Model 29 and 629 Why the popularity?

[smithra_66]

After watching some listings on a few sites it seems these are being sold rapidly. I'm just curious why as the 44 mag isn't exactly a mild cartridge to shoot and it isn't cheap either. I found some ammo for about 2 bucks/rd.

Just a few years ago they were a lot less expensive to buy. What's going on here?

Also remember that a lot of people that buy 29s reload. In that case, 44 Mag is cheap and it can be loaded to any power factor desired from light puff loads to full house magnum level.

 

[poprivit]

Shoot this thing and the next time you shoot a .44 Mag it will feel like a .22

Magnum Research BFR revolver - 45-70

 

[357 shooter]

75Vette for the win.
All guns are climbing in price now. The 29/629s are along for the ride.

My current 629-4 is used mostly for bowling pin shots and just for fun shooting. If the OP gets to shoot one he will see the allure fo the 29/629.

Yeah when I see Ruger Super Blackhawks selling the $700 - $800 range its no surprise that 29s/629s are going for insane prices these days.

I bought my 629-5 in 2000 for $525 and it was the most expensive Smith revolver I had bought up to that point. But the accuracy is exceptional and with the heavy 6.5" barrel tames down the recoil quite a bit. My favorite of all the 44 mags I have owned.

 

[MCorps0311]

I think reloading is key to truly appreciating the 29/629. All 44 magnum loads don't have to send shockwaves down your arm. I load at appx. 1000 fps and is plenty strong enough to topple a 55 lb steel ram at 200 meters in IHMSA competition. And as mentioned by others above the 44 magnum is just a very fine looking six shooter. The bug bit the fool outta me!

That is a great collection you have there.

 

[vrichard]

S&W 629 are nice.
Dick

 

[KEN L]

After watching some listings on a few sites it seems these are being sold rapidly. I'm just curious why as the 44 mag isn't exactly a mild cartridge to shoot and it isn't cheap either. I found some ammo for about 2 bucks/rd.

Just a few years ago they were a lot less expensive to buy. What's going on here?

Actually I think this one is best answered by Doc 44.

 

[Jon651]

I can't disagree with any of the responses why someone likes their 29/629. Speaking for myself, I actually found more .44 Special ammo this past year at reasonable prices than .44 Magnum at any price - even the Hornady Critical Defense I carry in mine was a good price considering the circumstances. I had the odd feeling that there were too many new buyers who just didn't know you could use Specials in a Magnum (maybe I'm wrong, but who knows?). I like the Special rounds because I just don't feel I need the "punch" of the Magnum.

My 629 is my bedside gun because I like its heavy DA trigger. I don't want a light SA pull if I am rousted out in the middle of the night and my head isn't fully clear.

 

[Fishinfool]

75Vette - In the immortal words from "Jaws".......Were going to need a bigger pool table..

To the OP - It is just a well balanced, all around gun and cartridge. Just as suitable for plinking and target work as a .38spl with the proper load, and hits harder than a .357mag for big game.

Larry

 

[Chukar60]

The 44 mag is Smith’s cartridge. It is ubiquitous to the S&W lineup .
I doubt Dirty Harry has much to do with it anymore. It is an old movie and well, (Forum gods forgive me for this) by today’s standards a B grade film at best. Acting sucks and the story line is as predictable as the sunset. The movie would only motivate most anyone under the age of 50 to exert the energy to change the channel and little else.
People are enamored with powerful guns. The 44 mag is on the edge of being too much gun to be comfortable, but a lot of folks enjoy the recoil or do not find it offensive. I used to enjoy it, but now days at a shade over 60 I have no use for it.
The 29’s and 629’s are very versatile with a wide variety of loads available under normal circumstances.
I no longer have one, but admit that it is a very good handgun if you have need or want for something more than a 357 Mag.

 

[BIGDOC]

It's also the perfect single round able to stop a threat be it on four legs or two.

