Evergreen, personally I wouldn’t try to conceal this gun. If you’ve not handled an X frame before, than you should before considering the purchase. That being said, I see you have a 629, so I’m assuming you are aware that the X frame is noticeably larger. A chest rig would be a good way to carry the 460V, though I use a Desantes hip holster.
The reason you can’t find any info on S&W’s website is that they don’t make the 460V model anymore. You can still find them on Gunbroker and other gun selling websites, usually for $1000+ dollars. They are getting harder to find. The gun weighs in at 60 oz. empty, so just a little under 4 lbs. Load her up with full power 460’s rounds and you’ll probably be over 4 lbs due to the weight of the bullets and cartridges overall.
I was originally looking at the Ruger Super Redhawk in .454 with the 7.5” bbl (which is fine revolver). However, when I looked at the 460V, I found it more aesthetically pleasing to the eye (IMHO), I liked the added versatility of being able to shoot the 460 rounds, and the balance of the gun is fantastic. Keep in mind you get 5 shots in a 460 not 6 like in the Super Redhawk. This was not a concern to me since if you haven’t killed or scared away what ever you are shooting at with 5 rounds of 460, is having 6 rounds of .454 any better. Also, be aware that the 460 round was originally designed for a 8 3/8ths” barrel, I believe. So in the 5” version you will lose a bit of velocity, power, and accuracy if you are shooting longer distance. I shoot iron sights only, so I pretty much never shoot over 100 yards. At that distance, the gun is capable of shooting better than I.
To me the 460V fell into the “perfect gun for me” category. It is the perfect balance of being a great short range hunting revolver (longer if scoped), it is a great trail gun for dangerous critters, the balance is perfect (not nose heavy at all), I shoot it accurately with one or both hands, and I think it is gorgeous. It’s like the 460V was designed specifically for me. There is also the fun factor of having a huge hand cannon on your hip. Now keep in mind, I’m a large fella (6’3”, 210 lbs.), so this gun works good for me. I assume if you are concealing a 629, you are a big guy too, so this gun may work wonders for you.
Unfortunately, the “perfect gun” category only ever applies to certain people. The short barreled version is better for packing in dangerous animal areas due to the lighter weight, and the 8” and longer bbl versions are better for hunting, thus sales of the 460V were likely depressed. I consider this most unfortunate. I am actually thinking of buying a second one, since like I said, this gun is perfect for me.
Adjusting for different loads, 45, 45+p, 454, and 460 is easy since all you are really doing is adding more gas to the loads by stepping it up (bullet weights will also obviously play a part). Elevation is mostly what you need to worry about. Now if you are going to load it with different cartridges in the same cylinder full, that may get a bit more challenging. Put her on a rest or a sandbag, bring a note book, and start out on the 460, since the gun seems sighted in for that when it comes from the factory, and figure how many clicks you need to adjust for different loads.
I agree with Redhawk1 on the accuracy. I have found it to be extremely accurate for a handgun, and that’s just been with factory loads. I plan to get into hand loading in the not to distant future, and I can’t wait to start tweaking this loading for fun. I really want to try out some Belt Mountain Punch bullets in a 460 loading. That should stop a Buick if need be!
