After reading all the posts on snub-nosed .44 magnums lately, I finally found mine. I picked the new UDR 629 PC. My initial impressions were very good. The Performance Center did an outstanding job on this gun. Fit and finish were great - except for the grips. They left a gap between the two panels near the bottom, but all the other seams line up.

I was able to shoot it last week, and found it to be very accurate. I was able to shoot one inch groups at 7 and 15 yards with Winchester's 240gr .44 Special cowboy loads, and 1-1/2" inch groups at 15 yards with Buffalo Bor's 255gr heavy .44 Special load. Recoil with the BB load was a lot less than I expected, and was comparable to a 158gr magnum load in a 4" barreled 686. The grips were actually much more comfortable than I thought they would be. When I went shooting, I brought along a pair of Hogue rubber grips, thinking I'd probably shoot a couple hot rounds and have to change over to them. That wasn't the case.

I can't say enough good things about this gun. At $817.00 from the Tin Star Shooting Range on Gunbroker, I'd say it was worth every penny. I haven't shot any magnums through it yet, but when I do, it'll be Buffalo Bores lower-recoiling 255gr LSWC load. This was bought primarily as a hiking gun, so ammunition will be geared towards that rather than urban defense loads.

RedBerens.........What a beauty I have the M627 on layaway and the M629 like yours is my new one I will be getting to have a matching pair of Perf Center Snubs, a .357 & .44! Just waiting for Bud's to get it in stock so I can put it on layaway too.

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Craig

Awsome,You have a good excuse to reload now,some 180gr.& 200gr. reloads right above the 44special level loads should be sweettt in that little powerhouse!congratulations on your new baby!I want one too....

Mine is on the way..........................can't wait to get my hands on it. Thanks for the report.


CCV

i'm in love, should have mine by september 2012!

If that had a couple different features I'd be all over it. Cool gun.

I would go with a 900fps-1000fps 200gr gold dot if you're going to carry it for SD.

I've got the same in 357 (PC 627) and am awaiting arrival of the PC 657 (41 magnum). They are beautiful guns. The PC 627 is a real shooter. Dennis

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S&W M60-15 Pro 3", M69 2.7"

The 2-5/8" UDR revolvers from the Performance Center strike me as just flat-out excellent guns in any offered chambering. I have two of the 627s and think a 657 and 629 may be in my future. Congratulations on the acquisition.

And I agree with your ammo choices. No one needs to shoot full-house .44 Magnum loads in a snubnose. The .44 Special or low-end .44 Magnum loads will be just right.

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David Wilson

Forgot to mention I've ordered a Milt Sparks PMK holster and belt to carry mine in! Dennis

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S&W M60-15 Pro 3", M69 2.7"

Great pictures of your new gun. Very nice - thanks for those. I agree with David when he says no need to resort to the hottest 44 Magnums in this type of gun. One does not get the maximum benefit anyway, because of the short barrel, so why go crazy over a few more feet/second and a LOT more recoil?

Please try not to be in a dry forest when you do...
I'll bet that thing has snort in spades. Nice. Congratulations.

What does it weigh? Being an old guy, I have to watch how much weight I put on my waist, so I tend to the Scandium guns. Primary in this hot weather has been my 296 44 Special, with a 642 as BU.

This gun does intrigue me tho and it may go on my want list after I am able to handle one

Thanks for the fine pictures.