s&w model 29 vs 629

[minconrevo]

If you will be shooting lots of full .44 Mag loads, then the Ruger Redhawk is the way to go. Years ago I shot a mid 1970's 29 loose enough that the crane needed stretching. The later ones, with the engineering upgrades, are more resistant to such wear. A 629 is light to carry, compared to a Ruger Redhawk. The SS is easier to clean than blue or nickel. Barrel length; again it depends. Likely you will be happier with something with a 6" or so barrel. The 4" is a dragon belching fire with magnums. The 8 3/8" is sort of clumsy.

Revolvers of this ilk are much more pleasant to shoot with .44 Spl handloads. Shoot accurately too, even out to 100 yds.

Ultimately it depends on what you plan to do with the revolver.

 

[agent00]

@M29since14 Yes Klagenfurt is still a really beautiful place. I do not know how much it has chanced since the 70s. The 70s where before my time. I am born in 1985. and thanks for your tips. Yes Dirty Harry style revolvers are my thing.I am gonna to look for these models. I really like the aesthetics of these older revolvers.

@Hair Trigger That's a good question The availabilty of s&w guns is very good in Austria. You can get new ones and used ones quite easier. I would say S&W guns are the most common revolvers you can get in Austria. On the second places are Rugers. The markets for colt revolver is not so good besides replicas from Uberti for the 1873 Colt Single Action Army. Real colt revolvers are hard to find in general.

What I want is also dicated by my budget. In general having a real m29 that was built in the 70s are early 80s would be great. But if I cannot find one at a good price I would be more than happy to get a new m29 from the smith and wesson classic line.

Shooting full power mag loads all the time was not my plan. It would get really hard to shoot them all the time and not to forget the cost of the ammo.

 

[M29since14]

Interesting comments, Agent00. The 29-2s from the late 60s and early 70s were always on my radar. If that’s what you are looking for, you won’t be disappointed when you find one. You mention a budget. My advice is probably nothing you haven’t heard before: spend as much as you can to buy the nicest gun. In the long run, you’ll be happy. Good luck with your search.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Yes Dirty Harry style revolvers are my thing.I am gonna to look for these models. I really like the aesthetics of these older revolvers.

@Hair Trigger That's a good question The availabilty of s&w guns is very good in Austria. You can get new ones and used ones quite easier. I would say S&W guns are the most common revolvers you can get in Austria.

What I want is also dictated by my budget. In general having a real m29 that was built in the 70s are early 80s would be great. But if I cannot find one at a good price I would be more than happy to get a new m29 from the smith and wesson classic line.

That would be a good era to look at for a nice M29, and if the budget does allow, expand that to the 1960's. The M29-2 is the most common and greatest numbers made. The revolvers I look for are 1960's and 1970's era, regardless of the model. Pinned and recessed models are very popular, those aree nice features to have, but by no means are required. If you desire them, they will be limited to 1982 or earlier production. If you're unfamiliar with those terms, they have a pinned barrel, and the rear face of the cylinder has recesses to fully enclose the head and rim of the cartridge. A nice quality M29-2 with a 4" or 6" barrel in blue steel can be had for around $1000-$1200 USD here in the States, a bit less for an 8-3/8". Nickel finish will be more, and the same quality from the 1960's will start climbing as the manufacture year gets earlier. True collectibles with the box and accessories go for much more. You can easily spend $3000 for a pristine M29 from the early 1960's or late 1950's. If you can afford it, go for the best and earliest gun, and you'll never lose money if you sell it later.

 

[__steve__]

I think the 44 special would be an outstanding defensive round in the home. My first weapon is a 629-6 5” and personally a good choice. The biggest issue with that caliber is ammunition availability and price, without reloading you can shoot away the price of the gun in a month. As far as what to get, that is the question. You will have to consider its intended purpose and how well you suit it. Inspect it before purchasing, even though over 90% of the time they’re in perfect working order, never know who might have handled it before you.

 

[agent00]

Thanks a lot for the further replies.

@M29since Yes that was my plan anyway. I do not want to go too cheap. I want to spend as much as I can in order to get a decent gun. The m29-2 would be indeed a good choice.

@Hair Trigger That's funny but during my superficial check about the used guns I found that prices are similar just in Euro. The earlier you get the more expensive it gets.

The cheapest one I have seen was a Model 29 - 4 with a 8 ich barrel.

The Model 29-4 is not bad but I am still more interested in model 29-2 with either 6 inch or the 8-inch barrel. I will watch the used gun market closely.

I cannot buy before March anyway that's when the funds needed for the .44 are available. So I have plenty of time to research.

Have to agree that the revolvers from the 1960s and 1970's era are a very fascinating topic

@steve you got a point. The Ammo supply is the biggest problem. In case I want to shoot 44 magnum full power regularly and not just once in a while I need to look into reloading.

 

[DR505]

I think that the 29-2 with a 6.5 inch barrel is a great idea. I have a 29-3 with a 6 inch barrel and like it very much. I also have a 629-4 with a 4 inch barrel that gets far more use, since I often take it big game hunting. With either choice you cannot go wrong. Here are some gratuitous photos:

 

[jdlii]

A Mod. 29 or 629 would be a fine choice. I have had the pleasure of being the care taker of a 29-4, 3", a 629-5, 4" and a 629-5, Classic DX, 6.5". If I had to pick only one, it would be the Classic DX.

The looks, feel and accuracy are beyond fantastic! The recoil of each of the barrel lengths is acceptable and manageable. They are all accurate and in my experience, shoot to the point of aim!

Pick one that is right for you and enjoy the fun!

 

[357 shooter]

@steve you got a point. The Ammo supply is the biggest problem. In case I want to shoot 44 magnum full power regularly and not just once in a while I need to look into reloading.

Yes indeed! My 629 Classic has never been fired with factory 44 Magnum ammo in the 22 years I have owned it. I think the last time I bought factory 44 ammo was in the late 1980s.

Even reloading magnum ammo these days is not cheap but still beats the price of factory ammo.

 

[agent00]

@DR505 Thanks for sharing the pics. Your model 29s really look amazing.

@jdii Thanks for your recommenation as well.

@357 That's true. But I think reloading is a very fascinating field in general especially when shooting sixgun.

Trying out different bullet types like lead semi wadcutter can very interesting I think.

Without learning reloading it would be impossible to shoot full power 44 mag loads on a regular basis.

The ammo supply is quite fickle. Sometimes you can get cheap 240 grain jhp or sjph rounds that would be ok for the the range but sometimes you can only get some 240 grain federal hydra schok rounds that would be too expensive to use for the range. The Hydra shocks maybe would make some suitable sd rounds if I should ever considering 44 mag loads instead of 44 special loads for home defense.

And I found even ammo dealers online here in Austria that have just one 44 mag load on sale.

The HORNADY 44 MAG 300 GRS JHP . Way too expensive for my needs and i also do not want to know how severe the recoil would be of that hunting load.

 

[chief38]

My preference are blued guns - at least the vintage blued ones. While I do own Stainless revolvers I bought them in stainless for use mostly as an EDC or woods gun. For casual shooting, competition, target shooting & collecting I will take a blued gun over a stainless every day! I don't care much for stainless guns when shooting in bright sunlight and their general looks (no personality), but their durability, maintenance and restorability is much better and easier than a blued version.

IMHO a 44 Magnum is basically a hunting gun or back up to a big game hunt where your primary gun is a rifle. For the most part, they are a poor choice for home defense for a list of reasons - most important is that they are slow to get off multiple shots because of recoil, over penetrative, way too loud, practice ammo is very expensive and the guns are quite heavy which might hinder a small framed female shooter or person with smaller hands if they needed to use it.

I know there are many 44 Mag fans here, so I'm probably in the minority - wouldn't be the first time - lol.

 

[M29since14]

Agent00, if you do find an earlier S&W Model 29, I would recommend staying away from the 300-grain bullets.

 

[agent00]

@chief38 You got a point of course. But as I have already mentioned full power 44 mag loads are going to be used only at the range. For self defense I will keep some 44 special rounds. They offer plenty of power for a short range home defense scenario without the heavy recoil and especially the muzzle blast.

