Found a 629-1 with the wood grips red ramp no box 8/38 barrel 695 and also A real nice clean old model Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 3 screw looks like new its also 695 both guns look like new yet . The 8inch Smith looks like a walking cane but smooth I dont think I would strap it on and go for a walk or atv ride . The Ruger old model in a belt rig would look good either gun would go deer hunting for a back up . Which one should I get ???????????

I have hunted with a 29 8 3/8 and also a super Blackhawk and its only a little shorter but the Ruger does carry a bit easier in dense areas ( I live in Northern NY) Your probably not going to go and shoot Double Action to begin with. FWIW I say go for the Ruger but see if you can get a few more bucks off.

PS I'm going with the notion by now it has went back to the factory and had the safety work done. If not only load it with 5 and leave the hammer on a dead cylinder.

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

What a quandary! I own a 29 with a 8 3/8" that I have hunted with since the 70's....it is my "deer hammer", the Ruger SBH has the 7.5" bl and was my steel sil. gun back in the 70's and 80's.....it too has accounted for many deer. Neither are belt holster guns for me. Comparing a DA to a SA has always been an "apples to oranges" situation to me, but with these two having long tubes it is going to boil down to what you prefer.....in my world, three screw Rugers in nice shape are harder to come by than 629's, so in this instance I would probably pick the Ruger and pick up 629 if so desired later. Either way you go, you cannot really lose.

I'd go with the Ruger Super B if it's cherry. No longer made, and a beautiful genuine classic revolver. Also way easier on the hand with full loads. I've shot mine over and over the same day, and no problems; it rotates in the hand and distributes the recoil over a longer split-second. The 624 pops back in your hand straighter, and the only thing absorbing the recoil are your hand and elbow joints. Not pleasant, particularly for seasoned citizens. Nice with .44 Specials, though.

The 624 "no dash" guns are collector's items (pinned and recessed). The dash ones are run of the mill.

Just my opinion. Your mileage may vary.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

An S&W or a Ruger for the same price and you don't know which one to pick? Is this a trick question???

No, the Ruger will never be a classic, in my opinion, no matter how many screws it has or has not.

It mostly boils down to whether you prefer apples or oranges. I could echo what John wrote about comfort firing standard 240 grain Magnums but he described it very well. Traditional N frame Target Stocks hurt. Hogue rubber Mono-Grips are a lot more comfortable for me. I do not change the wood on Super Blackhawks.

629-1s have the .432" cylinder throats that were S&W's standard for .44s until about 1989. I never got that arrangement to group quite as tight as my old New Model Super Blackhawk. However, the Smiths were good enough for Elmer Keith to finish off a customer's wounded elk at 600 yards and of course, if you believe movie script writers, they will "blow your head clear off."

Take your pick. I had an apple for lunch.

I'd go with the Ruger.

Both are awkward to carry, the Ruger somewhat less so.

The Ruger is somewhat more pleasant to shoot.

Neither are much good for defense: very slow shooters if you consider how much time it would take to get them out and into action. Bears can cover a lot of ground in a second or two.

If you're hunting deer from a stand, either is fine.

The Ruger is a classic. The S&W not so much.

I would prefer the Ruger SBH with the 7 1/2" tube. That said I would try making a deal for both assuming they're for sale in the same place. You may well negotiate a better discount on both.

I would also go with the Ruger. I have two model 29s and a SBH. The SBH goes hunting and the 29s just look pretty at home.

For me personally, Ruger's square back trigger gaurd abuses my knuckle with authority. I do like 3 screw Blackhawk, never handled an old model Super, just the New Model. I am guessing I'd like an Old Super with a swaped XR3 .( With Origonal grip frame and grips retained in safe of course.)

Final Answer -

S&W as is.
Ruger for project.

Having owned a 629 (4") and still own a 1977 New Model Super Blackhawk (7 1/2" without all that "read the instruction manual...blah, blah"" on the barrel), I would choose the Ruger, hands down. To me, the Ruger just feels like a more solid, well built revolver that you depend on and shoot anything through. I could also shoot my Ruger more accurately than I could the 629. That 8 3/8" barrel on the S&W doesn't sound all that much longer than the 7 1/2" but I bet it would seem like it after having packed it all day as well as if you have to unholster it in the event you need to use it.

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"In God We Trust"

I have had both of these guns before and have leather shoulder rigs for the 8 in Smith and Belt and holster rigs for the 3 screw 44 . I just sold a 4 in P/R 629 that I bought new around 82 or so sold and got back sold again , I dont like to shoot the 4 inch much. Iam seeing 44 mags traded in at a lot of gun shops . I was offered a 4in Smith Mountain gun Sat for 700 it was the older one I know it was worth more . I may get the Ruger They look good in a old leather belt rig .

