629: 5" vs. 6"

[dr0]

I'm planning on getting another S&W N frame 44 in Stainless to augment my Mod 29, which is too nice with it's beautiful blueing for some places I go. Because it's just to bang around with I am thinking of buying new gun, unless a nice used version pops up.

I read all the "favorite barrel length" threads, and have kinda settled on either a 5" "Classic" with the full underlug or the 6" with the traditional partial underlug. I'm a bit torn, because I like the traditional Smith style over the Classic, but the 5" might be my favorite length.

Any difference in how they shoot? Anyone have a chance to compare them side by side? Much difference on the ease of holstering? Which do you prefer, and why?

 

[jrod]

I owned a 5" when I lived in Alaska. It was very accurate and I really liked that the Front Sight is interchangeable.

 

[eyegots2no]

Mmmm.

I wonder how many 5 " holsters there are??

Yes you can have one made--- don't know how long it would take---I haven't kept up with that.

I have a 4 inch that works real well in a desantis crossdraw.

I have wanted on of the mountain guns with the tapered barrel and I like the chamfered front of the cylinders--stainless of course. do more carrying the shooting so less weight is nice.

 

[dr0]

Of the three currently manufactured guns the catalog lists these weights:
4" - 41.5 oz
5" - 44.3 oz
6" - 45.0 oz

3.5 ozs = about 4 rounds of .44 mag ammo.

The Mountain Guns were nice! I remember seeing them when they were being stocked at a few dealers around here. I lusted after a .45 Colt version, which I think they made.

Thanks for the replies so far.

 

[Bobbysixkiller]

My 629 is 5 inch and very accurate. Holsters are thin pickins though unless you have one made. I have a simply rugged for mine that is great.

 

[DR505]

Of the three currently manufactured guns the catalog lists these weights:
4" - 41.5 oz
5" - 44.3 oz
6" - 45.0 oz

3.5 ozs = about 4 rounds of .44 mag ammo.

The Mountain Guns were nice! I remember seeing them when they were being stocked at a few dealers around here. I lusted after a .45 Colt version, which I think they made.

Thanks for the replies so far.

I've got a 4" 629 that carries really well. My 6" 29 is a great shooter, but carrying it is quite noticeable compared to the 4".

I just recently picked up a 625 Model of 1989 with the full lug 5" barrel. I have been looking for a holster...gotta have one made. But, it shoots great and balances well in the hand. Here is a picture.

And yes, S&W did offer the Mountain Gun in .45 Colt...here is one in my collection:

 

[PA Guns & Ammo]

Why can you not use a 6" holster for the 5" barrel?

 

[629shooter]

Mmmm.

I wonder how many 5 " holsters there are??

There aren't too many "off the shelf options". But, Milt Sparks, Simply Rugged, and Lobo Gun Leather all make holsters that are better than what can be found on most shelves.

 

[629shooter]

Why can you not use a 6" holster for the 5" barrel?

You can. You'll just have an extra inch of leather.

 

[DR505]

Why can you not use a 6" holster for the 5" barrel?

You can. You'll just have an extra inch of leather.

I don't care for that option. I'd rather use my Milt Sparks PMK made for my 3" and have 2" stick out the bottom.

 

[AveragEd]

I have both types of 629s you mentioned, a 5" Classic DX and a 6" with the half-lug barrel. That's a tough choice but I will go with the 5" as it balances nicely, can be drawn and holstered a little more easily and still offers a nice sight radius for accuracy.

I've had custom holsters made and the wait time isn't hateful - a month or two at worst. I don't holster my 6" but I do use a Bianchi 15HBL for my 5", which is my hunting .44. The holster fits the gun very well and for what it costs, seems decently well-made but I advise against a thumb break as I find it clumsy to get out of the way while you are holstering the gun. In cold weather with a coat on, you're holding the coat out of the way and holding the gun with the one hand while you try to spread the thumb break open by reaching around with the other hand - and that's if your other hand can reach that far (the arthritis in my shoulders makes doing that very painful for me). If not, you have to do all three things with one hand. Accordingly, my custom holsters all have safety straps.

I also have a 6-1/2" 629 Classic that our son uses for hunting but that's a lot of weight on your belt, so a shoulder holster is your best bet with that type of gun.

Ed

 

[ErnieDeBord]

I just turned 60 couple weeks backs, I have a unfired 629-3 Im in love with to say the least, the very 1st New S&W I bought many moons ago was the same thing, talk about heaven! I have raved on here about the one I have now ( and for good reason). Over the years I have been fortunate to owned & shot quite a few 629s, from 3 to 8 3/8. Loved em all. Never tried to shoot the 3" at distance, I never shot the 4" very well at all. The 6", I shot pretty darn well, the 8 3/8 shot like a rifle. I never had a chance to shoot a 5. My 1st & true love is a S&W 6" 629. I almost put the one I have now up for sale, Something inside me told me NO, thank God I didn't.Its the only 629 I have, and after a lot of soul searching I hope it stays with me until my demise, Regards Ernie