3 Smith 44s.

[tj3006]

I looked at 3 Smith n Wesson 44 mags today. All used and all at about the same price.
I can only afford 1.
Needles to say I like them all.
#1 is a 3 inch 629 classic.A very cool revolver. I have liked them since they 1st came out. I would load 240 grain HPs over 7. 5 to 9 grains of Unique and put it in a Horizontal shoulder holster. The lighter loads for around town, the hotter ones for out in the woods.
#2 A-629-6 5 or 5.5 inch full lug.With a vertical shoulder it could do the same stuff as the 3 inch. And be easier to shoot well. I like this one and I think it has the most practice uses of the 3.
The 3rd is a 29-2. 8. 3/8ths.
Some might say it's a no Brainerd get the Harry Callihan model.
Pinned and recessed no key lock.
I disagree. If I want to hunt with a 44, I have a 7.5 inch bisley. And the newer guns have to strengthened features. The key lock is crap but that 5 inch full lug balances well. And I think I could shoot it well too.
Your thoughts please.
.. tj

[tj3006]

Whoops. I could not find my 1st post on this subject so did another. Can't figure out how to erase it ...tj

[bradshaw]

May 4, 2024 14:14:51 GMT -5 tj3006 said:

I looked at 3 Smith n Wesson 44 mags today. All used and all at about the same price.
I can only afford 1.
Needles to say I like them all.
#1 is a 3 inch 629 classic.A very cool revolver. I have liked them since they 1st came out. I would load 240 grain HPs over 7. 5 to 9 grains of Unique and put it in a Horizontal shoulder holster. The lighter loads for around town, the hotter ones for out in the woods.
#2 A-629-6 5 or 5.5 inch full lug.With a vertical shoulder it could do the same stuff as the 3 inch. And be easier to shoot well. I like this one and I think it has the most practice uses of the 3.
The 3rd is a 29-2. 8. 3/8ths.
Some might say it's a no Brainerd get the Harry Callihan model.
Pinned and recessed no key lock.
I disagree. If I want to hunt with a 44, I have a 7.5 inch bisley. And the newer guns have to strengthened features. The key lock is crap but that 5 inch full lug balances well. And I think I could shoot it well too.
Your thoughts please.
.. tj

*****

rj3006....
#1) Ease of shooting? You correctly reckon the 3” .44 presents the greater challenge to control. A 3-inch .44 Mag starts to make good sense with light to moderate loads. Once we’re into magnums, my preference begins with a 4” barrel. A vertical or angled holster offers better security than a horizontal cross draw. Gun weight rules out horizontal carry.

#2) Seems you lean to the M-629 with Python-style 5" full underdog barrel; on this you have my agreement.

#3) As for the M-29-2 with 8-3/8” barrel, wouldn’t trade the two I have for any M-29 made since. Extreme accuracy of each publicly demonstrated.

Short of handling or shooting these three revolvers, my assessment relies on your description.

Note on S&W's so-called “enhancements” to the Model 29 and M-629: a few changes were incorporated to prevent the cylinder unlocking at discharge. I named the event CYLINDER FLOAT, which, at its worst, can fire the chamber to the left of the discharging chamber. Extreme cylinder float could fire a burst, all on one pull of the trigger. Lengthening the STOP NOTCHES in the cylinder helped eliminate cylinder float.
David Bradshaw

[parallaxbill]

I like the idea of the 5" full lug example since I currently shoot an 8,3/8" 29-5 Classic and had the 6"(1/2")? version that I regret selling. Mine is, and the other was blued.

[blackmamba]

I'd go with #2, the 5½" full lug 629. Those Classics were all very accurate.

[bamagreg]

I never understood why they called the full lug model a “classic”

[wilecoyote]

my first .44 should have been a 29, new_ already paid for, while I waited for the purchase license. Once I obtained the license, I discovered that the LGS had sold it, straight 29s they didn't produce or import any more, and I was forced to accept in exchange, at the same price, a more expensive and recent 629 Classic(!)Hunter, because my purchase license in the meantime was expiring.
I didn't have peace until I got rid of that stainless underlugged contraption, and bought a real 29, used, o.c., which was followed by other 29s. I don't think that LGS has ever recovered from the curses it earned_ still today_

[xae289]

I have the 5" full underlug 629 Classic. It was my first .44 Mag. I like mine a lot. It's a good balance between performance and packability. I've carried mine inside the waistband many times in a Simply Rugged holster and I'm not tall. It's a fun shooter, but since I got my 7.5 Super Blackhawk I find myself using it less for practical purposes. I take the SBH hunting and carry my Glock 23 as my edc, including as a woods gun. I'd trade my 5" for a 3" though. These days, I mostly shoot standard or Skelton level .44 Special loads through it and reserve full magnums for the SBH. A 3" would see a lot more use in my carry rotation.