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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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  #1  
Old 09-23-2017, 01:03 PM
Respoman Respoman is offline
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Default 629 - 5" or 6.5"?

Looking to add a 629 to the family. Stuck between the 5" and the 6.5". Use will be range and maybe a side for pig hunt. Any suggestions?
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Old 09-23-2017, 01:06 PM
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Both! Or 6.5
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Old 09-23-2017, 02:06 PM
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Toss a coin. Either barrel length will fill your needs. I personally prefer longer tubes but the 5"er would be easier to carry if the need arises. My 2 cents.
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Old 09-23-2017, 02:17 PM
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For me, it would be 5" 629-4.
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Old 09-23-2017, 02:18 PM
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Thanks for your input.
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Old 09-23-2017, 02:23 PM
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For the range, and as a primary hunting revolver, I'd make mine the 6.5".

IF you were going to be carrying it hunting, as a secondary firearm, I'd make mine the 5".
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Old 09-23-2017, 02:32 PM
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Everything is personal preference but since you asked.....

As a strictly range gun I prefer a 4"....not one of your choices to pick from....of the 4" 629 models I like the Mountain Guns....of the 629 Mountain Gun dashes I like the 629-4 MG with the full Endurance Package.

I also enjoy very much shooting a 3" 629-4 with the full Endurance Package.

Getting back to 5" vs 6 1/2" I'd go for the 5".

If only for hunting then the 6 1/2" is the better choice.

As a target practice gun my 629s do very very well with 240gr bullets over 5.0 gr of Bullseye and 8.5gr of Unique in 44 Magnum cases.

Often simple questions on these forums can generation a lot of differing opinions and most are good answers.
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Old 09-24-2017, 02:29 PM
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You didn't specify new or used, or full vs. half lug barrel? To me a full lug 5" would be a good combination of size and weight, probably about the same as a half lug 6", but you may have to look on the used market for either of these. Good luck in your decision.
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Old 09-24-2017, 02:47 PM
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Just because i'd like a 6.5".
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Old 09-24-2017, 03:33 PM
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I have a 6.5" 629 Classic and as much as I love it I still want a 5" to go with it. Whichever one you decide on doesn't matter because I'll bet you still will want the other all said and done.
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Old 09-24-2017, 04:29 PM
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I like long barrels for 44 magnum. On the range it will be more accurate with its longer sight radius and greater stability from the full length underlug on the Classic. Hunting you should get near a hundred fps more with the 6.5 inch vs the 5 inch barrel. If you were at my range this week you would have seen me shooting my 7.5 and 8 3/8 inch barrel 629, 2 of my favorite guns. If it wasn't for those 2 then I would be shooting my 6.5 inch Classic more. But it's your gun so get what makes you happy.
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  #12  
Old 09-25-2017, 08:49 AM
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Having 629s in 5", PC6", 6.5", and PC7.5", their primary purpose being a backup and/or complimentary sidearm when deer hunting or ATV sidearm. For that application, my preference is the PC6" mostly because it was a limited run and has an integrated scope mount should I chose to plop on a red dot when I the treestand. I wouldn't hesitate to carry the 5" mostly because the 5" and 6" are easier to carry than either the 6.5" or PC7.5".

The 5" is an overall good compromise unless your plan is to load it up with 300gr+ bullets, then the longer barrel length/weight would help with recoil.
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Old 09-25-2017, 10:18 AM
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I have owned and shot both the 5" and the 6.5" full underlug Classics. I prefer the feel and balance of the 5". YMMV.
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Old 09-25-2017, 11:38 AM
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I have a 5" 629-4 , to me a 5" barrel on an N frame is perfect. I just bought a 27-2 with a 5" and I feel the same about that one.
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Old 09-25-2017, 11:49 AM
Mr.Harry Mr.Harry is offline
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I bought my first revolver with same purposes in mind. Maybe a little more emphaisis on intentions to hunt it though. Deer, maybe even black bear eventually, hogs for sure. Side arm for hunting in general, trails and upland bird. Went with the 6.5” Classic and couldn’t be happier. Although I will admit to eyeballing the 5” lustfully. It really is a pleasing configuration. Personally, I wouldn’t go shorter than that. So, my vote is for the 6.5 but I think you’ll have a winner in either so don’t sweat it & take the one your gut tells you to.
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Old 09-25-2017, 11:52 AM
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I have one of each and prefer the 5".
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Old 09-25-2017, 11:54 AM
CDR_Glock CDR_Glock is offline
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If you plan to hunt either the 5 or 6.5 will suffice. Ballistics are not drastically different in an inch.

It's a matter of what feels comfortable to carry.

Mine are 3", 7.5" and 9.5". There's a drastic velocity difference between 3 and 6.5".

