Which 44 mag to get?

[Buffalobillcody]

Hello all, I am new to the forum as a member but I have used it to get perspectives on which guns I should buy. And once again I am in need of your expertise. I am interested in purchasing a 44 magnum to add to my collection of 38 specials and 357 mags.

I am torn between a 629 classic or a 629 competitor? Any preferences between these or recommend any others? Preferably a 6" barrel will consider 4 or 5 on other models. Thank you in advance.

 

[roscoepc]

If I was gonna buy a .44mag there's only one I'd personally consider: The N frame Model 29 with the 6.5" barrel!!

Product: Model 29 - S&W Classics - 6 1/2" - Blue

 

[joe44va]

I like both my M629-6.5 and my M69.
The 629 is a great shooter but I carry the 69 in the woods.
Depends on what you want to do with it.

 

[CH4]

Can't go wrong with any iteration of the 29/629. I prefer the 3" and 5" barrels...

 

[Buffalobillcody]

Thanks for the advice, it would be mostly for carry when I go hunting and target shooting. I was also considering handgun hunting in the future as well. And it could be used for home defense as well. I'm not sure how I fee about a 44 mag in a 3" because of recoil. I can manage a hot 44 mag out of 6" comfortably but haven't had the privilege to shoot anything smaller.

 

[arjay]

A 4" gun carries nicer than a 6" .For range shooting full power loads,longer is easier on your joints.

 

[ccjcc81]

I acknowledge that you said you don't want a 3", but I've been obsessing over a 3" Talo 629. That'll be my next purchase.

Not my pic.

 

[Buffalobillcody]

Ccjcc81 that's a nice looking gun I'd obsess over that too, maybe that will be a later purchase after a longer barreled 44

 

[Duster340]

I opted for a 4" 629. Fits the bill perfectly for my needs. Easy to carry (And still able sit down.) Accurate and handles mag loads comfortably. Look forward to seeing what you ultimately select.

Be well

 

[ISCS Yoda]

And once again I am in need of your expertise.purchasing a 44 magnum to add to my collection of 38 specials and 357 mags.

Since I have little use for the .44 Magnum, and I collect .38s and .357s myself, I have to note that I can't see how a .44 Magnum adds anything to your fine collection of .38s and .357s. That's just me.....

Thanks for the advice, it would be mostly for carry when I go hunting and target shooting.

If you're rifle hunting a .44 Magnum just weighs you down. You can target shoot with anything. A .44 Magnum just beats you up at the range unless you load it with light loads or .44 Specials.

I was also considering handgun hunting in the future as well.

You can probably tell how worthless I think the .44 Magnum is but it's one real glowing use is handgun hunting. Long barrel, scoped, steady rest, that would be fun if you're so inclined.

And it could be used for home defense as well.

It could but I wouldn't recommend it. Unless you load .44 Specials in it. Then it's worthwhile. Low recoil, big, slow moving, heavy bullet. I had a 3" M629 for years and that's how I used it; bedside gun loaded with .44 Specials. The Magnum loads will give you too much penetration if you miss and make it hard to recover for a second or third shot. The noise will scare the intruders away......

I'm not sure how I fee about a 44 mag in a 3" because of recoil. I can manage a hot 44 mag out of 6" comfortably but haven't had the privilege to shoot anything smaller.

It's nasty. Been there, done that. My 3" M 629 was like a boat - best two days were the day I bought it and the day I sold it.

That 6" gun is your hunting gun if you're inclined and you need to shoot it at a range for practice but for routine use I simply do not se any practical purpose for the things.

I know that makes me a hated anti of some kind in some parts of this Forum, and the shooting world generally, but I have enough experience to believe in what I say and I'm old enough to not care what others say about me.

 

[tug700]

I have a 629-3 6" and a 629-4 4". I use the 4" inch as my back up gun while hunting or traveling to hunting camp. I use the 6" for the primary gun while hunting. Both travel in the appropriate Bianchi Cyclone 111 which offers the hip or cross draw carry position. The 6" travels in the crossdraw position anytime it is carried and can be presented while in the drivers seat. The 6" is much more comfortable with full house loads. Part of this may be because my 4" has the factory ported thin or "mountain" style barrel.

 

[Buffalobillcody]

ISCS Yoda, I greatly appreciate your input every little bit helps. I have heard a lot of people say that they love or hate 44s. Personally my 686 4 inch is my baby and I carry it and target shoot and what not. As for the handgun hunting I understand what you mean.

 

[Buffalobillcody]

Tug700. Thanks ! I like the looks of the classic with the full lug as well. That's why I was torn between the classic and the competitor because the 629 competitor is discontinued now and it looks nice and I think it'd be an investment not to mention all the performance center tweaks

 

[howiema]

My vote is for the 4 inch 629 if you are going to carry it at all or the 5 or 6 inch for the range and hunting.



Pete

 

[Shark Bait]

I suggest buying a 629-3 or later model, so you can be sure to have the endurance package. It will hold up better with magnum loads. You will be able to find a 6 inch gun for a little less than a 3 or 4 inch, because the shorter barrels are preferred by those who plan to carry them. I suggest you take a good look at a 5 inch Classic, if you can find one available.

 

[bigggbbruce]

May I suggest something outside the box

Stealth Hunter 629-6, 7 1/2"...Laser guided with open iron..

This was a Limited run of 262..

 

[sgc]

629 Classic 5" barrel

I have a 629 Classic with a 5" barrel. It's a very accurate handgun and it's easy to carry in the field (which was why I bought it). The 5" seemed like a good compromise for, in my case, providing a little more accuracy than a shorter barrel.

 

[Doubless]

I have a 629 Classic with 6-1/2" barrel and I have worked the trigger myself, but if limited to one, it would be a no dash Model 29 in nickel with a 4" tube. I have one of those as well, and with the smooth target grips it is absolutely a pleasure to shoot. No reason to hotrod it, as the 44 will do all asked of it at about 1150, but the 4" is pleasant to carry, has enough sight radius to make small groups repeatable, and nickel is simple to clean up as well. Just an excellent choice, in my estimation...

 

[CWH44300]

The 4" stainless 44 is the 4X4 of the handgun world. They are my favorite sixguns for all around use. I prefer the longer barrels for hunting. A 6" gun is a good compromise between the two. The first centerfire sixgun I bought many years ago was a 6". Lots of folks start out with that length. If you really need a do-all handgun, you could do a lot worse than 6" 629. I have them in all the common lengths but shoot the 4" guns more than all the rest combined. I think you'll do well with whatever feels good in your hand at the shop, just try to handle a few different options and pick the one that feels best.


PS,
For all you forty four nay-sayers.
When you go in to the gunstore, ask to see the king of sixguns. They'll know exactly what your talking about and skip right over the 38's.

 

[BigBill]

If you like s&w revolvers the ones to own first are:

1. M29 44mag. 6 1/2" barrel in blue. Dirty Harry.
2. k22 22lr 6" masterpiece target in blue.
3. K38 38spec. 4" combat masterpiece in blue.
4. k38 38spec. 6" target masterpiece in blue.

These four set the s&w standard for revolvers.

You can own anything once you have these.