oldtimer48
Member
what are the differences between the two? i was looking for a 6" or possibly 8" barrel target and to hunt with.
what's better 29 or 629?
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qballwill
Member
Neither one is better than the other. The only difference in material. A 29 is carbon steel and a 629 is stainless steel. For hunting I would recommend the 629. Stainless is much more durable in the field. More resistant to rust and corrosion.
cjcutter1
Member
The one in your hand getting shot putting a grin on your face at the time.Both great guns I have a 629 myself.
OP
oldtimer48
Member
thanks guys i guess the frames are the same ? also the 629 seemed to cost less
aterry33
Member
There is much more difference between the different models of the 29 and 629 than between the 29 and the 629 themselves. For example, the 629-3E and later models have durability improvements compared to the older 629s.
The Model 29 is the classic .44 Magnum made famos by Dirty Harry (as my sig pic and signature show). It is available in Blued or Nickle finishes. Its only draw back is that the 29 is not available with a full lug barrel. The Model 629 is stainless steel and is available with either a standard or full lug barrel.
For target and hunting, the 629 with a full lug barrel is the better choice. The added weight of the full lug makes a difference in accurracy on the human side. Besides, the felt recoil is less and that saves the hand over a long day of targets.
The 629 is no longer available NEW with an 8" barrel but was some time ago. A good search on Gun Broker or at your local hot spots or shows could find you one. Maybe even a late 70's early 80's model. They just made them better then.
Interestingly enough, S&W did produce the Model 629's smaller cousin, the 686 .357 Mag in both a stainless (686) and a blued version (586).
For target and hunting, the 629 with a full lug barrel is the better choice. The added weight of the full lug makes a difference in accurracy on the human side. Besides, the felt recoil is less and that saves the hand over a long day of targets.
The 629 is no longer available NEW with an 8" barrel but was some time ago. A good search on Gun Broker or at your local hot spots or shows could find you one. Maybe even a late 70's early 80's model. They just made them better then.
Interestingly enough, S&W did produce the Model 629's smaller cousin, the 686 .357 Mag in both a stainless (686) and a blued version (586).
Frostback
Member
Not entirely true. My 29-3 has a full under lug barrel:
Frosty
OP
oldtimer48
Member
man thanks again i had no idea, i went to a local fun show about a week ago in roanoke va. and traded a smith 9mm 908 in box 2 mags mint condition plus $250.00 for a 686-1ss 6" barrel, it is with my gunsmith now getting some trigger work done to it, i also called smith and ran the serial number by them and it has not been back for the recall as of yet. i did shoot it only with some georgia arms 38 special ammo and it is quite accurate, i have not shot it yet with 357 ammo. i did not know about the full lug under the barrel and how it effected accuracy. i do have a sti spartan 45acp that i going to trade or sell to fund the 629 purchase in the future. i have been reading as much info as i can so i can make a informed decission on my next purchase. also i want to say thanks for all the help and suggestions
MaximumLawman
Member
Blue revolvers with wood grips are better because that's they way they're supposed to be.
jhvaughan2
Member
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I'm with MaxLaw... for the most part.
I have exactly one stainless handgun and it is for the deep woods; when I reasonably be expect to get crud, mud and blood on me and it.
ol timer
Member
D1911
Member
I agree. M29-5 5"
That's a beautiful 29. Wish I could find one of the Classic blued 5" guns in California.
tom turner
US Veteran
. . . and my 29-5 also has a 6" full-underlug barrel (but I've removed my front 4-position silhouette sight to keep the gun totally quiet when I draw it in the deer woods.
I've been using this 1989-1990 full underlug + unfluted barrel Model 29-5 for hunting deer since about 2000 . . . topped with a 1st generation Holosight I had on another handgun initially. I simply cannot imagine a better deer handgun! The blue finish doesn't draw attention as much as stainless can in the field (IMHO) and it has held up extremely well.
The full underlugged Model 29s are rarer but they do exist. Most do not have the 4-way adjustable silhouette front sight on them however, but a conventional S&W front sight instead.
BTW, the handgun is pictured atop the hide of a Piebald Whitetail Buck that I took with this wonderful handgun . . . one of so, so many deer that I've harvested with this set up in the past ten years or so.
Here's one from THIS season . . .
And last season . . .
There is really no "better" revolver between the 29 and the 629. For nasty abuse, the 629 would edge out the 29. For sheer beauty and better stealth, the 29. Either way, for heavy hunting, I'd look for one with the endurance package. It is easy to see, for the cylinder bolt notches cut into the face of the cylinder will be noticeably longer to the front of the turn ring in my photo. The earlier Model 29 & 629 are even length in front and behind the turn ring area.
I've been using this 1989-1990 full underlug + unfluted barrel Model 29-5 for hunting deer since about 2000 . . . topped with a 1st generation Holosight I had on another handgun initially. I simply cannot imagine a better deer handgun! The blue finish doesn't draw attention as much as stainless can in the field (IMHO) and it has held up extremely well.
The full underlugged Model 29s are rarer but they do exist. Most do not have the 4-way adjustable silhouette front sight on them however, but a conventional S&W front sight instead.
BTW, the handgun is pictured atop the hide of a Piebald Whitetail Buck that I took with this wonderful handgun . . . one of so, so many deer that I've harvested with this set up in the past ten years or so.
Here's one from THIS season . . .
And last season . . .
There is really no "better" revolver between the 29 and the 629. For nasty abuse, the 629 would edge out the 29. For sheer beauty and better stealth, the 29. Either way, for heavy hunting, I'd look for one with the endurance package. It is easy to see, for the cylinder bolt notches cut into the face of the cylinder will be noticeably longer to the front of the turn ring in my photo. The earlier Model 29 & 629 are even length in front and behind the turn ring area.
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