Imagine another 44 magnum thread

[SeamasterSig]

There is a model 629-3 Classic with a five inch barrel that has been sitting on the shelf at a local gun shop for at least the better part of the summer. I confess that I don't have any specific need for a 44 magnum of that size here in Florida, but it is in excellent condition and appears to have captured my imagination – as in: I could imagine myself owning it. It wouldn't necessarily be my first choice for a big bore revolver, but I feel like it's a shame to pass up a pre-lock/pre-MIM gun in such great condition (assuming the price is right).

The five inch barrel seems to be an odd size – too short for a full powder burn, not as many holsters available – but it has such great balance with the full lug that it feels surprisingly light in the hand. So what do fans of 629s like about the 5-inch version, what do you mostly use it for and if you carry, what holster do you prefer?

 

[75Vette]

I'd be on that like a rat on a Cheetoh! The pre-lock 5" Classics are very desirable. PM me if you don't buy it!

 

[Nightowl]

I have had one for about 20 years. Wow, didn't think it had been that long until I had to think about it. I bought it used at a pawn shop. It has been an outstanding revolver, and although I do not shoot it much, it is well balanced and very accurate. If I ran on another one, I would buy it, even though I don't need another .44 Magnum either. It has the interchangeable front sight and smooth trigger and target hammer. What's not to like?

 

[CWH44300]

5" dash three's are pretty cool guns.
I'd go for it!

But...
I go for most 629's

 

[jtcarm]

Since when does need enter into the equation?

Florida? Surely you're in constant peril from pythons, gators, smugglers, swamp beasts, ...something down there needs killin[emoji6]

 

[Jamesatrange]

If it's priced right you will not go wrong. Those are sought after guns in the 5". Any Smith in 5" seems to fly off the shelves in most places around here.

 

[Collo Rosso]

but I feel like it's a shame to pass up a pre-lock/pre-MIM gun in such great condition (assuming the price is right).

If you pass this up "shame" is not a word I would use to describe the situation.
I have a pre lock 4" 629. I would be thinking what I would sell or trade to put that 5" classic next to it in the safe.

 

[Tom_R]

You ever shoot 44 special out of an N Frame 44 magnum?

It's like shooting a 1911.

Very manageable recoil, very enjoyable.

If it is priced well, you can't go wrong, and this will give you an excuse to take that trip to Alaska that you've always wanted to do.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Target hammer, target trigger, round butt, flash chromed T&H, forged parts. I can't remember if the -3 was drilled and tapped. I know the M629 was one of the first guns to get that feature.

 

[CWH44300]

Target hammer, target trigger, round butt, flash chromed T&H, forged parts. I can't remember if the -3 was drilled and tapped. I know the M629 was one of the first guns to get that feature.

Yes,
The -3 classics where the first 629's to be d&t'ed.

 

[Abflyboy]

I would LOVE to have a 5" 629 Classic to put next to the other 629 Classics in the safe. Like others have mentioned, that wouldn't last a day on a shelf anywhere around here

 

[mod29]

The five inch barrel seems to be an odd size – too short for a full powder burn, not as many holsters available – but it has such great balance with the full lug that it feels surprisingly light in the hand. So what do fans of 629s like about the 5-inch version, what do you mostly use it for and if you carry, what holster do you prefer?

I have a 629-5 Classic with the 5" barrel. For me, that length barrel offers good accuracy, power, and manageable recoil. And, it's not too big to carry when you're out hiking or exploring the woods a bit. I recently purchased a Diamond D Custom Leather chest holster for it. They're a great way to carry a large handgun like the 629.

Guides Choice Chest Holster, Original Alaskan Holster

 

[Shark Bait]

I had a 629-6 Classic 5 inch and loved it. I carried it when bow hunting in a Simply Rugged holster. Now I have a 4" 629-3 and will order another Simply Rugged. I love the -3. It has the endurance package to improve performance with magnum loads. I believe the-3 Classic is a round butt. Anyway, I'll stop rambling and tell you if you can get that gun for $1000 or less, take it.

 

[DocB]

You can shoot wild hogs down there in Florida with it. There used to be a ton of them south of the Sarasota area. I hope the Yankees haven't killed and eaten them all.

 

[RSBH44]

I'd be on that like a rat on a Cheetoh! The pre-lock 5" Classics are very desirable. PM me if you don't buy it!

I have one and I like the hell out of it. It shoots like a dream and is accurate as all get out !
If I were you I'd be all over that.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Not a fan

I was, once upon a time, but I got disillusioned so I don't care for the caliber any longer. However:

Y

ou ever shoot 44 special out of an N Frame 44 magnum?

It's like shooting a 1911.

Very manageable recoil, very enjoyable.

Personally, THAT is exactly what I think they're good for and I think a 1911 kicks more than a 44 Magnum shooting 44 Specials by a long shot. Not that either gets your attention in any significant way but the Specials in a Magnum - *****CATS!!!

Kittens, actually..........

 

[SeamasterSig]

Since when does need enter into the equation?

Since money became an object

Florida? Surely you're in constant peril from pythons, gators, smugglers, swamp beasts, ...something down there needs killin[emoji6]

Nothing so much as paper targets. They get huge down here in the tropics For everything else that walks, crawls, or slithers in the Sunshine State, my 66-2 ought to be big enough to get the job done.

If it is priced well, you can't go wrong, and this will give you an excuse to take that trip to Alaska that you've always wanted to do.

Actually, my buddy is an avid hunter who just moved to Colorado and needs just such a sidearm for the back woods, including a planned trip to Alaska. Of course, being primarily a bow hunter and not a revolver guy, he is thinking foremost about a gun that is "convenient to carry", i.e. j-frame... says the guy who has to dodge bear scat on the sidewalk. I'm doing what I can to convince him there are more important considerations than "convenience" in his situation.

You can shoot wild hogs down there in Florida with it. There used to be a ton of them south of the Sarasota area. I hope the Yankees haven't killed and eaten them all.

The feral pigs are definitely out of control on the Gulf Coast. Florida has the highest number of wild hogs per square mile in the entire country. That's actually what motivated me to buy a model 66-2 over the winter. I started running into them every time I ventured into the woods and decided a 9mm wasn't going to cut it anymore. Open carry is still not legal in Florida and dressing to conceal a 4-inch k-frame in this climate is challenging enough as it is. I can't imagine trying to conceal a 5-inch n-frame. Although maybe with the right shoulder holster, I could pull it off.

 

[grip frame]

The 5" barrel in the 629 classic or 29 classic pre lock guns are very popular and in the most demand/sell for more than than other two barrel lengths.

Easier to pack, faster out of a holster than the 6.5" while giving up very little in velocity and still having a good sight radius.

 

[SeamasterSig]

Any Smith in 5" seems to fly off the shelves in most places around here.

Like others have mentioned, that wouldn't last a day on a shelf anywhere around here

I'm sure that's true up north. I can't explain why this classic six shooter has sat on the shelf for so long other than maybe the fact that, while a big bore has its charm and a little overkill is never a bad thing when you're life may be on the line, the odds of actually running into something in Florida that requires a big bore to dispatch are pretty low. You're more likely to get bit by a poisonous spider, and for those, a size 44 shoe is much more practical. I've heard that revolvers are enjoying a surge in popularity around these parts. Most likely it's primarily pocket-sized five-shooters that people are taking home with them.

 

[SeamasterSig]

Easier to pack, faster out of a holster than the 6.5" while giving up very little in velocity and still having a good sight radius.

Those are all good arguments, as are some of the other things pointed out above. Every gun I've bought so far gets carried (concealed) and I would like to make it work with this one, too. No "safe queens" in my small collection (yet )! I like the looks of the Diamond D Custom Leather chest holster mentioned by mod29. It would be great for open carry. But I'm thinking a shoulder holster like an Andrews Springbreak would make it easier to conceal a gun this size.