Your thoughts on a 3" 629
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ProCarryNAustin
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Love mine. Rides great in a Simply Rugged pancake holster with a good belt.
Factory ammo, 44 mag with 240 grain bullet, can be described as brisk. My 44 magnum ammo are all reloads because I've been fortunate to find range brass. My ammo is in white boxes or red boxes. I don't shoot red box ammo in my short barreled M29 / M629. Made that mistake just once.
I don't have any 44 Spl brass but have a box of CCI aluminum Blazer 44 Special ammo. Recoil is not much more than a mid-range 38 Special in a K-frame. That heavy N-frame absorbs the recoil easily.
I don't have any 44 Spl brass but have a box of CCI aluminum Blazer 44 Special ammo. Recoil is not much more than a mid-range 38 Special in a K-frame. That heavy N-frame absorbs the recoil easily.
Wee Hooker
Member
You don't mention an intended use so it's hard to get specific.
Generally speaking for any magnum cartridge , the short barrel is going to give up velocity at the expense of muzzle flash. There will be some accuracy long range loss over a longer barreled version (due to sight radius). As for holsters, I'm sure somebody like Lobo leather can make you a nice one at a reasonable cost. That said, I never had an issue carrying a 3" revolver in a 4" holster.
All that said, the heart wants what the heart wants.......
Generally speaking for any magnum cartridge , the short barrel is going to give up velocity at the expense of muzzle flash. There will be some accuracy long range loss over a longer barreled version (due to sight radius). As for holsters, I'm sure somebody like Lobo leather can make you a nice one at a reasonable cost. That said, I never had an issue carrying a 3" revolver in a 4" holster.
All that said, the heart wants what the heart wants.......
thanks for the input
I should have mentioned I already have a 629 with a 6.5" bbl. I'm thinking the 3" would be easier to carry when I'm hiking or walking/climbing to those out-of-the-way spots for fly fishing. I do reload 44 mag and special--thinking I wouldn't carry factory or full maxed mag loads unless I was in bear country. I like my 6.5" and use it for deer hunting but I'm typically not carrying it any real distances when I hunt.
I really appreciate the info
I should have mentioned I already have a 629 with a 6.5" bbl. I'm thinking the 3" would be easier to carry when I'm hiking or walking/climbing to those out-of-the-way spots for fly fishing. I do reload 44 mag and special--thinking I wouldn't carry factory or full maxed mag loads unless I was in bear country. I like my 6.5" and use it for deer hunting but I'm typically not carrying it any real distances when I hunt.
I really appreciate the info
ultratec00
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I just picked up a 629-5 full lug 3" myself. On the chance I may carry it for self-defense, picked up some 180 JHPs in 44 special. Should I carry it in the woods it would most likely be in the summer time. First two chambers w/ snakeshot and the other 4 with 180 JHPs in 44 mag. I may/may not try to work up a 180 JHP 44 mag load specific to the 3" The load I run in my 5" 629 isn't real stout but may be for the 3".
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Don't have a 3" N frame, but do have a 2.75" L Frame M69 5 shot .44 mag. Have shot it a fair amount from up close and personal out to 440 yds. I'm not the best shot, so the 440 yd gong wasn't in much jeopardy -- 50 yards and in, it's a different story.
Was at the range yesterday verifying sight settings on some 22s getting. It was windy and hands were getting really cold, so only shot two rounds with the 2.75" M69 with Federal 240gr JHP (No. 44A) at 50 yards rested. Both hit within 2" of my point of aim from a rest.
One of the locals (above average shooter) showed up to chat and I offered up the little .44 and the remaining box of .44 mags to get his impression. First up was a gas cylinder (one of the tall skinny ones) at 300 yds. He was standing upright with his butt resting on one of the bench rest tables. I was watching thru my binoculars. His first shot was about two feet left of the cylinder but dead on elevation wise -- remember this was the first time he ever touched this gun. He shot the next 10 rounds without hitting the cylinder but wasn't missing by much. He moved in to an 8" swinger at 200 yds for the last 4 rounds. Never hit it, but was much closer -- from my vantage point thru the binoculars, he wasn't more than a foot off the plate in any direction -- almost nailed it with the last shot.
