629 Backpacker

[Yancyd]

Looking to buy/trade possibly for a 629 Backpacker 2.5" .44 Mag. or?

I know it is an N frame. I believe it is a round butt. Anyone know for sure?

Also is the stainles on it durable? Any feedback on the Backpacker or other S&W's, similiar, is always appreciated.

I am retired and will be letting 1 of my Model 27-3 5" Smiths go in trade or sell since income is limited. The Backpacker caught my eye for a good carry piece here on my property (The Shy of 40) and also for riding my Nomad cycle. Thanks. yancyd

"Good to keep learning from others, as everyone knows something we don't"

 

[bubbajoe45]

yes, it is a round butt. The satin stainless finish should be fairly durable (you can touch up any scratches you might incur), however the 'paw prints' look to me to be laser etched - I don't know how these will hold up. It's a bit heavy, but probably not noticably more so than a 5" M27. I'm sure you'll like it.

 

[pharman]

629 backpacker

I have a backpacker that I believe was made around 1994. It has a 3" barrel. It is very well made. I have had no problems with it. It is one of my favorite 44's. I do not know anything about the newer model...

 

[rollin_hot]

Backpacker

I have the -5 Backpacker with the 3" barrel and it is a tank and a very nice sidearm. It is a bit much for everyday carry, but I would assume it would be good for the back trails. Mine is an N frame and round butt. I prefer stainless guns because they will polish out. Oh, and it does'nt have the cheesy bear paw prints or lock. I was told they only made about 200 of these so they carry a bit of a premium when you can find them.

 

[Yancyd]

Do enjoy this site. Words of wisdom and pictures too. Appreciate the posts. The paw prints agree....so so. Nice looking -5 3".
yancyd

 

[holo]

GREAT GUN

YOU CANT GO WRONG WITH THE BACKPACKER. BE READY FOR STICKER SCHOCK SAW ONE AT A GUN SHOW IN OHIO SAT MOR. THEY WERE ASKING $1200.00

 

[bubbajoe45]

I searched GunBroker and saw 5 or 6 of them ranging from about 650 to 850.

 

[jcelect]

3" 629?

Hey Yancyd
If you are looking for a 3" 629 don't buy the first one you see for a high price. Here are a few of the product code numbers S&W has made of the 3" 629 with a little different configuration on each. #103408, 103450, 103610(this code is used for many varations), 103611, 103650, 103658, 148157, 148719, 163409, 163410, 163411, 170012, 170026, 170048, 170058. All the 170xxx code were made by the Preformance Center. As stated, these can be found on line or at gun shows for about $650-$850!
jcelect

 

[DOEBOY1]

i bought a 629 with combat grips short barrell i think about 3 inch? maybe for less than $600. combat grips. it's heavy but looks real simmiliar to the back packer. you could even try a mtn gun if price is an issue with the back packer. i haven't shot very my short 629 very much but what i did shoot was pleasent because of the combat grips. i was also shooting hot hand loads. good luck finding that back packer i have had trouble finding a mtn gun that i am willing to afford the fee for. Doeboy

 

[pj151]

A month late to this party but I have one NIB if interested PM or email me.

Edit 05/31/2010 * Thanks for the interest. My gun is currently SPF.*

 

[JcMack]

I had a 3" Trail Boss. Basically same gun as Backpacker. Mine had factory lanyard stud and Dynaporting. In these days of .460 and .500 I guess a .44 3" is small potatoes. Please explain a 3" .44 from a practicality standpoint.

 

[m657]

"Practicality standpoint?"

Not sure of how to respond.

I've long been a fan of short N frame designs.
Having my share of 4" models, I finally came across a deal on a 3" 629.

It's the very essence of "practicality" as it fits in my pocket, although better carried in a belt holster;

it shoots 44 mag well but I prefer 44 special more frequently;

it's stainless should I drop it in the mud, the blood or the beer;

it's got combat RB configuration so it's very comfortable in hand;

it's considerably less intrusive in the RB form than I would have expected;

I can reload it for about 15 cents a round in any of several dozen bullet choices;

I can load up or down for anything from plinking to targets near or far, tailoring for need to any mammal or reptile on the continent;

it requires a certain level of practice & discipline to obtain the best performance and accuracy thereby justifying additional range time;

wrist splints, accessory axle and tow bar generally unnecessary;

and it leaves very large holes in stuff.

