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

[Bizio]

Hi all,

I am Italian and I love Smith & Wesson of which I got already 10 models.
Any chances at all to find a 29-2 10 5/8" barrel .44Mag ?
Thank you.

 

[jspick]

Bizio,
They didn't make a 10 5/8" barrel from the factory for any S&W. The longest they could make, because of thier tooling setup, was 8 3/8".

They are out there and affordable right now as the 3 1/2" and 4" barrel is desirable right now. But none of them are cheap anymore.

John

 

[Bizio]

Hi jspick,

thank you.
I saw in the Italian National weapons official register a 29 model 10.59" barrel so I thought it was one of old models and not a late production ... I was wrong.

I know all these models are very expensive, especially here in Italy (I wish I could buy weapons in USA).

I already own a 29-2 4" a 29-2 6 1/2" and a 29-2 8 3/8" all of them are blued.

 

[jspick]

Bizio,

Looks like you have them covered in the 29-2 version. They made a 6" barrel in the 29-2 also. I had one but sold it to buy a 629-1 in 6" barrel.

The 10.59" barrel length was probably done by a gunsmith.

The 29-2 6 1/2" barrel was the length used in the movie Dirty Harry that made the S&W 44 magnum famous here. I am assuming you have heard of that movie?

John

 

[Bizio]

jspick,

I think it might be an error in the register and they ment probably to list the 10 5/8" barrel of The Silhouette model of the '80s ...

For sure I saw all the five movies with Clint Eastwood in his role of Calahan ... I think to remember in his first early movie he used a 8 3/8" barrel and later shifted to 6 1/2" and at the end to an Automag 44Mag.

 

[jspick]

Bizio,

Yes, it could be a the silhouette model. But they got the dash number wrong. It wouldn't be the first time. I do not know who made those barrels.

It has been discussed here quite a bit as to what barrel length the gun had. I read it has been been determined by a letter from some movie prop company that it was a 6 1/2" barrel length. I myself believe there was a 8 3/8" in a couple of scenes. But I guess it really doesn't matter as the S&W 44 mag became famous because of the movie.

There was even speculation that they used a model 25 in 45 colt but that myth has pretty much been laid to rest.

John

 

[Bizio]

jspick,

for sure the cinema world lives more over advertising than on money coming from public viewing movies ... cigarettes, spirits, cars and why not ... even guns.

 

[Sportsterguy]

A 4" 29-2 and call it quits. It'll do everything you need it to do and makes a fantastic carry weapon. If you take care of it and stay away from a steady diet of magnums your grandkids will be enjoying it in a hundred years. They could probably sell it for 25k if you had the original box.

JMO and I'm a .41 mag guy.

 

[Bizio]

Do you mean a 4" 29-2 like this one, Sportsterguy ?

 

[Kris Whiteleather]

Skip, you can't go wrong with any of the 29-N variations. I am a fan of blue and walnut, but for some stainless is a better way to go.

I sold off a boxed pre-29 5 screw because it was too pretty to shoot. I still have a 4" and a 6" 29-3. Both are well balanced and shoot superbly.

The only 29 variant to avoid is the Performance Center. It is a fine shooter, but with its weird tapered underlug and non-fluted cylinder it is one of the ugliest revolvers I have seen.

Kris in NY

 

[Pilgrim]

Do you mean a 4" 29-2 like this one, Sportsterguy ?

or how about a 29-2 like this:

 

[batmann]

For what it's worth (not much, just ask my wife) I think a 5" Classic is a pretty good all around .44M. Legal to hunt with in most states (check your state laws) heavy enough to help with recoil and with the X frame Hogue's, you can shoot for extended periods.

 

[vico512]

I also got the 629 Classic in 5". After being away from S&Ws for too many years, I was pretty excited to get into it with the 629. Then I found this site here & thought I might need to put a bag over my head when I checked-in, since I have the infamous IL.

However, the gun has performed flawlessly, and is lots of fun to shoot. I also learned, rather quickly, to ignore all the IL dialog.

I use the .44 primarily while front-stuffer elk hunting, and general hiking in the Cascades. It carries very well in the Galco hi-ride holster sold by S&W, both hiking and sitting under trees. It conceals very well under all my coats.

I also hand load for target use, both for lighter recoil, and because I'd go broke buying ammo.

I love the versatility of this cartridge!

 

[Sportsterguy]

Do you mean a 4" 29-2 like this one, Sportsterguy ?

YES Sir! Very nice indeed. I'm a .41 mag guy but do appreciate a beauty or two like yours. That's a no brainer keeper set you have.

 

[jspick]

I have a 629-3 in 5" too! To me it is the perfect 44 mag to carry and shoot. It shoots like a dream.

John

 

[Evil One]

I have a 2.5" and a 2 5/8" .44 mag for carry.
For most people I would suggest a 4".
There is just something about a 4" N frame that is close to perfect.
I have no interest in one longer than 4", for me 4" and under just make for a better balanced and faster handling pistol.
Also, unless it is a load from a place like buffalo bore... or in a scadium frame, I dont find any factory .44 mag loads to be objectionable.


Jim

 

[CH47gunner]

I think there is a big difference between 3-4" and 5-6" barrels.
I have both a 629-4 3" and a 629-6 Classic 5" (full-lug). The Classic is much more agreeable to shoot than the 3", with magnum loads. Need to be holding on when you drop the hammer on the 3".
.44spl's work well for me.

Bruce

629-6 Classic w/ 5" barrel

629-4 w/ 3" barrel

 

[slowburninsteve]

I recommend getting one of each....that way you never regret not having a certain model!
Steve

 

[Bizio]

I perfectly agree with you, CH47gunner.

I shot with my 29-2, 4", 6 1/2" and 8 3/8" barrel and 44Mag, for sure as shorter is the barrel, more "nervous" is the gun.
I think that 4" would be perfect for defence since it can be easily worn under a jacket, but for sure the 8 3/8" would be much more accurate for target shooting at 25 or even 50 meters distance being more stable. The 6 1/2" is in my opinion absolutely perfect.

 

[S&W forever]

I like 3" myself, easier to carry. Top LH 629-3, LH 24-3 and 696