot more comfortable to shoot than the standard Federal, Remington, Winchester 240gr factory ammo... A lot less "slap" to the hand and "crank" on the wrist...

I have found the same thing to be true in my 4" 44 Mag Mountain Guns.

For Urban Defense try some of the better 44 Special loads or the Speer 44 Mag 200gr Short barreled load.

Also be sure and carry some of the Speer/CCI 44 shotshells. They kill snakes and small game for the pot great.

I love this gun.

Just got some Hogue grips.

I just ordered some Pachmayr Compacs for my 629. Should be here tomorrow. I hope I like them.

I have one of the Talo 3" 629's and love it! Still kind of a hog to have on your belt all day, but it shoots great.

I got my Pacmayr Compac grips today, and I think I am going to send them back. With these grips installed I can just barely reach the trigger. I definitely need a grip with an open back so as not to add trigger reach length. Any opinions on which grips to try next? I don't want to spend a lot. I'm not opposed to wood grips but I want them to be compact but still be able to get a full grip. No finger grooves.

I'm thinking of getting these Ahrends grips.

Got my Ahrends grips yesterday from Terri. Here they are installed on my 629PC...



They feel great and look great. The wood is Cordia. I ended up selling my Compac to a guy on the forum. Glad I went with Ahrends Tactical stocks.

Yes, I want to know about that holster too. Thanks.

they look great, love that wood, I think it looks good on blue and stainless, and you can't say that about very many species of wood ( at least I can't )

Sure, it is a Lobo Avenger. Love it. Rides nicely. Sorry I didn't see your question earlier.

Thanks, I have the 627 PC which is the same size and I am trying to find a matching holster.


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I went with the Talo 3'' and can't say one bad thing about it.
The grips were way too small so I put this set of Eagles on it.

Try 8.5grns. of Unique over a 240gr. semi wadcutter in a magnum case. You will be able to shoot this all day at paper and use it for just about anything else that walks, if need be.

Try 11.0grns of Power Pistol over the same bullet if you want to throw some serious flame at sunset out of that 3'' barrel .

I too reload mostly for .44 Mag.
If I throw out the initial investment price of brass (95.00 for 500 pieces of Starline) I can reload a box of .44 mag for $7.35 using the Unique load I mentioned above.

peppercorn,

That is some nice shooting. I haven't grouped my 629PC yet but plan to soon. My plinking load is 5.5gr of Titegroup behind a Nosler 180gr JHP. I got a ton of Nosler 180gr, 200gr, and 240gr JHP bullets for free so that is what I use.

That is a nice looking 629 Talo model. I almost went with it but decided to get the PC model. I definitely like the classic looks of the Talo 3" but I am happy with the PC model.

I am thinking of bobbing the hammer on my 629PC. The checkering on the hammer spur is a little screwed up from the factory. Might bob it and buy another hammer for those days when I want to go SA. Where is a good place to get another hammer?

I have a PC 627 and will say that the trigger pull in DA is lighter and smoother when compared to the Talo. Not that the Talo needs work, it's just a subtle difference when compared side by side.

Nosler makes some good bullets and 'free' is a great price.
I am lucky in that I live near Nosler and Oregon Trail so I can save a little by picking up stock at their locations.

That would be an interesting take on the hammer, I would like to see it if you do.

I've had good luck here on the forum in the 'wanted to buy' section when it comes to finding triggers and hammers. The groups I have acquired are for older, pre MIM pre lock, guns so I am not sure if the result would be the same for newer parts.

What type of rounds/brand are those?

Speer 210gr GDHP. I can load the same bullet with 10gr. Unique and match factory velocity. Not a high end load, but enough to do the job

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Hello from Dallas. Just joined the forum and will receive my new 629 PC next week. Will post photos.

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NRA Certified Instructor

I like the 44 mag, and carry a Bulldog 44, and while I think 3 inchers are neat, I prefer it on my model 65. But in a full magnum, I'll take another inch.