Bear countty 629 build.

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John3200

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I have 1990ish 629 with a 6in barrel that I'm thinking about having some work done on to make it a better bear country gun for a hunting trip to Alaska that I'm planning.

First and formost I need a better front sight so I want to have a gold dot partrige type front sight installed.

Since my 629 will need machine work for that anyway I'm considering having the barrel shortened a bit to 5.5 or 5in. Can't go too short or I'll lose velocity with the heavy bullets I want to use.

To go with the front sight I'm thinking about having Cylinder and Slide put on one of their Extreme Duty Rear sights to add an extra bit of durability and then have them regulate the sights to the load I will use.

Any thoughts from you guys on the bear country gun? Finishs? Other options?
 
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Oh, and I'm thinking about carrying this setup in a cross draw holster on a large belt outside my coat so I can draw seated or while wearing a pack or riding an atv.
 
Part of the reason I'm thinking about cutting the barrel down is because I also now have a 7 1/2 in 629 from the performance center. So I wouldn't mind making my 6in a bit handier for carrying. Maybe 1/2 to 1in isn't worth the expense but it would be neat to have it just the way I want it custom. It's about $260 for a sight install and barrel shotening combo.
 
My inclination would be to keep your 6" unmodified and to purchase a 5" similar to your basic custom plan.

Handgun hunters are acutely aware of the practice necessary to be prepared to utilize the limited effective range of a handgun with appropriate accuracy. That additional practice can mean more wear and tear. Having both guns remain under factory warranty would be important to me. Highly modified guns may lose their qualification for factory warranty eligibility and we all know how expensive shipping and repairs can be.

I've hunted big game successfully for several decades with handguns. The tenacity of many elk and black bear even when shot with high powered rifles never ceases to amaze me.

If I were expecting to be hunting Browns and Grizzlies with a handgun I would seriously consider a step or two up in caliber from the 44 Mag. A 454 Casul, 460 S&W or 500 would be my choice. I know this kind of post always gets flames from the crowd who reflect on all the big bear that have been taken with 44 Mags, or less, but if my life will be on the line the reality of "over-kill" rather than "almost did the job" will always win out.

Just throwin' in a few issues to consider as you begin an exciting and worthy new project.... Keep us advised on the progress you make...:)

JMHO
 
if its what you want then go for it - what kind of load are you planing on?
 
Fyi, this will NOT be my primary hunting gun. I'll be using a Remington SS 700 in 7mm Rem Mag for the moose hunting we will be doing.

The 44mag will just be my backup and camp gun.

Hence "handy" being a desire. I thought about using a 44mag as my primary but since this is my first trip up there and because of the tarain I've decided against that.

I'm planning on using a deep penetrating 300gr 44mag load but I haven't decided which one yet or even if I'm going to work one up myself or use factory.

I've worked up loads for the whitetail hunting I've done but this my first foray after something bigger.
 
KGrHqZHJCEE63UScHEBO3dE3PYYQ60_3.jpg


f.t. :D
 
TDC said:
My inclination would be to keep your 6" unmodified and to purchase a 5" similar to your basic custom plan.

Handgun hunters are acutely aware of the practice necessary to be prepared to utilize the limited effective range of a handgun with appropriate accuracy. That additional practice can mean more wear and tear. Having both guns remain under factory warranty would be important to me. Highly modified guns may lose their qualification for factory warranty eligibility and we all know how expensive shipping and repairs can be.

I've hunted big game successfully for several decades with handguns. The tenacity of many elk and black bear even when shot with high powered rifles never ceases to amaze me.

If I were expecting to be hunting Browns and Grizzlies with a handgun I would seriously consider a step or two up in caliber from the 44 Mag. A 454 Casul, 460 S&W or 500 would be my choice. I know this kind of post always gets flames from the crowd who reflect on all the big bear that have been taken with 44 Mags, or less, but if my life will be on the line the reality of "over-kill" rather than "almost did the job" will always win out.

Just throwin' in a few issues to consider as you begin an exciting and worthy new project.... Keep us advised on the progress you make...:)

JMHO
Click to expand...


terry....i totally agree with this post...44mag.is an amazing caliber but....500mag.certainly has it's place when it comes to dangerous or truly BIG game
 
John3200;
I think your ideas sound great.
I would vote for the 5" barrel, along with the Extreme Duty rear sights.

Since your revolver is SS, no need to worry about a custom finish.
I know a lot of people will suggest a larger caliber revolver, and considering where you're going, it's hard to argue with that.

However, considering this will be a backup to your rifle, I think you're on the right track. If your pistol ends up being too large, you might not even be wearing it if / when things go bad. And with the right hard-cast ammo, the .44 mag is a pretty serious sidearm. A whole lot better than nothing!


-Jim
 
John3200 said:
LOL, Looks to me like he's using his left hand to help keep his spincter shut.
Click to expand...

John3200...

Crack me up!!!:D You too, GF!

I hope my post wasn't mis-perceived... I, like kennyb and mod 29, have the highest respect for both the 44 and 41 Mag calibers and consider them excellent choices for how you intend to use your 44. I've used both calibers for over three decades and they have served me very well...

I'd encourage you to give your handgun an opportunity to prove what it can do with moose and report back to us after your hunt is over. I equate handgun hunting with archery as a self challenging option to the rifle. You may become addicted like many of us have....:)
 
If a 7mm mag doesnt stop what you are shooting at you are going to be in deep trouble.....I would not worry about shooting it with a 44 454 or 500.....I hope you can run fast! I always wanted to customize one of my revolvers....just to say "Thats the way I wanted it''If you deside to cut down your revolver post some before and after pictures
 
6" for carry

I know that you are concerned about your 6" revolver being handy, but I have a 6" 629 that I have carried cross draw while hunting since 1984. I have carried it that way as my primary, and as secondary, and have never had any real issues carrying it that way. A 4" may not get "in the way" as often as a 6", but I never felt the need for a shorter barrel. The only times I really remember it getting in the way was in camp sitting while eating, playing cards, etc. and I think a 4" would have been the same. I have a 3" 629, and a 4" 629 Mountain Gun, and still take my 6" most of the time when actually hunting. The 6" is the gun that I have shot the most, and feel the most comfortable with, particularly with dangerous game, which is probably the reason that I always take it. The shorter barrels I use more for "woods walking."


Hope you have a great time.

Best Wishes,
Tom
 
check out diamond d custom leather, specifically the guides choice. I have one for my 629 4" and it's great with a pack.
 
ChefJeff said:
check out diamond d custom leather, specifically the guides choice. I have one for my 629 4" and it's great with a pack.
Click to expand...

I ordered one of these last week for my 5.5" Redhawk. A bit pricey, but it looks like a great solution for carrying a large framed revolver handy but out of the way.

PC
 
amazingflapjack said:
bear spray
Click to expand...



The Forest Service has issued a BEAR WARNING in the national forests for this summer. They're urging everyone to protect themselves by wearing bells and carrying pepper spray.

Campers should be alert for signs of fresh bear activity, and they should be able to tell the difference between Black Bear dung and Grizzy Bear dung.

Black Bear dung is rather small and round. Sometimes you can see fruit seeds and/or squirrel fur in it.

Grizzly Bear dung has bells in it, and smells like pepper spray!

GF
 
I don't have any Alaskan experience so my comments are just that - comments. I would agree with the writer who said the handier gun might be around when something bigger and heavier is not. My other concern is that I don't believe too many people can really handle a .460 or .500 revolver. I'm quite sure I can't. I would take a 44 Magnum any day just because I still have some confidence in my ability to shoot it.

As to the mods, I also agree that the expense to chop an inch off and remount a sight is hardly worth it, but then you say it is just something you would like to have, so why not? I am not a big fan of 5-inch 44s based on my limited experience, but you may have a different opinion. And, you may not get to Alaska too many times. If that is what you want to take with you, I would do it.

Be sure to test your gun thoroughly with the 300-grain loads you plan to use. You don't want trouble with reliability. My own choice would be something just a bit lighter, but I don't have a lot of experience with 300-grain loads in modern guns. They were not good in my 29-2 and earlier models, and I gave up any interest in them long ago. I am not sure a bear pays much attention to bullet weight (as long as it is not unrealistically light for the caliber), but if it makes any difference in how your gun runs, you certainly may. :)
 
I would vote for the 5" barrel and some S&W Tamer rubber grips ( better grip when wet ) if you don't already have them. I think the 5" is just about the perfect length ( not too long not too short ). IMHO the stainless you have is always best as far as being outdoors in who knows what kind of weather conditions for long periods of time.

And here I go again about the attributes of Garrett Cartridge Inc. 44mag ammo. The best ammo IMHO for bear country. What ever ammo, heavy cast 300gr or better bullets in controlable loads. Check out the Garrett Cartridge Inc. for more info on why this is good ammo for large, heavy boned, thick skinned critters.

Good luck and have fun. Let us know how it all comes out.
 
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I think the 5" barrel is the "perfect" barrel length.

A gold bead sight is good but won't it have to be on a partridge front sight? It so that might have a tendency to hang up drawin it out of a holster.

A heavy duty rear sight sounds good to me.

And X frame grips is a good idea, but not sure I would do it myself because of my hand size. I have already tried this.

Regulating a gun to a load--isn't that what adjustable sights are for?

Remember, a 44 is not a magical bear gun. It is a last ditch and handy to carry gun. Take pepper spray along. It is part of my everyday equipment with my 629.

Have fun and report back on your trip.

John;)
 
I changed from a 6" to a 5" 629 20 years ago. Mine is a Classic and I do carry it in the Bob Marshall, which is Grizzly country. I prefer a hip holster (mine's a Safariland) 'cause I often have a fishing rod in my hands and hip carry works better for me. I use a 3 layered nylon/plastic belt which makes all the difference.

Marshall, who owns Beartooth bullets, and I spent some quality phone time selecting a cast bullet for my needs. I use a 280 grain WFNGC, WW brass, WW WLP primers and H110 powder for 1235 fps.

If I were to make 1 addition to my revolver, it'd probably be a lazer sight or maybe changing out the present sights for tritium sights.

I once spent part of a long, moonless night chasing horses that had been run out of our camp by 2 Griz. Being able to see my sights better would have been a comfort.
 
You know Larry,

I live with grizzlies in my yard from spring to fall and I have never given a thought to using a lazer sight. Maybe it takes time for the light bulb to come on, but I do believe a lazer sight on my 629 AND my 870, altered for home bear protection, is going to have to be a must add to this year!

It make take a while, LOL, but your never to old to learn!!;) Thanks for saying that Larry.

John
 
GF-Wow! I wouldn't want to be around when that Grizzly broke wind! And they complain about these spontaneous forest fires. What would Smoky the Bear say? Make mine a BMG. Flapjack.
 
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