WHICH S&W 44 MAG SHOULD I GET???

[skipr77]

I have decided that my first venture into buying a "big bore" handgun is going to be a 44 magnum, now for the hard part, which S&W 44 mag do I get. I am considering the 629 classic in 4" and 5", along with a used 6" 29-3 for $679.00.

I have the following questions that I need all you 44 mag gunners to help me with.

1. Is there a marked difference in handling between the 4" and 5" 629 classic.

2. Is the 6" 29-3 reasonabley priced and how does it compare to the 4" and 5" 629 classic.

My first instinct as always is to shun anything with a IL but I have read positive things about the 629 classic, but I do love blue steel and even though I prefer something other than a 6" barrel if the price is right for the 29-3 and it compares favorabley with the 629 I would definately consider it!

As always I appreciate your time and thought on these questions.

Skip from Wisconsin

 

[JSR III]

Skip,

I would go with the model 29, but I am old school. Actually, I just saw a 29-2 today that was in really nice shape with an 8 3/8 inch barrel with a price of $650. Not sure about box or tools and I did not handle the gun but it looked sweet.

 

[Marshall 357]

My 44 Magnum is a 29-3 8 3/8'' bbl. I love it ! I love the way it shoots and handles,would love a 3'' for a carry gun .

 

[NE450No2]

If you are going to use it for hunting and range use I prefer a 6 or 6 1/2" barrel.

For carrying while hunting with a rifle, or for Concealed carry I use a 4".

I have never owned a 5" S&W 44 Mag.

 

[RPD20]

I love model 29's with 4 inch barrels. How are you going to use the gun? I think the 4 inchers are the most useful......carry, home defense, range and hunting.

 

[skipr77]

I mainly want to put 44 spl through it since I will be mostly using it for carry in the woods, range or defense. I have always liked the way the 4" 29's look, but I want a no IL one if I can find it!

 

[Engineer1911]

I have 3, 5, 6, 6-1/2, 8-3/8, and 10-5/8 barrels. Make sure you don't shoot the brisk loads in the shorter barrels. You need some gun mass to absorb the recoil. All barrels have full length lug except 10-5/8 so recoil isn't to bad. 3" barrel doesn't generate enough velocity to be uncomfortable the the muzzle blast is spectacular.

5" has the most brisk recoil.

 

[wantmoresmiths]

I really like the balance of a 4" 29/629. If your primary loads will be 44 specials or possibly a mid- range cast bullet load in .44 mag cases, I think you will be very happy with a 4" gun. I find the 6" full lugged guns too muzzle heavy. I even went so far as to sell a 6" model 617, so I could buy the 4" version, just because I didn't care for the muzzle weight. I have never held a 5" 629, but have always been intrigued by that barrel length. If it were me, I would opt for the 4" barrel, as my first choice with the 5" being my fall back plan. Then I would buy whichever I got the deal on. Oh, by the way don't let the lock be a deal breaker.

 

[Fuego]

I have a 6" 629-4.

The only thing I did not like about it was the front sight. It was stainless steel with an orange insert, integral with the barrel. I shoot bullseye, and there is nothing like a black serrated target front sight for a clean sight picture. I had my smith mill that thing off and install a pinned patridge blade, and it is now a great handgun.

It is the most accurate handgun I own.

The six inch barrel balances perfectly in the target stocks, and it is pure pleasure to shoot.

I carry it in a full flap Webley Mk VI holster (reproduction) and it is a very impressive rig.

I heartily recommend the 6" barrel without the full length underlug.
If you are not a reloader, it is time to start. Factory .44 Magnum ammo will put you in the poor house.

 

[goldenlight]

I have 3, 5, 6, 6-1/2, 8-3/8, and 10-5/8 barrels. Make sure you don't shoot the brisk loads in the shorter barrels. You need some gun mass to absorb the recoil. All barrels have full length lug except 10-5/8 so recoil isn't to bad. 3" barrel doesn't generate enough velocity to be uncomfortable the the muzzle blast is spectacular.

5" has the most brisk recoil.

I disagree: the 3" and 4" have significantly more felt recoil than the 5" or 6" ones, IMHO.

I consider the 5" 44 magnum as a good balance between barrel length, balance and size for carrying.

Sadly, S&W did not make many of the 5" 44 magnums.

I did get to shoot one once, with my ammunition, next to my 6 1/2". I REALLY liked it. It was a Model 29 Classic, and mine was a 629 Classic, so they both had the full underlug barrels.

My 6 1/2" 629 felt front heavy for a LONG tome.

 

[4inch357]

I prefer the profile of the standard 29, since you are going to be running mostly specials in it I'd go 4". I don't care for the full underlug guns. (ie like the 686)

 

[gr7070]

This thread may help a little. If I were to buy, 5" full underlug would be first on my list and I'd have to find reasons to knock it off that perch.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/150618-629-5-full-lug-v-6-1-2-lug.html

 

[kennyb]

i have 44 mags.in 6"..3"...61/2"...71/2"...83/8"...each has a differant purpose,but all are fun!

 

[skipr77]

Hey Fuego,

What kind of loads do you shoot for bullseye?

 

[Hammerdown77]

I have a 5" full underlug 629-4 Classic, and the balance is darn near perfect. Caries nice in the field too, although I don't know that it would be practical for concealed carry (even with shorter grips, it's a big gun).

