S&W 6" Model 629-1 .44 Magnum Review

garryj · #1 08-09-2018, 01:12 AM

I picked up this S&W 6" Model 629-1 .44 Magnum a while back and finally got a chance to put it thru a few 10yd accuracy tests. I will say that this thing loves 240gr lead semi-wadcutters.

These are three of the best groups today. I did try a some factory Winchester 240gr JSP hunting rounds, but after 6 of those bad boys, my hand was tingling and that was it-they are real thumpers.

My favorite load was 6.5gr of American Select with a 240gr LSWC. These were very accurate. Next was 6.7gr of W231 with the same bullet. As I said before, this thing loves 240gr LSWC.

Below are the three best targets of the day. All were 8" targets, 12 shot groups at 10 yards, from a rest(I was testing the gun, not my shooting skills). 1st target is the 240gr JSP with 23.3gr of W296(before I adjusted the POI to the right). 2nd target is 240gr LSWC with 6.5gr American Select. 3rd is 240gr LSWC with 6.7gr W231.

Garry

Jtown · #2 08-09-2018, 06:45 AM

Good shooting, nice gun.
Walt

75Vette · #3 08-09-2018, 08:09 AM

Looks like a good range day (aren't they all?). I've never heard of American Select but it seems to be working for you!

oink · #4 08-09-2018, 01:10 PM

Yeah, great guns. I love mine. I always thought the 6" 29 or 629 (without the full underlug) were proportionally the most aesthetically pleasing revolvers.

fortyshooter · #5 08-09-2018, 02:20 PM

Some good shooting there! Tell us more about American Select powder as I haven't heard of it either. I use mostly Unique,Power Pistol and 2400 for my revolvers.
Looks like the revolver likes it!

AveragEd · #6 08-09-2018, 04:38 PM

American Select is primarily a shotgun powder that is popular for 12-gauge target loads.

For my 6-inch 629-1, I use a 240-grain cast SWC from either Missouri Bullets or Precision Delta over 10.0 grains of the discontinued IMR SR4756 powder. It burns super clean and yields great accuracy from all my revolvers. When it was dropped from production a couple of years ago, I scrounged up all I could find and have roughly 14 pounds of it, which should outlast me and possibly my son too!

Ed

Joed49 · #7 08-09-2018, 06:09 PM

I spent most of my life without owning a .44, just never saw one for sale. While living in FL in 2000 I happened across my first .44 Mag, a 629-1 just like you have. I really wanted a 29 but never came across a used one for sale. The gunsmith in the shop gave the 629-1 a good bill of health and told me in FL I'd be better off with stainless. So, after a 5 day wait it came home with me.

The only advice the gunsmith gave me was stay away from 300 gr bullets in that gun as it was designed for a 240 gr bullet. I have followed that advice since owning it.

While waiting for the 5 day waiting period to end I did a lot of reading and pressed friends that owned .44's for info. I also bought 100 rounds of .44 SPL 200 gr to shoot out of it, plus dies. For powder I selected 2400 as that seemed to be the powder of choice. The 629-1 shot the Spl rounds fine, accurate and very little recoil.

One friend who owned a model 28-2 converted to .44 Spl told me his favorite load was 15.0 gr of 2400 with a 240 gr bullet was always his best load from his gun. So, when it came time to reload those Spl cases I tried the 240 gr bullet and various charges of 2400 up to 16.0 gr. Darn if the sweet spot wasn't 15.0 gr just like his gun. So, that's what I kept shooting from my gun. At 15.0 gr it is starting to produce some serious recoil but was very manageable and didn't beat me up after 100 rounds. Thinking back velocity was 1050 fps. I liked that load so much that I shoot 15.4 gr of 2400 out of magnum cases for about the same velocity. That is all I've ever shot out of mine to date, I just don't have a need for a mag load in my shooting.

You bought a great gun and I'm sure you will enjoy it. And thanks for taking me back to when I got my first S&W .44 mag.

The story doesn't end there though as 2 weeks later while stopping in another LGS I used to frequent I found a beautiful 29-2 6" on consignment. I ended up buying that one too. I still have both of them.

Here's a photo of my 629-1.

Joed49 · #8 08-09-2018, 06:23 PM

And OMG! You live in Pensacola, that's where I lived when I bought my 2 .44's. I worked for the Escambia School Board and would frequent the gun shops on my lunch hour.

You have really sent me down memory lane.

garryj · #9 08-10-2018, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fortyshooter

Some good shooting there! Tell us more about American Select powder as I haven't heard of it either. I use mostly Unique,Power Pistol and 2400 for my revolvers.
Looks like the revolver likes it!

American Select is primarily a shotshell powder, but a lot of pistol reloaders use it for target loads with cast bullets because it is very clean burning. I use for 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 357 Magnum and now 44 Spcl/Magnum.

Garry

Mehutch · #10 08-10-2018, 02:03 PM

Well I have to show you one of mine...

Joed49 · #11 08-10-2018, 04:46 PM

I find every 629 and 29 a work of art, both of you have some beautiful guns.

garryj, where do you shoot? I used to go to a range on 9 mile or 10 mile Rd. I heard the LGS where I bought my 629-1 went out of business. The other place I frequented was a Locksmith on Garden St I think.

I miss Pensacola, spent every summer there as a kid so moved there later in life.