Imagine another 44 magnum thread

[hkcavalier]

I have a 629-3 5" like the OP describes. My opinion might not mean much since it's my only .44 Magnum, but it seems like the perfect compromise barrel length and is very controllable. My only holster for it is an inexpensive nylon shoulder rig I use for hiking which works fine.

 

[AveragEd]

The above poster is right on! I have a 5" 629-3 Classic DX as well as a 6" 629-1 and a 6-1/2" 629-4 Classic while our son has a 4" 629-4. I can tell you that the 5" is the best balanced one of the bunch and is every bit as accurate as the longer barreled ones.

Unless the price is hateful, you cannot go wrong with that gun. I use mine for target shooting at 25 yards as well as deer hunting - many holster makers offer ones for that barrel length in that frame. I have a 240-grain cast semi-wadcutter recipe that shoots to the same point of impact at 25 yards as the Hornady 240-grain XTP factory load I use for hunting (can't see bothering with loading handgun hunting shells when you shoot so few of them per year).

Buy the gun already! Don't make one of us do it!

Ed

 

[stu1ritter]

I looked and looked for a 5" 629-3 Classic but could never find one. Finally turned up an almost never shot 6.5" barrel version and went to work. Here is approx 4.5" of barrel. Shoots well, balances very well.

 

[RSBH44]

Have you stopped back in to that shop yet to check on the price of that -3??
Inquiring minds wanna know !!

 

[Engine49guy]

Its WAY TOO BIG to carry...Now what shop is it in exactly ?

But seriously while Im admittedly more of a 4" Mountain gun fan for holster carrying a .44 Mag revolver the 5" full underlug is the preferred version just after the trigger is pulled and it goes "BANG"....

The 629-3 has the endurance package and is pre drilled for a scope mount and IIRC came in either RB or SB configuration, Not sure if the 5" was offered in both frames during the dash 3 but it was in the dash 4.
While I prefer the SB grip frame for any barrel longer than 3" the RB grip frame can be either with the right grips.

You know you want it now go get it and post pics !
See how easy it is to spend other peoples money ?

 

[stu1ritter]

Engine49Guy, the one advantage of the RB frame on the 629-3 is that you can just slip on the X frame recoil absorbing rubber grips as I have done on my cut down gun. Man, does that ever help with felt recoil.

 

[BIGDOC]

I would jump on that...especially in Florida.

 

[Larry from Bend]

If it's #BNN3972 then it's the -3 stolen from me in 2007.

After a LOT of looking, I replaced it with this -4. The -4 is the last non-MIM 629. I carry it when I'm in Griz country. I use a Safariland strong side holster. Very accurate with most loads..

 

[jtcarm]

If it's been on the shelf that long, they should be ready to hear some offers.

So, you have to carry concealed in the woods to shoot hogs? Well, pigs are pretty smart, I guess you may have to go undercover.

Florida, big bore handgun, concealment? Check out some "Miami Vice" reruns for ideas[emoji12]

 

[Engine49guy]

If it's #BNN3972 then it's the -3 stolen from me in 2007.

After a LOT of looking, I replaced it with this -4. The -4 is the last non-MIM 629. I carry it when I'm in Griz country. I use a Safariland strong side holster. Very accurate with most loads..

Larry are your sure that isnt a dash 3 ? If it is a dash 4 are the flash chromed hammer trigger original ?
I have always assumed the dash 4 changed to case colored hammer trigger where dash 3's are flash chromed ?

PS compare Average Eds 6.5" 629-4 with case colored H,T top and 629-3 flash chromed H,T lower in the 3 629's posted above.

 

[Larry from Bend]

Yes, it's a -4. It's all original. Came out of the collection of an elderly gentleman. It IS an early -4 -- Has the old style cylinder release.

 

[Shiloh76]

Buy it. You won't regret it, but on the off-chance you do I don't think you'd have any trouble selling it, on this forum if nowhere else. I have a 629-3 Classic with the 5-inch barrel and love it. I only carry it when hiking in bear country, for that I use a Bianchi 5BHL thumbsnap holster: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Bianchi-5BHL-Thumbsnap-Holster-5-Inch/dp/B0051FGBWA"]Amazon.com : Bianchi 5BHL Thumbsnap Holster - S&W 629 N 5-Inch (Tan, Right Hand) : Gun Holsters : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41t4XiTpprL.@@AMEPARAM@@41t4XiTpprL[/ame].

 

[jimbo728]

Im waiting for a 629-3 Classic from a fellow forum member. It`s a 6.5", and now Im excited to own it and dust off my .44 Mag dies.
Jim

 

[SeamasterSig]

So, you have to carry concealed in the woods to shoot hogs? Well, pigs are pretty smart, I guess you may have to go undercover.

Open carry is basically only permitted in Florida if you're hunting or fishing; otherwise it has to be concealed. There are at least a dozen state and county parks with hiking trails only a short drive from our home and we like to walk them all. Last winter when the feral pigs started getting out of hand and I decided to replace my 9mm with a 357 for the woods, the rangers took the hint and set up a lot of traps. They also started shooting them and sometimes left the carcasses for the vultures. You obviously can't hunt in these parks, but I seriously doubt anyone including the rangers or sheriff would care if you shot a feral pig on state land as long as there is no reason not to believe the pig just got too "frisky".

 

[Will in Montana]

I started carrying 5-inch Smith & Wessons in 1974, when I first entered law enforcement in Georgia. Back then, the only factory 5-inch guns that were even remotely available were the Model 27s, and I still have my first one. I can't even remember who made the duty leather for it, at the time, but it wasn't too heavy on the hip all day long (although I did drive a patrol car in those days). I have a regular blued Model 29 Classic 5-inch, and I've carried it in a Price Western Leather (PWL of UK) thumb-break, strong-side, hip holster. This holster also covers the trigger guard. After picking up my Model 329PD 4-inch, though, I find myself spoiled by the light "packing" weight. Sure, the 329 isn't near as much fun to shoot, but I always have it with me in bear country. It's hard to go wrong with the 5-inch guns, though. They offer a nice sight radius, and they're still compact enough for hip carry.
Good shooting,
Will

 

[up2ztop]

I bought one in the late 80s for Bow hunting in grizzly habitat for elk.I think I paid $650.Good target fun with .44 special.

 

[Jamesatrange]

Did you buy the gun?

 

[SeamasterSig]

Did you buy the gun?

Not yet. I've been too busy to go back to the gun shop these past few days. I'll make an offer on it in the next day or two.

 

[pcmikey]

You can shoot wild hogs down there in Florida with it. There used to be a ton of them south of the Sarasota area. I hope the Yankees haven't killed and eaten them all.

The land south of Fort Benning, GA is loaded with hogs. My son hunts them with a SOCOM M1. I can be 12' to the side, and the shock wave is painful.

 

[HoundDog316]

Lots of discussion about if the price isn't too high, it's worth buying. Well, what is too high for this gun? I'm thinking I'd go $1200--what do the experts think?