Author Topic: Your Folks' Opinion On a 629 (Read 1677 times)

Patriot_1776 · « **on:** July 11, 2005, 07:28:24 PM »

I'm gaining some interest in a 629 44 Mag. w/ 4" bbl. I would like to ask for some opinions and experiences with this revolver, as I think it would be a pretty nice "in between" gun.

I have a 454 Casull, and a 45 ACP, so the idea is this would be a little more wieldable than my SRH (7.5" bbl.), along with more power than my Sig 220. In addition, I would use the 44 Spl. loads for general target shooting and plinking. But if I ever need to have a little more power (maybe use it for silhouette type shooting), it will handle that too.

I decided on this caliber especially because I already have the dies and plenty of left over cases (plus a few rounds of leftover factory ammo) from my Dad's 44 Mag.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

-Patriot

timothy · « **Reply #1 on:** July 12, 2005, 01:18:28 AM »

Are you kidding? The 629 is one of the all time classics. Its a very fine gun. I know what your saying about it being more handy than your srh. Yes your totally justified in buying it. You could carry it for protection outdoors, hunt with it a reasonable distances, or load it with specials for home defense. Sorry silhoette it out of the question its not as strong as a ruger but who cares your getting twice as good a trigger.

unspellable · « **Reply #2 on:** July 12, 2005, 02:04:11 AM »

I'm prejudiced. I like 6-1/2 inch barrels on 29's & 629's.

Leadlum · « **Reply #3 on:** July 12, 2005, 10:25:18 AM »

I have got the 6 1/2" classic 629. I LOVE IT!!! I would like to get a short Barreled on myself just for carry. You are making a good choice. Hot .44 spl`s may be the ticket. Full house mag loads may be alot on your hand. I was shooting spl`s; and mags out of my 6 1/2; but got tired of adj the sites back and forth. Now I only shoot one load through it. A mag cast load of 240 grains around 1150 fps. I would like to get the shorter bbl for a home protection gun; that I would load with .44 specials [240gr @ aprox 800fps]

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 12, 2005, 10:40:56 AM »

I have quit a few handguns in my arsenal, today I added a 6 1/2" classic 629 in 44 MAG. I have owned several different 44 MAG pistols from Ruger blackhawks, Redhawks, Virginian Dragoon to Contenders. But this is my first Smith in 44 MAG. If it is any thing like all my other Smith's I know I won't be disappointed.

Leadlum · « **Reply #5 on:** July 12, 2005, 10:52:40 AM »

I forgot to mention I had three Blackhawks in .44 mag before I got the 629. My groups got cut half shooting the smith. It is a good shooter! just seemed to shoot better than the Rugers.?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 12, 2005, 03:12:31 PM »

Quote from: Leadlum

I forgot to mention I had three Blackhawks in .44 mag before I got the 629. My groups got cut half shooting the smith. It is a good shooter! just seemed to shoot better than the Rugers.?

I love my S&W's but, my groups have not been cut in half compared to my Rugers. I shoot them both equally as well.

Patriot_1776 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 12, 2005, 04:09:25 PM »

Thanks for the replies; and please do keep them coming!

As I said, I'm very happy with my P220 and SRH, so this will be contending for the middle of the road. I feel some confidence in it now, but I still would like some more opinions on it before I'm sold. I just don't want to buy (or find there is a great chance of obtaining) a lemon or something I would regret later.

What about the features on the newer guns? For example like the integral safety locks (?); I hear they can be inconvenient. Is there anything about these guns that could (should) have been done better or differently to improve them?

-Patriot

HappyHunter · « **Reply #8 on:** July 12, 2005, 04:30:21 PM »

There is no debate, this is a great gun.

I have one 629 in 5 inch and a 6-1/2 nickle 29 both are excellant shooters and pretty to look at.

For you consideration you might look into the 4 inch Mountian gun with a lighter barrel.

Can not go wrong with a S&W.

Fred

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 13, 2005, 12:51:15 AM »

Quote from: Patriot_1776

Thanks for the replies; and please do keep them coming!

As I said, I'm very happy with my P220 and SRH, so this will be contending for the middle of the road. I feel some confidence in it now, but I still would like some more opinions on it before I'm sold. I just don't want to buy (or find there is a great chance of obtaining) a lemon or something I would regret later.

What about the features on the newer guns? For example like the integral safety locks (?); I hear they can be inconvenient. Is there anything about these guns that could (should) have been done better or differently to improve them?

