629 PC 2 1/2" vs. 696

I will admit up front that, .44 special is my favorite round for CCW and many other things. I have a 696-1 which I love, but I fear that the forcing cone may crack if I keep on putting rounds down the pipe. I have recently been looking at the 629 PC with the 2.625" barrel, six shot. For those of you that have both, what is the difference in weight, loaded, between the two revolvers? How about the recoil between the two? My 696 shoots like a .38 Special Is the 629 any more conceable or comfortable to carry than the 696? I am sure that the "N" frame vs. the "L" frame adds weight.

I would really like to have an all around .44 Special snubbie for everyday carry. I have a 296 but I do not like the recoil. I have tried for years to get a steel cylinder for it, but have just recently, run out of options, as far as I know.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated!

medxam

Try a mid-1980s 624 snub on for size ... N-frame 44 Special that won't cost you as much as a 629 snub, and shoots Specials with nary a hint of fierce recoil. I don't think I'd sell mine for twice what it's worth as it is a perfect S&W.

I wanted a 3 inch 629 and finally got everything together and ordered one right from Smith a couple years ago. They said they weren't making them in 3 inch anymore but I was able to get this one as one of the “emergency survival kits”. I don’t care about any of the rest of the stuff but I didn’t want to compromise and get a 4.



The day I picked it up it was to late to take it out so my friend and I just kind of fondled it and wiped it down. We both thought the trigger was horrible, heavy as a truck.

I figured I might as well replace the rebound spring right off the bat so we opened it up and then the stones found there way out and the next thing you know we smoothed everything down like you would have to do to a Ruger, put in a 11 lbs rebound spring and a factory 625 main, champhered the charge holes, hosed it down with brake cleaner, oiled it up and done in less than a hour.

I think it is the lightest, smoothest Smith I have ever pulled! We were just hoping it would have enough spring to fire. The next day was the local Thursday night IDPA match so a couple hours ahead of time I shot a couple dozen bowling pin loads. (240 SWC cast over 5 gr. Titegroup)




It’s a honey. I then shot a few heavy loads and it is not a beast with bear loads either. A couple hours later I shot the Thursday night IDPA match with no failures, so I love this thing. I think this is my favorite handgun ever!

The finish was a dull gray that was easily fixed with polish and a buffing wheel.

February 08 I used it to shoot the S&W Indoor Nationals IDPA match with 44SPL loads in SSR expert. I hadn’t been practicing so I knew I couldn’t win but I shot a great gun and I was the only guy with a 44. I did get bragging rights!

I carry it with Speer gold DotSB 200 gr. 44 Mag at just under 1000fps. (983} The 44 specials come out at 759 fps



I also have the 2 5/8 barrel N frame PC that you are thinking of except in 357. It is the best 357 I own or have ever shot.




I think the 44 Mag would feel the same. Enough weight to tame recoil but “small” enough to be carried. I think either one would fill your need just fine.

I think S&W is still offering a Alaskan or something like that which is a short Sc. Framed 44 Mag with a Stainless cylinder if I remember right. It also has a laser engraved bear on the side plate. That might be almost what you described above when you wanted to convert yours with a steel cylinder.

I hope this helps. Keep us posted.

The .44 mag PC does feel like your shooting .38's when using .44 specials (240 gr). Very nice feel,accurate and nice balance.
Kinda big but still concealable. I love this revolver. Money well spent.