Which 44 mag to get?

[DaSandmanCometh]

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.

As I own both of these cannons as well as many other 44 mags. I would have to advise you get the 629 competitor, much more $$$ but worth it. After that, the Ruger Super Blackhawk would be another excellent choice. Although it's single action only, it's a slick shooting revolver.

 

[Buffalobillcody]

Thanks everyone for the input, right now I'm leaning towards a 5" 629 classic. But not entirely sold. Would love to get my hands on a 629 Horton like b_san but who knows. I'll let u know what I pick.

 

[ccjcc81]

Thanks everyone for the input, right now I'm leaning towards a 5" 629 classic. But not entirely sold. Would love to get my hands on a 629 Horton like b_san but who knows. I'll let u know what I pick.

That's a beautiful gun. Why is it the only .44 with a full lug?

Edit, nm. I see there are a few models with the full lug on the website. Why no 3"!?

 

[SeamasterSig]

You don't really need expansion to be effective with a big-bore. The weight will penetrate clothing and the diameter of the bullet will punch a sufficient hole. The flat point will reduce risk of over penetration.

Count me among those who generally prefer penetration over expansion, which is why I always load heavy-for-caliber LSWC or WFN bullets when out in the woods. But I nevertheless prefer a JHP in any scenario that is more likely to involve human targets. While I may be convinced that you are more likely to miss the intended target in the heat of the moment and instead hit something entirely unintended, and therefore concerns about overpenetration are largely secondary, a flat point bullet in any of the major calibers is very likely to penetrate a human target with enough energy to exit out the other side and potentially hit another unintended target.

That being the case, I have to ask: if that is not excessive penetration, what is? And these flat points exhibit less undesirable overpenetration compared to what? Again, I completely agree with your rationale if you're talking about, for instance, bears or feral pigs in the woods, but two-legged critters in an urban setting aren't as thick-skinned or anywhere near as difficult to put down (or so I hear), and much more likely to be standing in front of things you would rather not shoot.

 

[Fltr09]

A vote for the 69

I've had a few different 44's over the years. I've had Ruger, Dan Wesson and S&W's. I currently consider the S&W 69 to be at the top of the list. The reason is because it shoots well and is easy to carry. The DW probably was the most accurate but I needed a wheelbarrow to tote it. It had a 6" barrel. I had a 629 Classic 5" that was good, but still very heavy. The Ruger shot well and had a great action/trigger after some work. The 69 may not be the most visabally pleasing but I'm not all about looks! I am not a fan of the locks on the current S&W's, but I put an RMR on my 69 and can shoot 4" groups at 100 yards from a sandbag rest with it. That qualifies as a hunt worthy handgun to me. The design of it really absorbs the recoil also.
Just my opinion.

 

[Voyager28]

Personally, I also am in the "Model 69" camp. Great revolver, shoots very accurately and carries very easily in the woods.

Bob

 

[vincent317]

I've got 629s in 4", 5", and 6". The 5" full lug feels to me like it is the sweet spot when shooting full load .44s. It doesn't feel as bulky as the 6" and does not have the felt recoil of the 4".

 

[Brian in Oregon]

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.

I found that a 3" 29 had less felt recoil than a 4" 29, at the expense of muzzle flash and noise. I think a 4" 29 is the hardest kicking version.

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.

Nice. I had the blued version of that and traded it away, intending to get the stainless version. Never did. Talo does not show this model currently. I hope they make some more.

 

[75Vette]

My first 44 mag was this 6 1/2" 629-3 Classic.
I bought it with the wood Hogues you see on it now/still. I haven't figured out why but it's my only 44 that I don't have to put rubber on for the range. What a sweet shooter! Now, ten 4 mags later, I couldn't tell you which one I prefer.
There are days when I want to plow the 3"er and abuse myself and days when I take the 6 & 8"ers out and enjoy the ride. If I was going to carry in the woods (not "D Hood") I'd carry either the 4"er or the 4" Mountain Gun.
I guess all been said, I'd suggest starting off in the wonderful world of 44 mag with a 6"er and go from there depending on how you handle the load.

 

[Shark Bait]

Buffalo Bore has several .44 Special loads that could be considered a light magnum load. One is a 255 gr Kieth at 1000 fps. It should be a kitten in a 629 and still pack a solid punch. Another one is a 190 gr soft-cast lead hollow point at 1100+ fps.

 

[WPWarhawk]

The four inch S&W 44 mag was good enough for Elmer Keith, and it's good enough for me.

 

[Bobbysixkiller]

 

[Bobbysixkiller]

I load 200 grain jhp half way between 44spl and magnum.

 

[CWH44300]

The four inch S&W 44 mag was good enough for Elmer Keith, and it's good enough for me.

I'm with you.
Here's a few of my favorite 4" guns.

 

[stu1ritter]

The 629-3 Classic was almost impossible to find in a 5" gun, I looked for a long time. I finally stumbled into a near NIB 6.5" barrel model and proceeded to make it a 4.25" gun. The balance and feel is great. I've shown this before, but, something you might want to think about if you want a shorter barrel. In this photo it is wearing the X frame grips which do a great job on keeping recoil manageable.

 

[CWH44300]

The 629-3 Classic was almost impossible to find in a 5" gun, I looked for a long time. I finally stumbled into a near NIB 6.5" barrel model and proceeded to make it a 4.25" gun. The balance and feel is great. I've shown this before, but, something you might want to think about if you want a shorter barrel. In this photo it is wearing the X frame grips which do a great job on keeping recoil manageable.

I like that!

I like the 5" guns well enough that my dash three and four will never go under the knife.


I do have an extra 6 1/2" classic dash four that I've been thinking of sending to Magnaport, to get the works and trimmed to 3 1/2"

 

[stu1ritter]

CHW44300, if only I could have found a 5"er. I think I looked for about a year as I wanted a 629-3 explicitly. Never turned one up in good enough condition to buy so I had to whack.

 

[ccjcc81]

Why don't they make a 3" with the lug profile of the classic? That'd be sweet...

 

[WPWarhawk]

The 629-3 Classic was almost impossible to find in a 5" gun, I looked for a long time. I finally stumbled into a near NIB 6.5" barrel model and proceeded to make it a 4.25" gun. The balance and feel is great. I've shown this before, but, something you might want to think about if you want a shorter barrel. In this photo it is wearing the X frame grips which do a great job on keeping recoil manageable.

I have a 629-5 Classic in 8 3/8 that would be a great candidate for this. Would you mind sending some more pics and details on yours?

Who did the work?
What did you do with the roll marks?
How was the front sight re-attached?

Thanks

 

[ccjcc81]

I have a 629-5 Classic in 8 3/8 that would be a great candidate for this. Would you mind sending some more pics and details on yours?

Who did the work?
What did you do with the roll marks?
How was the front sight re-attached?

Thanks

I'd like to know as well please.