-Patriot

I have been shooting S&W's for some time now and I have never had a lemon or a problem with the integral safety locks. I shoot 2 different 500 Mags and shot them I do. Over 2000 rounds between the 2 of them, not one problem.

cadjak · « **Reply #10 on:** July 13, 2005, 04:52:33 AM »

In the 629 look for a 629-3 or newer. That is when Smith added their "durability enhancements". I have had 3 629's and 3 model 29's. If you get started with N frames, it can be addicting.
-cadjak

S.B. · « **Reply #11 on:** July 15, 2005, 12:32:10 PM »

I own two 629s a Mountain Gun and a 6 1/2" Classic both in .44 mag. Don't think you'll go wrong on this gun. The 4" 629, in my opinon has gotten better by Smith putting a blue front sight on it, instead of the stainless one, of the past. By the way, if you decide to go this route, check out the 500, X frame, recoil reducing grips that Smith markets for these guns. About 1/5 the cost of Herretts and they work?

gcf · « **Reply #12 on:** July 15, 2005, 05:13:00 PM »

Quote from: S.B.

...By the way, if you decide to go this route, check out the 500, X frame, recoil reducing grips that Smith markets for these guns. About 1/5 the cost of Herretts and they work?

To clarify, are you saying that the X frame grips WILL fit the round butt N frame? Thanks in advance.

EdK · « **Reply #13 on:** July 16, 2005, 03:10:02 AM »

Quote from: HappyHunter

For you consideration you might look into the 4 inch Mountain gun with a lighter barrel.

I'll heartily second this recommendation. Nice and light, balances wonderfully in my hand. Sure it's nasty with full-house mags but it can be done. Really, though I bought mine specifically with Keith-style 44 Specials in mind. They will do all you need and if you need more you've got the 454!

Camp Cook · « **Reply #14 on:** July 29, 2005, 04:48:28 PM »

My bush carry guns are a Glock 20 10mm with 190gr FPJ @ 1300fps or 200gr XTP's @ 1280fps and a 7.5" SRH 454 Casull with 300gr XTP mag's @ 1650fps and 360gr hard casts @ 1520fps.

I had the same feeling as you did a little while ago and added a used but like new 6" 629 (made in 1981) to my collection yesterday.

There just seemed to be times that I wanted more than the 10mm could give but didn't need the power/weight of the SRH.

I'm very happy/content with my latest aquisition.

Now to work up that perfect load........... :wink:

Buckskin · « **Reply #15 on:** August 05, 2005, 04:03:50 AM »

I have a 629-2 in a 7 1/2" barrel, 44mag. I like it for the most part, but if I had the chance I would trade for a Super Blackhawk. I'm not thrilled about the durability when shooting hot loads thru it. Screws rattle loose all the time. Also would like to put a red dot on it, but that does not look easy.

Camp Cook · « **Reply #16 on:** August 05, 2005, 06:14:12 AM »

Buckskin....

Have you tried loc-titing the screws or is that something that shouldn't be done on a S&W?

unspellable · « **Reply #17 on:** August 05, 2005, 07:48:37 AM »

I don't get it.

There are things I could say against a S&W M29 or 629, but the screws backing out isn't one of them.

billw-willy · « **Reply #18 on:** August 21, 2005, 02:34:50 PM »

I bought mine to relieve my Colt SAA 44 SPL (ca. 1931). With Mag. brass I like 6.0 BE with the 429421 sized .431". I have used AA#2 and Unique. My 44 SPL target loads are light: 3.6 BE or 5.0 Unique. They tend to smoke the brass, but are easy to shoot and accurate for plinking at 25 yds. I have the Lyman 180 WC 429348 that is even more accurate, but shoots 2" lower at 20-25 yds. I have owned a bunch of S&W's, 38 and 357 since 1960 and Rugers in 357 and 45LC/45ACP. I know the differences in each gun's pro and cons, but choose the S&W for it's trigger and accurate shooting. I doubt you can seriously break a Ruger with other than stupid loads or wear out a Smith, but if done, get another one for another 200,000 rds. It's really hard to wear out a pistol with standard loads. I'm too feeble to shoot the hot ones any more but they would really reach out in those days. The 4" is much easier to handle but I do like the 6" barrel.

Nanuk · « **Reply #19 on:** August 22, 2005, 07:57:42 AM »

I just Picked up a new mountain gun....my 4th 29/629 :grin: :grin: