Am I crazy?? I had a 629 4" several years ago and sold it to get more semi auto's. Now I am back to revolvers. I have a 19-3 2.5", 686+ 3" and a 27-2 3.5" all in .357 and am wondering about a snub .44. I had wood Hogue finger groove grips on my 4" 629 and loved shooting it, even with Winchester White Box 240gr magnums. Thinking of a 3" .44 629 Deluxe or something similar. Definitely want the full length ejector. I checked out:

Product: Model 629

Do these have the full length ejector? From the pics, it looks longer than the stubby ones; maybe I should do one of these in the 627 8 shot .357 instead so I have all .357's? I would use the Speer GD SB 210gr load probably for urban defense in the .44, so I wouldn't be shooting the full .44mag loads all that much.

How much more recoil is there in a 3" vs 4" .44 mag?? Not really concerned about the weight, I carry my 686+ frequently and full size or commander 1911's normally, so I am used to that much weight.

I have a 629-4, but it's a 6", so I really can't comment as to how a snub 629 would shoot.

I do have a Ruger SRH, however, that's had the barrel trimmed to 2.75". The ammo I keep it sighted in with is a Speer 200 gr. Gold Dot at about 900 fps. It's easy to shoot, and will take care of any situation. I do shoot full power loads with it, and have no problem with that. I think if you're accustomed to shooting a 4" .44, and are comfortable with it, you won't feel any noticeable difference between that and a 3" model.

I don't have any recent photos at the moment, but this is one I took a while back of what I have in the snub .44 department. These groups were shot at 10 yards offhand. The top one is a full power 300 gr. XTP, the bottom group is my carry ammo, and that group is the exception, not the norm.

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DSC_0253.jpg (86.7 KB, 147 views)

You don't necessarily need magnums to enjoy a .44 snubbie.

L to R: Taurus Model 445 DAO (.44 Special); S&W Model 696 (.44 Special); S&W Model 624 (.44 Special); Ruger Alaskan (.44 Mag).

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	445.jpg (73.7 KB, 69 views)
	696a.jpg (149.4 KB, 78 views)
	Alaskan4.jpg (121.3 KB, 95 views)

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If I get a revolver, I want the magnum version for more versatility, even if I shoot mostly Specials thru it. When I had the 4" .44mag 629, the factory rubber hogue's were slimmer than the hogue wood grips, but seemed to punch straight back in my hand, where the wood Hogues let the gun roll a little more and since they were fatter, let the recoil spread out a bit more. I was very accurate with it and most revolvers I have shot.

My Uncle wanted to do some handgun hunting for deer in CT when they passed the law, so we went out to a range and did some handgun shooting. First up was his 6" Colt Python. Set the targets up at 25 yds, he gets into a sitting position and touches off a few rounds SA, all over the paper. He hands it to me, I am standing, and take 2 shots DA and have a nice little group on the paper, maybe 1.5" between the 2 shots or so DA. He gets out his 8" Anaconda, tries to sight that in, same story. He hands it to me and standing, DA, the 2 shots are right next to each other, 4" high at 25 yds, maybe 1/2" or so apart. He looked at me, shook his head and packed them back up and said he was going to stick to rifles! I definitely want a 6" or 8" barrel for target work/hunting down the road, but i am trying to decide between the .44mag or another .357 carry piece. Love the 686+ 3" I have, feels so nice, but the .44mag is a fun round. Maybe I will get the 627 PC 8 shot .357mag for carry and then a nice 6 or 8" .44 mag for target and hunting?

I have the 629 UDR (Ultimate Defense Revolver) Pre Lock ( 1 of 300). The same gun as the Bloodwork 627, but Chambered in 44 Magnum. It's actually fun to shoot. I use Hogue Rubbers on it for shooting, but also enjoy it with the Combats as well, but I usually keep them off to the side. To expensive to hurt em.

I think you would enjoy a 44 Snubbie especially with 44 Special. You can pick up the Internal Lock versions for around 850-1000 on GB.

Jim ... You have a magnificent collection. Thank you for continuing to share photos.

