Battle..model 19 vs model 29 who wins.

Here are several reference pics from the Julia site of Keith 29s to be offered. As much as i appreciate the 19, if it was either/or, I would go with the 4" 29. It is a perfect creation.

BTW: Only the deepest of pockets need apply ...
 

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That is like asking which is best for all-around use, my left or right leg. I have a 4" M-19, M-28, M-629, M-625 Mountain Gun(.45 Colt) and a M-58...my favorite and most used is the Mountain Gun... If the choice HAD to be between the 19/66 vs 29/629 and included concealed carry and extended trekking, the 19/66 would be my pick based on the original reason for a K Frame .357, the weight factor when carrying a revolver with good power and less bulk to tote. In a revolver that will be carried more than actually fired, this is a big issue. I prefer shooting the M-28 but rather carry the M-19...My 4" Ruger Redhawk .44 Mag is the best for a steady diet of the real bear basher rounds but it's a load to carry so I use a chest rig for it...In my part of the USA, a proper .357 load will take a deer cleanly and big bears aren't much of an issue but my sixty year old back and feet are.
 
19-vs 29

hands down the n frame between 44 specials and 44 mags ''one call does it all'' bad guys , target shooting and brown and black bear protection , that's one caliber i've never owned or desired to the 357 mag/38 special i was a firm believer years ago i keep and collect n frames and j frames either style 22/22mag or 44special/44 mag both do anything needed that mother nature will send you
 
I DON'T HAVE A MODEL 19 OR A MODEL 29. I DO OWN A 686 MOUNTAIN GUN AND A 629 MOUNTAIN GUN. IF I COULD JUST HAVE ONE OF THE TWO, TO HANDLE ALL OF MY SHOOTING CHORES, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE THE L FRAME 686. WHILE I HOLD ELMER IN THE UTMOST OF RESPECT, MY LIFE IN THE NORTHEAST IS NOTHING LIKE HIS WAS. I DON'T FACE ANIMALS THAT REQUIRE THE KNOCKDOWN POWER OR RANGE OF THE .44 MAGNUM ROUND ON A REGULAR BASIS. I DID TAKE A 300+ LB. WILD BOAR WITH MY 8" COLT PYTHON IN .357 MAG. ADMITTEDLY, THE .44 MAG WOULD HAVE BEEN A BETTER CHOICE AGAINST BOAR, BUT AT THE TIME I DID NOT OWN ONE. I HAVE CARRIED BOTH MOUNTAIN GUNS CONCEALED, AS WELL AS AN 8" MODEL 629 IN A SHOULDER HOLSTER. FOR 4 SEASONS CARRY, I WOULD OPT FOR THE 686. THE 686+ MOUNTAIN GUN IS THE MOST VERSATILE REVOLVER EVER MADE BY S&W, IMHO….…..

I WILL VOTE FOR THE MODEL 19……..
 
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A lot of good comments posted here.This topic was started as a result of a conversation I had with one of the counter help at my local Gander Mountain concerning any practical use for the .44 magnum outside of hunting.like most from my era I cut my shooting teeth on the .357 and quickly gravitated towards the .44 magnum and special within that first year.For me I think a hot loaded special round can only be topped by one in .45 acp for self defense.It seems the only real drawback between these two are the weight and bulk.Doc44 hit the nail on the head with a sensible compromise.My fondest memories at the range those first early years was shooting my 19-4 along side my 29-3 both with a four inch barrel.
 
The perfect compromise...the 44 Combat Magnum, Model 69!

Bill

xlarge.jpg

Well, almost. Now we just need it with a 3" barrel.
 
29 - all day, every day!

I have a bunch of .357's - K, L & N frames, but I only have them because they take less powder and lead to shoot. Sort of an economy model. They are S&W's, so they all have a similar feel and allow me to practice economically.

44 gets the job done.
 
A model 19 will rattle loose long before a n frame will.

Compare the m19 vs m27/28? Both in 357mag.

