New 629-4 - How'd I do?

[Slustan83]

I don't know why, because I've never even shot a 44, but I just had to have it.

https://www.gunsamerica.com/939706082/Smith-Wesson-629-4-44-Magnum.htm

So...how did I do? I'll update the pics once I pick her up.

Anything I need to know about the 629? I've read the dash 4 is sought after. I don't know if it's a round or square butt, I honestly wasn't that worried either way.

Wanted a woods and hiking gun and this one looked pretty good.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Well, if you paid a good price and wanted a .44 then you did great.

I'm happy to warn folks that shooting full house .44 Magnum rounds will not be that much fun but shooting .44 Specials is great fun indeed. Other folks will differ with me but it's a been there, done that scenario for me and I can't be bothered dealing with that much recoil when I'm trying to have fun.

.44 Special is the way to go - you'll have a blast! Enjoy it!

 

[DocB]

That's a really good price. . .$760 if I read the right one. The -4 has the endurance package plus "none" of the wonderful changes Smith made during the 1990's except maybe the rubber grips. Four inch barrel helps the value too. Gun was probably shipped around 1992-1993. It's desirable because it's a "narrow window" gun. . .the best of all worlds.

 

[muddocktor]

You will have fun with your 44 Mag, especially if you reload. That way you can tailor your rounds as to power. ISCS Yoda is correct in that full bore 44 Mag loads can be punishing, especially for the new 44 Mag owner to get used to. It is definitely something you need to build up a tolerance to. I like to shoot some 240 grain reloads that I have running around 900-1000 fps from my 629-3 Classic. They have more punch than a 44 Special, but aren't very punishing at all to shoot. If you don't reload, Freedom Munitions has some 240 grain plated rounds that aren't loaded too hot and shoot decent and have decent pricing.

 

[Lakelot]

Congratulations. The 629-4 is a fine shooting and accurate revolver. I've shot mostly Blazer 240gr JHP with mine and the recoil isn't bad. My 629-4 is a round butt.

 

[Tackelbarry]

Congratulations! Technique is everything when shooting a large caliber handgun. I have the 2 1/2" Backpacker "Beartracks " and I love it. Welcome to the club.

 

[Engine49guy]

IMO the 629-3 and 629-4 were the "High water" mark for the series.
After opening the link appears to be a round butt although the 629-4 came either way for a while.

Even with shipping and TX/Call in thats a VG price that will only go up in value with time.

 

[Shark Bait]

My 629-4 is my favorite field gun when I want to carry something that packs a good punch. You'll enjoy yours.

 

[THEWELSHM]

Well, if you paid a good price and wanted a .44 then you did great.

I'm happy to warn folks that shooting full house .44 Magnum rounds will not be that much fun but shooting .44 Specials is great fun indeed. Other folks will differ with me but it's a been there, done that scenario for me and I can't be bothered dealing with that much recoil when I'm trying to have fun.

.44 Special is the way to go - you'll have a blast! Enjoy it!

Shoot a 500 5 rounds before you shoot the 44 it'll be like shooting a 22

Thewelshm

 

[SeamasterSig]

Congratulations! If it's in good condition, you'll love it and never want to resell it. The trigger pull on my 629-3 is fantastic. Much smoother and a bit lighter than my 66-2. And I hear that's common with the old N-frames. The 4 inch barrel is about as "handy" as you'd want a 44 to be. Shoot a box of 240 grain magnums to get it out of your system (or discover a new passion). Unless you live in bear country, stout 44 spc lead WFN or SWCs (check out Buffalo Bore or Underwood Ammo) should be powerful enough for the woods.

 

[Mr.Harry]

My very first revolver was the -6 in 6 1/2. Bought it for hunting, trail carry, etc. couldn't be happier and I did zero 'building up' to the full house mag loads. 240 gr going 1400 for me right out of the box, annnnnd I LOVE IT! They are not anywhere close to as punishing as you would think. My very shots I took with it I shot one-handed at water jugs about 20 yards off. Smash! Smash! Smash! Was vidding myself holding I-phone with other hand. The shorter barrel might be a little harder on you? But I wouldn't worry too much about it. Great gun. I could see myself really liking one in a 5 inch, but I bought what was on the shelf. You won't regret buying it all.

 

[75Vette]

You'll enjoy that one. Full house magnum loads will be a handful and snappy but if you can customize your loads you can find that sweet spot and truly enjoy shooting it without the heavy recoil.

 

[Slustan83]

Thanks to everyone for their incite and advice. Picked it up today and put 35 rounds of 44 mag. 240 grain Magtech JSP through it. Needless to say, that was eye opening. I'll have to grab some 44 specials to see how they run.

I will say this, the model 60 suddenly doesn't seem to recoil as much, and I thought the 617 was misfiring after shooting the 629.

Thanks again!

ETA: Just an update, ending up listing it for sale. Not a reloader, and saw something else that struck my fancy.

 

[Cirrus]

Congratulations. The 629-4 is a fine shooting and accurate revolver. I've shot mostly Blazer 240gr JHP with mine and the recoil isn't bad. My 629-4 is a round butt.

Clean out your pms. I tried replying to yours, but you're full.

 

[bangbig]

Nice!

I've been lusting after one, however after a couple hundred magnum rounds in a 4" .357 mountain gun, I think my appetite has been curbed. My 6" 629 is plenty with full magnum loads. Yeah, I'm an old wuss!

 

[C J]

I love my 629-2. Yeah I'd rather have a -3 or a -4 but I bought this one from my brother as a favor really and then I decided I couldn't live without it. Right after I bought it from him we started getting black bears everywhere including my yard and my farm. The 629 is a great black bear equalizer if you put the right load in it. Not so much it messes up the timing. I wouldn't want to shoot any Deer Grenade ammo through it. Your gun would handle that better but it's still pretty stiff for a S&W .44 magnum.

BTW I like shooting full bore .44 mag ammo. Whatever you shoot knows it was shot with that stuff. Big holes, big reactions and lots of jaw dropping (when there is a crowd around). I have friends that practically begged me to let them shoot that revolver. I would have let them anyway but still. I was offereed 2 Remington rifles for it once. Turned it down without hesitation.