SW Mod 629 is being considered

[gmhamilton3]

I had not considered 44 mag before but the thought has started. I live in Texas so its somewhat inpractical, however every summer we go to NW Montana. I have a friend who has a cabin on the Kootenay River just outside of Troy. There are a few grizzlies up in the mountains but we mostly see black bear and occasional mountain lions. On those occasions when we venture up into the high country to pick huckleberries my friend does carry a Mod 29 in 6" for protection.
I do like the looks of the Mod 629, and if S&W is going to start discounting these because of high inventory and low sales than opportunity knocks. I have no plans to use it for hunting or prolonged target shooting but only for protection. The question is: should I consider the Mountain model in 4" or just the regular 629 in 4", is there a practical advantage of a few less ozs. or is the 5" better.

 

[NCHornet]

I have two 629's one 4' and one 8 3/8" with Leupold scope. I love these two guns, if you don't mid toting the extra ounces I prefer the reg 629 with full underlug as the weight helps reduce felt recoil. You can't go wrong with a 629.
NCH

 

[RockyMtnScotsman]

I bought a 629 Mountain Gun several years ago and it has quickly become my favorite sidearm. Someone better versed than I can tell you about the pros/cons of the 629 vs 29.

 

[Z71]

My wife bought me a used 629 6" revolver for Christmas. Used but decent, an excellent shooter!

Feel like "Dirty Harry" walking around with that big revolver.

 

[LeonCarr]

A 629 would be cool. Also, take a look at the Ruger Redhawk, which can typically handle heavier loads than the 629. That might be a factor with the bears.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[CH47gunner]

I have one of the 5" 629 Classics, w/ the full underlug.

I carry it mostly when flyfishing, in the sticks. After packing it for 5 or 6 hours it gets real heavy - if I had it to do again, I would've bought one of the regular 4" 629's or the Mountain Gun.
Fun gun to shoot tho.

Bruce

 

[shooter429]

I much prefer 4" .44s to the longer barrels

I would like to suggest that you could also take a look at the new Ruger Redhawk 4" for bear defense, because they can handle the Garrett 330 grain +p or Buffalo Bore 340 grain +p+, unlike the 629s. If you are set on a 29/629, I would suggest you handle both the MG and the standard 4" models. You might even consider the trail boss, which is a 3" model that combines the lighter weight of the MG with the sights of the 629 as well as a lanyard loop, unfluted Cyl. and is even easier to carry/conceal than the MG. You can't go wrong with any of them in my opinion. I think these are the best "all around" handguns and calibers, bar none. You will also be able to use the .44 Special and .44 Russian for lighter defense load, and low recoil target practice/plinking.

Welcome to my world

Shooter429

 

[RobertFBurnett]

I do like the looks of the Mod 629, and if S&W is going to start discounting these because of high inventory and low sales than opportunity knocks.

I went to the range today and fired a Ruger Super Redhawk .44Mag, it was just o.k to me, I know it supposed to chamber the biggest .44 Mag loads, but for all those reasons you said a 629 is sounding better and better, if there is a price drop you will see me at the store getting one too.

It still blows me away though that the Stainless is $3-400 less than the blued pretty much because the blued was represented (VERY well) by Inspector Callahan.

 

[buttrap]

I expect to see a price drop when I see pigs doing fly overs.

 

[Snapping Twig]

A 29/629 can handle any bullet weight with the understanding that the load is within SAMMI specifications for a .44 magnum.

UBER loads for Ruger and TC are of course a different animal altogether and care should be taken to segregate such rounds lest they be fired in any firearm other than a Ruger or TC.

I have 4 .44 mags, one Ruger SBH and 3 S&W 29/629's.

3", 6", 6.5" and 7.5" and each fills a different niche.

A 4" .44 is a do-all-be-all as it's short enough to pack, big enough to fling rounds long range and with the different loads available, suitable for most occasions.

For hunting exclusively, 6" + is good as you take advantage of the powder charge more completely.

I pack a 3" 629 that's been highly modified while I hunt with a rifle. Cougar and bear are abundant in N. Cal. and I've run across more than my share. I am comforted that I can sling my rifle over my shoulder and hike somewhere and if I see something pop up, my cross draw .44 snubbie is handy.

 

[surfinUSA]

I'm a big fan of the 3 inch 629. Its powerful and and easy to carry. Although I only use mine when I actually out hunting pigs I really like it. I usually will carry something lighter like a glock when I'm just out fishing in the swamps.

Regardless of what you read on the error net, the 44 mag can do anything that needs doing from boar to bear and mountain lion. When I looked at the X frame S&Ws all I could think of was its so big I might as well just carry a rifle, Even my 8 3/8 29 is easier to handle than those monsters.

 

[paul105]

First of all, if you are going to be doing a lot of hiking with your new piece, weight makes a difference -- the lighter the better. If the gun is to heavy, you will not carry it all the time, so the Ruger Redhawk and full lugged S&Ws are probably not the best choice. Second, reducing weight usually means shorter barrel length -- both of which (lighter weight and shorter bbl length) contribute to reduced shootability. Add .44 Mag to the mix (light weight/short barrel), and shootability is reduced quite a bit.

The 4" Ruger Redhawk weights 47 oz.
The 6" 629 (half lug), weighs 45 oz.
The 5" 629 full lug weight 45 1/2 oz.
The 4" standard bbl 629 weighs 41 1/2 oz
The 4" Mtn Gun weighs 38 or 39 oz.
The 4" 329 PD Ti Scan weighs 26 oz.

If you aren't going to be able to practice with your chosen gun, you are not going to shoot any of the .44s very well, so get one of the the lighter weight S&Ws (629 Mt Gun or 329 PD), put the S&W 500 Hoque grips http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=46303&training= on it and load it with 310gr Garret Defender Hammer Heads -- the 310gr at 1,020 fps (fr 4" bbl) http://www.garrettcartridges.com/products.asp . If at all possible, don't let the bear/lion get close -- shoot warning shots to move the animal along before they become a menace. If it gets out of hand and you are attacked, don't shoot unless you can stick it in their ear/mouth -- seriously, don't shoot unless your bear/cat is close enough to eat you and shows definite intentions to do so.

Make sure you have a holster that you can gain immediate access to, and practice, practice that access -- this will be critical in the event of an attack. You are best served with the piece in your hand and pointed at the aggressor.

These animals move with incredible speed and not always in a frontal assualt. Even the best of handgun shots will have problems placing a stopping shot (central nervous system) on a charging bear/lion.

You'll probably get hurt, but you should survive, unless your gun is knocked out of your hand.

Most of the above is academic, cause you are not likely to be attacked by a bear/lion.

With that said, I live in the SW Montana -- Griz, black bears, mtn lion, moose, wolf. I'm out daily with the dogs. I carry a S&W 329 PD all day every day just in case. I also shoot it 5 or 6 days a week. I've shot over 6,000 rounds thru it in the last year.

I feel it better to have a gun and not need it, than not have one and need it.

 

[glockman19]

I have one of the 5" 629 Classics, w/ the full underlug.

Me too. I prefer the 5" because I think it is the best balanced or all the length's to choose from.