S&W 629 vs 689

NewFuture2012 · Nov 4, 2010

I'm debating whether to buy a .357 magnum or a .44 magnum. At the moment, I'm considering a S&W 689 vs. 629. I want a stainless steel, 6" barrel in either case

I want a bear (or wolf) stopper if I unexpectedly encounter one in the Idaho woods that's coming at me. Thus, I want as much power as I can, but, I also want to be able to shoot the thing as reliably and accurately as possible.

(BTW, I already have an XD 9mm for home defense.)

What are your opinions? Thanks in advance.

shoot · Nov 4, 2010

Hard to beat a 629 for that purpose. I pack a 629-2 4" Mountain Revolver and like it very much.
I have tried carrying a 6" 629, but prefer the 4".
Depending on how you carry, a 6" can be a pain getting in and out of your vehicle or sitting down (not to mention weight). I found my self leaving it in the truck (not going to do much good there)
Try before you buy.
Good luck in your search

Chuck H

rkrcpa · Nov 4, 2010

NewFuture2012 said:
I want a bear (or wolf) stopper if I unexpectedly encounter one in the Idaho woods that's coming at me.

To my mind, if the mission is to stop a bear that is coming at me (presumably with ill intent) the 357 is not appropriate. I know that lots of bears have been taken with a 357 but shooting an unaware bear is different than stopping a charge. I'd say get the 629, it is better suited to the task.

vico512 · Nov 4, 2010

I'm also in the 629 camp. For practice, you can hand load, using something like Trail Boss, and shoot all day. When it needs to count, I load-up the Buffalo Bore heavy stuff -- I'm not gonna be concerned with a little recoil if I need to stop something. Granted, I won't do much target work with them, though.

I like the 5", full lug. With a high-ride holster (I use a Galco), the barrel is out of the way, even when I'm sitting under a tree or in a vehicle. And, there is a little less muzzle blast with the 5". 6" would be too long, IMHO.

Snowbandit · Nov 4, 2010

Considering where you live, the size and temperament of the evil creatures you could have to deal with, the .44 would be a more appropriate choice.

Most people find the 4-inch 29/629 fine for carrying and the longer 6 or 6 1/2-inch tends to get left behind. The longer barrels just always seem to be in the way. I like the 4-inch Mountain Revolver style and use mine often in the woods. The 6 1/2-inch hasn't been out of the safe for anything except cleaning in probably 20 years and I got rid of the longer ones before that. Lately, since cooler weather has set in, I've been carrying my 3-inch 29 and find it quite convenient. With appropriate loads the .44 can pretty much go anywhere and do anything.

M29since14 · Nov 4, 2010

NewFuture2012 said:
...Thus, I want as much power as I can, but, I also want to be able to shoot the thing as reliably and accurately as possible.

That's why you should try before you buy. Either the 686 or 629 is going to be more of a handful than the XD. You may find the .357 is all you care to bother with. A couple good solid hits with a .357 will always beat misses with the 44.

You might want to buy the .357 and get comfortable with it, then move on to the 44 if you feel the need.

Nframe357 · Nov 4, 2010

A solid hit with a 357 is much more effective than a miss with a 44...

Dale53 · Nov 4, 2010

I have both .357's and .44 Magnums in several platforms.

There is NO question in mind that my choice would be the .44 magnum, hands down.

My state does not permit handguns with barrels shorter than 5" to be used for hunting, so that would tend to color my choice of barrel length.

Get the .44 Magnum, and if you don't reload, now is a good time to start. I cast my own bullets and reload (and have done so since I was a teenager). You can buy good cast bullets and reload. A 250 gr Keith cast bullet at 800 fps makes a fine, pleasant to shoot, range load (and also a great self defense load). That same bullet at 1200-1300 fps makes a good deer, hog, and black bear hunting load plus I would stake my life on it with larger bears.

I have made the effort and taken the time to learn to shoot and shoot well. Reloading makes that possible on even a modest income (in my early days I was the poster child for a modest income).

FWIW
Dale53

1911bphil · Nov 4, 2010

Just my opinion,but I would try both if that is an option. If not, you can load the 29 with Specials and get used to the revolver. Later you can load up for the woods.

Snapping Twig · Nov 4, 2010

Anything we say is our opinion. Your opinion is all that matters and at the end of the day, the deciding factor.

Owning both firearms in various configurations and metals, they are both excellent revolvers.

If I could have only one or the other, I'd select the .44 ten out of ten times.

I am also a caster and reloader, so the cost/availability of ammo is not an issue, just the revolver and its capabilities.

There's nothing you can do with the .357 that you can't do with the .44, but the reverse is not true.

Don't like recoil? Download or shoot specials in either one.

NewFuture2012 · Nov 4, 2010

Thanks folks! Your replies are helpful. One thing I think I'll consider is the 4" barrel, rather than the 6". I know a lot of people who dislike the inconvenience of the 6", so that's a factor for sure.

I guess my next step is to go shoot both pistols to get a feel for what I can handle.

Thanks again.

TDC · Nov 4, 2010

vico512 said:
I'm also in the 629 camp. For practice, you can hand load, using something like Trail Boss, and shoot all day. When it needs to count, I load-up the Buffalo Bore heavy stuff -- I'm not gonna be concerned with a little recoil if I need to stop something. Granted, I won't do much target work with them, though.

I like the 5", full lug. With a high-ride holster (I use a Galco), the barrel is out of the way, even when I'm sitting under a tree or in a vehicle. And, there is a little less muzzle blast with the 5". 6" would be too long, IMHO.

Dale53 said:
I have both .357's and .44 Magnums in several platforms.

There is NO question in mind that my choice would be the .44 magnum, hands down.

My state does not permit handguns with barrels shorter than 5" to be used for hunting, so that would tend to color my choice of barrel length.

Get the .44 Magnum, and if you don't reload, now is a good time to start. I cast my own bullets and reload (and have done so since I was a teenager). You can buy good cast bullets and reload. A 250 gr Keith cast bullet at 800 fps makes a fine, pleasant to shoot, range load (and also a great self defense load). That same bullet at 1200-1300 fps makes a good deer, hog, and black bear hunting load plus I would stake my life on it with larger bears.

I have made the effort and taken the time to learn to shoot and shoot well. Reloading makes that possible on even a modest income (in my early days I was the poster child for a modest income).

FWIW
Dale53

+1 what these two have said.... Here is a picture of the 5" 629 Classic they refer to. It is my own 44 Mag shooter and I can attest to their well considered and brilliant choice....

one eye joe · Nov 4, 2010

Get yourself a 629 Mountain Gun. It's easy to tote, has a slim 4'' barrel, and is very versatile with regard to ammo choices. A well placed heavy hard cast .44Mag. bullet will drop anything in North America. You can shoot .44 Spl. at targets or even use hollowpoint .44 Spl for home or self defense. Find a clean used one W/O THE LOCK. I carry mine in a Simply Rugged Sourdough Pancake holster. This is a superb holster, that can be worn strong side or cross-draw, and is very reasonably priced.

S&W 629 vs 689

NewFuture2012

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shoot

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rkrcpa

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vico512

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Snowbandit

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M29since14

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Nframe357

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Dale53

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1911bphil

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Snapping Twig

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NewFuture2012

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TDC

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one eye joe

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