First 44

[ultra12]

Seriuos question = Do they even allow you to "possess" a handgun "in the City"?? I actually thought you were forbidden to possess ANY handgun inside NYC.

One must have a license ( rifles and shutguns need a separate and a bit easier to get license, which I already have). I am going through handgun licensing right now and already had an interview with a officer who was doing investigation for my permit. Now it's just a waiting game to actually get one. It's a premises license that will allow me to keep it inside cities 5 boroughs and transport it to and from range. Also to have it on me at any state land designated for hunting. So it's by no means CC but it's the only thing I as law abiding citizen can have.
I should also mention we are allowed one purchase every 3 month and we must ask permission every time to get a new gun. You request city to allow you to purchase another hand gun 90 days after you made previous purchase and had gun inspected by police department. NYPD will issue you a purchase form that gives you 30 day window to get yor next gun. These laws might make most of your guys blood boil but it's the reality here and we have to pay to play(license fees are North of $400) and are non refundable If you are denied. But this is not about NYC this is about me getting my first gun. And I appreciate your help fellas.

 

[jackge]

A 44 Magnum as your first gun?

Odds are pretty good that after 6 shots you sell it and take up golf. Might want to try something with less recoil as a starting point. The 44 Magnum really isn't a beginner's gun.

I'm in agreement. I bought a nockel 29-2 with a 4" barrel a few years back, I was still a novice with hand guns & I found out pretty quickly that the need for a .44 mag/spcl comes up seldomly. The ammo is expensive and recoil is a b----.
You should be asking yourself, what is the purpose for this gun?
90% of the time there are one of two answers given to that question:
1. Home defense
2. Self defense.
If your answer matches one of these you can save some money and buy one gun that will serve two purposes. I CC a Kimber Ultra CDP w/CT laser grips and, at night, it sits on my night stand.
You don't have to rush this decision, take your time. Talk to people that own a .44 Magnum and ask them.

 

[arjay]

I'm not lol.Bought a Ruger super blackhawk as my first center fire handgun.Shot at least 1,000 full power reloads through it.The only thing I would do differently is start with 44 special loads.When you start to flinch,unload the gun and practice dryfiring while aiming at a target.

 

[kennyb]

I'm in agreement. I bought a nockel 29-2 with a 4" barrel a few years back, I was still a novice with hand guns & I found out pretty quickly that the need for a .44 mag/spcl comes up seldomly. The ammo is expensive and recoil is a b----.
You should be asking yourself, what is the purpose for this gun?
90% of the time there are one of two answers given to that question:
1. Home defense
2. Self defense.
If your answer matches one of these you can save some money and buy one gun that will serve two purposes. I CC a Kimber Ultra CDP w/CT laser grips and, at night, it sits on my night stand.
You don't have to rush this decision, take your time. Talk to people that own a .44 Magnum and ask them.

i can understand your point(s) here however...ammo does not have to be expensive if you reload...you get what you want , when you want it...target,hunting,self defense...i can do 50 rounds of 44 for about six dollars....as to recoil...this seems to vary greatly...it just does not bother me and a lot of this is simply getting used to the gun/ammo....i do agree however make a smart gun buy and try them out if possible...

 

[TDC]

You know, I believe most people contributing to this thread, and others that have focused on the question of barrel length, have well thought out opinions and experiences that make for a cordial and good debate. That's the beauty of a website like this with so much diverse knowledge about S&W handguns.

A case can be made for any barrel length, frame size, caliber and finish as being the perfect selection from the posters point of view. All are valid. All can make perfect sense. IMO, none should be dismissed as an inappropriate or invalid choice. My expectation for threads like this one is to see some points of view become based on personal bias rather than actual experience and fact. It has become increasingly rare to find people who have actually shot an N frame 8 3/8" barreled .357, .41, or 44 Mag and that is the rub. The current trend toward shorter barreled guns also influences some people to seek affirmation for their own choice. The tendency can be to criticize what they don't have based on what they have read or others have said. Thankfully, there is no evidence of that on this thread...

I see several names posting here that are long term members who are highly respected for their opinions and conclusions, and deservedly so. To me that's what websites are all about. That interaction serves so many people looking for answers, or an affirmation, to what can be a very difficult personal decision.

So from my POV, buy what you want and what "turns your crank." You can always buy others or sell what you decide doesn't work for you. It seems that's how many of us got hooked on collecting these guns in the first place... It's the never ending and elusive "Don Quixote" type quest for the perfect all-around handgun... It never ends because it doesn't exist....

Just sayin'

 

[bigi]

All of the above are good info. One more from me. If you get the 29-2 6.5" in VG+ and don't like it, You will get your money back in re-sell if you paid fair price for your region.

 

[fyimo]

If you plan on hunting with it then the 8 3/8 but is perfect and it's bit heavy and more tiring at the range. The 4 inch is a great defensive revolver and the 6 inch is a great range revolver.

4 inch

6 inch

629 8 3/8 inch for comparison as I don't have a picture of my 29-2 in 8 3/8 inch barrel.
My 629 no dash 8 3/8 for comparison as I don't have picture of my 29-2 with 8 3/8 inch barrel

 

[ultra12]

How are 629 diff from 29-2 besides P&R?

 

[kennyb]

How are 629 diff from 29-2 besides P&R?

the six in 629 indicates its a stainless rather than a blued 44 mag.

 

[Willeys]

In the mid-1970, I was making the same decision. Python was my first choice, however, the price was a factor, then I decided to by a Model 29, however, Dirty Harry made that model hard to come by. Finally I purchased a Colt Trooper. With in two years, I found a Model 29 and from that point, I never turned away from S&W. I sold my Colt and purchased a Model 19, followed by many other S&W. The 29-2 I purchased was an 8 3/8 inch barrel. The action was smooth, finish high and I could hit my targets with hand loads. Although I never purchased a Python, I never regreted buying the Mod-29.

 

[C&R Bill]

Thanks!!! I appreciate the info.

One must have a license ( rifles and shutguns need a separate and a bit easier to get license, which I already have). I am going through handgun licensing right now and already had an interview with a officer who was doing investigation for my permit. Now it's just a waiting game to actually get one. It's a premises license that will allow me to keep it inside cities 5 boroughs and transport it to and from range. Also to have it on me at any state land designated for hunting. So it's by no means CC but it's the only thing I as law abiding citizen can have.
I should also mention we are allowed one purchase every 3 month and we must ask permission every time to get a new gun. You request city to allow you to purchase another hand gun 90 days after you made previous purchase and had gun inspected by police department. NYPD will issue you a purchase form that gives you 30 day window to get yor next gun. These laws might make most of your guys blood boil but it's the reality here and we have to pay to play(license fees are North of $400) and are non refundable If you are denied. But this is not about NYC this is about me getting my first gun. And I appreciate your help fellas.

 

[ultra12]

In the mid-1970, I was making the same decision. Python was my first choice, however, the price was a factor, then I decided to by a Model 29, however, Dirty Harry made that model hard to come by. Finally I purchased a Colt Trooper. With in two years, I found a Model 29 and from that point, I never turned away from S&W. I sold my Colt and purchased a Model 19, followed by many other S&W. The 29-2 I purchased was an 8 3/8 inch barrel. The action was smooth, finish high and I could hit my targets with hand loads. Although I never purchased a Python, I never regreted buying the Mod-29.

Any problems with 29-2 as far a cylinder unlocking with hot loads ?