|
|
06-26-2017, 04:26 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: NYS
Posts: 834
Likes: 1,946
Liked 1,472 Times in 407 Posts
|
|
Thinking of buying a 629 - 3" need opinions -
Hi -
This is my first general post here and I appreciate learning from everyone.
As the title says, I'm interested in the 629 with the 3" bbl. I'm not new to handguns but I'd like some input on how this model shoots and carries.
Also, if someone could recommend a couple of different kinds of belt holsters (outside the pants) it would be greatly appreciated - thanks guys!
Best,
Rich
|
06-26-2017, 05:12 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Anthem,Arizona
Posts: 256
Likes: 129
Liked 117 Times in 61 Posts
|
|
That's pretty big to carry. I have a 4" 629-1 in my night stand. It's fairly heavy when fully loaded with 240 gr. JHP's.
|
06-26-2017, 05:18 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: NW of Austin Texas
Posts: 3,090
Likes: 1,351
Liked 4,938 Times in 1,730 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by ImDrRichard
Hi -
This is my first general post here and I appreciate learning from everyone.
As the title says, I'm interested in the 629 with the 3" bbl. I'm not new to handguns but I'd like some input on how this model shoots and carries.
Also, if someone could recommend a couple of different kinds of belt holsters (outside the pants) it would be greatly appreciated - thanks guys!
Best,
Rich
|
Have you seen the new Model 69 with a 2.75" barrel that's built on the L frame?It's a 5 shot revolver a bit smaller and lighter than the 629 N frame.
A Model 696 in 44spl may be to your liking also but they are not cheap when you find one for sale.They're also 5 shot built on the L frame.
__________________
NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
06-26-2017, 05:31 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 17,800
Likes: 7,843
Liked 25,709 Times in 8,687 Posts
|
|
A M629 with a 3" barrel is a handful with full Magnums. Velocity loss with the short barrel is also another consideration as the Magnum cartridge is really designed for a 6" tube.
As far as a carry gun, I suppose if you are walking through the woods and use a chest style or a 2" stiff belt and OWB holster it might be manageable, but as far as discrete concealment is concerned there are much better Revolvers for that - IMHO.
Not saying the M629 is a bad gun - just saying it has limited practical purposes.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
06-26-2017, 05:55 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: South of Atl
Posts: 4,068
Likes: 38,691
Liked 14,508 Times in 3,114 Posts
|
|
Depending on where you live and what you wear you can conceal carry the 3"er owb but as noted above you will know it's there. With the right belt you can do it. You'd be better off loading 44 spl for defense loads to avoid over penetration and to keep recoil manageable.
I like Lobo's pancake holsters. Great quality and reasonable prices.
__________________
Don't You Ever Wash That Thing
|
The Following 6 Users Like Post:
|
|
06-26-2017, 05:59 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Where this month?
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 264
Liked 4,215 Times in 1,714 Posts
|
|
I like my 629-5 MG.. 4 inch tapered so a little less weight, and I think better balance for carrying and shooting.
I don't mind packing it around, I walk in the National Forest here in AZ daily, and the critters are abundant.. my poor dog got chased by a very large angry Javelina the other day.. then it looked at me... Rock in one hand gun in other...
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
06-26-2017, 06:04 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Dallas, Texas
Posts: 8,434
Likes: 2,498
Liked 13,167 Times in 4,569 Posts
|
|
We all have opinions.....
You know the old line about the two happiest days for a boat owner? The day he buys it and the day he sells it. Well, my two happiest days owning a Lew Horton 3" M 629 were those two very days.
I won't belabor my dislike for the .44 Magnum here but you can PM me if you want the whole, personal reason.
|
06-26-2017, 06:21 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Twin Cites, Minnesota
Posts: 5,152
Likes: 10,990
Liked 10,879 Times in 3,281 Posts
|
|
I have had mine for nearly 10 years. I like it. Recoil is stiff with full power loads, but it is nice to have the power available when you want it. Mostly I shoot 44 Special level loads in it.
