Searching for a S&W .44 Magnum

[Traxless]

Although new to this forum, I've visited for years without registering and own a couple of S&W pistols but no revolver. I've been on a local hunt for a S&W 629 (-1 to -4) for a while, but without much success. I'd like this caliber for some of our off-trail hikes in a chest holster.

According to this Forum, a good many people seem to experience quality control issues with new S&W pistols requiring trips back to the factory. The exception seems to be guns from the Pro Series and from the Performance Center. Older Model 629 revolvers are reported to have an excellent fit and finish. These older revolvers in good condition appear to cost about $400 and more than a new S&W .44 revolver. (It's going to be hard for me to spend that kind of money for an older 629).

As most know, S&W doesn't offer a .44 revolver in 4" from either the Pro Series or Performance Center. There are two (2) very nice S&W .357 from the Pro Series, which are the Model 627 (8 rounds) and Model 686 SSR (6 rounds). The Performance Center only offers a 3" 629 .44 mag.

As a result I'm beginning to lean towards one the S&W .357 revolvers, which seems to good for just about everything except Bears. So given my lack of revolver experience, am I way off-base? And thanks in advance for guidance.

 

[CWH44300]

If you want a new 4" 44.
Go get a -6, just give it a good look before you buy. I doubt you'll have a problem, you only hear the horror stories. People seem to forget the thousands they've sold without issues. I have probably a half dozen new style 629's and no complaints. They are very nice and much more uniform in tolerance's and fit up from gun to gun than the older ones, and I have a few of those as well. Make sure it checks out and I'll bet you'll love it

And since you like the 4" guns, here's a pic of mine( the 4" 44's are .y favorite's)

 

[75Vette]

GunBroker can be your friend in your search. Be patient and you can find good deals on both new and older model 629s. It's not too hard to snag a 4" model for $700. It may be a newer model with the lock but you'll have a fine shooter that'll outlive you.

 

[joe44va]

It's is extremely hard to get 100% quality in todays high pressure manufacturing environment. If one in 2 or 3,000 has an issue, it's likely to show up here giving all a very skewed outlook. If you get the revolver from a gun store and have someone with revolver experience with you there is no reason to worry. I carry an M686SSR or an M69 (where there may be bears). Both are first class quality. I find the M629's a bit heavy to carry all day.
And, welcome to the forum.

 

[Peak53]

You might want to shoot a 44 and 357 mag before making the commitment. You might be surprised. The 44 especially can be quite a handful for the uninitiated. They sometimes get fired a few times, then put away or go on a low-cal diet of 44 specials. Not saying it wouldn't be appropriate for you, but it might be a good idea to know what to expect before you make the investment. This is not your 9mm pistol. Happy hunting!

 

[sw282]

Shoddy workmanship??? In a Smith&Wesson?? Say it ain't so!!
I have heard it said most of my life, "They sure don't make em
like they used to". ...About most manufactured products..
Even seen crappy work done on the Pyramids at Giza in Egypt too..

Current crop of Smiths are as good any l have owned in the last
fifty years..Guaranteed for life too..What's not to like or trust?

 

[Snapping Twig]

S&W makes the model 69 which is an L frame 4" 44 mag.

 

[muddocktor]

I have a 6 1/2" 629-3 Classic and just bought the new 627-5 Pro 8 shot 357 (4" barrel). I have a question to ask you. What is the most powerful handgun you have fired?

If you haven't shot a magnum revolver, the 44 Mag might be a bit extreme for you to learn with, especially if you don't reload. If you reload, you can easily build up tolerance to recoil by loading light at first and then loading up later on. But if you aren't used to something that recoils as hard as a 44 Mag, it might turn into a "Flinchmaster 2000" for you if you start off with full bore 44 Mag ammo. A 357 Mag, especially an N frame version, is much easier to learn to shoot accurately IMO. Another thing is your choice of 44 Mag with a 4" barrel IMO. I don't think they made a version with the "Classic" style of barrel that has the full length underlug like a 686 barrel in 4" length but they did and still do make one with a 5" barrel as well as the 6 1/2" barrel like mine has. And comparing mine to my brother's no-dash 629 with 6 or 6 1/2" barrel, well the extra weight of the full underlug makes a difference in felt recoil.

If you want to go with an older 629, look on Gunbroker. I got mine a couple years ago for around $700-750 and my brother got his there last year for around the same price. In both our cases, the pistols were listed with some fairly fuzzy pictures that made it kind of hard to check condition unless you downloaded the pics and blew them up with a photo editing program. In both mine and my brother's cases, the pistols were lightly shot and pretty pristine and we are both very happy with our purchases.

Now if you want to go with a 627 Pro, you won't be going wrong. I am really enjoying mine and it is a real hoot to shoot and recoil even with hot ammo is fairly easy on the wrists. If a 357 Mag suits your needs, the 627 Pro should be on your short list

BTW, I dumped the rubber grips on both these pistols and put me some aftermarket Kim Ahrends grips on them both. I like the feel of a wood grip over rubber and they look 100% better too. I also changed out the front sights from red ramp to the gold bead patridge style front sights, as I find they are easier for my old eyes to pick up on.

