Saw this gun at a store while buying ammo, and Ive been in the market for a good .44 for protection while i'm here living in Alaska. i have a few requirements. accuracy and grizzly stopping power. the gun is listed at 900 bucks so id have to find another store to buy it at, but I liked it either way. couldnt find it on the S&W website, maybe its old? new? any info on this weapon would be greatly appreciated. thanks!
.44 2-1/2" Backpacker, info please?
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Bear Country 88
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If you grab hold of the bear by the neck and stick the gun in his ear or up his nose, then maybe a 44 magnum will stop a grizzly bear. If you wish to remain alive, and not get within 50 feet of a grizzly bear - you need a rifle and you need to be good under pressure with that rifle! I have a model 329 .44 magnum revolver with a 2 1/2 inch barrel and I'm not sure it would even go through a grizzly bear's hide. It would upset the bear and make his and your ears ring... but I'd plan on carrying a rifle if you expect to run into a grizzly. Maybe other posters will have more information.
69HEMI-R/T
Member
In bear country, I would not be comfortable with only a .44mag revolver! I would want either a 12 guage slug gun or a lightweight repeating rifle in 45-70 and would still run as far as I could before shooting!
Seems to me a riot 870 with 8 rounds of slugs would be a pretty good set-up if you think you're going to encounter a large bear. Do other folks think slugs are effective enough for huge bears? (sorry to hi-jack your thread!)
alde
Member
I have a 629 Backpacker and love it. Mine does not have the laser etching and has an un-fluted cylinder with a 3" barrel. It is very accurate and a fun gun to shoot with hot specials or light magnums. It's not fun with full power magnums. It's the gun I take with me fishing on the rivers in Washington. The biggest thing we have are 300+ pound black bears and cougers. I would not depend on this gun when facing a grizzly or an upset moose.
makeminestainless
Member
I think they are older. If you could open the crane and get the dash number that may help. If it didn't have the lock it's older. Ruger has also made short large caliber handguns. Either of these should be mechanically accurate but will be difficult to shoot accurately due to the short distance between the front and rear site. Any handgun against a grizzly is a compromise. Heavy bullets will help penetration. Flat pointed cast bullets have a reputation of working well in platforms where speed is lower. Smith has also made "snub" type 500's which are more powerful but are larger.
Steven
I spend a lot of time in bear country and I always carry a S&W 44 Mag.
Usually a 4", most often a Mountain Revolver. The best way to carry it I found is to use a DeSantis cross draw Dual Action Hunter holster.
As long as you carry at least a 240gr hard casr SWC at @1100fps you can penetrate the skull of a bear.
Many prefer a heavier bullet. A Federal 300 gr Cast Core, heavy Buffalo Bore, or Garretts 44 Mag ammo will do the job.
I can say a Garrett Hammerhead, from a 4" S&W 44 Mag will shoot through the skull of a cape buffalo, and also into the brain of a cow elephant on a side brain shot.
While I would refer a powerful rifle in case of any big animal attack, you cannot always carry a rifle, and if you are knocked down a rifle will do you no good.
I find the 4" S&W in the DeSantis holster very comfrotabel to carry.
My wife and I ALWAYS carry 4" S&W 44 Mags when in the field.
Anything more powerful is not good because you cannot shoot it from awkard positions with one hand.
I have a 475 Linebaugh, it is too powerful for PROTECTION.
Any handgun bigger and heavier than a 4" S&W 44 Mag is too big and heavy for 100% of the time carry.
If you like the shorter barreled S&W 44 Mag, and use the proper ammo it will do the job.
The main thing is to practice, and have the proper ammo.
I spend a lot of time in bear country and I always carry a S&W 44 Mag.
Usually a 4", most often a Mountain Revolver. The best way to carry it I found is to use a DeSantis cross draw Dual Action Hunter holster.
As long as you carry at least a 240gr hard casr SWC at @1100fps you can penetrate the skull of a bear.
Many prefer a heavier bullet. A Federal 300 gr Cast Core, heavy Buffalo Bore, or Garretts 44 Mag ammo will do the job.
I can say a Garrett Hammerhead, from a 4" S&W 44 Mag will shoot through the skull of a cape buffalo, and also into the brain of a cow elephant on a side brain shot.
While I would refer a powerful rifle in case of any big animal attack, you cannot always carry a rifle, and if you are knocked down a rifle will do you no good.
I find the 4" S&W in the DeSantis holster very comfrotabel to carry.
My wife and I ALWAYS carry 4" S&W 44 Mags when in the field.
Anything more powerful is not good because you cannot shoot it from awkard positions with one hand.
I have a 475 Linebaugh, it is too powerful for PROTECTION.
Any handgun bigger and heavier than a 4" S&W 44 Mag is too big and heavy for 100% of the time carry.
If you like the shorter barreled S&W 44 Mag, and use the proper ammo it will do the job.
The main thing is to practice, and have the proper ammo.
69HEMI-R/T
Member
Good post from NE450No2 !! Words of wisdom, for sure. If all you can pack is a .44mag in Grizzly country then, by all means, load it with the heaviest load you can handle.
Just stay as far away as you can from a Grizzly as I still stand by my earlier statement that it is not enough for a Grizzly! Better than nothing but RUN FAST FIRST!!!!
Just stay as far away as you can from a Grizzly as I still stand by my earlier statement that it is not enough for a Grizzly! Better than nothing but RUN FAST FIRST!!!!
