S&W 629-5" vs 6" Barrel?

[Stick Man]

When on horseback I typically carry a short rifle. However, I've recently realizes that no time I have ever needed the rifle I couldn't have got what needed to get done just as well and more conveniently with a handgun. So now I'm in the market for a ranch handgun, which to me seems like it should mean big bore revolver. The Smith and Wesson 629 seems like it should fit the bill, but I have little experience shooting big bores and no experience carrying them. The full lug 6.5" model appears like it my be a bit big for daily carry, while the 4" sounds too short to me. That leaves me with the full lug 5" model and 6" half lug model. I think they both look great, so aesthetic preference can't come into play, and I'm therefore forced to make the choice based on some semblance of rational.
Can anybody tell me about the difference in portability, recoil/muzzle flip, muzzle blast, and balance? I'm not concerned about differences in velocity between the two lengths, and realize that neither is inherently more accurate (although, the longer sigh radius of the 6" can lend itself to better accuracy), so no need for anybody bring up those subjects.
Maybe I'll compromise and get a 5.5" Ruger Redhawk. I could live with that. Whole other debate there, though, and not one intend to press a discussion on.

Thanks for any info guys.

 

[GBExpat]

Against what kind of critter are you apt to have to use it in an threat situation?

 

[jdavis123]

If you are concerned about weight of the full lug 629, have a look at the Classic 29 series. You will get the benefit of the longer sight radius without the bulk of the full lug. Another option would be the model 69 which is a stainless .44 mag built on the L-frame. It is a lighter smaller package than the larger N-frame but, you will be limited to 5 rounds rather than 6. If you are not adverse to single actions, Ruger offers several in various barrel lengths that should provide a good combination of accuracy with ease of carry.

 

[Screwball]

I've been shooting my 6" 629-1 (partial lug) since I was 12. My father bought it and a 686, which was supposed to be two revolvers we went to the range with. He cut his hand open on the .44, and was going to sell it. I didn't like the 686, so told him to switch off... best decision I ever made. Gun is accurate, which I feel is more the caliber. When I got old enough, he gave it to me. One of those guns that I'll never sell.

With the .44, either you can handle it or not. I've had friends tell me they are scared of it, yet other people shoot just the same as I do. The only issue I ever had was the unburnt powder blowing back in my face.

In regards to handling, with Hogue rubber grips, it is a very well balanced gun. Just feels comfortable in my hands. If I shortened the barrel and increased the weight up front, I'd think it would be noticeably front heavy. But with different hand sizes, I'm sure that is more individual than anything else.

 

[GBExpat]

... In regards to handling, with Hogue rubber grips, it is a very well balanced gun. Just feels comfortable in my hands. ...

I wear size Large gloves and have hands with long thin fingers.

The 3" RB 629-1 that I bought NIB in Feb'89 came with cheap wood grips ... that I discovered would bloody my thumb knuckle.

So out of old habit I bought a set of Pachmayrs for the piece. They just didn't feel quite right, but they did not bloody my knuckle.

Years later I bought some Hogues and found them better than the Pachmayrs, but still not perfect.

Several years ago I came across an ad in a print magazine (which mean it had to be American Rifleman) for the new Pachmayr Diamond Pro grips, so I ordered a set.

PERFECT.

 

[Stick Man]

GBExpat, the biggest dangerous animal I can expect to use this on would be rattlesnakes. The main purpose, aside from shooting rattlesnakes, would be to put down cows that are in a bad way (maybe a horse, too, I've seen it happen), which I've done before, and I'm not certain the .357 would be the best way to go, and shooting at coyotes (I say shooting at rather than killing because with an open sighted 30-30 on the plains, I never get close enough to hit them with that, anyway. Fire a shot to chase them off is all I really do, unless I'm hunting them with the proper equipment). I'd also be shooting this for fun quite a bit I imagine, because I like shooting handguns.
Now up in the mountains (Bighorns) we have black bear, moose, and mountain lions, and I imagine I'll have this with me a lot up there. So it may one day end up being used for self defense against a wily creature, but I'm really getting it with ranch purposes in mind.
The portability and shootability between the two is what I'm mainly wondering about, I know that no animal will notice a difference when shot with either.

 

[Jim Watson]

The 5" full lug catalogs half an ounce lighter than the 6" half lug 629.
But still a big heavy gun.

If you didn't mind a single action, a plain blue Blackhawk 5.5" .45 LC is a bit lighter.
And overloaded "Ruger Only" .45s don't give up anything to .44.

 

[Stick Man]

Thanks, but I don't like the BlackHawk grips much. And, there's no point in denying it, I want a .44 mag just because it's a .44 mag as much as any other reason.

 

[Sam1911]

I really, really, REALLY like my 4" 629, and I'd probably be just as happy with a 5" (but that isn't allowed in the gun games I play).

Don't have much use for a 6" or bigger. Just too, too much of a good thing.

 

[gotboostvr]

I've had both the half-lug 6" and a full lug 5" 629-6
They were both absolutely fantastic, but the 5" "swings" better for me and clears leather faster and easier for me from my OWB rig. As far as shootability goes, they're very much on par. I don't think I gave up any appreciable power or range with the 5". I eventually kept the 5" and traded the 6".

I'm very glad to have had the opportunity to T&E both extensively, but your milage may vary.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

If you live near the Bighorns then a 44 mag is a good idea. I doubt you'd ever need it, but you never know. Also, given your cattle/horse ixnaying needs, a 44 sounds appropriate also. In addition, you could hunt whitetails and muleies with it if you desired to.

Personally I like 5" barreled guns, unless the intended purpose is target shooting at a distance over 50 yards or hunting. They just balance well for me. A 4" would likely do you well also, but if you prefer a longer barrel, go for it.

