Help me make a decision:

I've decided to replace my Ruger Super Redhawk with a 29-10 or a 629 Performance Center..... The problem is, I keep flip flopping on which one I would rather have. I'm sure, eventually, I'll wind up with both. But, for now, I can only get one.

I have two Performance Center revolvers and really like them. So, at first, I was leaning towards the 629. Then, my wife pointed out how nice the 29 Classic is. And, I have to admit, she has a very valid point. It's really nice that they brought back that model.

Which way would you go? Or, which way did you go?

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Nostalgia is nice, but I'd go Performance Center and never look back.

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Ad Astra Per Aspera

Find a nice 629-4 and never look back

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

In the price range the OP is looking at, I agree on 629-4 course of action. If the only two consideration are PC or Classic, get the PC. Also consider the PC Competitor.

Of the two? I would go with the 29-10 Classic. Don't get me wrong, the PC guns are nice. But for the price difference, I could buy a lot of cast bullets to load up. Just my two cents.

Depends upon what you are going to do with it. If it is basically just for the range, then the M29. If you are going to hunt with it, then the 629 but not the PC.

I forgot to mention that, yes, this will be a range gun.

I hadn't considered the strength difference of carbon vs. stainless steel. Interesting point. I do, mostly, shoot 44 special loads though.

Then I would get the classic . I have two, a 4" and a 6.5 " and they are both great shooters .

Since you are gonna SHOOT it, as opposed to ''look at it'', 629PC is the gun.

Factory finger groove rubber grips will do just fine.. You can change the

front sight on the PC.. Cant do that on the 29-10.. PC has a factory mount

to put optics on the barrel.. Great because is allows weight/balance to be

shifted FORWARD if desired... No for the 29-10.. THe 629PC even allows

you to hang accessories off the front...29-10, nope.. Third strike, 29-10 out

Hi, PERSONALLY I'd choose based on where I was shooting what. Hunting, I'd get the Performance Center, or at least Stainless. If you're shooting at the range, Dirty Harry is the way I'd go.
Later

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Mike
Norman Oklahoma

Yes, the Dirty Harry aspect weighs heavily into the decision!

Finish durability was a consideration for me when I answered the op's questions. The new bluing isnt the most durable it has ever been. I have a four inch classic 29. It's a little annoying you are not supposed to use ammonia cleaners on them. Aside from that, it is an outstanding revolver. One thing I really like is that it is a conventional square butt which means you put the old school factory grips on it. You will have to address the grips on the new 29's because they are far too skinny for launching full power .44's.

I'd go stainless. But I'm a big fan of both SS and Scandium frames.

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R/S
J.D.

I like stainless guns for actually useing and carrying so if I had to pick I would get the performance center first but immediately start a 29 classic fund as which ever way you go if you don't get the other one eventually you'll always think back at what might have been .luckily guns aren't like women you don't have to pick just one lol. Good luck!

This 29-10 has close to 10,000 rounds through it. Its a great shooter and a lot of fun. The blueing is not as good as the older guns blue, but it has developed a very nice patina from all the use

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I love my model 29-10. Besides being fun to shoot it is a very good looking revolver.

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USAF Retired/VN Vet

I didn't know you couldn't use ammonia based cleaners on the new blue finish. That's another plus in the stainless column.

I have a 29-10 and love it. I was looking at a 629 but I felt that I needed a blued .44 Magnum in my collection.

Grips were my only complaint when shooting full power magnum loads. I found an old pair of Pachmayr Presentation grips for $6 on eBay and it dramatically improved my shooting experience with magnum loads.

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Authorized AMSOIL Dealer

I thought that the 29's were drilled and tapped for optics starting with the -6 .

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I reckon so

This is just me mind you but I would go with the beautifully blued Classic.

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I reckon so

Just watched Magnum Force... Leaning classic at this point........

The 29-10 is drilled/tapped for 0ptics--on the frame.. As all S&W L & N frames are...

The 629PC version discussed here has an ADDITIONAL mount for the barrel..

Much further forward. IMOP- providing much better balance for the gun..

Esp when shooting MAGNUM loads.. Forward mounted weight of the optics

helps dampen recoil just as much as a muzzle brake.. Not near as noisy either

I'd take a 629 Classic over either option, seems like a fitting replacement for a SRH if that's what you're used to. And I wouldn't be afraid to get a current production either, mines great. The unconventional lines of many of the PC guns don't really do it for me, but I don't own one either, so I can't comment on the premium of performance that you're paying for in them. Part of me thinks you might want a total change of pace, look and feel, from your SRH. If so, take the 29-10 and love it. Go performance center later. Between the 2 myself I would definitely do that.

This might seem a little strange..... I think I'm going to go with a 27 Classic. (Try to follow my logic here).... I really like the classic look. I like the checkering they've brought back on the 27 Classic top-strap. I love the history of the .357. The 27 averages around $200 less than the 29 Classic which means I have more left over for the 629 Performance Center.

I know this seems like a strangely altered course, but in the end, I get a nice classic and a nice PC 629 down the road. Hopefully, not too far down the road.

You can't go wrong with the 27 Classic.

"A man's GOT to know his limitations."

The only thing I see strange is that you're not getting a Classic 27, Classic 29, and Performance Center 629

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Authorized AMSOIL Dealer

Have a 57 classic. It has turned out to be a good grouper and shooter with cast bullets. I think the blue finish is great

jcoers:

Hey... I just saw a 29-10 factory engraved (I guess machine engraved...not my thing) in the nice wooden case, with two boxes of Hornady ammo, still has the cardboard box that the wooden case shipped in looks brand new, probably only shot a few times...under a grand at an LGS in my area. If you think you might be interested, PM me. I have no financial interest, just a coincidence I saw this thread.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

I need to stay out of my local gun shop for a while..... Saw a nice 19-4 yesterday and almost blew my entire plan......

