Which 44 mag to get?

[stu1ritter]

The work was done by my 1911 smith Rick Hebert. 1911 Custom guns ipsc uspsa
The roll marks which are lazer etched on this gun were polished off. The front sight is a Weigand front sight base that takes the S&W interchangeable sight blades from the Classic and Rick milled the slot for it. The original front sight base is integral with the barrel and cannot be saved.

 

[Mike_Fontenot]

I have a S&W69 (5-shot, 4-1/4" L-Frame 37oz stainless .44mag) and I REALLY like it. It carries all my waking hours in a homemade under-the-shirt vertical shoulder holster as well as my 10mm 1911 (in a similar type holster) does. Those two guns share primary carry duty. I put the Model 500 grips on it, and that was a good move.

 

[SLT223]

It's going to be really tough to beat a 4" 29 or 629. If I could only have one gun, that's what it would be.

 

[Buffalobillcody]

From experienced 44 mag shooters, is there a noticeable difference in recoil between 3", 4", and 5" barrels?

 

[Bob T]

Just picked up a pre 29 in 4" Couldn't be happier.

 

[BarnStorm]

I have owned a 2 5/8" 629, 4" 629 and a 6" 629. I feel that the 4" balances best in my hand and also carries best for me as well. I sold my 2 5/8" as well as my 6" and bought another 4" (currently en route) I would like to give a 5" a try and hope to get that chance soon.

Here's my favorite 4" I own. It'll shoot the lights out!



My other 4" I'm awaiting arrival of is a 629-3 Mountain Gun with it being a few oz lighter I'm hoping it will be even better for field carry.

To be honest I oddly enough felt less recoil from my 2 5/8 .44 than I did from the 6" .44 I could shoot the snub at least 25 rounds before feeling any sort on discomfort.

In short though I highly recommend a 4" 629.

 

[SLT223]

My other 4" I'm awaiting arrival of is a 629-3 Mountain Gun with it being a few oz lighter I'm hoping it will be even better for field carry.

A 4" 29/629 MG weighs less than a 4" 686. It's a fine piece of equipment. You'll enjoy it.

 

[stu1ritter]

WPWarhawk, sorry it took some time to get around to the photo's but here they are showing the slot machined, the end of the barrel configuration and the new sight blade I've installed as I have red dot front sights on as many of my handguns as possible.

 

[JH1951]

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.

I could not have said it any better myself.
My preference on the 29 is a 29-2, but that's just me.....

 

[one eye joe]

I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL 629s, RANGING IN LENGTH FROM 8 3/8" TO 3". IMHO, THE MOST VERSATILE OF THEM ALL IS THE 4" MOUNTAIN GUN (PRE-IL, IF YOU CAN FIND ONE) THEY BALANCE PERFECTLY, GIVE UP LITTLE IN VELOCITY OR ACCURACY FROM A 6", HOLSTER AND CARRY MUCH MORE COMFORTABLY ON A DAY LONG HUNT, THAN ANYTHING LONGER AND HEAVIER. IT CAN BE CARRIED CONCEALED, JUST AS EASILY AS A 3". THE GRIP IS WHAT CAUSES THE PROBLEM IN CONCEALING A WEAPON. AN EXTRA INCH OF BARREL--ESPECIALLY A TAPERED AND UN-SHROUDED INCH--IS INSIGNIFICANT. IF I COULD OWN JUST ONE 629, THIS WOULD BE IT. BELOW ARE MY EXAMPLES…..

 

[BigUgly1]

Quite some years back I spotted a 624 4" in a gun store. It felt great, had nice sights, was told that it was the target set up. I hadn't heard of a mountain gun yet. I measured the cylinder got a machinist friend to make a reamer for me. The gun looked new to me and it is very accurate. I picked it up for a very reasonable price. Serial #AHB03??.
Very Sweet, maybe my favorite.
Just another option to consider.

 

[SeamasterSig]

Quite some years back I spotted a 624 4" in a gun store. It felt great, had nice sights
[...]
Very Sweet, maybe my favorite.

A 4" 624 would be a great gun and a perfectly sensible option for HD/self defense or as a trail gun (except maybe in grizzly country). The only drawback would be handgun hunting, which the OP mentioned as a possibility... in which case a longer barrel and magnum capability would be preferable.

 

[one eye joe]

Quite some years back I spotted a 624 4" in a gun store. It felt great, had nice sights, was told that it was the target set up. I hadn't heard of a mountain gun yet. I measured the cylinder got a machinist friend to make a reamer for me. The gun looked new to me and it is very accurate. I picked it up for a very reasonable price. Serial #AHB03??.
Very Sweet, maybe my favorite.
Just another option to consider.

GEE WHIZ Big Ugly (I HAVE TO WATCH MY LANGUAGE OR THE ADMIN WON'T BE HAPPY) WHERE ARE THE PICS ? ? ? YOU HAVEN'T BEEN AROUND LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT WE LOVE OUR GUN PORN, SO YOU'LL GET A PASS----THIS TIME. WELCOME TO THE FORUM…..

 

[75Vette]

Maybe it's because my first 629 was a dash 3 6 1/2" Classic, but I've become more partial to the longer barreled 44s. Of course you can't carry these unless you have an Alaskan chest holster but for myself, they're a joy to shoot.
The first. I had no idea what I was getting into.

And then more followed.





I still can't pass up a snubby though!

 

[BigUgly1]

The 624. 44 Special/ 44 Mag

First attempt to post pic, second actually.

 

[CWH44300]

Looking good Tinknocker, your photos are sweet!
The long ones are a blast. I have a lot of fun down at the pit plinking rocks at long range. Who can resist a long barreled 629?

 

[75Vette]

Looking good Tinknocker, your photos are sweet!
The long ones are a blast. I have a lot of fun down at the pit plinking rocks at long range. Who can resist a long barreled 629?

Absolutely right! A mutual friend just sent me a PM to tell me about a no dash 8 3/8 P&R 629 in your area. Y'all are finding my soft spot!! Ohhhh TEMPTATION!!

 

[CWH44300]

Absolutely right! A mutual friend just sent me a PM to tell me about a no dash 8 3/8 P&R 629 in your area. Y'all are finding my soft spot!! Ohhhh TEMPTATION!!

I'll try not to push you into it...
But
Everyone needs at least one of those.
Think I can hook you up with a pair of footballs for it, those combats should really stay up this way...

 

[Buffalobillcody]

I'm looking into a 629 with a 5" right now for about $600 used, near new condition, is it a good buy?

 

[chayden]

I'm looking into a 629 with a 5" right now for about $600 used, near new condition, is it a good buy?

I just scored one here in CA in a personal sale for $650. It's a newer model with the ILS and included a set of rubber grips for a 500 which help with recoil. For this horrid state, that's a great price with all the flippers and gougers trolling the markets.
Bottom line is if you want it; it's hard to get; and you see it available at a price your comfortable with - then grab it. $600 is a great price for a used (like new) pistol of this type.