Gun is equipped with Hogue 500 X Frame grips and recoil is "stout" according to my friend but certainly doable. I have around 1,200 rounds (too lazy to look up actual count) thru the gun, most of which (90% .44 Mags). I don't find the recoil objectionable and never noticed the muzzle flash (I mostly use A2400 and H110 in my .44 Mag Loads)
Point being, these short barreled magnums can be very useful and tons of fun and aren't limited to short ranges. Yes, you'll give up some ballistic advantage to longer barrels (and sight radius), but I wouldn't hesitate to take a shot at an elk within 50 yds. FWIW, I've chronoed some 315gr and 325gr Cast FN GCs right at 1,100 fps. My preferred load is an LBT 260gr WFNGC at a bit over 1,100 fps which also happens to be the guns favorite load.
50 yard target rested on my range bag (verified on a differnt day).
Here's a picture with a set of Hogues 500s that I modified a bit.
Paul
Was at the range yesterday verifying sight settings on some 22s getting. It was windy and hands were getting really cold, so only shot two rounds with the 2.75" M69 with Federal 240gr JHP (No. 44A) at 50 yards rested. Both hit within 2" of my point of aim from a rest.
One of the locals (above average shooter) showed up to chat and I offered up the little .44 and the remaining box of .44 mags to get his impression. First up was a gas cylinder (one of the tall skinny ones) at 300 yds. He was standing upright with his butt resting on one of the bench rest tables. I was watching thru my binoculars. His first shot was about two feet left of the cylinder but dead on elevation wise -- remember this was the first time he ever touched this gun. He shot the next 10 rounds without hitting the cylinder but wasn't missing by much. He moved in to an 8" swinger at 200 yds for the last 4 rounds. Never hit it, but was much closer -- from my vantage point thru the binoculars, he wasn't more than a foot off the plate in any direction -- almost nailed it with the last shot.
Gun is equipped with Hogue 500 X Frame grips and recoil is "stout" according to my friend but certainly doable. I have around 1,200 rounds (too lazy to look up actual count) thru the gun, most of which (90% .44 Mags). I don't find the recoil objectionable and never noticed the muzzle flash (I mostly use A2400 and H110 in my .44 Mag Loads)
Point being, these short barreled magnums can be very useful and tons of fun and aren't limited to short ranges. Yes, you'll give up some ballistic advantage to longer barrels (and sight radius), but I wouldn't hesitate to take a shot at an elk within 50 yds. FWIW, I've chronoed some 315gr and 325gr Cast FN GCs right at 1,100 fps. My preferred load is an LBT 260gr WFNGC at a bit over 1,100 fps which also happens to be the guns favorite load.
50 yard target rested on my range bag (verified on a differnt day).
Here's a picture with a set of Hogues 500s that I modified a bit.
Paul
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If you don't put Hogue or Pachmayr stocks on one of those and you fire full house .44 Magnum rounds you'll be sorry. I was very happy to trade it to a friend in lieu of a $900 poker debt and, trust me, he keeps the Pachmayrs on there and only loads it with .44 Specials. It's delicious with .44 Specials. Madmen shoot those with .44 Magnum loads. IMHO
Okay, the reports above do say Hogue and it can be handled but I don't see it as a whole lot of fun, regardless, but, as always, YMMV!!!
Okay, the reports above do say Hogue and it can be handled but I don't see it as a whole lot of fun, regardless, but, as always, YMMV!!!
625-7
Member
Buy it
and don't look back. Believe it or not I carry a 625-7 in 45 colt for trail walks. No problem conceal carrying in a pancake holster. If you do not like it, a 3" n frame will always sell.
and don't look back. Believe it or not I carry a 625-7 in 45 colt for trail walks. No problem conceal carrying in a pancake holster. If you do not like it, a 3" n frame will always sell.