Your turn.

 

[Don K.]

To me, practicality centers around "carry-ability" and ability to put out some power. "Shoot-ability" of a firearm is contingent upon trigger time and round count (for the most part.) Snub .44s fit right into this category. If you spend the time with them (handloading is a must) they will do whatever can (or should) be asked of a short to Service barreled handgun. There is velocity loss, but it is not crippling- ex. 10g. Unique/250 Keith/mag case, 4" 629=1108 fps./ 3" 29=1055 fps.. 53 fps less and the 3" is still puting out 600+ lbs at the muzzle with a load that you can shoot all day, and that has plenty of throttle left, both up and down. Change that 250Keith to a 215g. swc and you have an easy shooting 1150 fps. defense load for your 3" .44. I also have the 2.5" Backpacker. It is a more challenging gun to shoot than a 3". Run familiar loads through this gun and it's obvious that it doesn't have the lungs of a 3" barreled gun, which is to be expected. I imagine a bit of load development will tiddy this up though. I have to say that the Backpacker is one of my favorites. The 2.5" barrel takes away all of the "poke-me-ness" of the longer barreled guns iwb. I grip it with Hogue Bantams for K/L frames. It feels great in the hand, it shoots great (albiet a little to the left) It carries nicely, and with a bit of handloading tlc, I'm sure it will put out all the power I could want.

 

[Shooting4life]

i really like the look of the 3 inch N frames. With the 629, you might as well just shoot 44 specials since the barrel is so short. Here is a pic of my 624 with a 3 inch barrel.

 

[cooperduper]

Not a backpacker, but neither am I...

I suppose it's not practical. But if I was practical, I wouldn't have so many guns. A mild 240 SWC load that goes 1020 out of my 6", gets 850, here. That's the only chrony comparison I've managed to make so far.

 

[JcMack]

From my point of view: I had a hard time with it because even with plugs and muffs, it was really loud. People up and down the firing line at the range gave me killer looks. As a trail gun or defense against predatory animals (as Back packer and Trail Boss implies) I'd prefer something with a longer barrel. I'd prefer a 25 3" for a little more controlablity for defense against 2 legged predators. All I meant by "please explain practicality", was what purpose does it serve you. The biggest gun I can comfortably carry is a 66 2.5" (until I can find a 25)

 

[bronco45]

The 3" in any frame size is the best of compromises. The best part of the compromise to me is the ability to conceal. Ultra high ride holsters were made for carrying 3" guns.

When walking in brush or around obstacles the revolver is up and out of the way. Look at a cop gun sometimes it's usually beat up due to location of carry.

Muzzle blast is manageable with proper loads.

 

[Don K.]

Snub .44's could be called loud and obnoxious, yes. Again this is where handloading comes in. I believe you become more and more acclimated to their mannerisms as you spend trigger time with them. I first shot my ported Trail Boss with H110 moivated 180 XTP's just for the noise and flash-it was great. You could feel the noise and concussion in your chest! But, I seem to have gotten used to it now and it doesn't affect me much anymore. I REALLY miss that. (I shot a soft, medium sized pumkin with that Trail Boss, 180xtp/h110 load and it stunned me a bit- you tend to forget how much power you are letting loose in your hand and (sticking down your pants iwb!)
I want to get one more snub, and basically, it's between the 629 UDR, another Backpacker, a 629 Carry Comp, or a 329 Nightguard. At weak moments, I contemplate cutting up one of my longer barreled guns, but they are so expensive to replace now, that it really isn't worth it. A new 629 4" was $818.00 at one of the more affordable local pushers yesterday--ouch.

 

[cooperduper]

Practicality, in my case, is this: I can load mild rounds or use factory 44 Special and have the same gun, nearly, as the 25, 3". Or I can load full house 44s and know I've got a sledgehammer, when needed. Or I can load medium range loads and know I've got the best of both worlds.

The three inch barrel makes it so much easier to carry. In a decent rig, you don't know it's there. Kinda...

Confession, here. Full house 44s are not pleasant to fire. But then, this practicality comes with compromise.

 

[CQB60]

It should be a great trail gun, I recently swapped my G20 for Ruger Alaskan in .44mag with a 2 1/2 barrel as my woods gun. Great piece.
Good luck!