Here a some pics of each of these revolvers of mine for you to look at to help you decide.

My 629-3 Classic (6 1/2" barrel):


My 627-5 Pro (4" barrel):

 

[cadmike]

Like others have said above I would also encourage you to not look past the -5 and -6 model 629's.

The older guns are great and they are cool to own. Just don't drink too much of what I call the "S&W forum kool-aid".

Good luck in your search.

 

[silentflyer]

Check GB for a Dan Wesson .44 mag, excellent fire arms and sometimes a better deal than a S&W 29. Nothing wrong with a Ruger Super Blackhawk or Redhawk either.

 

[Fishinfool]

Lots of good advice above. A few years back I picked up a 4 inch 629-6 (Lock, MIM parts) only because it was a good deal, used. Already had a fair number of older N frames.

Turns out it is very smooth to operate, very well made, and the most accurate 4 inch .44 mag. I have owned or shot. I am happy I bought it.

357 or 44 ? 44 Mags recoil and bark some out of a 4 inch gun, but mid range loads, and 44 specials work quite well. A 357 will handle almost any need, but if I ran into an irate Texas hog in my nature walks, I would much rather be packing a .44.

Haven't shot one yet, but I hear a ton of positive feedback about the model 69, the 5 shot L frame .44 mag. Sounds like an excellent packing gun.

Larry

 

[Tom Kent]

You say the pro shop offers a 3" 629. I got a 3"629-1 a few years ago. It was used, and slightly neglected, when I got it. Cleaned it up and took it to the range and it is a tack driver at 25yds. My 100yd pistol shooting days are long past so that is as far as I shoot it. It is the best shooting revolver I own and I have several. I don't know your intended use for a .44mag but I carry this one as a bug for hog and bear hunting and as a woods walking gun and I couldn't be happier. Give that performance center 3" a try.

 

[lamarw]

I am just flinging another thought out on the table for whatever it maybe worth. I have a Model 25 Mountain Gun in .45 Colt. The .45 Colt is an absolute dream to shoot. The weight of my N Frame Model 25 is about an ounce lighter than my L Frame Model 686 empty. When you add 6 rounds of .45 Colt to the Model 25 Mountain Gun then it is an ounce heavier than the 686 in .357 Magnum. Both revolvers have a 4" barrel.

 

[Texas629]

My -6 was used in name in only. Great shooting pistol and no issues. Don't overlook them.

 

[Dennis]

I bought a brand-new 629-6 4" about 3 years ago. VERY nice revolver! Accurate and handy. I had been looking for a 4" 29 for years and couldn't find one. So I bought the -6. Then, (of course), I found a 98% 4" 29-3. They are both so nice that I won't part with either.
Then awhile back, I bought a new 69. It is a great revolver also.
So, bottom line is, don't pass up a -6 or a 69.
Some fellas put the x-frame grips on their 69s and are happy as clams.


'

 

[jake1945]

I used Gunbroker to find my 629-6 44mag. NIB $625. Installed Hogue coco bolo grips.

 

[Sarge1976]

S&W makes the model 69 which is an L frame 4" 44 mag.

I 2nd that, mine is a tack driver and is easy to carry. I have a hip holster and a shoulder holster. I recently wore it in the North Woods and found it very comfortable. Recoil is a non issue for me. Plus I love to shoot it at the indoor range and hear all the comments down the line when I touch it off.

 

[ultratec00]

If you can fathom an extra inch, check out the 5" in either the 686+ or 629. I have both. The 686 Talo turned out very good, pleasant to shoot, and holds one more round. The 629 isn't a slouch either and is actually the one I carry on my ATV during the summer months. Was going to carry the Talo, but there are some very large dogs running feral on the hunting lease and the 44 gives me a higher comfort level. If all you are worried about is 2 legged feral animals or snakes, the 357 would do fine.

 

[tops]

As a result I'm beginning to lean towards one the S&W .357 revolvers, which seems to good for just about everything except Bears. So given my lack of revolver experience, am I way off-base? And thanks in advance for guidance.

Very few people can or do shoot real .44M cartridges. The recoil from a .44M is right much heavier than a .357. Until the .44M came out I'm pretty sure the .357M was rated (advertised) as the most powerful pistol cartridge. I have shot a truck load of .357M cartridges but I have never shot a bear with anything so my thoughts are just wild guesses but I think it would take a big tough bear to stand up to a .357. My vote is for a .357M. Larry

 

[Traxless]

I'd sure like to express my gratitude to all on this thread for your guidance and kindness. This helpful information is helping me sneak up on a decision. For what it's worth, I'm a slow thinker and even slower when making this kind of decision. Take care.