S & W 627 .357mag 8 shot vs 629 .44 mag 6 shot

[Kyle603]

Hello Smith & Wesson Forum first time post here.

I'm looking into my first revolver. I have all semi auto pistols. A .22, 9mm, .40, and a .45. It's time for a revolver but which caliber?

I want a highly versatile revolve that can be a range gun, deep woods protection and maybe hunting. My question is what is your thoughts about a Smith 629 .44 mag 6 shot vs 627 .357 mag 8 shot? Yes .44 mag is more powerful but does it trump 8 rounds of .357 mag? Ammo price isn't really an issue because I'd shoot less .44 dew to the recoil. Both model are around the same weight. Whats more deadly fully loaded?

I'm kind of leaning towards the .44 mag but still want input.

Thank you

 

[Wheel Fan]

A .44 mag has more power for sure - especially if any brown bears will be crossing your path. The 629 is a sweet cannon. Some say even a brown bear (grizz) may be stopped with a well placed .357 - kind of controversial. Anything less than a brown bear - black bear on down will end up lying down for good with a .357 - A 627 would make a great gun for the range and the back woods. My Dad ordered an M&P R8 (8 shot) .357 revolver that weighs about 36 oz. which would make a great back pack revolver but they're few more bucks.

 

[Norsk_jaeger]

I sold my 29-2 to pick up a mint 19-3. I have found with time I far more enjoy spending more trigger time shooting .357/.38 than I did .44mag/special. My 15 year old son loved the 29-2, but it cost me about a $1.00 every time he pulled the trigger. I loved the 29-2 for a few rounds, but I can shoot my pre-27, 28-2, 27-2, or model 19 all day long. Just my .02. You can't make a bad choice!

 

[bigtubby]

I prefer the 8 shots either 627 or 327 can't go wrong with any of these models.

 

[ptgarcia]

I picked a 627 Pro as my first N-frame. I'd love to have a 629 but I couldn't afford to shoot it (don't reload just yet). I love my 627 Pro anyway, it's a fantastic revolver.

 

[JCS&W]

Sounds as if you want a .44mag. I can't blame you for that. I have a M29-2 and an eight shot M627 V-Comp. I much prefer shooting the M627-V-Comp. While I spend a lot of time around animals, however they are not the woods variety of animals. A .357 is more than enough round for them.

 

[qrachel]

I have a 629 Classic 5" - really love it. I shoot far more 44 special that 44mag; I can shoot all day with the 44 specials and will shoot 20-50 44mag rounds and stop (I'm not into pain at all). I like the versatility though and enjoy the 44mag until it becomes a pain - then off to my 686+ or one of my 45ACPs.

I'm definitely going to get a 627 PC 5" when I can find one that I want. Until then the 686+ and 629 Classic are pretty hard to beat!

Good luck,

Rachel

 

[Rocket3]

In my option, yes absolutely it does trump 8 rounds. Just like 9 rounds of 45ACP trumps a pile of 9MM. (maybe not a good comparison but you get the idea).

Look for a 29-3 or 629-3 6" full under lug and you’ll be happy with it until the day you can’t shoot no more!

Welcome to the forum!

 

[guskody]

627 vs 629

all the input given has been great.

ideally, you could rent both and give them a try. but neither is exactly a common range gun.

since you are leaning towards the 629, I suggest you purchase a gently used 629 at a competitive market price and then use it for your intended purpose.

If you pay a fair price and you don't like it, you will be able to get most of your money back by selling it here on the forum or GB.

Then you can buy the 627.

If you already think you want the bigger caliber, you're always going to be wondering if you don't give it a try first. If you love the .44, you won't look back...until it's time to add your next revolver.

Best of luck.

 

[butchkent]

Size matters. I love the .357 magnum and spend a lot of time with one on my hip. But if I could only have 1, it would be the .44. The .44 can be loaded to do almost anything. Most of the time in the woods and other places, the first shot counts.

 

[The Highlander]

I sold my .44's but I have continually added .357's. Not really consciously it has just worked out that way. I enjoy the versatility. My 627 Pro was junk out of the box, only a handful of rounds since I got it back from Smith but they seemed to have repaired it. I really like the 8-shot cylinder.

