Redhawk vs 629 help me pick
- Thread starter 9mmdude
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Sharps Shooter
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I have a 5" 629 and had a 5 1/2" Stainless Redhawk. In another thread I posted the things I didn't like about the Redhawk. For my trigger finger's length, the reach to the trigger was longer than I was comfortable with. Besides, the recoil with heavy, hunting loads hurt the web of my hand too much. Putting Pachmayer or other rubber grips on a Redhawk only increases the reach to the trigger.
But thats just me. You might find a Redhawk just as comfortable to shoot as a 629. And Redhawks are sure enough strong, well built revolvers. I don't think you'd go far wrong if a Redhawk is what you choose.
Oh, one more thing - my 629 is a round-butt and that's what I like. There are quite a few gunsmiths out there who will round-butt a Redhawk but it just wasn't worth it to me when I already had the 629.
But thats just me. You might find a Redhawk just as comfortable to shoot as a 629. And Redhawks are sure enough strong, well built revolvers. I don't think you'd go far wrong if a Redhawk is what you choose.
Oh, one more thing - my 629 is a round-butt and that's what I like. There are quite a few gunsmiths out there who will round-butt a Redhawk but it just wasn't worth it to me when I already had the 629.
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
I have a 4" 629 and like it (also now an older M29-3) ...... but for shere strength the Ruger will always win IMO - tho mine is a 9 1/2" tube so a bit different.
For sophistication get the Smith tho if possible a pre-lock version. For near indestructability get the Ruger
That's not to say the Smith is weak - it is entirely relative!
For sophistication get the Smith tho if possible a pre-lock version. For near indestructability get the Ruger
That's not to say the Smith is weak - it is entirely relative!JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone
Member
I've never owned a 629. But I've shot them...
Not right for my hand. My Redhawk though, I've had for years and constantly fed it the same loads I shove through my Ruger SBH. 300gn Seirra's pushed by 19gns of AA#9, or the same bullet pushed by 22gns of Win296. Through my pistols, that's a 300gn bullet running 1170fps. Like P95 is saying, not that the 629 is weak by any stretch, but the Ruger is a tank. And the trigger out of the box,,, Yeah, the Smith might have a slight edge there, but over time, as mine has worn in, and I've changed the hammer spring to a Trapper version- It's hard to beat. Really hard to beat.
-Steve
Not right for my hand. My Redhawk though, I've had for years and constantly fed it the same loads I shove through my Ruger SBH. 300gn Seirra's pushed by 19gns of AA#9, or the same bullet pushed by 22gns of Win296. Through my pistols, that's a 300gn bullet running 1170fps. Like P95 is saying, not that the 629 is weak by any stretch, but the Ruger is a tank. And the trigger out of the box,,, Yeah, the Smith might have a slight edge there, but over time, as mine has worn in, and I've changed the hammer spring to a Trapper version- It's hard to beat. Really hard to beat.
-Steve
I was about to post a thread that would have been perilously close to this one, so I decided to add it here instead. 9mmdude, let me know if you mind and I will butt out and make my own thread.
I've been thinking about getting a Ruger Redhawk, but wondering how it compares to the 629 in terms of recoil. I've shot full-house .44 Magnum loads in both 4" and 6" barrel 629s. The 4" barrel stung like catching a fastball barehanded, but the 6-incher was downright comfortable to shoot.
For those who have shot both, how does the recoil of a 5.5" Redhawk compare to that of the 4" and/or 6" 629? How about the 7.5" Redhawk?
I've been thinking about getting a Ruger Redhawk, but wondering how it compares to the 629 in terms of recoil. I've shot full-house .44 Magnum loads in both 4" and 6" barrel 629s. The 4" barrel stung like catching a fastball barehanded, but the 6-incher was downright comfortable to shoot.
For those who have shot both, how does the recoil of a 5.5" Redhawk compare to that of the 4" and/or 6" 629? How about the 7.5" Redhawk?
HankB
Member
Have a 7.5" Redhawk and a 6.5" M29.
The Redhawk is stronger, heavier, and recoils less . . . especially with a 2x Leupold on the barrel. The cylinder is longer, so it's better suited to loads with extra heavy (300-320 grain) bullets.
The M29 has a much better trigger, both SA and DA. It also balances better in my hand.
The Redhawk is stronger, heavier, and recoils less . . . especially with a 2x Leupold on the barrel. The cylinder is longer, so it's better suited to loads with extra heavy (300-320 grain) bullets.
The M29 has a much better trigger, both SA and DA. It also balances better in my hand.
From someone who does not own either, & has not shot an N frame .44MAG but has touched off a few rounds in a Redhawk I can only add:
On my wish list is a Model 29; the Redhawk isn't. Not because it wasn't accurate (it was), not because it recoiled too much (it did not), not because the trigger was horrible (it had been tuned).
Only reason? Because I like the looks of a nice M29 way more than that of the Ruger. Purely subjective & has nothing to do with the mechanics of either gun.