@m29since14 Thanks for your recommendation. I have not considered the 300 grain loads useful for my needs anyway. They seem to be pure hunting load without any real usage for target shooting.

When using full power 44 magnum loads I will use some standard 240 grain loads or maybe even some lighter 180 grain sjhp rounds.

These loads should be fine with a older gun or what do you think?

 

[SweetMK]

When a friend comes over, and wants to shoot a 44MAG,, this 6 inch comes out,,

It is also my "walk in the woods" gun,
in single action, there is no problem hitting an 8" pie plate size target at 25 yards,, off hand, even for a novice.

I think if I had to sell guns, this would be the last center fire gun to go,, it is that good!!

 

[CWH44300]

When a friend comes over, and wants to shoot a 44MAG,, this 6 inch comes out,,

It is also my "walk in the woods" gun,
in single action, there is no problem hitting an 8" pie plate size target at 25 yards,, off hand, even for a novice.

I think if I had to sell guns, this would be the last center fire gun to go,, it is that good!!

That’s a beauty
Dash three’s are my favorites

 

[M29since14]

Agent00, I suggest you stay within 200-250 grain weight range. The older guns were made to handle 240 grain ammunition. Straying to extremes (180 or 300) is not a really good idea.

 

[agent00]

@M29since14 Thanks a lot for your suggestion. Then I am going to stick to the standard 240 grain loads. It is actually a good thing that the older m29s like the 240 grain best. 240 grain loads are also easier to find than other bullet weights. If some 44 mag round is available at all the chances are high that is a 240 grain load.

 

[Hair Trigger]

I am still more interested in model 29-2 with either 6 inch or the 8-inch barrel. I will watch the used gun market closely.

I cannot buy before March anyway that's when the funds needed for the .44 are available. So I have plenty of time to research.

Have to agree that the revolvers from the 1960s and 1970's era are a very fascinating topic

@steve you got a point. The Ammo supply is the biggest problem. In case I want to shoot 44 magnum full power regularly and not just once in a while I need to look into reloading.

While you're researching and finding, if you run across a M57, strongly consider picking it up. A more rare model than the M29 because it wasn't released until 1964 and had a much shorter production run. It is the exact same size and appearance as the M29, just has the .41 Magnum chambering. And I guess the biggest consideration would be that you'd really need to take up reloading as another hobby, as factory ammo is difficult to find in any quantity here in the US. Brass and bullets for reloading are readily available, though. It's noticeably milder than .44M when shooting it. There is no "official" .41 Special, but there is a shortened brass and loading data available to make your own. I own two .41 Magnums (M57 and M58) and they are what I shoot rather than my commemorative M29-2.

Prices are usually about the same as for a M29-2 in comparable condition. I guess you could call it a "niche" gun; people who like it are dedicated to it, but the .44M is more popular.

 

[Alton]

Nothing wrong with a 629 or an Anaconda. But they are both SS, I like the lost art of bluing. Wondering how much longer blued guns will be around? Smith already has the Model 29 Classic at over $1300 MSRP with the 629 $300 cheaper.
I like and shoot all barrel lengths

 

[agent00]

@Hair Trigger Thanks for the advice I'll do that. The 41 Magnum is a cartridge with an interesting history and the m57 is a beautiful gun. The M57 or M58 would make a great collector's item for sure. Worth picking up for me if I can get it at a good price.

For shooting purposes, the m57 would be a full reloader gun though. While I can find 41 mag factory loads (210-grain ammo from Remington in the hight terminal performance line) these factory loads are too expensive for my liking at over 100 Euro. A 210-grain federal jhp load would also be available for 51,90 but these rounds are on back order and it is uncertain if the shop can get them again. The price of the federal rounds would be ok for once in a while but due to the uncertain availability, I would rely only on reloads if an m57 or an m58 would find a new home at my place.

@alton Yes blued guns are beautiful indeed and if is a good question how long these guns are going to be around?

The Colt Anaconda is indeed a beautiful gun but I have not considered one because Colt Revolves are very rare in Austria. Too rare to consider them. If they were more common I would consider them though.

The .6 inch and the .8th barrel versions really have a appealing look to me.