Looking for a 44 magnum

[ma454mike]

I'm looking to get another pistol. Which is better, the 5" barrel or the 6.5 inch?
I'm looking at a 629 classic

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[Shark Bait]

Both are good. The 5" is just a little easier to carry in the field. What do you plan to use it for?

 

[ridgewalker]

Personally with 44 mag, I think the longer is better.

 

[DumpStick]

I have 44Mags in 5.5", 6.5", 7.5", and 9" bbl. lengths. While, admittedly, none of them are S&W brand, I can say without hesitation that, were I to carry one everyday whilst out and about on the land, I would choose the 5.5".

For hunting and target shooting, the longer barrels, especially at longer ranges, get the nod.

As Shark Bait mentioned, what is the intended use?

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

In local speak...whussit fer?

 

[at_liberty]

I have the 5" 629 Classic and wouldn't trade it for a different barrel length. For me, 44 Mag or any N-frame or Redhawk is too big a gun to carry strong side, riding high, so the 5" is very comfortable as a cross draw carry. However, it is mostly a range gun and rarely sees a holster.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

I have a 6.5" 629 Classic, want a 5" in the worst way but will not get rid of the 6.5" to make it happen. Impossibly tough choice, get both.

 

[BE Mike]

I have the 5" 629 and it groups very well at 50 yards. I like the balance, even with a red dot scope. I just think the 5" handles better and is handier to carry. I don't think I gave up any appreciable accuracy or anything else by not getting the longer tube.

 

[ma454mike]

Thanks for all the input. Most likely I will just have it for a range gun. I'm not looking to hunt with it at all.

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[jimbo728]

I love my 629-3 6.5" Classic. Bought it from a Forum member last year.
For a large long barreled revolver it balances nice and shoots great.
Jim

 

[bigggbbruce]

Personally with 44 mag, I think the longer is better.

Yep 7 1/2" gets the job done.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

They are all great revolvers, get one of each.

 

[cadmike]

Truth is you can't go wrong either way. If you're planning on shooting at ranges greater than 25 yards I'd go with the 6.5. Inside 25 yards you shouldn't notice a difference in accuracy between the 2 barrel lengths. Good luck.

 

[Engineer1911]

Adding to your indecision

I have 3", 5" , 6" , 7.5" , and 8-3/8" barrel lengths. Luck played a big part in my good fortune. Quick draw works best with 3" or 5" barrels.

 

[cowboy4evr]

My 29 in a 4" gets the most use . It carries well on my hip . I changed out the grips from the old style target grips to an old pair of PC magnas that I had on hand . I shoot everything from target loads to full magnum with it . It suits me now.

 

[bigggbbruce]

My 29 in a 4" gets the most use . It carries well on my hip . I changed out the grips from the old style target grips to an old pair of PC magnas that I had on hand . I shoot everything from target loads to full magnum with it . It suits me now.

My mountain gun does carry better than the longer barrels.. (it's a -5 pre-lock) But full loads tend to aggravate the arthritis..

 

[Mr.Harry]

I agree with RIDE RED in that I have a 6.5 and wouldn't trade it, though I would like a 5" in the worst way. I think the pure looks of 5" on an N frame is perfect. Just an ideal length to frame. But I wouldn't sweat it too much. Whichever you get first you'll love, and can get the second later, and fall in love again. I think the extra tube length is nice if distance accuracy is something you're really interested in, whether at the range or in hunting. But doubtless the 5" handles quicker and easier, on top of just being plain pretty.

 

[44wheelman]

I have 2.62", 4, 5, 6, 6 1/2, 7 1/2 ,8 3/8 and 10 1/2; some with full underlug, slabside, & std, & tapered (4 & 6") barrels.

There is no single best bbl length, but if I had to pick one... the 5" is an overall good compromise. But if it were just a range only gun, then my 7 1/2 or 8 3/8 would be it.

 

[ma454mike]

I found a model 163624. It is a 629 classic 6.5 ported barrel.

Thoughts?

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[mazer]

Oh yea! 6.5" is a great length! Ported will allow you to shoot that puppy all day long! I have several ported 44's and some with the weights and some with both the weights AND ported...the porting turns the 44mag recoil into 44spl recoil....you NEED that S&W!
Most of these are 44mags, varying barrel lengths and styles. For example top left, second one down is a Lew Horton 44 with a 6" ported barrel with the weights. VERY easy to shoot any 44mag ammo! Two down from that, is a 329PD, 4"bbl, NOT fun to shoot 44mags out of, but the one below that is a 2001 Stealth Hunter "naked" with a 7.5"bbl ported, also easy to shoot(came like that from the factory). To the right and up one is a Dan Wesson 44mag, it is a 4"bbl with a 5" barrel shroud with the ports, you can shoot that all day long!
But you are on the right track! I think regardless of the Smith you buy it is a win win situation!

 

[Mehutch]

I had a S&W 29 6.5, sold it to go to China with LIFE Magazine as a photojournalist, it payed off big time.

Had a S&W 4" 29, sold it do to questionable thinking. But I have a S&W blue 29 6", a SS 629 4" and a 5" 629 unfluted.

Shooting wise all are just great, carrying one it is the 4", backpacking it's the 5", for looks it has to be the 6" blue. Glad I have all three.

 

[StakeOut]

There's some things positive and there's some things negative about each and every barrel length in all calibers.

Intended main use and personal preferences are the main deciding factors.

I'm partial to to 3" since my use is for hiking,50ft or closer indoor range shooting and nightstand.All my intended uses are non hunting.

A 3" 29-3 or 629-1 are the ones I prefer in 44mag that will shoot 44spl 90%+ of the time.

 

[apollo99]

I don't always shoot my .44 magnum but when I do, I shoot full loads, otherwise I would take out my .38 specials. I have a 629-4 with the 5" it is hands down my favorite revolver for target and steel. I have shot every length from 2 1/2" up to 10" in .44 magnum from various manufacturers, I am very satisfied with the handling, the balance and the shoot-ability of my 5" 629-4. YMMV

 

[sjs]

I can shoot full magnum loads in revolvers with shorter barrels, but I actually enjoy shooting full magnum loads in my 6.5" 629.

I also like its balance for shooting and it is OK carrying in the field with a cross draw.

I have not tried anything longer than a 7.5" Super Redhawk but I want an 8 3/8" 629 next.

 

[Mr.Harry]

I can shoot full magnum loads in revolvers with shorter barrels, but I actually enjoy shooting full magnum loads in my 6.5" 629.

X2 on that. I can put 50 rounds through it without blinking an eye. Only thing that hurts is the hole in my wallet

 

[Boxhead]

A 5" Classic is hard to beat IMO.

 

[75Vette]

I found a model 163624. It is a 629 classic 6.5 ported barrel.

Thoughts?

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It sounds like you found this one. Fine choice. This one stays in the range bag. The 6 1/2" tube balances well and the port takes some of the oomph out of the recoil.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

So long as I do not plan to carry it, I prefer the longer barrels. Particularly with the higher powered cartridges, a longer barrel gives the cartridge a better chance to reach maximum velocity.

 

[ma454mike]

Ok, So I found this 629-5 at a gun show today. I think I did ok. It is a 5" barrel. The lock up is tight and the trigger is smooth and crisp.

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[ma454mike]

Anyone tell me about when it was built. CUD**** serial number.

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