I guess it doesn't make any sense! But it is what it is!
On my wish list is a Model 29; the Redhawk isn't. Not because it wasn't accurate (it was), not because it recoiled too much (it did not), not because the trigger was horrible (it had been tuned).
Only reason? Because I like the looks of a nice M29 way more than that of the Ruger. Purely subjective & has nothing to do with the mechanics of either gun.
I guess it doesn't make any sense! But it is what it is!go with the Redhawk. I`ve killed 3 nice Ohio deer with mine. Stopped them all in their tracks.
I can make a S&W 44 mag shoot backwards!
Using my regular hunting loads , a Bull-X lead match-grade 300gr. hardcast bullet over 17 1/2 grains of H110, when the pistol fires, the cylinder will actually rotate backwards to the chamber BEFORE the round you just shot, therefore, when you drop the hammer again, it is on the chamber you just fired.
A Brand NEW out of the box 629 and I HAVE WITTNESSES !
Ruger`s handguns are built for the guy that is going to use them to hunt with. A solid, well made, dependable handgun.
I use a standard 5 1/2" blued pistol w/ factory grips, I have yet to find a set of aftermarket grips that fit me well. My personnal opinion is , the 5 1/2" barrell is the perfect length . and in Ohio is just over the minimum length for hunting deer. I also load Speer shot shell capsules and hunt squirrrels.
"A good handgun is one that YOU like "
I can make a S&W 44 mag shoot backwards!
Using my regular hunting loads , a Bull-X lead match-grade 300gr. hardcast bullet over 17 1/2 grains of H110, when the pistol fires, the cylinder will actually rotate backwards to the chamber BEFORE the round you just shot, therefore, when you drop the hammer again, it is on the chamber you just fired.A Brand NEW out of the box 629 and I HAVE WITTNESSES !
Ruger`s handguns are built for the guy that is going to use them to hunt with. A solid, well made, dependable handgun.
I use a standard 5 1/2" blued pistol w/ factory grips, I have yet to find a set of aftermarket grips that fit me well. My personnal opinion is , the 5 1/2" barrell is the perfect length . and in Ohio is just over the minimum length for hunting deer. I also load Speer shot shell capsules and hunt squirrrels.
"A good handgun is one that YOU like "
dairycreek
Member
What do you plan on using a 44 mag for? If it is to carry and shoot then the S&W's are really nice. If you are going to use it to hunt then the Redhawk is a lot stronger and will stand much hotter hunting loads. So, if you want/need to go hot its Ruger; if not, S&W both are really good guns.
azredhawk44
Member
If you envision using the gun in a more "urban" setting for self defense using the lighter 44magnum or 44 special loads, get the 4" 629. It is several ounces lighter than the redhawk and will lend itself to repeat shots more easily due to the shorter distance to the trigger from the back strap.
If it's a target pistol to potentially use in sillhouette shooting, get a long barreled redhawk or SRH. Same thing for hunting.
If it's a backpacking gun in dangerous furry critter country, 5.5" redhawk. You still have the platform for the most powerful 44mag loadings available, but a short enough barrel to allow for a good draw time from holster.
If it's a target pistol to potentially use in sillhouette shooting, get a long barreled redhawk or SRH. Same thing for hunting.
If it's a backpacking gun in dangerous furry critter country, 5.5" redhawk. You still have the platform for the most powerful 44mag loadings available, but a short enough barrel to allow for a good draw time from holster.
wanderinwalker
Member
I'm going to vote Smith 629. My 6" 629-1 balances so much better than my grandfather's 6" Redhawk (it was chopped), the trigger is worlds better, it fits my little hands (small and girlish come to mind to describe my hand size) AND it seems to shoot better.
As for hunting, if you're just drilling a little whitetail, a standard 240gr .44 load should go through both shoulders on a good shot. Why punish yourself with anything heavier? I just toss the same 240gr Oregon Trail SWCs I load for practice in and don't think about it. (Haven't used it, but that's another story.)
Having fired a number of 629s, Super Blackhawks and that one lone Redhawk, I'll take the Smith first, a short barreled Blackhawk second and I'm not sure what I want third yet.
But really, there is no wrong or bad choice in any of them.
As for hunting, if you're just drilling a little whitetail, a standard 240gr .44 load should go through both shoulders on a good shot. Why punish yourself with anything heavier? I just toss the same 240gr Oregon Trail SWCs I load for practice in and don't think about it. (Haven't used it, but that's another story.)
Having fired a number of 629s, Super Blackhawks and that one lone Redhawk, I'll take the Smith first, a short barreled Blackhawk second and I'm not sure what I want third yet.
But really, there is no wrong or bad choice in any of them.
xring44
Member
I have owned both the redhawk and the 629, both in 7 1/2" barrel lengths, I still own the 629, someone else ownes the redhawk. No question about it, the Smith has a far superior trigger, it is much more comfortable to shoot than the redhawk was, and although the Ruger was very accurate, the Smith is even more so. To each his own, but I love my 629.
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