S&W 629 .44 PC magnum hunter scope issues

[Coolbrze0]

Howdy! I've got a new S&W 629 .44 PC magnum hunter (7.5" barrel) & a Leupold VX3 handgun 2.5-8x32 scope but the scope won't even come close to seating in my Leupold medium rings since it bumps both the front & rear sights. There's darn near 1/4" gap between the bottom of the scope & the bottom of the rings it should sit cleanly in. Per a Leupold tech, going to the high rings only gains me about 1/8" so that won't work. I'm no expert so I'm asking for opinions here. I'd rather not have mounts that are 1" high (unless that's what y'all say is the best course of action) so I reckon my only 2 other options are to remove both sights (& even then the rear is going to be awful close) or add an additional rail on top of the factory integrated picatinny rail? Any ideas are greatly appreciated!

This is the revolver I have:
https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/performance-center-model-629-.44-magnum-hunter

 

[75Vette]

Welcome to the forum. You're gonna have to get that scope waaaay on up there. I'm using the Weaver XX High Skeleton mount on mine and it barely clears. I hope you're not planning on shooting freestanding unless you're a big ol boy because that set up gets heavy fast. Good luck and here's mine:

 

[Protocall_Design]

Get a shorter scope that fits between the sights. I have found Burris to be a very good tough brand for handguns. Leupold is a good scope, but may not hold up to a lot of 44 Magnums. Some of them might be fine.

 

[75Vette]

Get a shorter scope that fits between the sights. I have found Burris to be a very good tough brand for handguns. Leupold is a good scope, but may not hold up to a lot of 44 Magnums. Some of them might be fine.

Great idea but if the op already has the scope and wants to use it there is a scope ring option. Also, the Loopy has a lifetime warranty. I've run some hot loads through mine with no issues (so far). I have a Burris on my 6 1/2" 624 and fits/works great. Another option would be to hunt down a 2X M8 Leupold. It'll sit right between the sights too.

 

[Coolbrze0]

Thanks all! I'd love to put the Leupold handgun scope I have on this pistol!

75Vette - that's bad*ss & appreciate the info & pix. No issues w/ the obj lens being so close to the muzzle break? That's the closest mounted 2.5-8x32 scope I've seen & it's not terribly high compared to some I've seen. No issues w/ the Weaver 2x high rings? May be going that route instead of Leupold rings...

 

[75Vette]

Thanks all! I'd love to put the Leupold handgun scope I have on this pistol!

75Vette - that's bad*ss & appreciate the info & pix. No issues w/ the obj lens being so close to the muzzle break? That's the closest mounted 2.5-8x32 scope I've seen & it's not terribly high compared to some I've seen. No issues w/ the Weaver 2x high rings? May be going that route instead of Leupold rings...

No issues with the Weaver rings. I would keep some alcohol wipes in the range bag though.

 

[Yendor357]

Vet, you could move that front ring back a couple of notches, and get a little further away from that compensator blast.

I always believed if you really want to know what your revolver will do, put a scope on it.

Good shooting! Take that scoped beauty out to 100. Report back.

 

[Coolbrze0]

75vette - 1 more ques... purchased the rings you recommended (thank you!) but Weaver doesn't say how many in/lbs to torque them or the rain down to. Do you know or remember either?

 

[75Vette]

75vette - 1 more ques... purchased the rings you recommended (thank you!) but Weaver doesn't say how many in/lbs to torque them or the rain down to. Do you know or remember either?

I didn't use a torque setting, just wrench it down until you feel comfortable with it. You can only get it so tight with the allen wrench provided. I've never had a problem with it coming loose.

 

[Coolbrze0]

I didn't use a torque setting, just wrench it down until you feel comfortable with it. You can only get it so tight with the allen wrench provided. I've never had a problem with it coming loose.

10-4 I found some torque specs from Weaver online & did the base screws to 35 in/lb & the ring screws to 15 in/lb. Here's a pic of her Thanks again!

 

[75Vette]

That looks great. I'm glad it worked out for you.

 

[Coolbrze0]

That looks great. I'm glad it worked out for you.

Appreciate the help, I've wanted a deer/bear hunting revolver for many years & it's exactly what I wanted & more. Now for the next one