Which Smith & Wesson 44 magnum would you buy???'s

[diyj98]

For collecting it might be the nickle if it's in super nice condition, but for shooting I'd take a 629 for sure. The stainless will hold up better under steady use and no worries about what cleaning solvents to use or not use. I really like a 5" barrel as well. I have a 686+ with a 5" barrel and it's a pleasure to carry and hunt with.

 

[oysterer]

I'm a sucker for 629-3's. Don't know why. Even if it just sits in the safe.

My plan is to find pristine examples of each 629-3 and line them up on one shelf in my safe.

I am an addict of 29-6s regardless of barrel length. I think the 629-3 is of that same time period and I would love to have one (in each barrel length of course).

I have a few 629-1s and love them a lot. Those have large throats and are only accurate with custom fit hard cast lead. The 629-3 shall be properly throated and have the endurance package.

Long story short: I go against the grain: 629-3 (more practical than the 29-2 nickel) and 5'' barrel is king anyway.

 

[muddocktor]

oysterer, a 29-5 would correspond to the 629-3. The 629-3 still uses the old style extractor star and should have the flash chromed hammer and trigger instead of the case hardened hammer and trigger.

OP, my choice, if I could only have one and assuming that both guns are in equally good shape, would probably be the nickel 29-2. But if that 5" 629-3 is Classic (full underlug barrel), it would be a really hard choice to make. Both are very desirable in my opinion.

 

[SLT223]

If buying a shooter the current production 5" is outstanding. Interchangeable front sight, drilled and tapped, fantastically smooth action.

 

[grip frame]

The 29-2 to leave in the box and look at/collect.

The 629-3 for a shooter and even more so in the 5" classic version. Just a very sweet configuration. Pre lock/mim,full endurance package, non rusting flash chrome hammers and triggers,drilled and tapped,quick change front sights.

The 629-3 and -4 along with their blue counterparts 29-5 and 29-6 were the best Smith .44 mags made IMO. I would give a slight nod to the 629-3 and 29-5 as being put together better on average.

 

[jordan57]

I have a 5" 629-3 that is my favorite shooter. Without a doubt has best trigger, and is most inherently accurate revolver in the safe.

 

[double-dipper]

What Glen said in #9 post. I have two 44 Rem mag's. A 629 8 3/8" and a Ruger RedHawk 7.5". I handgun hunt deer with them. If I was in the south I would also hunt hogs with them. If I were in Alaska I would carry the Ruger when in the bush.

 

[soonerbb]

If it's going in the safe 29-2, if shooting at all the 629...

 

[mbliss57]

Dickey the 29-2 will hold its value and likely appreciate and that is a good price assuming it is in excellent condition. If it includes the case and stuff, even more reason. I have one and they are much "tougher" finishes than folks give them credit for. They clean up and polish well and they do not make them nor will ever make them again in Nickel with a pinned barrel. So shooting it is not a problem.
If it's for hunting then the 629 is your gun. Any other reason including home defense take the 29-2. at the price points.

 

[Mr.Harry]

I read this on another forum but it seems applicable to this question, and it made me chuckle; there is truth in it -
"Flip a coin, and if you are unhappy with the result, then you have your answer..."

 

[poprivit]

Which 44?

Well;, here's my answer. Ruger for hunting, 29 just because it's pretty.

 

[hassiman]

Love my 629-4 3" magna ported Trail Boss

I have a 629-4 3" Trail Boss. I love it. Great balance but a BEAR to shoot with heavy loads.

 

[Mehutch]

The 29-2 in nickel 6 1/2", now go shoot it... a lot!

 

[BigBill]

For safe queens and range guns plus the value will only go up I'd buy both s&w n frames at that cost. For shooters and hunters I go with ruger RedHawks.

Get that nickel finish.

 

[Neversink n Klapperthal]

i would buy the nickeled 6 1/2 inch. Why is that even a question?

 

[CH4]

The only remaining .44 I want is a 5" 629-4 Classic. There was recently a nice one in the classifieds, but I hesitated.

I have:
629-1 3" X2
629-2 Mountain Revolver
629-4 Mountain Gun X2
29-5 8 3/8" Classic
629-4 6.5" Classic

 

[rkittine]

I have always preferred the esthetic of the 6.5" Barrel over the 5". I also like Blue the best, but like owning Nickel models also. So my Nickel 29 is an 8 3/8" but my blue is a 6.5. If I was a hunter, I might want a 629, but to me, it is just not "The Classic 29"

Bob

 

[Pine_Worker]

My vote, the 29-2.

 

[Grayfox]

I have a thing for 5" N-frames. I've never been much of a nickle fan. So I'd go for the 629-3.
But that's just me.

 

[Mike_Fontenot]

For shooting, the 5" full-underlug 629 is the ultimate. It's my EDC.