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With these guns, do they have a full length ejector rod? It looks like it from the pics, but it's hard to tell.

I have a 3 inch 629 made in the 80s called a Back Packer then. Actually had two but traded one here for a 24 3 inch Lew Horton.
Mine has the rubber grips but have used wood boot grips on it too. Recoil is more than longer barrel guns but not bad until you get into hotter loads. Most of what I shoot in it is 44 mag cases loaded down to 44 Special. Fun guns to own, shoot and even carry concealed.
I'm not familiar with the newer models though.

Mine does. The prelock Version.

I assume the IL one does as well

Not too long ago I stumbled across this .44 Mag Backpacker with 3" barrel. Can't say much about how it shoots because I've been too busy to load for it yet.

I have two snubbie 44 magnums both are shooting workers. The PC 629 has a very nice trigger and smooth action. The Night Guard is easy to carry but the action has needed a lot of dry firing to smooth out and is still not ideal. I just won't leave it at a gunsmith long enough for the work. More dry firing. I do have 210 grain silver tip for urban work but spring, summer and fall normally stay with 255 grain Hard cast Buffalo bore. Rated as lower recoil but excellent penetration. My current often carry is the 5 shot Model 69 L frame as fits better for me. NG is next most often.

Attached Images

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629s-30.jpgDSC_0081-30.jpg

I've had three, all purchased the same way: seen at a gun show with a partially empty box of ammo next to them. First one had been fired 11 times before the owner had enough. I got it for a song. 2&15/16" barrel. $300.
Second one was purchased the same way, though the brave owner said he had put "a few" boxes through it. Same 2&15/16" barrel. $250.
Third one is a "Trail Boss" with no graphic. 3" barrel. $450.

One of our sons is professional military and he took one to tame his macho friends. "Oh, you like REAL magnums? Here! Try THIS one!" Loads it with my 300-gr Hammer Heads.
I gave the other two to a friend who backpacks and says he carries them both at the same time! With ammo I'll bet they're heavier than his backpack.
I would shoot only .44 Specials in them, but, frankly, if that's the case I'd rather carry my highly modified 329PD 4" with my own low-end magnum loads, or .44 Specials. I want the longer barrel and sight radius.
Attached is a "reunion picture" of the snubbies with my Mountain Gun, a great trail gun.

Hickock45 has a very good review of his 3 inch 629 on you tube .

Good info! I am kinda leaning towards my .357's. My 686+ doesn't really me wanting much and I dunno if I want to spend $1000 for 1 extra round in 357 mag over my 686+. Snubby .44 wouldn't be worth it for hunting really, would be nice for CCW, but I have 3 .357's for that and 4 1911's in various sizes, too. Thinking of a 4" or 6" .357 now for target/hunting whitetail. Around here, I do archery hunting as well and shots are often under 40 yds. I did a 108 yd shot with my .35 Rem lever action last year to take a nice deer, but that was the exception. All other shots have been under 50 yds.

I've always been interested in the Jovino and Behlert customs so when S&W along with Lew Horton came out with the 3" 629-1, round butt I was hooked. Haven't owned one, a good friend has one that I get to run mostly specials out of, but for me it feels so right in the hand. One of these days.....

I have a 2.5" 629 "Backpacker". It has full underlug and came from the factory ported and with a FO sight.

Real nice shooter with 44 Special and not too bad with mid range magnums.

With the ported short barrel, the muzzle blast is major.

I think if you had to shoot a bear with it, even if you missed you might set him on fire.

LOL, not too many bears in my area yet, but there have been 1 or 2 sightings in the past year or so. Most are smaller black bears currently, so the .357 should work for that. More concerned with 2 legged animals!

I have the 44 and 41mag.snubs..both are lots of fun and great shooters

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Love my 44 snub, it wasn't as much of a handful as I expected.

It's not a 44 Mag. but at just 24oz. & stoked with some 180 or 200gr JHP (+)P loads, it's more than adequate. I also have his big brother (329NG) but this is my favorite .44 snubbie.



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