Looking for 629 snubbie

[Irelander]

Hey guys. I've been looking for a 629 for a while now. I had my heart set on a 3" classic hunter but I definitely don't have the $$$ for one of those.

I have it pretty much narrowed down to the 2.625" Performance Center model or the 3" Talo exclusive model. I'd be interested to hear what you have to say about these two guns.

I really like the looks of the full barrel lug and non-fluted cylinder. This gun will be used for backwoods protection and general plinking. I need the short barrel to pack into a SafePacker holster when hiking.

I reload 44MAG and want a revolver to shoot cheap with. I don't really reload for much else besides .308 so I'm not looking to start reloading for a different caliber.

 

[StatesRightist]

I have the 3" Talo, I like it. Obviously, it's a handful with heavy loads and the short barrel, but it carries well. I carry it for CCW sometimes in the winter. I have no problems getting spent rounds to fall out, I'm not sure if that would be the case with a shorter barrel. The Talo grips look good, but plan on putting them in the closet and buying another set. They are too small to allow for good control on a large caliber, especially for follow-ups. The grips also jamb your forefinger under the trigger guard and with stout loads it beats you finger to death.

I love my 3" .44, I load it with medium loads and enjoy shooting it.

JMO, but I cannot imagine buying a gun with those "cute" little bears on it.......i.e. the S&W backpacker. It's a .44...I'm not going to buy the colored griped Charter Bulldogs either, call me old school.

 

[larkop]

I've had the bug for one for quite a while now but been trying to suppress it. Don't know how much longer I'll be able to hold out.

 

[DesertFox]

629PC 2 5/8"

I can endorse this model. Go Performance Center if at all possible. The grips look great and work well with 44 Specials but are brutal with heavy loads. For carry (and blasting) it wears S&W 500 Hogues.

And I totally agree with the previous poster RE: having a bear and bear tracks etched into my 44 Mag. Not my bag, and it isn't Performance Center. IMOHO, S&W is guilty of doing a few too many "special runs". I counted at least 6 629 snub variants: 629 Mountain Gun, 629PC, 629 Alaska Backpacker blue w/ stainless cylinder, 629 Backpacker w/ bear etchings, 629-6 unfluted 3", 629 Lew Horton, 629 Talo... and plenty more with longer barrels.

 

[Irelander]

Thanks for pic DesertFox. That looks awesome. I've been leaning towards the PC model. I think that is what I will go with.

 

[A10]

I can endorse this model. Go Performance Center if at all possible. The grips look great and work well with 44 Specials but are brutal with heavy loads. For carry (and blasting) it wears S&W 500 Hogues.

And I totally agree with the previous poster RE: having a bear and bear tracks etched into my 44 Mag. Not my bag, and it isn't Performance Center. IMOHO, S&W is guilty of doing a few too many "special runs". I counted at least 6 629 snub variants: 629 Mountain Gun, 629PC, 629 Alaska Backpacker blue w/ stainless cylinder, 629 Backpacker w/ bear etchings, 629-6 unfluted 3", 629 Lew Horton, 629 Talo... and plenty more with longer barrels.

You missed the 629 Trail Boss.....that's the one I've been carrying for some time now. I replaced the Hogues with a set of Pacs off a Night Guard, they really help to tame the recoil on the heavy loads.

 

[Irelander]

Yea the Trail Boss looks pretty nice but I really like the look of a full barrel lug. Not sure why, its just the way I am.

 

[2hawk]

I understand completely.

Be patient, one will come.

 

[DeafSmith]

Guys a little about the 3 inch N snubbies.

I've owned the Lew Horten Backpacker (stainless one and a blued one) as well as Lew Horten 24 3 incher (still have it), 625 .45 acp 3 incher (still have it to.)

Now with full .44 magnum loads they are very difficult to control, especially one handed. Now loaded down to say, 240 gr at 1000 fps and they are fine, better than most .357 magnum rounds, but full loads are tough, especially if you like wood grips (and I most certianly do!)

I perfer my 625 snub with .45 supers and 24 with 240 at 800 fps loads. The hotest loads I use are 240s at 1000 fps from my 4 inch 629-1.

But, uh, I tend to pack my 10mm Glock with top loads. Not because the Glock is superior in any way in the field but cause I can use 200gr 1300+ loads and not worry about me or the gun. And if I drop a Glock (or it gets scrached) I don't cry.

 

[Irelander]

I am a huge Glock fan. I had a G29 a few years ago but it seemed too bulky in my hand. I sold it and bought a '92 lever action 44MAG rifle. Since then I have been a bigger fan of the 44MAG. I still like my Glocks for EDC but I'd like to carry the 44MAG for hiking and backpacking. I also just want a cool revolver...it will be my first revolver.

 

[kennyb]

i have the stainless M657,41 mag.in 3" as well as the M29-3 3"combat magnum...both carry well and are great shooters

 

[StatesRightist]

I am a huge Glock fan. I had a G29 a few years ago but it seemed too bulky in my hand. I sold it and bought a '92 lever action 44MAG rifle. Since then I have been a bigger fan of the 44MAG. I still like my Glocks for EDC but I'd like to carry the 44MAG for hiking and backpacking. I also just want a cool revolver...it will be my first revolver.

Then you should think about the Trail Boss or the 629 MG. I know you like the full lug, but the TB or MG is lighter and a better all day carry option. JMO.

 

[Shooting4life]

Save a little more and get what you want. I enjoy my 629 carry comp.

 

[nawilson]

Save a little more and get what you want.

Really good advice there... every single time I have compromised with myself and bought a less expensive version that was "kinda like" what I wanted, I have regretted it. I also usually end up buying what I really wanted later anyway. So, it is cheaper in the long run to get the more expensive version.

 

[Magnum-Krazy]

I really like my 3" 629, and the wooden grips feels great.

Ernie

 

[Irelander]

I just dropped the money in the mail today for a 629 PC snubbie I found new on GB for a good price. $829 + free shipping. My dealers transfer fee is $30 so it'll be $860 when I get her home. Can't wait!

 

[CWH44300]

cool, post up some photos when you can and congrats on your new gun

 

[Cocked & Locked]

another variation

Looking forward to seeing some pics of your 629-PC.

If you decide the 629 snubs become addictive, you can start the search for one of the (300) fixed sight pre-lock 2.5" 629-5 snubs.

These were a special run for Camfour Dist. about a decade and two years ago.

 

[Irelander]

Just picked up my 629 PC today. Only had enough time to handle it a bit. I does fit in my Safepacker holster nicely with one speed loader. Can't wait to get home and pop a few rounds! I'll post pics tomorrow.

 

[CWH44300]

Good for you, hope you enjoy it