629-4 questions

[luvall]

New to the forum.
I have the opportunity to purchase a 629-4. I would like to learn about this gun since I'm new to S/W. What is the good, the bad, and the ugly?
My plans are for deer hunting.
Can a ...

• 1. scope be mounted to the -4?
  2. How "hot" of a load will this version handle? Will the -4 handle +P?
  3. What power and bullet weight have you had success for accuracy and stopping power on a whitetail?

 

[daveyc]

Many people consider the -4 to be the most desireable shooter. they have the full endurance package without the lock and MIM trigger/hammer. they are also drilled/tapped for scope mounting. i have had good luck with the hornady xtp 240 gr. through mine on deer. hope this helps
daveyc

 

[Fishinfool]

As daveyc said, the 629-4 is an excellent shooting revolver. I have a 4 inch open sighted, and 6 inch scoped version, and use them often. They will handle any SAAMI level load you want to use. I would stay away from the speciality plus P loads from companies like Buffalo Bore, as they are really pushing the limit, are uncomfortable to shoot, and frankly, really not needed for whitetail hunting.

The 240 and 300 grain XTP's are excellent deer bullets, as are the Gold Dots, pushed to around 1200 / 1300 fps. As of late, I have been using hard cast 250 / 300 grain Keith and WFN slugs loaded to about 1000 / 1100 fps, and have had excellent luck on big game without all the drama of hot loads. Typically, a buck hit thru the shoulders runs about 40 yards, and piles up, with thru and thru penetration. JHP's thru the lungs often result in a little quicker kill, but often do not exit. Personally I like the penetration and exit hole a hard cast provides, but they both work well on deer sized game.

Larry

 

[M29since14]

New to the forum.
I have the opportunity to purchase a 629-4. I would like to learn about this gun since I'm new to S/W. What is the good, the bad, and the ugly?

There is no "ugly" to speak of - if you like the round-butt frame. The -4 guns came in both round- and square-butt models. The square-butt models are something of a prize, as far as I am concerned. The round-butt models can be "converted" to square-butt configuration with stocks of that shape, if that is what you like, but at least a few of us just would rather have the square-butt gun to start with. I notice that when they appear here for sale, they usually do not last too long.

The -4 should handle any reasonable 44 Magnum load you would put in it, but deer are not terribly hard to kill. As Fishinfool says, a well-placed shot with a moderate load from a 44 should do in just about any deer in fairly short order. The really heavy-duty 44 loads are mainly for those trekking and boondocking in big bear territory. The -4 gun should handle those too, as long as they are within proper pressure specification.

 

[jspick]

I live in NW Montana where I carry +P loads for protection against bears and other critters that think I might be a tasty meal! Little do they know I would be very stringy and blah tasting!

Like fishinfool said a good moderate load is all you need for a whitetail. You do not need to punish yourself to have fun. Accuracy is better with a load you like to shoot. A good jacketed bullet that will expand and hold together will give you quick kills. I do not know how far you intend to shoot but, you should be able to have a pass through shot with a expanded bullet at any handgun range.

I only shoot moderate loads or less in my 629 for all shooting except for when I carry in the woods. I do not think I need to abuse my gun or punish myself for any other purpose. If you need to wring out the most out of a cartridges performance go to the next bigger cart. and shoot it moderatley.

John

 

[luvall]

Guys - thanks so much. This is a round grip and I too like the square look. I guess it isn't to difficult to make the change. Some people suggest the rubber grip for comfort. Agree/disagree?

I was thinking Burris 2x scope - if I scope it out. Thoughts? I do have bad eyes and hunt in the woods from the ground. Most shots would be under 60 yards thru the woods.

 

[team sidewinder]

I am liking the rubber grips on my 629. Good tacky grip, some recoil absorbing benefits. I shoot Federal 300gr castcore or Garrett Defender 310 cast bullets for carring out in the wild outdoors. Jacketed bullets work best on thin skinned animals where solid cast bullets work best on heavy skinned/boned animals where deep penetration is a must. Even a .44 bullet that doesn't expand leaves a pretty good size hole.