It carries fine it in a field holster that I made for it.
Last edited by Warren Sear; 06-26-2017 at 06:24 PM.
|
The Following 6 Users Like Post:
|
|
06-26-2017, 06:31 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 250
Likes: 356
Liked 181 Times in 108 Posts
|
|
I bought one in December. I was very surprised of how accurate it is. The groups I'm getting even in DA are quite good. I polished it up some and put a set of black Badger grips on it. I occasionally carry it in a Craft Holsters IWB or Simply Rugged pancake. It's a fairly easy carry for me because of my size. I carry Speer 200 gr Gold Dot hp or Hornady 180 gr in .44 sp. This is a great gun. One of my favorites. I forgot to mention that it is a Talo edition. Don't know if that makes a difference, but the trigger was real good out of the box.
Last edited by Topsarge; 06-26-2017 at 09:51 PM.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
06-26-2017, 06:32 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Missouri
Posts: 13
Likes: 6
Liked 7 Times in 4 Posts
|
|
I have a Talos 3" 629 and I have been very pleased with it.
Most of my shooting has been with reloaded 210-240 gr. bullets at 900-1100 fps. The Speer factory loads comparable to the reloads seem to be discontinued, but CorBon still sells a comparable load.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
06-26-2017, 06:40 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Northern Utah
Posts: 473
Likes: 290
Liked 648 Times in 240 Posts
|
|
IMO there is nothing to gain and a couple things to loose when considering a 3" over a 4" 629.
The 3" is going to loose velocity and has a shorter sight radius. Its not any easier to carry. Its going to have increased recoil.
If you are worried about weight consider a mountain gun 4" version but in all honesty my standard 4" 629 is just as easy to carry as my mountain gun and the weight difference between the two is not even noticed when on the belt.
I see the appeal of the pre lock 3" versions of the 29/629 as pieces to put in a collection but they have very little utility to me as a shooter. Just my opinion.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
06-26-2017, 06:58 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 460
Likes: 1,386
Liked 749 Times in 278 Posts
|
|
In cool weather I have carried my 3in talo 629 in a simply rugged pancake holster. With a good belt it is manageable around the farm. Not my first choice for around town carry.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
06-26-2017, 07:27 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Brooksville, FL
Posts: 728
Likes: 4,452
Liked 993 Times in 373 Posts
|
|
I don't carry my 44 Alaskan to big, I have carried my 629-4 3" in a pancake, I almost always have my CA bulldog 44spl at 19oz it's a little more than a J frame, and yes I just got a stub mod 69. But it's back to the mothership because of a ring in the bore. I have been practicing carrying an L frame using a 2.5" 686 while the 69 is away. I reload 44 mag and Spl. I have a 4" 29 but prefer the 3".
SEMPER PARATUS
__________________
NRA Life Member
CPO
|
The Following 6 Users Like Post:
|
|
06-26-2017, 07:31 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 184
Likes: 644
Liked 287 Times in 95 Posts
|
|
I've carried my 3" Talo 629 in a DeSantis thumb break holster. I bought it primarily as a trail gun or a backup carry while hunting. I don't consider it suitable for concealed carry.
Loaded with .44 special it's a fun range gun, and surprisingly accurate too.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
|
06-26-2017, 08:42 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2014
Location: North Texas
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 2,455
Liked 1,148 Times in 608 Posts
|
|
The 3" 629 doesn't know it isn't a target gun so it shoots like one. Very accurate if you do your part. Yes, magnums sting you, but it's a dream to shoot with lighter loads. I use a Milt Sparks 200 AW holster and I'm very happy with it. I have no thoughts on concealed carry, it's too heavy for me to consider that.
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
06-26-2017, 08:48 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,065
Likes: 24,839
Liked 5,784 Times in 1,280 Posts
|
|
Go for it, this one is a LH dash one
For leather, I like the simply rugged and el passo saddlery.
These are for the 4" N frame
With a proper rig and a little thought to clothing a N frame is very doable.
|
The Following 6 Users Like Post:
|
|
06-26-2017, 09:04 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 2,744
Liked 1,373 Times in 573 Posts
|
|
I don't know if you reload or not but the .44 Magnum has to be one of or the most tractable and easy to reload cartridges available. Any sort of decent bullet/powder combinations seems to give excellent accuracy. The power is there even with moderate loads.
|
The Following 5 Users Like Post:
|
|
06-26-2017, 10:43 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Occupied Colorado
Posts: 609
Likes: 384
Liked 660 Times in 236 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Goblin
The 3" 629 doesn't know it isn't a target gun so it shoots like one. Very accurate if you do your part. Yes, magnums sting you, but it's a dream to shoot with lighter loads.
|
I also just purchased this revolver a few months ago. Story here:
Latest addition to my 3" revolver collection - 629-1 3" Update - Range Report.
Seems to be allot of interest in it lately and rightly so. To me it is the Porsche 911 turbo of revolvers. Not so practical at first glance, but WOW is it fun to drive!
Very fun to shoot with mild to wild 44 Specials and downloaded .44 Mags. Tolerable with full power ammo for a few cylinders. As goblin and others have said, amazingly accurate if you do your part:
Last edited by JeepinSoldier; 06-26-2017 at 10:46 PM.
|
The Following 7 Users Like Post:
|
|
06-27-2017, 01:30 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: N.E. OKLA.
Posts: 6,484
Likes: 5,882
Liked 9,331 Times in 3,497 Posts
|
|
M396NG-M69-M329NG snubbies
Quote:
Have you seen the new Model 69 with a 2.75" barrel that's built on the L frame? It's a 5 shot revolver a bit smaller and lighter than the 629 N frame.
|
The 3" M629 TALO was listed as 39.6oz. My 2-3/4" M69 weighs 34.1oz with the factory grips. N-frame vs. L-frame, definitely a noticeable size difference.
I don't get those suggesting it'd be ineffective because of it's "short barrel" & "lower velocity". A 45ACP in a 3-3/4" bbl. (actually 2.8") M4516 is effective. I think the 44 can match that with moderate loads, if that's what you want to carry.
.
There are lightweight versions of either frame size: 329NG or 396NG (28oz. or 24oz.)
S&W 44 snubnose: M396NG-M69-M329NG
(-01c)
.
More than accurate enough for SD distances.
.
69 Combat Magnum (Nosler-Unique target)
(-01b)
.
__________________
Waiting for the break of day
Last edited by BLUEDOT37; 09-22-2017 at 01:48 AM.
Reason: .re-add lost PB pics
|
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
|
|
06-27-2017, 06:04 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Twin Cites, Minnesota
Posts: 5,152
Likes: 10,990
Liked 10,879 Times in 3,281 Posts
|
|
I found some pictures of the holster I made for my 3" M629 (OK, "TALO" ) that I referenced in Post #8. I like how the rear site is protected by the leather tab, and how the retention strap can be set so it is out of the way completely when I don't want it.
|
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
|
|
06-27-2017, 06:07 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Twin Cites, Minnesota
Posts: 5,152
Likes: 10,990
Liked 10,879 Times in 3,281 Posts
|
|
A couple of more pictures. I have used it for concealed carry, and it works OK for that, but requires a bulky shirt or jacket.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
06-27-2017, 06:24 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Sandy Oregon
Posts: 119
Likes: 25
Liked 166 Times in 51 Posts
|
|
Love the looks of the 3" on a 629 but I wish they had a full length ejector rod on them like the 3" k frames do.
|
06-27-2017, 08:53 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: WA
Posts: 612
Likes: 1,979
Liked 705 Times in 292 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by ImDrRichard
Hi -
This is my first general post here and I appreciate learning from everyone.