I love 44's . I shot my first 44 when I was 10 . It was my uncle's , a ruger blackhawk , 7.5" barrel . He asked if I wanted to try it ? I for sure wanted to . I was a skinny kid with skinny arms back then . I " cowboyed it " one handed , arm semi outstretched . The recoil from that round brought the barrel clear up in a semi circle and hit me right on top of the head , hard ! . He looked at me with an evil sort of grin and said , " do it again " . Half dazed i said " ok " . That 2nd round had the same results and left me flat on the ground . Been a real 44 fan ever since .

cowboy4evr - That's a great story!

I like my new 29-10 in 44 mag / 6.5" in blue. I like the s&w N frames in any caliber. It the history of s&w and colt is probably why we choose these first. But for revolvers that take a beating it's the ruger's. I like them all even the old h&r's. I'm not really a s&w guy yet.

New 29-10 on sale at LGS for $950. with display box etc.

About 15 years ago when I lived in Seattle someone pulled that on a woman at Wade's gun range in Bellevue. She had never fired a large handgun and he talked her into trying his .44 with full power loads. The recoil flipped the gun up to point over her shoulder, she somehow pulled the trigger and shot the person standing behind her. This was hard to believe, but it is true. I was a member at Wade's and we got a LOT of bad publicity from this.

I have all 3 magnum classics.
You will not be disappointed. Mine are all from the 1970's and they all shoot great.

As the owner of at least 10x as many S&W's than Rugers (including Ruger long guns), if it's going to be a hunting handgun I'd stay with the Ruger (though I prefer the Redhawk to the Super Redhawk model - better aesthetics to my eye). I have 29's/629's in 3", 5" 6/6.5" and LOVE them all but you can load the Ruger especially hot and still be able to handle the recoil and blast - and shoot it well.

I purchased a Nickel-Plated 29-2 back in the '70's and used it extensively for IHMSA shooting. My son has it now. My favorite .44 Mag for hunting is my Dan Wesson 744. I can change the barrel length from short to long depending on whether I am carrying it for protection or for hunting. It also has the sweetest trigger pull straight from the factory of any double action revolver. I also have a Colt Anaconda, but don't shoot it much. I did miss my Model 29, though, so found a pristine 6-1/2" barrel 29-2 a couple of years ago, so now my collection is complete again. <G> FWIW, my recommendation is to search until you find an older 29 and enjoy it. Although the new revolvers from Smith are nice, they really can't compare to the older ones in my non-so-humble opinion.

I have a nice mod 29-3 6" blued and this evening I am bidding on a 29-1 stainless 8" hope it works. Also have ruger super blackhawk and love them both!

Own 'em both. Have loved shooting them, cleaning them, and displaying them. My advice - pull the trigger and get 'em both. You will not be disappointed.

As several others have pointed out it is hard to beat a 629 Classic which I believe is 629-4. For a range gun it has the heavy under lugged barrel and is nicely finished with a chamfered cylinder. The front sight on mine is pinned and could be easily changed by a competent hobbyist or at little cost by a gunsmith.
In my opinion the PC guns are over rated. My only PC is a 625 and it is not as accurate as either of my 625 Mountain Guns. Yes, the front sight is easier to change but how often do you do that?

I'm fond of my Model 629-6 PC, the "Two-Tone Hunter" (circa 2008). Among its features are ball detent lock-up and detachable barrel weights.

I managed to sell the Super Redhawk. So, if all my other items sell on Gunbroker, I can get both. That would make me, and more importantly, my wife very happy. She really wants me to get the classic.

The best of both worlds. You cant lose!
Jim

If you can find a really good early model 29 with the recessed cylinder you might want to grab that. Although there is no need for the recessed cylinder, some people (like me) think it looks better.

So I have a newer 29 and a different performance center 629. I don't like shooting the 29 because the blueing is getting worn off of the cylinder. It is a beautiful classic gun but shooting the PC has more options. Mounting a scope or red dot, and it has an amazing trigger.
I don't buy blued guns anymore, I think aesthetically they are a million times prettier than stainless/plastic. But I'm more of a shooter than collector and it upsets me when I get a spot of rust because I missed wiping down an area after shooting. Not to say I neglect my guns but it seems easier to miss a spot and get some rust on a blued gun. To be fair, the 29 was $300 less than the PC 629. Have fun shooting whatever you end up getting.

Good luck with you decision. I hope you enjoy which ever one you get. Or both.

Cory

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Cory
SWCA #3015 SWHF #465

I've never seen that PC model that the OP showed in his first post, but I like the grooved, long barrel. One of those in a 627 PC 8-shot would be pretty cool.

The only problem I have with this forum is all of you guys make such good sense that I keep wanting more guns .Yall are that wrong crowd I shouldn't hang around and I know it but I know also I'll keep hanging around getting these thoughts of I " need" just one more gun .

29-10 In nickel, 4" barrel. I think Elmer would approve.

What can one say??? Both are terrific guns.
In my mind, the PC gun has MANY advantages...The SS glass beaded finish is easy to clean, even the cylinder burn on the front-face where the blast takes the bullet into the throat...on a blued gun, this is a fragile surface as is the muzzle. A Scotch Brand scrubber sponge works really well with solvent on the cylinder face.....BE CERTAIN TO USE THE PINK-WHITE SPONGE (made for fragile surfaces)...The BLUE-Blue sponge is a bit harsher, so take it easy...The PC gun is tuned, is a triple lock...which is more secure than the standard lock and some of them are even ported to mitigate some recoil. I have owned 15 Model 29s, Pre-29s, PC Models, and still own 12 of them...I pick the PC gun hands-down.

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Terry
SWCA, SWHS, IWLA, NRA