 

[pharman]

629 Classic 5" and 29 Classic 5"

I don't know what the law is in Wisconsin where you are from, but here in Ohio we can hunt with a handgun, but barrel must be 5" or greater. I personally like the 5" barrel. It balances extremely well. I use one to deer hunt here in Ohio. To tell you HOW WELL I like them, I own 3 of the 29 Classic 5" and I own 1 of the 629 Classic 5". They are extremely well built 44 magnums and both come with TT and TH. I highly recommend you buy the 5"...you will be happy you did....Thanks...hope this helps....

 

[okie john]

An honest-to-Pete big-bore handgun is a specialist's tool. A Smith 44 is a superb choice, but the 44 Magnum cartridge is so versatile that you can't consider the gun apart from the ammunition. This versatility makes the 44 a good choice for handloading. Most 44 owners shoot light loads most of the time, saving hot ammo for bear defense or the odd bout of masochism.

I've never owned a snubby 44, since I can get a 4" gun to do everything I'd do with one. The 4" guns are delightful to carry and shoot with light-to-medium loads, but can be unpleasant with stouter fare. The Mountain Gun is the lightest and kicks the hardest, but is easiest to carry. The half-lug 4" is my choice, only because there's no 4" Classic.

Like most solid all-around choices, the 5" Classic is neither fish nor fowl. It's compact enough and light enough that most people can conceal one under a large coat. It has enough sight radius for hunting and is heavy enough not to be abusive with hunting loads. (I think the 5" Classic weighs the same as the 6" half-lug.) Factory half-lug 5" guns are extremely rare. Classics are common. It can be hard to find holsters for this barrel length; lots of people use a holster for a 6" gun.

The 6" or 6 ½" barrel is easy to shoot well with any loads and it has plenty of sight radius for hunting, but it's hard to sit down when you're wearing one in a strong-side belt holster. Lots of people pick a Bianchi Cyclone or Galco Phoenix which works strong-side or crossdraw. Some 6" Performance Center guns have a slim taper like a Mountain Gun. I've never shot one, but it seems like a good idea. The half-lug taper is the most common, and is a great all-around choice. The Classic taper barrel soaks up recoil, but is a drag to carry.

Can't speak about the 8 3/8" Smith 44 from experience—yet.

Really, there are no bad Smith 44's. Start handloading if you don't already, shop by condition and price and you won't go wrong.


Okie John

 

[Matchlock]

629 For Certain

Hi Skip;

Well, it's just a matter of opinion, so here's mine. First of all I should tell you that I own a number of S&W .44 Magnums and they are all 29's. I have a 3" a 4" a 6" and the 8 3/8" barrels and while they all shoot way better than I ever will, the 8 3.8" is the only one that feels a teensie bit front heavy. That being said however, I do like shooting it a lot because of it's handling capabilities. The longer barrel allows for just a little slower burning powder but that too is negligeable.

In my opinion, if you're looking to targewt practice, I would buy the 6" or 8 3/8" Model 29 if it's in good shape (check it out carefully) and plunk down your money.

If you get a chance to check it out. Make certain it's UNLOADED. Cock it back to full cock, hold the hammer back, and pull the trigger while lowering the hammer. Don't let go of the trigger. Now..... while the trigger is held back and you've lowered the hammer all the way down, check for any movement in the cylinder, (end shake or other movement). That'll give you a good idea of its lock-up condition. Check the "gap" if you can as well. Look for flame cutting underneath the top-strap as well and have a look at the bore. Make sure it has no rust inside or anywhere else.

I'm sure I've missed some points here Skip but because there are a lot of folks up here more knowwledgeable than I, you can't go wrong.

Hope that helps.

Bud

I have decided that my first venture into buying a "big bore" handgun is going to be a 44 magnum, now for the hard part, which S&W 44 mag do I get. I am considering the 629 classic in 4" and 5", along with a used 6" 29-3 for $679.00.

I have the following questions that I need all you 44 mag gunners to help me with.

1. Is there a marked difference in handling between the 4" and 5" 629 classic.

2. Is the 6" 29-3 reasonabley priced and how does it compare to the 4" and 5" 629 classic.

My first instinct as always is to shun anything with a IL but I have read positive things about the 629 classic, but I do love blue steel and even though I prefer something other than a 6" barrel if the price is right for the 29-3 and it compares favorabley with the 629 I would definately consider it!

As always I appreciate your time and thought on these questions.

Skip from Wisconsin

 

[skipr77]

Greatly appreciate all the great information from you guys, what I intend to now is shop for the best deal I can get on a 29 regardless of the barrel length. I will also consider the 629 Classic's Budsgunshop.com has in stock, they have 4" and 5" versions in stock. There is a gun show in Waukesha in about 2 weeks and I intend to go to it and see what I can find. As for reloading I attended a reloading class a few months back which I thouroghly enjoyed and in the process of setting space aside for the Lee turret or progressive loader I intend to buy.

The irony in all this is way back in 1984 when I was stationed in Mayport, Fl, my buddy took me to a gun shop outside of Jacksonville to buy my first revolver. They kept pushing 4" model 29's on us but we could see any reason to buy such a powerful handgun, instead I bought my 4" no dash 586 which I still have today!

Thanks again for the wonderful insight, it is the reason I enjoy this forum the most!

 

[jspick]

I have had a 4" 629 and a 5" 629 and a 6" 629 and a 6" 29-2 and a 6 1/2" pre 29. I still have the 5" 629.

I think the shorter the barrel the more felt recoil. Less weight of the gun allows more felt recoil. What I have had more felt recoil with is the hot loaded Remington 180gr. bullets. They let you know they are going off. The 240 gr. Remington loads do not bother me near as much.

I find the 5" a balance between the 4" and 6" barrels. I am not one to buy a gun for a specific use. I buy it for all around use and the 5" works the best for me.

John