As the title says, I'm interested in the 629 with the 3" bbl. I'm not new to handguns but I'd like some input on how this model shoots and carries.
Also, if someone could recommend a couple of different kinds of belt holsters (outside the pants) it would be greatly appreciated - thanks guys!
Best,
Rich
|
The 3" 629 is a beast! I mean that in a good way!
Accurate, powerful, compact. They make a serious flame-thrower.
Here's my 629-4 Backpacker model, with a Guides Choice chest holster:
|
The Following 7 Users Like Post:
|
|
06-27-2017, 09:04 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Twin Cites, Minnesota
Posts: 5,152
Likes: 10,990
Liked 10,879 Times in 3,281 Posts
|
|
^^^^ Very nice!
|
06-27-2017, 10:50 PM
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Pompano Beach Fl
Posts: 632
Likes: 2,416
Liked 884 Times in 340 Posts
|
|
I have a 3" 629-1 that I picked up a few years ago. I find it shoots very well. My handloads which push a 240gn bullet to about 1000fps and factory 240gn magnum loads shoot to the same POI at 25yds. I don't find the recoil or noise to be a problem. It is my constant companion on my trips to the everglades. I use an EPS "Tom Threepersons" holster.
|
06-27-2017, 11:03 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 2,515
Liked 1,682 Times in 703 Posts
|
|
I foolishly sold my Lew Horton 3" 657... I kept my Lew Horton 3" 624. Frankly I prefer the balance of the heavier barrel. I would jump all over a 3" 629. I'd probably load down to heavy Special Velocity... My prefered carry is a hand built OWB near clone of a Bianchi BHL.
__________________
NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs
|
06-27-2017, 11:33 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,422
Likes: 30
Liked 700 Times in 392 Posts
|
|
A 3' 629 can be carried concealed IWB or OWB or in a shoulder holster, but a 4" is more comfortable OWB. My IWB is a Sparks VM2, and OWB an Alessi CQB.
The recoil is stiff, but you get used to it. After 10 rounds or so, you hand loses most of its feeling. .44 Special is roughly equivalent to .45 Colt or ACP, and is relatively mild in this revolver.
I fit the 3" with Ahrends Boot Grips, and the 4" with full-length Ahrends RB grips. there's only 2 oz difference in weight, but the the 4" is more barrel-heavy, which handles better with longer grips.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
06-28-2017, 12:59 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Iowa
Posts: 902
Likes: 2,761
Liked 1,036 Times in 443 Posts
|
|
With a good belt and holster you can carry any N frame, unless you have a back or other condition that would effect weight bearing. The more you carry a full size gun the more you forget it is there. Nobody that has ever been in a gunfight wanted a smaller gun, or less bullets !
|
06-28-2017, 03:43 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 984
Likes: 332
Liked 640 Times in 368 Posts
|
|
I have a 629 8 3/8" with a full underlug. I can carry it all day in a shoulder holster. It's actually a tanker holster I use but almost any type of shoulder holster should work with a 3" model. As for carrying one on your belt be prepared to wear suspenders or something because they will drag your pants down because of the weight.
One thing you really need to consider with the lighter models mentioned here is that they will kick harder than a heavier model. That weight absorbs recoil.
IMO a gun this size would be tough to carry concealed on the waist. It will be noticeable to anyone who knows what to look for. I've carried my 8" barrel 629 concealed with that tanker holster. I just did it to see if anyone noticed. They didn't AFAIK.
|
06-28-2017, 03:53 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 11,943
Likes: 10,121
Liked 10,113 Times in 4,790 Posts
|
|
I have to admit the guns are "intriguing" to look at and there are some pretty rigs shown. I am glad everyone has a chance to get what they want and enjoy it, but for me, I always think of Elmer Keith when someone mentions .44 Magnums and 3-inch barrels. I think a .44 Magnum revolver needs a 3-inch barrel, "...like a hound dog needs two tails."
|
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|