I have had both and the only Ruger revolver I still own is a Old Army cap and ball. The only other revolver, other than the one I made into a carbine, with a long barrel is a 8 3/8" 500 mag. To me anything over 6
1/2" is a pain and I seldom carry one that long even hunting. 4 and 5" are just easier to carry, sit down, get in the rig and drive around with.

I found an unloved 8 3/8" 629-1 for under $600 on Gunbroker a few months back. Its now a 5" 45 colt.

I had on original 3-screw SBH back "in the day." If the one you are looking at hasn't been back for the factory modification please do this soon! I would say, "Otherwise, remove one round and carry with the hammer down on the empty cylinder." However, if you have to cock it in the woods and then lower the hammer when the deer never presents a shot it becomes dangerous. Like another said too, that square trigger guard can really beat up your third finger.

I'm the wrong person to give advice on the 8+" barreled Smith. I don't care for them, and they are hard to tote.

But a SIX INCH Model 29 or 629? What a handy, perfect sized revolver for the deer woods!!! I traded my SBH years ago for a 29-5 6" and it has been the most incredible deer revolver!

Hogue rubbers are wonderful, even with a stout 300gn bullet. In any event, best of luck with your choice! Both can serve you well!

Their is no box ,the gun is ex cond wise never back to fact . I had Smiths and love SW but the 8/38 barrel looks like a cane but its nice .

I think I willl get the old Ruger today I have a small collection of them Ruger stainless 4 in H/B 357 a Gov issue Speed Six 38 with lanyard ring in shipping box , NYCPD 4in Service Six with the star stamp on inside crane .This SBH Ruger will fit right in .

Get the 3 screw..Recently lntroduced to Old Model 3 Screw Rugers.

3 Screws are like stirring butter when cocking and firing.

New Models feel like stirring Concrete in a shooting drill.

I prefer stainless guns when stomping around in the woods.

The 629 price seems fair; while 695 for a single action seems a bit high ...probably because the last super bh I bought was a 4 digit s/n for $325 12 or 13 years ago.

No guarantee either will or won't be accurate. Obvious answer to me... buy both & keep the one that you can shoot better

Surprised at the objectivity of some of the replies, thought this would have been like asking a Chevy salesman what he thought of Fords

I would also choose the SBH. I had an old 3 screw model since the early 70's, never sent it back to the factory. When I go Javelina hunting only load 5 rounds which was always enough. I also have a 29-2 4" nickel in presentation box and paperwork with an additional 6.5" barrel which was never installed which I don't shoot very often. I find the SBH much more comfortable to shoot which is why I would choose it over the 8+ inch S&W whose barrel length turn me off. But that's just me and i'm a S&W man otherwise.

Those are both sweet, but I don't think I'd choose either one as my go-to "back up for deer hunting". They're too pretty and old for that kind of duty. I'll be the Chevy salesman and tell you to buy a newer Smith, in stainless, and a somewhat shorter barrel. Especially if for white tail. BIG bear or Hogzillas look at a Ruger. Even then I find the SRH's a tad too bulky for my taste. Especially again if it's "back up".

both, duh! Have the don't have the 629-1 but do 29-4 (3"), 629 (-3 I think, 4") 629-4 (6 1/2" Classic) and one of those old Super Blackhawks. Get both and you'll get credit for embracing diversity.

I you have to choose, and since you're asking, I go with the Classic for all the trips in the backcountry. This is the cold dead hands one.

I'd probably get the SBH.

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K & N S&W revolvers

The SBH will be a little easier to carry and I find it they handle hot hunting loads much better than the 629.

Ruger SBH vs. a S&W M29?

Ruger SBH 44mag is stronger. You can shoot stout magnum loads forever.

S&W M29 44 mag isn't made for a steady diet of magnum loads.

Which one would I purchase?

Both, ones a shooter, the other is for admiring.

SBH would be my choice.

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

I could get both but 44 ammo is around 40 to 50 a box around here for 50 rds. I do reload some My old model 44 I had would cut holes with 180 gr.

They still have it and its like new but no box . I dont really want to spend that money right now but I have it . I also have a mint in the box with papers 1968 357 6.5 I thought about trading has fact letter . or trading Smith M/P45 mid size with night sights just so I can out going cash to a mim.

