BEST 44 Call it like you see it ....

[David LaPell]

Either a 24 or 624 with a 4-inch barrel, or a 29 or 629 4-inch barrel. You can't go wrong with any of them at all.

 

[Gunned-up]

The 329PD is a nice choice. I have one. There great to carry and are light at 26oz. 44spl are not to bad to shoot, .44mag can be a little heavy, .44mag hunting load are what you use if you want to find out what the definition of muzzle flip and recoil is.

 

[M29since14]

To walk around with a bit and shoot light loads, a 4-inch gun is OK, but a 24/624 does the same thing, and is considerably less weight.

If you are going to shoot magnums much at all, I would rather have a 6.5" gun with the standard barrel contour.

329PDs are tough to shoot well, and seem a little unnecessary, unless you are doing some serious hoofing around.

If I could only have one, far and away, it would be a 6.5" gun - either 29 or 629, if you prefer SS.

 

[starbuck]

I bought the 329PD because I like .44 special and like to carry IWB, with shorts, often here in Florida. I also have a 296 which is even lighter.
Recently I went to the range and after 4 rounds with the 296 I was hurting. I then switched over to the 329PD and the recoil was much more tolerable.
I was using 200 grain in both revolvers. I then switched the grips over to the 500 X frame and it was better, but the 296 recoil still hurt.

 

[Dusty Miller]

Originally posted by 44forever:
For bears the loads are usually a much heavier bullet and a stout load.

I don't know what you consider a "stout load" to be but I checked my Speer Reloading manual for some ballistics. A 225gr. LSWC over 17gr. of AA9 will produce 1300 fps from a 7.5" barrel. In my book that is not a "stout load" and should be PLENTY of stopping power for any but the biggest black bears. That same bullet over 24gr. of H110 produces 1500+ fps from the same barrel and that'd be pretty "stout" for my old bones.

 

[jimmy]

When hiking, I carry a 296, but there are no large, four-legged predators in my area. At home, my 6 1/2-inch 624 is a good defender--and a Thing of Beauty. But for flexibility everywhere with both Specials and Magnums, the 629 MG is king.

 

[DonD]

Tjpopkin, I think your short barreled PC .44 Mag is a slick, good looking gun. I think S&W could have priced it a little more competitively but what can I say? Don

 

[vrichard]

I like the 629`s too. P&R.

Dick

 

[BruceM]

Self explanatory.

Bruce

 

[Shuz]

I have several 44's that I like.....
#1 is my 629-3 Classic DX in 5" bbl.
#2 is my 629-4 Mtn Gun with a Patridge front sight.
#3 is my 329PD with 225g 429244HP's and 18g 2400
#4 is my Ruger KS45N
I have many other Smiths and Rugers,all .44 mags but over the past 3 years, these are the ones I shoot the most, and I shoot nothing but cast in them all.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Originally posted by magnumb:
Love my model 18 and 19.
Thinking of adding a .44 to the stable and wanted some feedback from the forum. Will use for range fun and home defense (specials) and occasional woods carry in bear country.

The nominees are:
Model 29 in beautiful bright blue ?
Model 629 in sexy stainless ?
and gasp dare I, cringe

The new Ruger Redhawk 4 inch ?

All inputs and Jeers welcome

29 in blue to match your 18 and 19.

 

[jimmyjoe]

Here's a 629-4 (44Mag).

[/IMG]

 

[magnumb]

Thanks to all for the feedback. If one thing is clear, the .44 is very versitile, especially if you reload. Anything is possible from a 180 grain special at 700 fps to a 240 grain at 1500 (ouch). For range, home, or truck carry weight is obviously not an issue. It seems like the 629 might be best to manage recoil (my right wrist gets a bit numb if abused, so weight is a good thing. For woods carry I guessing the 6.5 inch would be a bit awkward at times and the 4 inch a better bet. The 329 might be best to carry in the woods for emergencies, but is known to be seriosly painful shoot and probably slow to acquire a second shot if needed.
I know this is the S&W forum (all that I own in a revolver), but I still look from time to time to see what's out there. At the risk of Blastphamy I would like to introduce to other possibities and collect feedback from this forum that has first hand knowledge of S&W oferings to compare. First the Taurus tracker 44. Gunblasst Tracker 44. This seems to do it all light while managing recoil.
Steping down to 44 specials only, the Charter Pug 44 seems really easy to carry Gunblast pug 44.
Again no disrespect to the forum or S&W. If I follow my heart I would get a M29, but I'm trying to take the emotion part our of my choice.

 

[cmort666]

4" 29-2. That's my primary home defense gun with CCI 200gr. Blazer Gold Dot .44 Specials. I might CCW it in the winter time as well.