Ok, so I slipped and fell and accidently bought a 629 4" 44 mag.

[teddy12b]

Ok, so I slipped and fell and accidently bought a 629 4" 44 mag.  At least that's what I'm going to be tellling my wife. 

I've been wanting something to partner up with my 44mag hunting rifle and I've had my eyes open on the local ads for something used.  I've always loved the feel of S&W revolvers, but I've never owned one until now.  The one I bought is a couple years old and it's a 629 4" 44mag.  It's had less than 100 rounds through it and I got an amazing deal. 

Now's where it gets tricky.  I've only owned Ruger 44 mag handguns up to this point in my life because of their reputation of being able to handle any kind of ammo you can throw at them.  Now, that I'm in new territory I want to make sure I don't do something stupid like load up the wrong ammo in this gun.  I handload 99% of the time, and my handload is safe according to any reloading book I've ever looked at, but on occation I feel like trying something different like grizzly ammuntion 320gr hard cast.  Is this ammo safe or is this the type of ammo I should be staying away from. 

What do I need to be careful about when shooting this gun? 

[Mikey]

Ummmm, Teddy - I don't think that was a accident (lolol).

If your new 629 is only a couple of years old it is built to take anything made in 44 magnum.  The only problems any S&W ever had was with the older revolvers firing a constant diet of heavy and heavy recoiling handloads. 

As for some of the really heavy custom loads like Grizzly, Garret or Buffalo Bore or Cor-Bon - you can do this yourself since you reload.  There is more than enough information out there to start you in the right direction AND you don't have to spend half a paycheck for a box of 20 custom rounds. 

Go to our links page and link up to one of our sponsors or one of the links where you can get heavy bullets and get a handful so you can try them, and then decide after you splint your wrist. 

I have found the 4" M29 will 'push' more in recoil than 'snap' when you shoot heavy slugs.  I prefer a fairly light load with a 295-300 gn Keith style semiwadcutter over 17.5 - 19.5 gns of 2400, as a start.  I have no wild desire to go heavier although I have. 

Regarding your question about being careful - I would make sure your girlfriend, wife, children or favorite dogs are not hiding behind the backstop or that nobody posted a target on your front fender while you weren't lookin'when you shoot because those heavy 44 slugs penetrate very well.  jmtcw.

[teddy12b]

The main supply of ammo I plan on feeding this gun is my go to load of Hornady 240gr XTP's over H110 that I use in my 44mag rifles.  I don't intend to buy the fancy factory ammo other than one box just to fire a few through the chronograph and then copy it with some handloads.  I'm really looking forward to this.

[1sourdough]

 I've got something like that in mind myself, short barreled 'big bore'. I've been eying up those 4" Redhawks in 45 Colt. A local guy had one listed but got upset when my offer was closer to $500 than $600. I don't want one that bad(or need one). Now your ready for that hiking trip in grizzly country, maybe some bear spray too.

[Mikey]

Teddy: looks like you are good to go.  Let us know how she shoots. 

[Lloyd Smale]

probably my favorite handgun in the whole world

[rawhidekid]

Sounds good, how about some pics?   I had a 4 inch 29 in SS once, great with light loads but ugly with heavy, hard on the hands.

[Old Fart]

Got to say, there's worse thing you could have fallen on... ... ...

[teddy12b]

I'm picking it up this weekend and I'll be taking it to the range.  I'll be sure to let you all know how it shoots as soon as I get a chance.  I was looking on hogues website and was hoping they made the hogue tamer grips for this gun, but they don't.  Either way I've always loved the feel of S&W revolvers.

[S.B.]

Teddy, Congrats, all things come to those who wait. You've got a real keeper there.
My version of the 629-4 Classic:

Steve

[LHS]

Got to say, there's worse thing you could have fallen on... ... ...

Yeah, like a glock.

I LOVE my 629 Classic, but I have the longer barrel. My wife bought it for me when she decided she was taking over the 686 as hers.
It'll outshoot me evertime I pull the trigger, with any loads. I do not reload the 44 mag yet, so I can not comment on the heavier loads. I do know my son loves to shoot it but he likes the lighter Blazer loads over the WWB heavier ones I like. Recoil isn't his friend after about 18 rounds and he flinches a little.

[drdougrx]

You done good Tedster!  You'll love the 29.  I have a 4" mountain gun that I carry when hunting for hogs or bears with 300gr XTPs or HC over 20gr H110.  A lotta boom!!!

[teddy12b]

Well, I finally got the gun in my hands and I'm very happy with it.  The trigger is great and the grip fits me like it was made just for my hand.  So far it's a good combination, but I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet.  I'm hoping to get out with it next weekend and put some rounds through it.

[teddy12b]

I had this gun out to the range over the weekend.  It's a great shooter and I can't complain.  I'd recommend it to anyone that was interested in buying one.

[rawhidekid]

Congrats, but were are the pics?

[Dogshooter]

I use mostly 240 grainers in my Performance Center 629 but do occasionally run some heavy stuff thru it. Smith will tell you not to. I load a 310 grain hardcast bullet at about 1200 fps for use on elk and this year I finally got drawn for Moose so I'll use them on the moose hunt as well. I doubt that I'll shoot much of the heavy stuff thru my mountain gun but I will shoot enough to see how they do and will be loading with them when using it as a sidearm when I hunt elk with a rifle. I just wouldn't be putting any Smith on a steady diet of the heavy stuff.