S & W .44 mag revolvers

30837 Views 46 Replies 22 Participants Last post by Bad Bob, Mar 13, 2008

Fuelburns2

Discussion Starter · Oct 26, 2005

I would be interested in any testimonials regarding S&W .44's. I'm considering a full sized .44 magnum and since the Colt Anaconda is both hard to find and expensive I'm starting to lean towards the model 629 with a 6.5inch barrel but have questions about quality, durability, other .44's that may be better, and what price I may expect to pay. My question isn't necessarily just about the 629 but all S&W's.

1 - 20 of 47 Posts

TheRedScare

· #2 · Oct 26, 2005

I shot one once. Real accurate. Thats all I know about S&W .44.

Fuelburns2

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 26, 2005

Do you know which model it was? If I drop the cash I want accuracy first and foremost.

GunRunner

· #4 · Oct 26, 2005

It's accurate, don't worry about that. I shot one, not sure of the model - I think it had about a 8 or 10 inch barrel, maybe shorter, but I really liked it. It was my first time shooting a .44 mag, so I don't have any comparison, but I DO NOT have any complaints. I'm a big single action big bore pistol fan, don't have one, but I still think they're pretty kick ass.

I guess my take on handguns is that if you're looking for long range accuracy, you're looking at the wrong type of gun. Maybe it's just because I have an easier time taking someone out at 100 yards with a rifle than I do with a handgun (I'm really worthless at anything past 40 or 50 yards).

TheRedScare

· #5 · Oct 26, 2005

The 629 Classic 61/2

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/ ... y_rn=15706

The one I shot had wooden grips with finger grooves. I liked the grips most of all actually. That gun shot better than I.

wwb

· #6 · Oct 26, 2005

For a S&W .44 mag, I'd go for an original Model 29... They seemed better fitted and finished that the newer ones.

Depending on what you intend to use it for, the .44 is really better suited to a big ol' hand cannon like a Ruger Super Redhawk for a DA, or a Super Blackhawk if you like a SA.

For pure shootability, reasonable accuracy, and carryability with adequate ooomph, you can't beat a 4" .357 in a medium frame, like a S&W 19 or a Ruger Security/Service Six.

One can never have too many wheelguns, though.... so get 'em all.

txvashooter

· #7 · Oct 26, 2005

+1 on the ruger .44s- mine is a blackhawk, more accurate than i am. shot a model 629 once, it just didn't feel the same as the ruger, but there was nothing wrong with the gun, I could not shoot it as accurate as my blackhawk.
A SW model 366 in a 357, the snubbie, now that was a gun i regret letting out of my grubby hands.

Fuelburns2

Discussion Starter · #8 · Oct 26, 2005

wwb said:
For pure shootability, reasonable accuracy, and carryability with adequate ooomph, you can't beat a 4" .357 in a medium frame, like a S&W 19 or a Ruger Security/Service Six.

One can never have too many wheelguns, though.... so get 'em all.

I just bought one of those.

http://www.pistolworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=74&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15
I like the way a .44 really pounds a target. I feel it in my chest when it goes off.

I have shot a ruger blackhawk and it was exceptionally accurate. I would think the S&W would be comparable and I like the option of DA even though I don't use it much.

Fuelburns2

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 26, 2005

GunRunner said:
I guess my take on handguns is that if you're looking for long range accuracy, you're looking at the wrong type of gun. Maybe it's just because I have an easier time taking someone out at 100 yards with a rifle than I do with a handgun (I'm not really worthless at anything past 40 or 50 yards).

I already have enough rifles. I'm not really worried about that kind of range either, maybe out to 50 yards max. My vision makes shooting much farther out pointless anyway. I happen to have an affinity for large handguns, especially of the revolver variety.

