Battle..model 19 vs model 29 who wins.

[Engineer1911]

The right choice

I reload 38 spl, 357 mag, and 44 mag, but don't have any 44 spl brass. A light 44 mag load with a 220 to 245 gr bullet is pleasant to shoot in a 4" M29 / M629.

Take a 250 gr plain base cast bullet loaded upside down as wadcutter, and you will stop anything with two legs, and most things with 4 legs even if it is loaded as a 44 spl.

If I really have MY choice it would be a 3" M29 or M629 with full barrel lug and unfluted cylinder .

 

[Laketime]

I am going with the Model 19 (and 19-1):

Here:

Model 19-3:

Model 19-4 snub with period correct Tyler grips (a carry weapon):

What is this Model 29? I've never owned one.

Those first two are stunningly beautiful! I love dark wood that's why I favor those two.I had one like your fourth pic and one without the P&R in a four inch made in 83.

 

[Tom_R]

For where I live, I would take the 19/66 over the 29/629 first.

I have two 629s, they are a lot of fun, and they are beautiful, but I have four 357s, and I would grab one of them first.

Either one of these is an excellent option though:

19-4 4"


629-1 4"

 

[SS57]

Based on my current inventory of 19/66's, I am a 357 whore. That's not even counting my L's. However I will not be selling my 629-4 anytime soon.
All in all, M19 gets the nod.

 

[BB57]

Model 19, but I prefer the 6" barrel.

For "Dirty Harry" points, all you need is a S&W with a 6" barrel, because most shooters today think a Model 19 is a .44 Magnum anyway if it has a 6" barrel.

 

[BigBill]

I have enough trouble keeping my pants up with a Model 36, let alone a K or an N framed gun.

Can you say,,,, SHOULDER HOLSTER for the larger revolvers.

I'd never pick a m19/357 there not heavy enough for a constant diet of Magnum loads.

Where would we be today if dirty Harry carried a m19/357?

 

[BigBill]

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.

Dirty Harry make a mistake with his lines? You gonna argue with him? That line he said was out of place. It could of been worse I thought he meant 38 special loads in the 44? I didn't know back then, still don't know now..lol.

 

[M29since14]

This argument is more interesting than the silly 9mm vs. .45 Auto controversy, but they really are guns designed for two different purposes, so I default to the "you need both!" response.

Here in Indiana, if I had to choose between them, the Model 19 would win because the 29 is so heavy to lug around, and so unpleasant to shoot in the 4-inch version. If I lived in any of the big bear states, I would put up with the extra weight - and nastiness. But, in that event, my real preference would be for my 629 square-butt "Bowen Mountain Gun."

 

[BigBill]

After shoulder holstering a redhawk 5 1/2" (summertime) & 7 1/2" (wintertime) for many decades taking the s&w m58 for a ccw walk was awesome. It even shoots great with the 4" barrel. You get used to it.

 

[CajunBass]

I used to have two Model 29's, but I realized we're pretty short of bears, T-Rex's, and Tiger tanks around here.

These days, I have two Model 19's.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Clint is a gun guy as far as I am aware. Maybe he slipped because he knew there was such a thing as the 44spl and the writer trying to make it sound hollywood bad-a** thought up the whole "special light 44" line... I know that's not the first place my mind goes to when describing my light for caliber, higher velocity rounds...

 

[ankona]

Seems pretty straightforward...bigger gun & bigger bullet.

 

[BigBill]

I think my s&w k38 Combat Masterpiece w/4" barrel is one of the finest k frame revolvers ever built. Built by the s&w craftsman of that time, that era.

 

[theoneff]

Ok, OK, I just tallied it all up and the 29 SMOKED the 19. Sorry small bore fans. Theo

 

[Tom_R]

It would be very tough for me to choose between these two, now wearing new Kuracs:

19-4 and 629-1


The 19-4:


The 629-1:

 

[Tracer_Bullet]

Model 19. There's no CCWing a model 29 for me, and nothing around where I live requires a .44 magnum to put down.

 

[BigBill]

The 44 Magnum, the 41 Magnum and the 357 Magnum has killed every north American game thanks to Elmer Keith, Bill Jordan and the rest of the early hand gun hunters. I like my 44 Magnum for its stopping power plus I can pump the 200gr/240gr bullet to near 357Magnum speeds.(close) but I like the 357 Magnum too. Don't sell the 41 Magnum short either. There's many shooters who can't handle the 41 & 44 magnums for them the 357 mag is fine. It's a K frame vs N Frame? I like the N Frame for its weight and control. I once carried a ruger security six 357. I never felt out gunned.

 

[Lew Archer]

For me, the Model 19. I'm lucky to own both, though, and wouldn't part with either. But, for this thread, I will go with the 19.

The Model 19 is a great all arounder, for my needs. An all around gun should be a very good carry gun and I'd agree with Bill Jordan, who called the model 19 the "Peace Officer's dream."

Now, if your needs required a steady diet of .357...then the 586 would be a better choice, and still is a viable everyday carry gun.

I don't need the ballistic advantages of the .44 Magnum. The Model 29, while versatile with the choice of .44 Mag or Special, is a little hefty for everyday carry (ok, I am spoiled by years of carrying Glocks!). If my needs dictated the .44, then that's what I'd choose.

Thank God, though, my safe has both.

 

[petemacmahon]

I actually preferred both my model 19 and 66 over my four inch 27. The 27 is great,but if I'm going that heavy a gun I'd grab a 41 or 44 mag instead.

I agree with Laketime. The N frame is best with 44's and 45's. You just don't need it for 357 and the extra cylinder weight shows in heavier DA. The 357 shines in L frames and carries perfect in K frames.

 

[tnvol44]

While I agree there are more options readily available for the 357,nothing you do with it can make up for the loss of mass and weight in the bullet itself.While I respect the 357 and own a 686 and a 66-1,neither give me the comfort I feel while carrying my 29.When I have the 29 on me I know I have all I can ask for and the rest is up to me.People will not admit it but for most,the 44 magnum is just too much to handle comfortably.A lot of people do not like the recoil of it and never get over the shock of the power of this round.It isn't a macho thing,or a tough guy thing,fact is,the 44 magnum is one heck of hand cannon and it's no powder puff.It takes a little bit different person to embrace the recoil and brute force of this round in a handgun.There is not one thing wrong with 9mm,.38,or 357,they do what they're supposed to and do it well.My vote is model 29 over the 19 any day everyday and twice on Sunday.