629 Emergency Survival?
- Thread starter Chris in Idaho
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Stainz
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Below are my .44s. The current production 4" & 6" 629s see mainly wimpy .44 Magnums, Specials, and Russians. I swap the wood stocks for S&W/Hogue .500 Magnum monogrips for 'real' Magnums. I replaced my 629MG with the regular production 4" - gained an orange ramp front and white outline rear sight (MGs are black/black), larger trigger, larger hammer, and a non-tapered half lug barrel - with only a 2 oz increase. Interestingly, there is only a six oz difference between the 3" 696 and the 4" 629. All but the 296, upper left, are definitely not CCW. I'd choose the 4" 629 for a holster .44 Magnum. I've had Rugers - SAs, RH, SRH, SP101, etc. I have S&Ws now.
I regularly carry that 2.5" 296 in a Robert Mika pocket holster in my front pocket. For urban jungle, it carries the GA Arms equivalents to the Blazer 200gr Gold Dots, which make 805 fps. For hiking, I usually substitute a couple of 240gr LSWC, which make ~750 fps. They should be sufficient, although I've never 'tried' them on a bear locally, as that would have likely resulted in my ejection from the zoo.
The 296 was canned years ago - but there is a black version with night sights, exposed hammer, SS cylinder, and similar 2.5" barrel - the 396NG. That should be 'pocketable' - at least in cargo pants and jacket pockets. It is .44 Special - but, since it is a tad heavier - and has the SS vs my 296's Ti cylinder - it can likely take some substantial .44 Specials. No, not a Magnum, but plenty for the urban jungle - and most of the wood's beasties. Just a thought. They run ~$750-$800 locally - maybe a few sheckles more than a 4" 629, my choice for a belt holstered piece.
Stainz
I regularly carry that 2.5" 296 in a Robert Mika pocket holster in my front pocket. For urban jungle, it carries the GA Arms equivalents to the Blazer 200gr Gold Dots, which make 805 fps. For hiking, I usually substitute a couple of 240gr LSWC, which make ~750 fps. They should be sufficient, although I've never 'tried' them on a bear locally, as that would have likely resulted in my ejection from the zoo.
The 296 was canned years ago - but there is a black version with night sights, exposed hammer, SS cylinder, and similar 2.5" barrel - the 396NG. That should be 'pocketable' - at least in cargo pants and jacket pockets. It is .44 Special - but, since it is a tad heavier - and has the SS vs my 296's Ti cylinder - it can likely take some substantial .44 Specials. No, not a Magnum, but plenty for the urban jungle - and most of the wood's beasties. Just a thought. They run ~$750-$800 locally - maybe a few sheckles more than a 4" 629, my choice for a belt holstered piece.
Stainz
Chris in Idaho
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- May 1, 2009
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All very nice!
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