I guess given your criteria, I'd choose the 5". If you were to shoot from horse back, there's a good chance you'll be shooting one handed. The 5" (or 4") barrel may be a little easier to handle with one hand.

 

[jmr40]

I had one of the 5" guns years ago and it is one I wish I had kept. Currently I have a 3" and 4" 629 and I wouldn't want 6". The 5" gun is as much as I'd want and on horseback would be OK. On foot my actual preference is a G20 or G29 with hot 10mm loads. But a 3-4" revolver is never a bad option, just a little bigger and heavier than the Glock.

I like a lot about the Rugers. If your intent is to shoot a lot of heavy handloads through a gun the Ruger is probably a better option. But they are big, cumbersome revolvers regardless of barrel length.

 

[Nathan Detroit]

If carried in a holster, I think you will be much happier wit the 5". They carry well and handle well. With the full lug the recoil is nothing to worry about. I have or had the 5", 6.5", a 7.5" and an 8.375 " full lugged guns and the 5" handled about the best. The 6.5" was sweet to hunt with from a stand but not so great in a holster.

The 5" Smith is much nicer than the Redhawk, as well. Don't beat it up and it will last a good long time.

 

[Rodfac]

I've got the same criteria for carrying here in KY as you do out there in the west, ie. Farm use here for the most part while on horseback, tractory, 4x4, and jeep. I've owned the 6.5" M29 as well as a 6", but gave both away to my sons in favor of the 5" full lugged M629 of new production or more recently, Smith's M69 with its half lug, 4.25" bbl. The main reason was ease of carry with the shorter bbl's.

For me, any barrel length beyond 5" is just too long to carry in a strong side rig (Tom Threepersons type, open top with thong and using a good strong pants belt of 1.5" width.) Anything longer ends up sticking me in the ribs in any conveyance I use.

Accuracy is the same for both guns, BTW. My M69 Smith, the new one with 4.25" bbl. in .44 Magnum weighs the same as my K frame M19 = right at 42 oz. fully loaded). That 5-shot M69 is downright comfortable to carry all day, whether afoot or mounted up, and to shoot too with any load that's around 1100 fps. For stronger loads, I get beat up by the recoil after a cpl cylinders full. It's fine for hunting though since you just don't shoot that much. The weight is what is so nice about the gun. Accuracy runs to 1.5" at 25 yds with my handloads. One other great attribute is the grip length. It's an L/K frame length and the current S&W supplied rubber grips make it a lot more usable for DA work with my hands (I wear a L size work glove).

Fully loaded, the M629 with full lug runs 50.5 oz. on my wife's kitchen digital scale. It's a LOT heavier and not comfortable for all day use, even with a wide gun belt to support the weight. That weight, however, translates into a more comfortable recoil impulse while on the range. In truth, despite the gun's superb accuracy and good workmanship, I'd sell it if given a good return on my money...that M69 is that much better for real carry. The grips, like those on the M69, are very comfortable, if ugly and are a great improvement on S&W's traditional wood target style stocks. The new grips on the M629 are a bit too long for my fingers in DA work but are just fine for SA.

All in all, if you can live with 5 rounds in the M69 vs. 6 in the M629, and the shorter bbl. length (4.25" vs 5"), for my money, the lighter M69 is the way to go. It's a using/carrying gun well suited for ranch or farm work, where you carry a lot, and shoot on occasion. It's definitely not a 200 round range gun with full house magnum loads. For my daily carry, I generally load up with Skelton's favored rounds, (7.5 gr of Unique in 44 Spl. brass giving a 240 LSWC 975 fps from my guns). It's an authoritative load, and I'd not hesitate to use it on eastern 120 lb. whitetails at 50 yds or less. For a lighter bullet, I get 1.25" gps at 25 yds with Hornady's 200 gr XTP at 1050 fps, using Unique and 44 Spl. brass. Expansion with this load is over 1/2" when shot into water, BTW.

I'm satisfied that the above loads are safe in my guns, but you should work up to them, as always, after consulting a GOOD manual and considering all pressure implications.

Here's a pic of the two: M629 and M69 so you can compare sizes and see the new S&W grips.



HTH's Rod

 

[ChiefTJS]

I haven't had a 629 for years but it's a very good gun overall, I just liked single actions better for big cartridges. I've recently fallen in love with the M69 Smith though, I just can't find any fault with it, accurate, comfortable to shoot and carry and just all around perfect in my book. I'm very glad I bought it and may even get a second one.

 

[Master Blaster]

If you also may handgun hunt with it check the local regulations on required barrel length.
Some states require the barrel to be 5" or greater for handgun hunting, .44 mag will meet the caliber requirements.

My state Delaware, requires 5.75" or greater but less than 12.5"

METHOD OF TAKE
HANDGUN HUNTING
Legal handguns are limited to revolvers and single shot pistols with a minimum barrel length of 5.75 inches and a maximum length of 12.5 inches and chambered for and using straightwall handgun ammunition in .357 magnum, .41 caliber, .41 magnum, .44 caliber, .44 magnum, .45 caliber, .454 caliber, .480 caliber or .50 caliber and using open sights, metallic/mechanical, optical or telescopic sights. Since the .460 rowland is a .45 caliber, it is legal under the existing handgun legislation.

The handgun must be carried openly on a sling or in a holster and not concealed. The handguns described above may be used for the pursuit, taking and attempted taking (hunting) of deer on privately owned lands situated south of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal and on many state-owned wildlife areas. Consult area maps for more details.

In addition to the January Handgun Season, it is legal to hunt deer with a handgun during the November and January Shotgun Deer Seasons. During these seasons, the handgun must be carried in place of a shotgun as you may not carry both in the field at the same time.