 

[M29since14]

Some people suggest the rubber grip for comfort. Agree/disagree?

I was thinking Burris 2x scope - if I scope it out. Thoughts?

If I am going to do a considerable amount of shooting with magnum loads, I like rubber stocks - Pachmayrs, to be specific.

As to the telescope, my own choice for the use you describe might be a red-dot sight instead. Telescopes on pistols are difficult for me, unless the gun always can be fired from a solid rest. I am not sure why, but I get along better with red-dot sights. I don't have a lot of experience with either, but that would be my preference if I were to start down the path you describe.

 

[jspick]

For grips I use Hogue monogrips. They fit my hand the best. You need to use what fits your hand and gives you the best control. There is no right or wrong answer with grips unless you are putting "correct" grips on a collectable gun. Then it is a sin to put houges on a colletable gun! lol lol

John

 

[luvall]

This is a round grip. Is there any modification to the frame needed to add square of rubber grips. This is my first revolver - I've been a semi guy so I'm starting new in some ways. Thanks again - everyone has been so helpful.

 

[nawilson]

No, sir. No changes need to be made to the gun itself. The shape of the frame determines if it is RB or SB. You basically are just screwing on stocks that fit the frame, but they can have whatever external profile.

 

[3Gunnah]

I have a -4 5 inch. It is a transition model. RB, groved backstrap, forged hammer with pin, MIM trigger and cyl release. I want to change to a forged trigger, when I find one local. This gun is great. Shoots great. I would not think twice about hunting with this gun.

 

[luvall]

OUTSTANDING!

No, sir. No changes need to be made to the gun itself. The shape of the frame determines if it is RB or SB. You basically are just screwing on stocks that fit the frame, but they can have whatever external profile.

 

[luvall]

No, sir. No changes need to be made to the gun itself. The shape of the frame determines if it is RB or SB. You basically are just screwing on stocks that fit the frame, but they can have whatever external profile.

Just to clarify, I can put a square rubber grip on a round frame.

 

[M29since14]

You have the buy the grip that fits a round-butt frame. Both Hogue and Pachmayr make them. The Packmayrs tend to be a little beefier and the Hogues a little thinner. Both companies have grips for the round-butt frame that "convert" it so that it feels more like a square-butt gun.

Your gun probably came from the factory with a Hogue grip, unless it happened to be one of the DX-models, which I believe came with both wood and rubber stocks.

 

[luvall]

No, sir. No changes need to be made to the gun itself. The shape of the frame determines if it is RB or SB. You basically are just screwing on stocks that fit the frame, but they can have whatever external profile.

Just to clarify, I can put a square rubber grip on a round frame.

 

[luvall]

You have the buy the grip that fits a round-butt frame. Both Hogue and Pachmayr make them. The Packmayrs tend to be a little beefier and the Hogues a little thinner. Both companies have grips for the round-butt frame that "convert" it so that it feels more like a square-butt gun.

Your gun probably came from the factory with a Hogue grip, unless it happened to be one of the DX-models, which I believe came with both wood and rubber stocks.

I bought the gun used and it has wood. Since the primary use is deer hunting, rubber is more practical.

 

[beach elvis]

Just to clarify, I can put a square rubber grip on a round frame.

Various manufacturers market grips that are made to fit a round butt and when they're when installed, they change the gripframe's external shape to that of a squarebutt.


Meaning to say that internally, the innards of the panels are shaped to precisely fit over a round-butt grip frame but externally, their shape is square.

Or to put it another way, for example you don't want to take the grips off of a 29-1 (which were all square butt), put them on a 629-5 (which were all round butts), and expect them to fit.

I use the Hogue MonoGrip round-to-square conversions on all of my RB Smiths and I've had quite good luck with them in relation to my hand size, which happens to be about medium for a man.