Pat T

· #10 · Oct 27, 2005

I've owned a S&W 29-3 for 20 years, and I love it. It's a truly accurate handgun, but there are a couple of things you might want to consider when choosing a DA .44 mag. Like wwb said the original model 29 is a beautifully finished revolver, but it does have the tendency to jump a chamber when firing heavy loads (cylinder unlocks and turns one space due to recoil forces). They also tend to shoot the screws loose with heavy loads. If you plan to use heavy loads all the time you may be better off with the newer model 629s. They redesigned the frame and lockwork some to correct this. But if you just have to have the Dirty Harry handgun (and I do!) then model 29s are plenty available, just a quick search on Gunbroker will yield many choices. I hope you find one and enjoy it!

ssnell

· #11 · Oct 27, 2005

I had a 29 6", was a great gun, way too much bite on my hand and wrist with full power loads, ie 240 grain JHP, 22gr 2400 cci 350 mag primer. but fun to shoot with the slower stuff, and 44 special loads.
Scott

Drop-Shot

· #12 · Nov 1, 2005

I have a 629 mountain light,just like the regular 629 but the grips are rubber on the mountain light and wooden on the 629.My other 44 mag is a mod 44 mag taurus.I sold my older model 29 about 20 years ago and I could kick myself.I shot shillouete and the 29 with an 8 3/8 inch barrel was my go-to gun.I had the redwawk and 2 blackhawks with shorter barrels but the balance and shooting was in favor of the Smith&Wesson,I could get more velocity out of the redhawk and blackhawks but I for one could hit better with the Smith&Wesson 29 than the others.I shot up to 500 rounds every weekend and after 11 years the S&W 29 was as sweet as the day I bought it with no problems ever.Just my experience with the 29.I had to edit this post,I have 1 other 44 mag,super Blackhawk 6 inch barrel.Drop-Shot

Tusker

· #13 · Nov 1, 2005

I have one of the first MDL 629's that were to be found around here. ca. 1980 -- I still have it. Have a few others as well. I have never found fault with them in any way, and mine use just my loads these days. I believe you will find most, if not all guns of quality, will be found to be more accurate than anyone that will ever shoot them, unless of course they have been fooled with. JMHO

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Fuelburns2

Discussion Starter · #14 · Nov 1, 2005

That's very nice Tusker! One of the things I don't particularly like on the new 629s is the extended ejector rod shroud. I think it looks better when it doesn't go to the end of the barrel.

On your 629, since its stainless, does the cylinder show wear on the finish from use the way a blued cylinder will? In the picture it looks pristine. The dimensions on your gun are exactly what I'm looking for and the only reason I want a S&W instead of a Ruger. Is that a 6 inch barrel?

Tusker

· #15 · Nov 2, 2005

Fuel-- well I was just thinking-- she is close to 25 years old now.

--- She has been out EVERY season for 25 years, is STILL my main hog gun, gone on two trips out west, one to Wyoming in 89, and one to Colorado in 2003. Even when carring a rifle, she has been more often than not my back up. One trip to Alaska as well. Just for fun.

She has a six inch barrel, and Millett rear sights, the finish, is as you see it. The Grips are Eagle, old style cokes,and Rosewood. She has seen plenty of ammo go down range as well. Used does not have to mean abused. A well fitting holster, will take you a long way on that count. As I type this, I find it hard to believe she is that old. Man, time does fly. I just turned 61 last Friday-- no wonder I feel tired-- :roll: one thing, I had her Mag-NA Ported in '81-- never saw fit to have that done again.

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Mike 44

· #16 · Nov 2, 2005

Tusker, the grips in that pic are made by Eagle? Man they look exactly like cokes, do they have the same feel as orignal cokes?I need to look into that because Im having a hard time thinking I need $400 for real cokes

Mike 44

· #17 · Nov 2, 2005

geeze, ya think I said Cokes enough?

Tusker

· #18 · Nov 6, 2005

Mike-- Yeah they are-- the diamond is a bit bigger, but they have a real good feel. Here is the real thing on a S numbered Mdl 57, from 1964 (April)

Nill also makes a version, palm swell is a bit more, they run 2 bills plus.

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Mike 44

· #19 · Nov 6, 2005

I have been looking at the Nills, might go for a set soon.

Maser

· #20 · Nov 9, 2005

get that 629 DX model (think thats right) which has like a 12 inch barrel

cant get more accurate than that unless u wanna get into carbines n rifles

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