I'd buy a 629 Bloodworks gun in a minute too though.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[gsparesa]

357. If I just had one revolver, it would be a 357. A very versatile wheel gun.

 

[DR505]

I have several revolvers in each caliber. I personally find that I shoot the .44's far more than I do the .357's. I do reload, so can tailor a round for a specific purpose. I really like my N and L frame .357's, but I reach for my 629/29 more often. Here is a photo of my 629-4 4" with Ahrends grips:

If I did not reload and was only going to have one revolver, I would likely choose a Model 27 in .357 magnum. But that is what is great about the USA, I can have a bunch!

 

[Inspector-Callahan]

44

Kyle,

Based on your intended use as well as the type of guns you already own, I think the 44 is the only choice because it rounds out your handgun battery better. The 357 has the advantage for competition, paper and economy. The 44 has the advantage for hunting applications. Seems you'd have a few choices of guns you already own for SD or range duty, but none of the guns you have will duplicate the power and versatility of the 44. I presume you don't handload, but if you do, the 44 mag is about the most versatile caliber there is. You can load it for powder puff cowboy action loads all the way up to full power hunting loads. With factory ammo you have two guns in one, with 44 Specials and Mags, both commonly available.

Either gun is a winner though.

IC

 

[Kyle603]

That's a nice firearm DR505. Ideally, I think a 5" classic 629 will be what I'm hunting for shop to shop. I like versatility when it comes to my guns. I also like versatility in my gun collection. The .44 gives me something much more powerful than my FN FNX .45 (awesome gun). Now I'm thinking 15+1 rounds of .45 trumps 8 rounds of .357 and weighs a little less.

Thanks for everyone's input. I like this forum deal!

 

[BCDWYO]

Seems like the majority of votes are for 44 mag. I'll have to agree with gsparesa and vote 357 mag. Definitely one of the most versatile rounds ever, and I would suggest that if this is your first revolver, you will learn to shoot a wheel gun much better with a 357 than a 44 mag given the recoil and tendency to flinch. Not saying you are a novice shooter but unless you are shooting 44 specials (which are expensive and sometimes tough to find much selection unless you reload), a 44 mag is not a beginner's gun. Unless you plan on using the revolver specifically for hunting, I don't think there is anything in the lower 48 that would realistically require the power of a 44 mag over a 357 mag. However I do agree with the others in saying you should get what you want. I own both but a 357 mag revolver would be my choice if I could only own one.

 

[ridgewalker]

Recently I stayed at my friends cabin up in the panhandle of Idaho for a week. I used a Diamond D chest holster to carry my 8 shot 357 magnum model 627 Pro. This rig worked very well hiking, riding ATV's or in cars or just hanging around. I couldn't find any 180 gr Buffalo Bore ammo, so I settled for 158 gr Blazer jhp. There is some logging in the general area so the only wildlife I saw was some mule deer. We shot my revolver quite a bit at targets hung in trees. My 627 Pro shoots very well. I made a convert as my friend says now he wants to get a 357 revolver. Next time I will order some of the Buffalo Bore ammo in advance.

 

[jtcarm]

If you're new to magnums, I recommend the .357. It is also the most versatile.

You didn't state what you need deep woods protection from. Unless you're in brown bear territory, I don't see the need for it. In my neck of the woods, I rate the biggest threats to my health as tics and two-legged vermin, in that order. Snakes aren't even worthy of a bullet.

On the other hand, if you want a deep woods pistol for targets of opportunity that can be deer size and up, the .44 mag makes some sense.

 

[44wheelman]

You need to shoot both, most people go one way or the other. Personally, I reload the 44 to where I like to shoot it: a 240 gr. cast bullet at 1000-1100 fps, enjoyable yet still powerful. I still keep a couple boxes max load XTP's & W296 for days I have more testostrone than usuall, but after a couple cylinders full, its usually back to the whimpy stuff. It always seemed to me the .357 was just working to hard, and a 38 in a big gun kind of gets lost.

 

[Neumann]

I like shooting a .44 Magnum, but only after the first 12 rounds make my hand numb. I can shoot .357 all day, and it's not problem doing an accurate double tap. I reload, so the cost of ammunition is not a deciding issue. IMO, the 7-shot 686+ is a better choice than the 627. Cheaper too.