I'm considering getting a M29 .44 Magnum at some point. Looking to spend no more than $1000. I'd rather have a used pre 1990s one without the internal firing pin or lock...but I'm not above buying a new one if it's strong and is a good deal.

I am not familiar with .44 Magnum N frames as the only .44 Magnum I have is a Ruger New Model Super Blackhawk with a 10 inch barrel

My real question is whether I do the 4 inch or 6 inch. The 4 inch would seem to be more ideal for attempting to carry concealed and less bulky. A 6 inch, on the other hand, would seem to have better balance and more resistant to recoil as well as getting more of the Magnum powder burn and velocity. For 6 inch concealed carry is out, but that's now really a gun you want to do a whole lot of concealing anyway unless you are in a state or national wilderness park and can only carry concealed.

Thoughts, opinions? How much power do you gain or lose between 4 and 6 inch in a .44 Magnum?

I walk in the National forest here... and hang my 629MG on a OWB holster.. Concealed.. only with my sweatshirt over it. anyone else I see out there, I see theirs.

The "Dean" of the Model 29, Elmer Keith detailed in one of his books a series of chronograph tests on the different 29 barrel lengths and found insignificant velocity loss down to a 4" barrel. Below that velocity loss became significant. Perhaps more important is the reduction in sight length. To me the 4" for all around use is no brainer.

I have them all (except 10" that is).
For me, the 4" is the all time favorite.

Look for a -3. The purists scorn them, so the prices are generally better.
No, it's not P&R, but guess what, it makes no difference in performance.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Protection from creeps is the proper job for a .45 Commander, not a .44 Magnum revolver. I’d buy the 6.5-inch gun. JMHO.

If it’s a range gun, the 6.5” is more desirable.

If you plan to carry it in the woods or anywhere but back and forth between the range firing line and the parking lot, you’ll be much happier with the 4”

I have two 4" 29's and I couldn't imagine trying to conceal them. They are fine on a belt outside the waistband, but too big to put inside the waistband imo. If you really want to conceal it, you would probably be better off concealing on a shoulder holster I would think. Then again I'm kind of a small frame guy (5' 7"), so it might be more comfortable to conceal if you are larger.

Well, the 4 inch N frame can be concealed in a OWB belt or paddle holster inder a sport coat or, for more rugged places, under a longer winter coat. I carry my Python 4 inch this way sometimes

I conseal carry up to 7 1/2” barrels so far shoulder holstered. You can tell I’m packing big heat. I have a 10 1/2” barrel with shoulder holster but I haven’t carried it yet.

I perfer 6” / 6 1/2” barrels shoulder holstered. I started out in the 70’s ccw a Python in 357 6” shoulder holstered. Then to the SBH 7 1/2” barrel in 44 mag shoulder holstered. Now it’s a Redhawk in 44 mag both barrel lengths shoulder holstered. I think the shoulder holster is more comfortable over a waist ban holster.

Ya any handgun can be concealed owb if you have a coat or something covering it up. I conceal my 10.5" 500 mag owb under my camo rain Pancho durring deer season if it's raining. I assumed you meant concealing in a normal everyday outfit. Thats why i suggested shoulder holster. That's what I get for assuming.

My vote goes to the 6" barrel 44s. While I do love a 4"er, I'd rather shoot and get better accuracy with the longer barrel. If you're really trying to carry concealed buy a 3" gun. If you're talking woods carry I'd look at a chest rig and tote the 6"er.

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

I carry a 6.5” N frame, in the woods, OWB, either cross draw or strong side. Doesn’t bother me a bit and if’m Carrying that it generally means i’m Carrying something else in long gun too. And perhaps carrying even more **** like a back pack etc. a longer tube is going to help you in reaching out; 30 yards plus. If that’s what you need from it. Range or hunt. As someone else mentioned, and as far as ballistics, Elmer Keith liked four inches of barrel, and he was a hell of a shot. Way over 30 yards too, so take from that what you may. Another advantage to having a 4” in the woods, if strictly for defensive purposes, as opposed to being the predator yourself (hunting), if it’s a matter of getting that thing pointed on something FAST that’s putting YOU in harms way, shorter is better. Still, I like reaching out, first. and for that I prefer 6”.

I wouldn’t dream of intentionally trying to CC a 6.5”. Well, I guess I could if I wanted to with a shoulder rig. But that said, even with the OWB holster, depending on what i’m wearing in the woods, it can conceal itself. I’m 6’4” 210 and kind of lanky though. Wear big clothes and frequently outer-garments that hang below my waist line some matter of inches. I guess it all depends.

Over the years, I'm come to the conclusion that a 4" barrel, is the only one I want.





I've tried to CC a "N" frame a time or two. I'm too lazy to lug that much weight around.