In 454, there is not a drastic difference between the 5 and 7.5".

There is a big difference of 300-400 fps between 7.5 and 2.5".




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  #18  
Old 09-25-2017, 04:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by apollo99 View Post
I have a 5" 629-4 , to me a 5" barrel on an N frame is perfect. I just bought a 27-2 with a 5" and I feel the same about that one.
Although I have yet to fondle a 5" 629 Classic, going on looks I agree...I've always made the comparison of a 5" N-frame to a 4" K-frame, perfection.
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Old 09-26-2017, 06:33 AM
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If you only want to own one 629, I'd go with the 5".

I personally like the 4" for a "sidearm."
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Old 09-26-2017, 06:37 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RIDE-RED 350r View Post
Although I have yet to fondle a 5" 629 Classic, going on looks I agree...I've always made the comparison of a 5" N-frame to a 4" K-frame, perfection.
If you think the 5" Classics look good, you owe it to yourself to handle, and shoot one.
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Old 09-29-2017, 07:13 PM
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Thanks all. Pulled the trigger and got the 6.5". Can't wait to get this thing to the range. Gonna try with the factory rubber grips first. Have my eye on some nice rosewood checkered grips.
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Old 09-29-2017, 08:01 PM
Qc Pistolero Qc Pistolero is offline
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The 3 things I just plain love in life are:
A)black haired girls
B)green eyed girls
C)5''bbl on a N frame
It used to be in that order but now that I'm old,I might reverse the order(besides,I can't afford a divorce).
Qc
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Old 09-29-2017, 08:56 PM
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Mine is a full under lug 6.5" and it is a bit heavy to carry but I love to shoot it and it does tame the recoil. I had a 5" before and it carried better but this one is more fun for me to shoot. I will admit though, I do like a bit of muzzle heavy balance.
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Old 10-20-2017, 08:24 PM
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I think I just had the most unique experience. Since I retired, one of my favorite pastimes is day trips to towns with gun shops in Pa. I try to line up a couple shops for each trip. So recently I made a trip to pick up a new gun that was up on Gunbroker and found there was another gun shop just a couple miles up the same road. So I went up to the second gun shop and on my second pass by the display cases there was a new 5" Model 629-6. I had been thinking about one of those from another sale site so I figured I was out this far I'd better take a good look it this one. While I was looking at this gun the salesman said that the shop had another 629 that just came in, so I figured I'd take a look at that one too since I was on the trip. It turned out it was a used 629-6 Classic with a 6.5" barrel. With the price differential and what seem to be a better lockup on the 6.5" gun it is now sitting next to me as I write this. These trips are getting expensive!

Last edited by Golddollar; 10-23-2017 at 02:13 AM. Reason: Correct spelling
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Old 10-21-2017, 10:01 AM
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Default I prefer the 5"

5" Just seems to balance better for me. Had mine Magna Ported. Does not reduce recoil noticeably, but almost eliminates barrel rise.





And yes, the gun is dirty. I just got back from the range when I took this picture.
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Old 10-22-2017, 11:42 AM
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If I was going for the full under lug , then a 5" . The 5" should give you a good compromise between range gun and a carry gun . I personally don't care for the look or the feel of full under lug 629's . My 629 is a -4 , std configuration in 4" barrel . I have 2 , 29-10's . One 4" and one 6.5" . The 4" gets the most use whether at the range or in the country . I use PC Magna grips on the 4" , works just fine for me whether shooting " mild -wild " . Ultimately is all about personal opinion on barrel length and grips .
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Old 10-22-2017, 11:55 AM
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Let’s say that Elmer Keith made a 265yd shot with a m29/4” barrel. So either barrel length will go the distance. I’d get both.
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Old 10-22-2017, 11:57 AM
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Between a 5" or 6.5" in full under lug , I would choose the 5" . It"s the best compromise for target accuracy and carrying as against deciding between a 4" or 6.5" .
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Old 10-22-2017, 03:26 PM
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When I won my S&W 629-1 in a bowling-pin match in 1987, it came with a SIX-inch barrel. Did S&W start making 6.5-inch 629s?

Last edited by otasan56; 10-22-2017 at 03:27 PM.
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Old 10-22-2017, 09:48 PM
Qc Pistolero Qc Pistolero is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigBill View Post
Let’s say that Elmer Keith made a 265yd shot with a m29/4” barrel. So either barrel length will go the distance. I’d get both.
Add to that a not measured but witnessed a few connecting shots at aprox 600 yds (2 or 3 out of 6 shots).
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Old 10-22-2017, 09:52 PM
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From handgun hunting for over 20 years, I'd same the 5" all day, easier for side carry after pigs, more than acceptable for range use. I mostly hunt/carry 3.75-4"
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