Which 629?

[conchmariner]

Later this year I'd like to buy a 629 but am undecided about barrel length. Any suggestions/opinions on 4, 5 and 6 inch barrels?

Thanks.

 

[conchmariner]

Later this year I'd like to buy a 629 but am undecided about barrel length. Any suggestions/opinions on 4, 5 and 6 inch barrels?

Thanks.

 

[patvince]

Hi, i will take the 5"; i have a 4, and find it a lil' short about burning all the powder. The 6, for my point of view is good, but less carriable than the 5!
R.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

5in.

 

[Larry from Bend]

I'm on my second 5" 629, a dash 4 Classic. For me, the 5" is a good compromise. Reasonable to carry (on a good, stiff gun belt) and producing reasonable velocity with the 285 grain hardcasts it is fed. Before this I had 6" and 6 1/2" 29s and I prefer the 5"ers. I should mention that this revolver gets most of its use on horseback in wilderness areas like Montana's Bob Marshall where its purpose is bear protection. The 5" (with its cutdown-to-fit- the-5"-barrel Safariland holster) is a bit handier than a 6" and it's full lug (weight) makes quick successive shots more possible for me.

 

[Mule88]

I prefer the 5" as well.

 

[conchmariner]

5 seems to be the consensus. Seems to be the most popular as the S&W MSRP is higher for the 5 than for the other 2.

Thanks guys.

 

[okie john]

Hard to go wrong with any of them. For a dedicated hunting revolver, get a 6".

If you plan to carry concealed, get a 4".

5" is near perfect for any N-frame. I prefer in the half-lug to the full-lug.


Okie John

 

[Three44s]

I am VERY partial to my 629-4 MG!!!

(four inch) for protection .....

6 and longer for hunting

Three 44s

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

Originally posted by okie john:


5" is near perfect for any N-frame. I prefer in the half-lug to the full-lug.

As do I. If only S&W could turn out a Model 29 with Mountain Gun profiled barrel, but 5 inches long, a la the Model 27.

 

[Shuz]

Originally posted by conchmariner:
Later this year I'd like to buy a 629 but am undecided about barrel length. Any suggestions/opinions on 4, 5 and 6 inch barrels?

Thanks.

BBL length is a subjective issue and thus your experience may be different than mine and others, but here's my 2 cents worth....5" Classic is my alltime favorite. I happen to be fortunate to have 2ea 5" Classic DX's purchased new back in the early 90's. One wears a 4X Leupold, and the other has a fiber optic HI-Viz clone available from Dillon. I also have 4ea 4" S&W's in .44mag, including a 329PD. At one time, I owned a 6", a 6-1/2" and an 8-3/8" 29 or 629. They are all gone. I find myself shooting the 4" 629-4 Mtn gun the most because I enjoy the Patridge front site I installed, as well as the 26 ounce trigger I obtained with a Wolff rebound slide spring. The gun I shoot the next most is the 5" Classic DX with the Hi-Viz type front sight. It is also the gun I prefer to hunt with. If I hadda restrict myself to only one Smith 629 it would be that one! I'm just glad I don't have to make that choice, but can enjoy them all. Yep, even the 329PD! Hope this helps

 

[Nightowl]

I like the 5". It has good balance, reasonable weight, and is a nice compromise between the 6" and 4" barrels. I am not really a fan of 4" barrels.

 

[roundgunner]

Originally posted by Three44s:
I am VERY partial to my 629-4 MG!!!

(four inch) for protection .....

6 and longer for hunting

Three 44s

I have to extreme this a bit.

3" for carry
8" for 4 leggers

 

[NOTREDAME]

I perfer the 5" also, but the 6" 629-2 is good too.

 

[bluetopper]

6" with the half lug barrel is what I prefer.

 

[conchmariner]

Saw a beautiful 6 inch half lug yesterday for 799 NIB. Is that a reasonable price?

Also half vs full lug. What are the pros and cons there?

Thanks again for all the input guys.

 

[Shuz]

The full lug sure "dampens" the feel of recoil, as well as helps control muzzel flip, much more than the 1/2 lug.

 

[bluetopper]

I always shoot one-hand hold, bullseye style, and the main reason I like a half lug barrel is the latter part of an extended range session I sure notice the extra weight of a full lug.

 

[conchmariner]

Thanks for all the input guys. I did end up getting the 6 inch half lug 629. Very pleasant to shoot magnum loads compared to the 329 NG which will most likely only see special loads from now on.