Dieseltech56
Member
I'll throw in a situation that happened recently. I am in an LGS and 2 smiths are on the counter. A mint nearly unfired 629-6 3" deluxe and a scratched up, carry worthy 640-1. Being the lock snob I am I'm paying 99% of my attention to the 640 while my brother is looking over the 629. This 629 is a seriously nice gun, whoever did the polishing was spot on that day. I already have over twice as many N frames as J frames so I buy the 640 and my brother buys the 629. We get home, shoot a few shots in the yard and I'm able to nearly stack the shots single action at 10 yds. It shoots amazing and a perfect point of aim. The weight of the N frame made shooting even full house 44 mags a breeze. The shortest barrel length I have is 5" and I wasn't sure how the 3" would handle. Needless to say I seriously want one now. It doesn't help that since his gun was used it was about $250 off MSRP. I'm not sure I made the right choice that day.
Dieseltech56
Member
That's what I'm holding out for but I'm starting to think I'll never find one
I do not enjoy shooting full powered 44 Magnum ammo in my 3" 44. It can be done though, and would not be a problem if a few shots had to be made for any number of reasons.
Mostly though, I shoot loads approximating 44 Special +P, in either 44 Special or Magnum brass, in this gun and the other 44's I own. I only shoot handloads and home cast bullets in my 44's except for a box of Speer 200 grain Gold dot ammo I bought about 10 years ago for some reason.
Mostly though, I shoot loads approximating 44 Special +P, in either 44 Special or Magnum brass, in this gun and the other 44's I own. I only shoot handloads and home cast bullets in my 44's except for a box of Speer 200 grain Gold dot ammo I bought about 10 years ago for some reason.
I have the exact gun you are describing. I love it.
I carry it everyday as my CCW. I use a Don Hume H715 and carry it AIWB. The N frame is heavy enough that OWB really pulls your belt and feels heavy. AIWB isn't bad at all, especially if I could lose pound or two.
Because I refuse to put giant rubber grips on a CCW, I only shoot .44 SPL or light magnums thru it and save the full house magnums for my 6.5" 629 with stock rubber grips. I carry it with Underwood .44 SPL 200gr Gold Dot JHPs.
That said, I don't shoot the Deluxe as well as my 4" M29. Not sure why. I just seem to shoot the M29 straighter for some reason. However, for me 3" is the perfect barrel length for AIWB carry, so I'm just going to practice more.
I carry it everyday as my CCW. I use a Don Hume H715 and carry it AIWB. The N frame is heavy enough that OWB really pulls your belt and feels heavy. AIWB isn't bad at all, especially if I could lose pound or two.
Because I refuse to put giant rubber grips on a CCW, I only shoot .44 SPL or light magnums thru it and save the full house magnums for my 6.5" 629 with stock rubber grips. I carry it with Underwood .44 SPL 200gr Gold Dot JHPs.
That said, I don't shoot the Deluxe as well as my 4" M29. Not sure why. I just seem to shoot the M29 straighter for some reason. However, for me 3" is the perfect barrel length for AIWB carry, so I'm just going to practice more.
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Tom Kent
US Veteran
If you get a 629 you will love it. I got one several years ago and it is my "glades carry gun when I go hog hunting. I have used full power 240gn factory loads and 240gn lead SWC that I load to 1000fps and they both shoot to the same POI at 25yds. I know I lose some MV in the 3'bbl but nothing has asked to be shot twice with those 240gn loads. I don't find the recoil to be excessive either. Get one, you'll love it.
They are hard to find.
Even the 629 Deluxe is hard to find. I'm not sure if they are about sold out or what, but I finally managed to find one for a decent price on gunbroker after the usual suspects were all sold out.
EDIT: Grabagun has the 629 Deluxe back in stock for the best price I've seen: ACT NOW!
Dieseltech56
Member
Wow! My brothers used one wasn't that cheap!