I got the old Ruger 3 screw 44 today it still looks new .,and did get a box but dont think its quite the right one older orange cardboard with white lettering and papers the gun is 80-237xx

I dug out my old Safariland leather belt rig for this gun its old and wore in looks just right . I almost traded my 1968 Blackhawk in fact box with papers for this Iam glad I did not do it .

Let me be the first to say get both. You might as well because which ever one you choose, sooner or later you will have buyers remorse you didn't buy the other one instead so save yourself some pain and just buy both.

I'd say you made a good choice. I bought a new SBH in the early 70s,
still have it. I have managed to take a few Whitetails with it. A
cross draw belt holster like the Bianchi Cyclone is the best way to
carry if you plan to hunt with it. Please DO NOT send it to Ruger for
the so called "upgrade" of the transfer bar conversion. Besides
destroying the originalty of the four click single action design the
"upgrade" will cut the resale value by at least a third, maybe more.
The original action is perfectly safe when used as traditional single
actions have always been used. The three screw Rugers are classics
and should be preserved in their original form.

[QUOTE=PALADIN85020;139255305]I'd go with the Ruger Super B if it's cherry. No longer made, and a beautiful genuine classic revolver. Also way easier on the hand with full loads. I've shot mine over and over the same day, and no problems; it rotates in the hand and distributes the recoil over a longer split-second. The 624 pops back in your hand straighter, and the only thing absorbing the recoil are your hand and elbow joints. Not pleasant, particularly for seasoned citizens. Nice with .44 Specials, though.

The 624 "no dash" guns are collector's items (pinned and recessed). The dash ones are run of the mill.


Just my opinion. Your mileage may vary.
Im with Paladin on this one, the old SBH Ruger is a classic. I've
had one for 50+ years. The price doesn't seem out of line for a
mint piece. The SBH is the gun I shoot Hot loads in for deer
hunting. It is definitely easier to carry. A little harder to shoot if
you are not use to S/As. I have owned several 629s, that were
picked up on trades. They go right into trade stock, my main
shooters are M29s. I don't shoot Magnum loads in my 29s. I
can't see beating up a good S&W with hot loads, just to target
shoot. Shops & shows are full of 629 dashes, not so with old
model SBH.

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I will never send it back to the factory for that update . I also have a mint 357 old model in the box with papers that was never updated and never will be its Mar 1968 ship date on letter from Ruger . The old 44 will go nice with the 357om . I never fired it in 15 years . I had a 4 in 629 P/R that I sold back in Mar got 1200 for it . and let it go .

My first handgun in the mid-'70s was a Ruger SBH,of course,then available only in 7 1/2''bbl.Just got a month ago a S&W 629 in 8 3/8''bbl.As per your question,which is best for hunting while carring on belt?
Well,I hate politicians but here,I'll have to give you a ''politician answer''.Both are great guns!And I'm ready to debate this with anybody.But how does it feel in your hands(need both of them with the big .44).Both will kill a deer or black bear with the right bullet at 75 to 100yds if the shooter has the capacity to put it in the boiler room.
As for a belt carry gun...hum!I'd personnaly go with a shoulder carry with both of them but it's your choice.

Stock,the S&W has a(normally)nicer SA and smoother action but the Ruger can have a much smoother and lighter action after it's been modified according to the ''poor man trigger job''.The weight of pull will be aprox 1 to 2# less with the Ruger without the risk of a misfire.But that is compared to an unmodified S&W action.
So,to me,what it all boils down to is which feels best into your hand.Try the paper plate test at 50yds while shooting both guns and you''ll find out.For carrying,after one full day walking in the woods,you might find shoulder carrying more confortable!If you hunt from a stationary spot then belt carry might be OK"Good hunting!
Qc

I have an old leather shoulder holster for a large frame and sometimes I use it .like when on atv. I did get a box but its the old red from about 1974 this gun I think is about late 71.

I walked into a shop on Sat and saw a Ruger with the little red bag that had a spare cly in it . I got the guy to get it out for me and it was a mint Single Six 4/58 barrel 22/22mag cyl . Not a mark or turn line on it had no box 350 It went home with me.

The 22 is a 1970 gun 3 screw.

I have a convertible Super Single Six old model - here is the type of box that would be proper for that era.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Thanks this one is from around 1970, Also found a 4 in 624 44 spl for 900 that looked good but I didnt buy it .

Yea this was a 629-1 with 8/3.8 barrel if it was a 6.5 inch 29 I would have took it .This old Ruger is a real nice one . I have had them all just about .some 3 times over . Found what looked like a 3 or 4 inch 44 spl S/W on Sat . They wanted like 950 for that.