NIB Model 629 44 mag

[jake1945]

I'm thinking of buying the above revolver. NIB, matte S.S. finish, 6 inch barrel.
Is there a difference between a Model 29 and Model 629?
Is the muzzle blast over whelming? I have 2 Ruger 7.5 inch barrels that are OK.
I would appreciate comments pro & con.
Thank you

 

[Capttjk1]

629 is stainless. 29 is blue finish carbon steel. I have the 629 with the 6" barrel and I love it. Probably my favorite gun in my vast collection. .44 mag is manageable. I would highly recommend it!!

 

[muddocktor]

The 629 is just the stainless steel line of the model 29 44s. They make them in regular half lug barrels and also full lug barrels called the Classic series, plus some performance center models. The 6" model you are looking at has the regular half lug barrel, right? The muzzle blast from it should be no worse than what you had from your Rugers. The muzzle blast would probably start being a problem with shorter barreled models, such as a 3" barrel or maybe a 4" barrel gun. My brother has an older 629 no dash 6" gun like you are looking at and it's just as fine to shoot as my 6 1/2" barrel Classic except that recoil is a bit sharper because of the lighter barrel.

BTW, I do really like my 629 Classic, as I find the full lug barrel takes some of the sting out of hot 44 rounds.

 

[Rick1967]

I have a 4 inch 629 that I use for IDPA competition. I have fired everything from 200 grain lead round nose 44 specials to 300 grain 44 mag full powered ammo. That gun is in a word...Awesome.

 

[Lou_the_welder]

I have both a 629 6" half lug and a RH 7.5".

Huge difference. No recoil in the Ruger, right? Wait till you grow a brain and get a 629 like i did.

1. Loads have to be reduced on a 29/629. By 10% for starters. Then go to standards as the webbing between thumb and index will turn a bright pink after 100 rounds.

2. Weight difference : a standard Redhawk weights 54 oz. ? A 6" half lug weighs 45oz? Full lug classic 49 oz? (Sorry ,going on memory )

3. There ARE bullets out there that can never be shot out of a smith and wesson 44 magnum. And can only be shot by Rugers, Dan wesson's, colt anaconda's and the like. Because they are particularly beefier. My Hornady book in the 44 magnum page specifically uses a 7.5" RH as a test mule! Nuff said'

But dont listen to me, i dont know anything....

 

[steelslaver]

The muzzle blast won't be much different. The recoil is different. The Ruger is heavier and the grip fully rounded. The S&W has the hump at the top of the grip and this does cause more recoil to come into the area between thumb and forefinger.

Yes, there are loads that a Ruger will fire that shouldn't be fired in a S&W. But, whats really the point. A 100-150fps isn't going to make much difference in trajectory at any reasonable handgun range. A game animal properly struck with the lower velocity round will be just as dead.
The S&W is a Corvette, the Rugers are pickup trucks. I am not knocking Rugers they are great guns, but you can't just make a straight across comparison.

 

[vonn]

I prefer accuracy over power in my guns. On target hits count way more than high powered poor hits or misses. Shot placement is king.

 

[rsrha454lv]

After 454, 44 recoil/muzzle blast is not excessive. Sept maybe in a 329. Buy it

 

[Wise_A]

I own a 6.5" 629-5, purchased just this spring. To date, I have about 550-600 rounds through it, a 50/50 mixture of 1200 fps 240s and 1000 fps 180s. Here's some things I think:

(1) Recoil with full-power 240s is not excessive. However, a proper technique is necessary--absolutely no locked elbows! You'll feel it the next day. You'll also have to be actively on-guard against developing a flinch. 180/200-gr loadings are downright mild in a frame this heavy.

(2) The 629 is more than capable of true .44 Magnum loadings: 240-255s at 1200 fps or so, which are accurate and quite entertaining (water-filled milk jugs leap into the air). What it's not designed for are the loadings that massively outstrip the original design specs. If you want to hurl 300-grain rocks downrange, get a Ruger, Freedom Arms, Dan Wesson, or a .500 S&W Magnum. It's not that there's anything wrong with the N-frame--it's quite good at what it does.