I chose my ruger security six in 357mag because there are no screws to come loose in the frame. I chose the RedHawks in 44 mag because of that too. I hammered both rugers with stout magnum loads beyond what any s&w could handle.

I like my s&w too but they get standard loads. Plus it's the tales of the gun history about s&w that has my interest.

I shoulder holster revolvers from 5 1/2" to 6" to 7 1/2" barrels for most of my ccw life. I just purchased a shoulder holster for my 10 1/2" ruger super Blackhawks 44 mag.

To me there's only one s&w in 44mag that every s&w lover should have at least one the m29. Everything else is a clone.
 
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Model 19 for the OPs "Actual Parameters" But the Model 29 is one fine gun.
It's not really a fair question...it would be a more even contest if it were the model 19 vs model 27.

I wanted to pick two of the most popular magnums calibers.Then pit them against each other using two of the most popular handguns that Smith & Wesson has ever made.Then to see which one might come out on top with real shooters here.
 
A lot of good comments posted here.This topic was started as a result of a conversation I had with one of the counter help at my local Gander Mountain concerning any practical use for the .44 magnum outside of hunting.

As a self defense round, either a .44 Special or Magnum is practical as both will do serious damage to living tissue. I always carried a J or K/L on hiking trips until I crossed paths with a curious juvenile black bear. Woods carry soon became a 624 snub with factory HPs, augmented by a Ruger Alaskan. I'm not a ballistics wonk, and a .357 is a solid caliber, but I think the bigger .44 is simply capable of more.
 
As a self defense round, either a .44 Special or Magnum is practical as both will do serious damage to living tissue. I always carried a J or K/L on hiking trips until I crossed paths with a curious juvenile black bear. Woods carry soon became a 624 snub with factory HPs, augmented by a Ruger Alaskan. I'm not a ballistics wonk, and a .357 is a solid caliber, but I think the bigger .44 is simply capable of more.

The .44 spl loaded just right has got to be one of , if not the best rounds for self defense.Respectable power on target.doesnt need to open up to be lethal.Managable recoil that's also easy on the ears should you need to actually fire it in a defensive situation.I once carried a Charter Arms Bulldog in .44 spl that was just a joy to shoot over a model 66 with 2.5 inch barrel I also had at the time.
 
The .44 spl loaded just right has got to be one of , if not the best rounds for self defense.Respectable power on target.doesnt need to open up to be lethal.Managable recoil that's also easy on the ears should you need to actually fire it in a defensive situation.I once carried a Charter Arms Bulldog in .44 spl that was just a joy to shoot over a model 66 with 2.5 inch barrel I also had at the time.

Don't forget "Dirty Harry claimed to use a "light special" load in his M-29. Not quite exactly sure what was meant by this (could be a light 44 special or light special 44 magnum. Hey it's only a movie.
 
Don't forget "Dirty Harry claimed to use a "light special" load in his M-29. Not quite exactly sure what was meant by this (could be a light 44 special or light special 44 magnum. Hey it's only a movie.

Apparantly what has been posted here from the writer of Magnum Force John Milios.Clint blew the line,he was suppose to say these are a special light load,meaning for the competition, indicating a light magnum round and not the .44 special round.
 
19 vs 29

Why shoot a .357 when you can shoot a .44 mag?
It's like when I was a kid and drove Mopar muscle cars. I used to think the 383 road runner was fast (and they were) until I drove one with a 440 six-pac in it. WOW!
Most guys just can't handle the .44 mag and will say anything to justify their weakness. I'll shoot them until my hand turns black and blue and smile through it all.
Get a "big" bullet (.44) and make it as fast as a little bullet
(.357) and then you have something impressive.
If your "not" trying to be impressed then the 19 is your gun.
I like my guns like I like my women - big and fast! :)
 
As to the Dirty Harry issue, the line was delivered wrong like was said a couple posts above.

That said, the sound track is DEFINITELY a magnum, and a serious one at that.
 
M19 no way. M27/m28 for sure unless you want a m29? I like the 357mag
But I have more ccw time with the 44 mag.
 
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