opinions on new .44 (SW)

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PhiloebeddoUSA

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Finally able to get the one thing that I don't need, but really want.

Just looking for opinions or info on the 629 and the Mountain Gun.

4" barrel/stainless is what I'm looking at and will probably buy on gunbroker.

Are there any other models to consider? What are the differences between the two (edit..apart from full underlug on 629)? Another SW that I should be looking at? If I can get new old stock pre lock should I take that over current offerings? Any thoughts and opinions would be much appreciated.
 
The taurus 44 can be had with a 4 inch barrel, and is ported (if that's your thing). As far as other 4" 44 mags, I'd say smith and wesson is your best bet. My dad has the Mountain
gun in .45 Colt, and It's an awesome weapon.
 
apart from full underlug on 629
Click to expand...

The standard 629 doesn't have a full underlugged barrel - that's the "Classic" model and i don't think it comes in 4".

So it's really between the older taper-barrel and the heavy barrel, both of which just have the conventional ejector shroud.

Other models to consider I would at least look at are

1) The other "Classic" - the current production 29 in blue and nickel with the square butt. I think they made some in 4" last year.

2) The other, other "Classic" - the Lew Horton 3" in nickel or blue, square butt

(seems like the word "Classic" gets abused at S&W like a rented mule, doesn't it?) ;)

3) one of the 3" round-butt variants made intermittently in batches from 1985 to 2008 - Lew Horton (2 runs at least), "Bounty Hunter," "Tracker," etc.

There are a surprising number of 3 to 4" barreled .44 magnums to choose from (not even counting the alloy ones) over the last few decades.

If I can get new old stock pre lock
Click to expand...

You might find an excellent condition used one, but NOS likely won't happen as they have been out of production almost a decade now. I prefer the looks of the pre-lock guns (actually pre-97 guns to be technical), but the plain fact is the new guns are made well and the lock is easily removed and the hole filled if you don't like it.
 
I have an older 4" 629-1 ("pinned and recessed"). Very nice shooter. However, the 629s of that era (early 80's) were not made for continuous shooting of a lot of hot loads. Later, S&W beefed them up (-3 models?). I have a Super Redhawk for my hot .44 loads.

Personally, I prefer the prelock guns to the lock models. I think a lot of people feel that way.

Ken
 
Later, S&W beefed them up (-3 models?).
Click to expand...

Yes, fully incorporated with the -3 model, though changes were done in the -2 run and those are noted as -2E models (for "Enhanced"). Mainly a longer cylinder bolt and corresponding cylinder notches for greater contact. Personally I don't view the changes as critical if you are shooting a reasonable volume of SAAMI-spec ammo - the gun worked as designed for about 35 years before the changes. But of course, a little strengthening is usually never a bad thing! If you are going to load hot and shoot them a lot, the enhanced offers a little more piece of mind.
 
I think the 29s were strengthened in the 29-3E and 29-4 versions. Maybe one of the local experts will be by to confirm.

[Update: Oro beat me to the punch...]

My guess is that any 4" model is unlikely to have been shot very much with heavy loads...
 
I was under the impression that the P&R was gone by the time the 629-1 came out
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In general yes, but the very early ones might have been pinned or recessed - usually one or the other and not both, but it's possible. They are called "transition" guns because they are using up the excess inventory of old-style parts while transitioning to the new style/change.

Several years back I decided I had to have a 1985-ish "Lew Horton" 629-1 3". Started out looking for a mountain gun and then fell in love with that model when I ran across it. I spent months and months hunting for one and I looked at more 629's than you probably thought even existed. ;) I saw several early 4" and 6" guns with pinned barrels and recessed cylinders. Don't know if I ever saw both on the same gun, but Paints certainly could have both...
 
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Consider the 329PD, the S&W Scandium .44 Mag that weighs about nothing. I have a 29 and the 329PD, and since I got the 329 I have not carried the 29. OK, shooting the 329 hurts after a few rounds, but it's so light you will carry it when you'd leave the 29 or 629 at home. If you are not planning to shoot it a lot, but want comfortable carrying, look at the 329PD. I like the big sights on it, too.
 
Action_Can_Do said:
Paints
I was under the impression that the P&R was gone by the time the 629-1 came out:confused:.
Click to expand...
Mine says 629-1 and is pinned and recessed (I just pulled it out of the safe and double checked). I'm not an expert at all, so I assume Oro is right that S&W transitioned at that point. If it makes any difference, mine has a target hammer and trigger.

Ken
 
When I was shopping for a .44, I thought I wanted a 4" mountain gun because it said "Mountain Gun" on the side. But after handling it, and then handling a 4" 629, I went with the 629. I liked the extra weight and thicker barrel, and it just felt better in my hand. I love it, and have no regrets. The 629 is a -1 model in SS with a square butt, btw, and the MG was blued with a round butt. I've since put Hogue wraparound grips on it. Works better for me.
 
Tamlin,

I understand. The "Mountain Gun" I think is something to be carried a lot and is less of a shooter than a standard 629.

Ken
 
Thanks for all the replies. That's one thing I really love about THR, a ton of folks who know the details! I think I'm a more confused now than when I started. Maybe I'll just have to get them both:D
 
I have a 629 Mountain Gun. Shooting standard 240 grain WWB I've found that the short tapered barrel gives the gun a lot of muzzle rise when fired. For accurate fire, I had to learn to relax and just realize that you're going to experience a good deal of recoil and muzzle jump. To get accurate with it, I dropped down to 44 special rounds, which make the gun very pleasant to shoot and accurate. Once I had it dialed in I moved to 44 mag. As another poster said, it's a gun to shoot a little and carry a lot. Having 44 mag power in a lighter to carry package when scouting black bear and wolf country works for me.
 
As said above the Mtn Gun will pound you pretty good as I found out with the rem 180s that do 1650 out of that short tube. But out on a trail all day on the hip its about the most power that can be packed and not beat you and the hip up.
 
A friend recently purchased a BEAUTIFUL S&W 629 w/ a 4" barrel in .44. It was probably the nicest .44 mag I have ever shot. Also probably the softest recoiling .44 I have shot. Accuracy at 25' was outstanding. The recoil was substantially lighter than the Ruger SBH I was shooting.
 
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