Recently inherited a 629-2 from my late Uncle Denny with an 8 3/8" barrel. I cleaned it up, I don't think he had shot or cleaned it in quite some time. Put a set of Hogues on it (saved the original grips) and ran a few cylinders through it. It shoots easier then my snubby 357mag!
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Don't think I've posted in this thread!

My 629-3 5" Classic w/ Ahrends Cordia grips.

Those are all great guns in this thread. I am just getting around to buying a .44 Magnum to keep my 686 company. My wife just got a new car so I think I can treat myself also.

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RudyN
NRA Patron Life Member

Here's some dash 3's

Looking good ironworker! I'm drooling looking at that 5"er.

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

Thanks tin knocker,
Here's a few -4's
Apparently I don't have a photo of my 5" -4
Just the 3 and 4 together.

And the power port

That means you have a 5"er to spare then....

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

Here is a No Dash 629, pinned & recessed, circa 1980.

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GARY
SWCA #2897, SWHF #436

I HAVE POSTED THIS BEFORE, BUT I MUST REITERATE. THERE OUGHT TO BE A MASTER "LIKE" LEVER FOR THREADS LIKE THIS. EACH AND EVERY GUN POSTED IN THIS THREAD IS BEAUTIFUL ! ! !

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Hi, Steve here. Awesome thread, 6 S&W 44 mags & counting here.

What's up Steve!

We like photos, I'm sure a bunch of us would like to see your 44's.
Putting up photos is a bit of a pain at first, at least it was for me but once you learn how, its a piece of cake.

Count me in! 629-5 factory "Pinto", 629-1 square butt 629-1 "Special Mountain Gun", 629-1 3 inch.

629-5 Mountain Gun was sold today but replaced her with a 629-1 four incher.

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Great trigger and mechanics but bound for a trip back to the mothership some day for cosmetics.

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It looks pretty good to me...
I'll admit that most 4" guns look good to me.


Nothing that a white scotch brite pad wouldn't fix.
That's one of the benefits of stainless steel.
I sent in a 4" -1 a few years ago for a refinish among other things. It looks great, nice and even. But I'm not so sure most anyone couldn't do the same with a little practice. Enjoy your new gun.

And my S&W model 629-6 Talo Deluxe with a 3" barrel. I sent it S&W for the master revolver action package and for a fixed C&S extreme duty rear sight.




I had a Talo 629 in my hands at a show this past weekend...it didn't make it home with me...I still regret that decision..

I see a couple on GB that I may have to bid on!

629-1, six inch. 629-5, three inch, fixed sight, Lew Horton Carry Comp. 629-6, two and one half inch, fixed sight Camfour

Love this thread. Here's my 629-5. Primary purpose, bear gun. We have a cabin in northern WI, lots of bears and the 5" barrel is perfect for the job.

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I also have a strange affinity for the 44 spl/mag. My 3" 629 (Avatar) is the best at the bench with a mild load of 20.5 gr. of IMR 4227 and a 200gr cast SWC. Then I have a Redhawk in 7.5" that I range and hunt with. It really likes 20gr of 2400 and a 280 gr cast SWC

WCCPHD, What are the grips on the 6 incher?

They are Eagle Heritage "Coke" grips. I got them on a 38/44 Outdoorsman several years ago that I found a set of original grips for. I put them on the 629 as they feel almost as good as the original "Coke" grips on my no dash 29.

I never saw this thread before today, but there are some nice pistols pictured in it.

Anyways, here is a pic of my 629-3 Classic, which I love to shoot. I picked it up on GB a couple of years ago for around $800 IIRC and was low round count and came with box and tools.


And while I know it's not a 629, but it is what I bought the 629 for to possibly replace this. It's a Desert Eagle in 44 Mag I bought new in 1994 and while it's a good shooting weapon it just isn't a 44 Mag revolver. I've been thinking of maybe selling it and buying another 27-2 for my model 27 collection. Anyways, here is big ugly:

My 629-5



Those grips are a set of Altamont super rosewood classic, they make the 629 a bit smaller for carry.

Or I can put on a set of S&W combats that I had laying around

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Life NRA, Life TSRA, C&R FFL

Hello to everybody

I'm italian and I love SW Revolvers. Please kindly excuse my poor english!

Some months ago, I've bought a Stealth 44 magnum (7.5") and I'm very happy about that. I enjoy a lot to shoot with it.

Normally, I use 240 grains and I've never tried more than that.

I would like to know if there would be any "problems" or issues with 265 grains or more (even if it's not so easy to find in Italy).

Awaiting the pleasure to read your comments!

Cheers, CIAO

Hello and welcome to the forum! 240 grains is a great all-around bullet weight for 44 caliber revolvers. But your Stealth Hunter can easily handle 265 grain bullets and even bullets weighing well over 300 grains. In fact, weight isn't a limiting factor at all, practically speaking. Technically, the real issue is cartridge overall length. As long as the bullets aren't longer than the cylinder, you're good to go. That means a COL of around 1.61 inches or 41mm for standard length cylinders, which provides a small margin of safety for the bullet creep you can expect with very heavy loads.

Commercial ammo can be found up to around 340 to 350 grains if you look hard enough. And I think it's possible to go heavier than that if you hand load. However, somewhere around 350 grains power becomes the limiting factor. And at that point, you're probably better off with a larger caliber revolver, because the longer bullets must be seated deeper into the case to satisfy the maximum safe COL, which leaves less room for powder.

Nothing wrong with big and slow, but no one packs a 300+ grain bullet for self defense. Such heavy bullets will mainly be of interest if you like to wander around in brown bear country, or you are actually hunting large game with your Stealth Hunter. So if you can't drive the bullet to magnum velocity, there's not much point. Otherwise, 240 grains (or 265 gr) will do just fine if that's all you can find locally.

Dear SeamasterSig,

Many thanks for your welcome and also for your so kind and detailed answer.

Unfortunately, here in Italy, we do not have a so large choice of ammo as in your country....In my area, for example, there are only the 240 grains available (because of hunters) and, sometimes the 200grs (Fiocchi). I can also find 180 grains (Federal) but there are VERY expensive (like 49,00 euros for 20...!!!).

Which means that, for me, more or less 240 grs is always difficult and/or very expansive and, sometimes, impossible to find!

However, shooting with this Stealth is fanstactic and I'm very happy of it.

Awaiting the pleasure to hear from you, CIAO

Welcome to the family. Too bad you don't reload?
Steve

Wow, I thought 44 caliber ammo was expensive in the US, but nearly $3 per bullet at the current exchange rate is pretty expensive by any standard! Feeding a 44 caliber habit is never cheap. However, I suppose it's cheaper than collecting vintage Ferraris or a flat overlooking the Grand Canal in Venice

It sounds as if you don't already reload your own ammunition, but even in the US, if you shoot 44 spl/mag, reloading your own ammo is the most economical way to go by far. From what I hear, it's possible to reload in Italy, so if it's feasible, I highly recommend that you take the plunge and designate reloading as your new hobby. In addition, if bulk bullets are difficult to find or very expensive, then you may be advised to take the next step, too, and cast your own bullets out of lead.

Since the EU is far ahead of the US in banning lead wheel weights, you will have to get creative looking for a source of the "precious metal". You may be able to find lead ingots from an industrial supplier. Lead shot for reloading shotgun shells can also be used, plus it should already have the necessary antimony and/or tin alloy to produce properly hardened bullets.

Casting your own bullets out of molten lead may sound daunting, but if that's what it takes to be able to enjoy shooting your Stealth Hunter as much as you want, even when the rest of the country is dealing with an ammo shortage, then it's well worth the effort and initial cost for the equipment. After that initial investment, your cost per bullet will decrease significantly. Plus, as a bonus, reloading will greatly enhance the enjoyment you get out of shooting. If you scroll down to the Ammunition-Gunsmithing section of the website, you'll find lots of information to get you started.

I just acquired my first 44 Magnum,a Performance Center 629, from one of my best friends. It was intimidating the first time I shot it. As I put more rounds through it, I became more comfortable. I plan to do Long range shooting and handgun hunting with it.

He gave me a progressive reloaded along with it.

We have our own Steel plates that we bring to our private club.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Dear S.B. and SeamasterSig,

Thank you very much for your kind answer.

I would like just to explain an important thing regarding the price of ammo:

The price I have spoken was about the Federal 180 grains.....Thank God, there are also easily available the Fiocchi 240 grains which are much cheapier, about 28,00 EUR for 50.

Of course, I should start reloading but consider that, in Italy, the price of the various "components" is not so cheap than in the States.....

For example, a guy (very good "reloader") of my shooting club told me, just some weeks ago, that for 9mm, it's now less expensive to buy it instead of reloading....Because of the price of powder, ect....

However, I do not shoot so much in 44mag, so, for me, it's not a big deal.

All the best, cheers, CIAO!

The mention of Federal 180-grain factory loads reminds me of the higher felt recoil they deliver compared to Federal's 240-grain loading with the same XTP bullet. Those 180s really hit in your hand but loose energy faster downrange.

Ed

Hi AveragEd!

Are you sure about that? Because, as far as I have shooted with my 44mag (I have also a 629 in 4"), I feel more recoil with heavier bullets and less with lighter ones....

With my 629 Stealth it's another story.....Because with 7.5"of barrel length and the Magna-port system, I can shoot 100/120 rounds in 240grains without any problems! (But I wear also tactical gloves...)

Awaiting the pleasure to hear from you, CIAO!

Very sure! I know it sounds backwards but there are three factors in felt recoil - bullet weight, muzzle velocity and firearm weight. In this instance, gun weight is a constant and I guess that the higher muzzle velocity of the 180-grain load overcomes the added bullet weight if the 240-grain one.

Both our son and I immediately noticed the same thing. I'm glad it worked out that the 240-grain load shoots other same POI as my 240-grain cast semiwadcutter target load out to 50 yards so I don't have to change my gun's sight adjustment for hunting season.

You know, while typing this reply, it dawned upon me that those cartridges are not Federals. They are Hornady shells loaded with the Hornady XTP bullets but the same reason for the higher recoil applies.

For what it's worth, I discard those Hornady empties as their primer pockets are super-tight and I damaged more primers than I was able to successfully seat in the 20 pieces of brass I emptied even after chamfering the primer pockets. I have boxes of 500 pieces of new Remington brass on hand so I don't need the Hornady cases anyway but I don't recommend buying Hornady .44 Magnum shells if obtaining reloading brass is a goal.

Ed

Hi Ed!

Many thanks for your kind answer! I fully trust you mate!

Here in Italy, Hornady ammo are available but expensive. I have tried one time and I've felt less recoil than Fiocchi (of course, still in 240 grains).

As I have already explained below, for the moment, I do not intend reloading but...who knows about future!

Cheers, CIAO!

msfmikeb, please give us some background on the bottom one on you photo list with the sling? I assume not factory?
Steve

It's a Performance Center 629-5 Extreme Hunter with a 12" barrel. Product code 170157, made in 2000 as a special run for Lew Horton, 1 of 200. They came in a fitted soft case with a padded sling and the Wilson Combat sight.

Saving money is the best excuse, but the last good reason to start reloading. Certainly, some calibers lend themselves well to reloading due to the economics involved (44 in particular), while others, such as 9mm, almost never do (based solely on economics). If saving money is your primary motivation to start reloading then you will be very disappointed. However, if you think of reloading as an opportunity to learn more about the hobby of shooting and especially as a way to customize loads that are specific to each gun you own and thereby maximize the potential of your firearms, then you will be well-rewarded.

You left out a very important reason, to tailor ammo to your particular firearm (finding out what's the most accurate in this firearm).
Steve

Now I understand my friend! Thank you

I couldn't agree more. When I was a teenager cost was a factor, I could shoot more for less so reloading was a must. The fact of making what you want instead of what some factory thinks you need is one of the greatest benefits to rolling your own. The cost, accuracy and tailoring loads for different reasons or guns is the reason handloading is so popular.
This photo might already be posted somewhere in this thread but here it is again.
A shot of the bench and one of the press thats set up specifically for my favorite 44 loads.

Hello guys,

@CWH44300: congratulations, you have an amazing reloading stuff!


Gentlemen, I have a question for you:

What do you think about the 454 Casull? Is it true that the power of this ammo is double compared to a "standard" 44mag? (like 240 grains). I'm asking you this because, perhaps, I have found a completely new Ruger S.R.H. 7,5" in 454 Casull at an interesting price and...I'm thinking about buy it but I wanna be sure that it's an outstanding caliber.

Awaiting the pleasure to hear from you guys, CIAO!

Power of ammo is a relative thing. How do you mean power is double the .44 magnum?
Steve

I am going to be looking at a 629-1 on Monday to purchase. I was wondering if someone would be so kind as to tell me the shipping date. The serial number is bas0xxx. The date on the grip is July 13th 1988.

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Hi Bro,

I was talking about Joules/stopping power.

All the best, cheers

I recently joined the 629 club with a 3" 629-6 TALO edition. It's a nice match to my 3" 686+ TALO.


While the stocks are pretty, they were uncomfortable on my 686, so I immediately replaced the ones on my new 629. I found a pair of Altamont combats on ebay for $40:

Great thread!

The 8 3/8" - 4 was a gift from my wife while we were still dating (yeah, she's a keeper). The 6 1/2" - 3 I acquired just this summer.

What a great club to be a member of!!! Here's a couple of my latest additions for my dues payments to Local 629.

My most recent, a 5" dash 3 Classic


And a 3" dash 1

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

I'm thinking we need that 2 toned lady in here too.
How about it brother?

Here ya go buddy!



Ginger and Mary Ann!

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

Or this one??

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing