Double-O-Dave
US Veteran
Shown here with my DAO 65-5, it shows what a sucker I am for three-inch barrels.
Papajohn:
I like what you've done with the front sight on your 65-5. Can you provide more information/details?
Thanks,
Dave
Looking for a .44 to pack.
- Thread starter LostintheOzone
- Start date
Papajohn:
I like what you've done with the front sight on your 65-5. Can you provide more information/details?
Thanks,
Dave
WFR
Member
629 No-dash
629-3 3" - I carried this one on a mile and a half walk here in the mountains today.
629-3 3" - I carried this one on a mile and a half walk here in the mountains today.
I have a few .44's in mag and spl and they are my favorites to shoot. But I have no use for a full magnum load. Since I've owned y .44 mags none of them has ever seen a magnum load.
For general shooting I like a 250 gr LSWC at about 950 fps. For heavy use I use the same bullet with 15.0 gr of 2400 at about 1050 fps. I've never seen the use for anything stronger.
The Spl factory ammo is too anemic but I prefer to keep the power somewhere between the Spl and mag.
I have one 29-2, my last blue mag, a 629-1 and a Mtn Gun 29-8. The mag revolver is more versatile then the Spl. It can fire light loads or heavy if need be. These are all good guns even the 29-8.
For general shooting I like a 250 gr LSWC at about 950 fps. For heavy use I use the same bullet with 15.0 gr of 2400 at about 1050 fps. I've never seen the use for anything stronger.
The Spl factory ammo is too anemic but I prefer to keep the power somewhere between the Spl and mag.
I have one 29-2, my last blue mag, a 629-1 and a Mtn Gun 29-8. The mag revolver is more versatile then the Spl. It can fire light loads or heavy if need be. These are all good guns even the 29-8.
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I have managed to keep in your specified price range several ways: a gently experienced 21-4, a heavily reblued .44 Hand Ejector, a Taurus 431(a 3 inch 5 shooter) and of course the Charter Bulldog.
I don't see these 3 and 4 inch beauties jmping on your hip at pedestrian prices????????????
I don't see these 3 and 4 inch beauties jmping on your hip at pedestrian prices????????????
SuperMan
Member
I've tried all the above mentioned guns and setted on a 629-6 Mountain Gun....a 5" Classic would be a close second but I really love the round butt, slim barrel and the balance of the whole MG series better than anything else when it comes to a gun intended to be carried a lot in a belt holster.
Loads between 900-1200 fps are all that are really needed and the MG will handle these nicely...
The 629 MG I have doesn't get carried all that much as I am a .41 Shooter but when it does it gets stoked with Speer .44 Magnum 200 grain Gold Dot HP Short Barrel Loads. A DEEP 200 grain HP at 1080 fps from a 4" gun is just the ticket. It expands every time with very light recoil... And when I want penetration I have some 200 grain (no longer made) Berry's plated bullets loaded to the same velocity...
Bob
Loads between 900-1200 fps are all that are really needed and the MG will handle these nicely...
The 629 MG I have doesn't get carried all that much as I am a .41 Shooter but when it does it gets stoked with Speer .44 Magnum 200 grain Gold Dot HP Short Barrel Loads. A DEEP 200 grain HP at 1080 fps from a 4" gun is just the ticket. It expands every time with very light recoil... And when I want penetration I have some 200 grain (no longer made) Berry's plated bullets loaded to the same velocity...
Bob
Magnum-Krazy
Member
Nice pics of some 3" .44's !
Besides the longer barrel .44 Mags, I also love the 3" barrels.
This one I also carry sometimes.
629-1 3"
Ernie
Besides the longer barrel .44 Mags, I also love the 3" barrels.
This one I also carry sometimes.
629-1 3"
Ernie
69HEMI-R/T
Member
Just get yourself a 629 Mountain Gun and be done with it !
Joe in SC
US Veteran
I'm one who would second the suggestion for a 44 Special. Nothing wrong with the magnum and you would certainly be well armed with one. I prefer the 44 Special, unless hunting. It is the reloaders dream caliber and can do most everything a magnum can do except the last three hundred feet per second. Except for a dangerous animal such as a grizz you just don't need that extra 3 hundred that is a bitch to control accurately. the most sensible choice would be the 44 Special.
There are other good calibers out there. A 4 inch 41 magnum would be another good choice.
There are other good calibers out there. A 4 inch 41 magnum would be another good choice.
Bill Bates
Member
Add another vote for a .44 Spl.
When hiking I carry a transitional 4" Pre-21. It may be old and kind of worn but it feels so good on my belt. I would think one of the newer 21-4 Thunder Ranch versions would fill the bill perfectly.
When hiking I carry a transitional 4" Pre-21. It may be old and kind of worn but it feels so good on my belt. I would think one of the newer 21-4 Thunder Ranch versions would fill the bill perfectly.
Deputy25
Member
I usually carry one of three revolvers, a nickel 4" M29-3 with Ahrends retro-combat grips, a 629 Mountain Gun with Hogues, or my model 58. I use one of two Simply Rugged pancake holsters, or a Kramer IWB. A big-bore N-frame is certainly comforting when things go bad.
Doug M.
Member
I bought a 629-4 4" as the basis for a conversion. Since it was already dirty when it arrived, I decided to shoot it a bit before cleaning and shipping. I ran some shotshells through it just for grins, and about 20 of the .44 special gold dot blazers I have for my 296. It was sweet.
Brian41
Member
I have a 629 Back Packer and it's one of my favorite guns. I had a second one too but traded it with a gentleman here for a 24 snub which I like as well.
One thing I learned about 3 inch N frames is they have a long enough sight plane and can shoot very well concidering the shorter barrel. They carry well in a proper holster and belt as well. I've carried them concealed with just a simple wind breaker as cover before.
One thing I learned about 3 inch N frames is they have a long enough sight plane and can shoot very well concidering the shorter barrel. They carry well in a proper holster and belt as well. I've carried them concealed with just a simple wind breaker as cover before.
keith44spl
Member
Add another vote for a .44 Spl.
When hiking I carry a transitional 4" Pre-21. It may be old and kind of worn but it feels so good on my belt. I would think one of the newer 21-4 Thunder Ranch versions would fill the bill perfectly.
Bill,
I do like 'em like that!
My Pre-War 44 Spl. 3rd Model
Su Amigo,
Dave
trauma1
Member
At my local gun shop there are currently 3 S&W 44mags in the $500-750/range. 1) 3" 629 stainless for $599, 2) 4" 29 nickel for $599 and 3) 6" 629 stainless for $649. These are the prices on the tags and can be had for at least $50 less. Just keep looking around, you can find it.
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