 

[smithra_66]

The 44 mag is Smith’s cartridge. It is ubiquitous to the S&W lineup .
I doubt Dirty Harry has much to do with it anymore. It is an old movie and well, (Forum gods forgive me for this) by today’s standards a B grade film at best. Acting sucks and the story line is as predictable as the sunset. The movie would only motivate most anyone under the age of 50 to exert the energy to change the channel and little else.
People are enamored with powerful guns. The 44 mag is on the edge of being too much gun to be comfortable, but a lot of folks enjoy the recoil or do not find it offensive. I used to enjoy it, but now days at a shade over 60 I have no use for it.
The 29’s and 629’s are very versatile with a wide variety of loads available under normal circumstances.
I no longer have one, but admit that it is a very good handgun if you have need or want for something more than a 357 Mag.

Wait, you think TODAY'S movies have higher standards than the old days of Hollywood!?

HAHA! Hollywood today is trash and can't hold a candle to classic Dirty Harry movies.

The first two movies are great and I'm well under 40!

I doubt many "kids" are buying 44 mags anyway. They want plastic, tacti-cool guns or if they are buying a "big" gun they would buy the .500 S&W.

People that like the classics know that the model 29 is one of the greatest guns in history, as is the 44 magnum cartridge.

 

[BIGDOC]

Here's my one and only ...for now

 

[crooksight]

629 -29’s

I think reloading is key to truly appreciating the 29/629. All 44 magnum loads don't have to send shockwaves down your arm. I load at appx. 1000 fps and is plenty strong enough to topple a 55 lb steel ram at 200 meters in IHMSA competition. And as mentioned by others above the 44 magnum is just a very fine looking six shooter. The bug bit the fool outta me!

I feel like I need to salute that picture

 

[1bdvet]

I also have a 626, love that gun, fun to shoot, and powerful, and with shortage of ammo, it's not my everyday shooter.

 

[Hawg Rider]

To each their own...

I have to agree that the .44 Magnums and subsequent Model 29s/629s are some of the greatest handguns of all time. Beautiful revolvers, smooth actions, and great range and accuracy. As has been said above, the versatility of these revolvers is outstanding, and there is of course the movie mystique. I have a nice collection of .44 Magnums, mostly 29-2s because I'm a P&R guy (4", 6", 6-1/2"...blued and nickel), but my favorite is my 4-screw blued 6-1/2" bbl. with Coke Bottle stocks. What a fantastic revolver! And the Cokes fit me perfectly. As far as the .44 Magnum's movie mystique with the Dirty Harry series and Taxi Driver, don't forget one of my favorites- "48 Hours" with Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy. The .44 Magnum is a handful to shoot, but if you're prepared for the recoil and train with large caliber magnum revolvers, recoil is manageable and fun. It's not a handgun that appeals to everyone, but that's why there are so many handguns out there to choose from. I haven't purchased a .44 Magnum recently because of those crazy prices, but at least I know I have some valuable keepsakes to hand down to my sons, and perhaps a little nest egg sitting in the gun safe.

 

[glenncal1]

I doubt Dirty Harry has much to do with it anymore. It is an old movie and well, (Forum gods forgive me for this) by today’s standards a B grade film at best. Acting sucks and the story line is as predictable as the sunset. The movie would only motivate most anyone under the age of 50 to exert the energy to change the channel and little else.

Don't you Blashpheme in Here!

 

[bph9]

I bought a 6 1/2 inch Nickle Model 29 Smith in the late 70's and it did not hold up under full power 44 mag loads. The extractor rod mushroomed out after only a few hundred full power loads. I do not know if the newer ones hold up any better. If I wanted to shoot the .44 mag a lot I would choose one of the Ruger models as they are built like tanks and will take the recoil punishment.

 

[ohioan55]

I have had one for many a year. And used to hunt deer regularly with it.

 

[SonnyGunz]

Im a fan of the .44mag, I have a few S&W model 29-2’s. It’s the only caliber I currently reload for. I also get a lot of enjoyment shooting .44spl, the brass lasts along time in my experience. I’m trying to upload a picture...

 

[biku324]

I really like the 29 4" and own a few. Like anything else, once you use one enough to learn it, it's easy. My least-fired 29 is a 29-3 that I bought likely unfired but Magna-ported. If you actually shoot a 29 to proficiency, you'll find little advantage to the porting. An occasional shooter might be more pleased.