Mitch_D
Member
I agree absolutely with NE450No2, and appreciate the advise to "RUN FAST FIRST". However, living in Grizzly country I've learned that you don't always have a retreat or footrace opportunity. They are very stealthy and FAST. I'm getting older and I know they are faster than me - so I carry accordingly.
.44Mag preferred, .357Mag minimum.
Thank God Grizzlys can't shoot back. At least we have that going for us.
And, Yes, I do realize the non-PC sentiment of what I just conveyed. This is still America, and (at least in my family) we do have a right to defend ourselves, even from endangered species.
.44Mag preferred, .357Mag minimum.
Thank God Grizzlys can't shoot back. At least we have that going for us.
And, Yes, I do realize the non-PC sentiment of what I just conveyed. This is still America, and (at least in my family) we do have a right to defend ourselves, even from endangered species.
batmann
Member
I know this is a S&W forum, but you might think about a Ruger Alaskan. Same size, weight and probably a little cheaper. Another alternative would be a S&W Mountain Gun, a little lighter than either. If you get a Smith and get either Buffalo Bore or Garrett make sure that is specifies for Smiths. Some of their ammo is to long to fit in a S&W cyl.
I also agree with Ne450no2. Many people sell the magnums (41 and 44) far short when it comes to protection when using proper loads. By proper I mean some of the loads already mentioned. The hard cast loads from Garrett and Buffalo Bore are designed for just that - penetration. The Federal Castcore is also a good one. Be sure they are designed for the gun you will be taking. Read some of the data on Garrett's site. Garrettcartridges.com. The penetration that some of these hardcast load are achieving would amaze you. Randy Garret even talks about end to end penetration on frontal shots on animals such as bears and buffalo. I also don't like the idea of a 44 as a primary weapon, but sometimes that's all that is going to be available. Good luck. wyatte
Last edited:
JD 500
Member
Here's a 629-6 "Backpacker" sn# DAN6XXX:
(Sorry for the poor lighting in photos.)
Have a Jinks letter indicating it is a "Special Production Revolver - 1 of 50 made for MT Sports" " Shipped 12/23/2006 to MT Sports, Billings,MT
Photos above were with stock hogue grip.
Have Factory combats on now, and a better pic:
(Sorry for the poor lighting in photos.)
Have a Jinks letter indicating it is a "Special Production Revolver - 1 of 50 made for MT Sports" " Shipped 12/23/2006 to MT Sports, Billings,MT
Photos above were with stock hogue grip.
Have Factory combats on now, and a better pic:
JD 500
Member
And as far as bear protection, you should know where and be prepared/train for hitting a very small (kill) area on a VERY rapidly approaching predator, regardless of what you shoot it with. You would be far more accurate with a shotgun and slugs, if you can field it.
My backpacker is magnaported, and only 2.5" bbl. Anyone know how much velocity would be lost compared to a 4" non compensated mtn gun ?
I would probably choose the 4" 500 for the job. And get a lot of trigger time before the trip.
My backpacker is magnaported, and only 2.5" bbl. Anyone know how much velocity would be lost compared to a 4" non compensated mtn gun ?
I would probably choose the 4" 500 for the job. And get a lot of trigger time before the trip.
batmann
Member
I can only guess about the velocity question because I have asked the same thing. I figure I lose about 60-70 FPS per inch from my Alaskan based on a 4" barrel. I couldn't begin to guess how much you lose when you factor in the porting.
JD 500
Member
Just visited Magnaport website :
"A number of chronograph tests have been conducted over the years. It has been proven, time and again, that Mag-na-porting does not influence velocities to any meaningful extent. "
Mag-na-port International--The Mag-na-port Process: Handgun Porting
329pd alaska backpacker
i have a 329pd alaska backpacker 44mag. its kicks pretty good but not like i thought it would. its light(29 oz.) and it will be my carry gun in the woods. i would reccomend the grips off of the s&w 500, houge makes them but you only get them from the smith site. they tame the thing i think.
im now to this gun but man its fun to shoot. check it out on the smith site
i have a 329pd alaska backpacker 44mag. its kicks pretty good but not like i thought it would. its light(29 oz.) and it will be my carry gun in the woods. i would reccomend the grips off of the s&w 500, houge makes them but you only get them from the smith site. they tame the thing i think.
im now to this gun but man its fun to shoot. check it out on the smith site
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Kobold 27
I have the same model Backpacker that you have posted the photo of. I bought mine new in 1994. It is a 3" which I believe is the only barrel length for the backpacker in 29-4 configuration. The stocks are nearly identical to yours but a little darker. My box still has the retail price on it, $579.00, a lot of money in the mid-1990's. Don't recall what I paid but it was not much under that figure. I have never fired it only because I also purchased the same vintage 29-4 mountain gun and near same year 29-4 Classic 5". They are my shooters. I nearly sold it several years back to a good friend, but declined at the last moment. Yes, we are still friends. Great gun just to fondle and peer at occasionally.
I have the same model Backpacker that you have posted the photo of. I bought mine new in 1994. It is a 3" which I believe is the only barrel length for the backpacker in 29-4 configuration. The stocks are nearly identical to yours but a little darker. My box still has the retail price on it, $579.00, a lot of money in the mid-1990's. Don't recall what I paid but it was not much under that figure. I have never fired it only because I also purchased the same vintage 29-4 mountain gun and near same year 29-4 Classic 5". They are my shooters. I nearly sold it several years back to a good friend, but declined at the last moment. Yes, we are still friends. Great gun just to fondle and peer at occasionally.
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