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John 3:16 .

I've found the 6 in more pleasant to shoot. The auctions have 6 in 629's for about $750, both styles.

I actually do often carry a 4 inch revolver in a shoulder holster, particularly in the winter time. Colt Official Police and S&W M15 Combat Masterpiece.
But I once carried my 6 inch M-28 Highway Patrolman in a shoulder holster under a sport coat and I felt absolutely ridiculous the whole time I was out and eating. Nobody saw it but I could feel this giant hand cannon under my arm the whole time. Felt like overkill with that long barrel.

I even carried my M-28 Highway Patrolman crossdraw in a belt holster under a sportcoat once. Nobody saw it but, again, it felt ridiculous.

When I started out with revolvers I had to have the longest
barrel they sold. Back then it was 83/8". It took awhile but I
found I could shoot 6-61/2" guns just as well. I can't shoot a
4" as well as 6" and to hunt with in Ohio minimum barrel is
5". In fact 5" may be the perfect pistol but only 5" guns I've
had are m27s. I don't carry N frames concealed anyway, that's
a lot of weight and bulk to drag around for fun. I carry 6" ers
in Bianchi Cyclone cross draw on stiff belt. It's out of the way
easy to draw and comfortable. The weight of 2" more of barrel
doesn't bother me. The 4" guns are popular with LE because
they are perfect for getting in and out of vehicles.

I am more accurate with longer barrels, so if it is not for carry; I go with the longer barrel. Good luck!

It's difficult to conceal these guns effectively. Not only are they big, they're quite heavy and a burden in comparison with something that's truly concealable.

29s are heavy kickers with factory loads or factory-eqiuvalent handloads. Barrel length does make some difference. A 6" gun is slightly more comfortable to shoot than a 4". You lose about 50-60 fps muzzle velocity going from 6" to 4", a pretty insignificant loss.

Since 1973, I've had a couple of 4" guns, a 6", and a 6 1/2" in S&Ws and a 7 1/2" in a Ruger single action. I shot magnum loads until a couple of years ago. I'm quite happy now shooting only standard pressure .44 Special loads in the two 29s I've kept, a 4" and a 6".

I would choose the 6" barrel, but then again, I wouldn't even consider attempting to concealed carry a Model 29 since not only would the size/weight make it difficult to do so, but .44 Magnum is overpowered for the role, and I would be concerned about the possibility of overpenetration/collateral damage. (Granted you could use .44 Special, but it's still awfully big/heavy for a CCW.)

The Model 29 is more of a Wilderness Defense/Range Gun than a Concealed Carry piece.

While its hard to beat the retro looks of the classic 6.5" Dirty Harry version


My favorite is the full underlug 5" Model 29-5 Classic


or its SS equivalent Model 629-3 Classic.


The 4"ers are great guns, the tapered barrel Mountain Gun is even cooler.



If you want the lightest version check out the AirLite 4" Model 329PD

I paid $700 for this 4inch 29-3 late last year from Gunbroker.







It wears Culina wood now.

There were quite a few real cops that carried the .44 Magnum.

IMO the 4" M29 is the definitive S&W N frame. Mine is absolutely great, and is a recent manufacture 29-10. If I knew then what I know now, I would likely do what others are recommeding and get a shooter grade 29-3. If I was going to own only one N frame, it would be a 4" M29.

These days I carry a 3" 629 every day AIWB, but before that carried my 4" M29 OWB and sometimes AIWB though it's a bit long for comfort. They are heavy, especially OWB, but a good belt helps quite a bit, and frankly I've gotten very used to carrying them. In the pics below I could also have carried my 6" M629, though I'd be more worried about the barrel sticking out if I raised my arms.









As far as recoil, the 6" does recoil a bit less, but what makes the big difference is the grip. Because the 6" isn't a CCW, I leave big rubber grips on it. Those grips help far more with recoil than the extra 2" of barrel.

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I went with a 3" Model 629 Deluxe as my new "Dedicated Woods Gun"... My woods carry load of choice is a 300 grain Semi-Jacketed Lead Flat Point from PRVI Partizan... For me it's the perfect weight, length, and balance. I carry it in a Desantis OWB leather holster @ 4:00 both in the woods and a lot of times around town back home too. A black bear or Meth Monkey isn't going to know the difference between a 3" or a 4" .44Mag with that aforementioned load I can assure you! Around town its stoked with 200 grain Gold Dots in .44Special loadings... But I certainly realized the difference between a 4" and a 3" "N" frame in regards to CCW. Obviously, this 3" .44Mag carries noticeably better and I've gotten quite good with it. Whatever your choice you're going to want to put 4-5 cylinders of Full-House Loads each and every range session. I deleted that miserable lock simple enough too...