Model 29 .44 Mag Concealed Carry Load

[cptbryan]

Hi,
I recently purchased a Model 29 4in Barrel (almost identical to Dirty Harry) and I am using it for my carry (yes I'm a pretty big dude). Anyways, I was wondering what type of load you guys would recommend. I shot it today for the first time and the Magnums had a kick so I was thinking of carrying with Specials in it, but I'm concerned that Specials doesn't have enough stopping power to it. Also what specific types of ammo would you recommend for defense? Thanks for your input!

 

[MaximumLawman]

I'd carry any type of factory hollowpoint or semijacketed hollowpoint. Like a Hydrashok or Gold Dot. If you're a big guy, you should be able to handle the recoil of a .44. It's not that bad....Maybe consider a model 25-5 if you like that bullet size but don't like the recoil. You can still tell people it's the Dirty Harry gun. Nobody is going to check.....

 

[venomballistics]

after a few zillion rounds, mostly handloads, I can give you a handful of good choices.
200 grain hornady XTP tops the list. Holds together well. deposits energy in grand fashion without all the over penetration some gripe about. Reasonably effective through car doors though they tend to come apart.
180 grain HPs .. these generally fragment which further reduce carry over. they dont hit like the 200 though. I deemed them unacceptable through car doors.
in lighter loadings 240 SWC is the classic loading for a reason though we start to get into its over penetration issues.
I used to sell a 223 grain SWC HP which really did well in testing against .. well ... everything.
sum totaled ... I could not beat the 200G XTP and it still remains my buddy under the seat on long road trips.

 

[GLV]

For carry, either CorBon 165grJHP in 44 Specialo or Mag, or DPX in either Special or Mag. Both shoot well out of my Mountain Gun.

 

[alwslate]

A hand load with a 250 gr hard cast SWC loaded to around 950 fps
in my 4" 29-2.

 

[cmort666]

I really like the Speer 200gr. Gold Dot JHP .44 Specials. They're accurate, and out of my 4" 29-2, the recoil is very mild.

 

[Berserker]

Winchester silvertip 200grn 44 spcls are another choice.

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
In the past I CCW a S&W Model 29 4" also (Magna PC grips with Tyler Adapter). My first four chambers were W-W .44spl Silvertips and chambers #5 and #6 .44mag JHP.

 

[Springfeildkid585]

44 Special Stopping Power

 

[Springfeildkid585]

That might be of some help, I guess Winchester silvertips have a 76% one-shot stop rate. I'd feel pretty comfortable with that if I had four or five follow-ups ready to go

 

[mc5aw]

I really like the Speer 200gr. Gold Dot JHP .44 Specials. They're accurate, and out of my 4" 29-2, the recoil is very mild.

I run these through my 629-1, 29-3, 624 snub, and 696, and carry them exclusively in the 624 and 696. The big Magnum loads are too much for me, and as I've said before in other threads, if I can't get the job done with five or six .44 Special Gold Dot JHPs, I best be finding myself a rifle very quickly because I'm up against something very big and bad.

 

[cmort666]

I run these through my 629-1, 29-3, 624 snub, and 696, and carry them exclusively in the 624 and 696. The big Magnum loads are too much for me, and as I've said before in other threads, if I can't get the job done with five or six .44 Special Gold Dot JHPs, I best be finding myself a rifle very quickly because I'm up against something very big and bad.

The target in my avatar was shot at 50' with that load.

I wonder if you can even get any these days...

 

[mc5aw]

The target in my avatar was shot at 50' with that load.

I wonder if you can even get any these days...

But the question remains, did you fire a warning shot, or simply send those Gold Dots down range for center mass?

 

[cmort666]

But the question remains, did you fire a warning shot, or simply send those Gold Dots down range for center mass?

Center of mass, all the time... unless I'm feeling a bit Mozambiquish...

 

[Silver Dollar]

44 Special Stopping Power

Thanks for posting that website. Being new to shooting, I've been looking for something exactly like that.

 

[Doug M.]

Hitting your desired target in the proper area is more important than the inherent ballistic power of a particular round. A couple of .38 wadcutters in the vitals (see tacticalanatomy.com) is a lot better than a couple of really loud misses with a hot .44 magnum. Learn the applicable legal standards and tactical principles, then where to shoot an assailant, then pick a platform that works for you (of course, ever time), and only then worry about a load to carry. A hard cast heavy weight for caliber SWC at modest velocity is a darned good load in any caliber, and whether you load it in special or magnum cases is not important except for the need to clean differently to keep the crud ring from shorter cases from interfering with longer magnum cases.

I'll admit that I have pretty much gone completely reactionary in my revolvers and prefer WC/SWC loads with good sharp edged bullets for most purposes. I had to qualify with a hot magnum JHP in my .41 last time because I was qualifying on an indoor range, or I would have used the SWCs in it.

 

[keith44spl]

I often carry N frame revolvers........

With little concern for barrel weight or chambering, as long as it starts with .4

I like the 210gr. STHP by W-W in the .44 Special or a hard cast swc
in .44 Special or Magnum rounds or .45 Long Colt cartridge.

I carry concealed and open (when appropriate) It's all about the right gear and mind set.


A belt slide pancake type holster on a correct weight gunbelt to support it and all is well.



Su Amigo,
Dave

 

[tappedandtagged]

Winchester silvertip 200grn 44 spcls are another choice.

I've shot those out of my 3" barreled 629. When shot into wet newsprint the expansion was less than stellar. I'll try to remember to post the pics later.

Gold Dots in 44 spl would be my choice.

 

[Stukaman]

I use Speer Gold short barrel in my 629

 

[tappedandtagged]

I've shot those out of my 3" barreled 629. When shot into wet newsprint the expansion was less than stellar. I'll try to remember to post the pics later.

Gold Dots in 44 spl would be my choice.

Factory loads. I just pulled one bullet for reference.