S&W 629 questions

[Bob79]

First, I see that the 3" barrel says its magna-ported on the fluted version, and the un-fluted doesn't say its magna-ported. So do all 3" 629's that are fluted come magna-ported? How come they don't magna-port the un-fluted one?

Second, is the 4" barrel going to give you a lot more velocity than the 3" barrel? I've been looking into one of these for a while, I definately want a fluted model (for looks), and I tend to gravitate to the 3" barrel more also. I guess I like how the 3" looks, plus it would make it slightly easier to fit in different places. But I plan to use it 90% home defense, 10% range, and the "coolness" factor of a .44 of course

 

[Tony Mig]

Bob79....

If this gun is going to serve as a home defnse weapon, then getting a ported barrel isn't the best idea. If you ever have to fire that thing in a CQ situation, you'll get a powder blast in your face. Ported barrels are better on long barreled guns used mainly for target work where a quick recovery and second shot are needed. They also help to tame the recoil for shooters with weak or arthritic hands.
This is just my honest opinion, and as you can tell, I'm not a big fan of ported guns, but your mileage may vary......

 

[Majic]

Porting was just done on limited batches of revolvers. Specail orders are put in for the revolvers to have this. The standard revolvers won't be ported no matter the barrel length.
The 4 incher will allow more velocity to generate, but for home defense you don't need the full velocity of the magnum anyway. The 3 incher will be fine, but beware that coolness factor does comes with a price. Recoil goes up to the next level.

 

[Highland Ranger]

Smith doesn't currently ship a 3" version . . . . in the past 3" ported versions are usually Performance Center guns.

Not sure how much difference the inch makes but I think someone did a study on it (NRA - American Rifleman?) and I think it was posted here - have a look.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Virtually all my center fire revolvers, including this three-inch unfluted pre-agreement model 629, have been ported by the good folks at http://www.magnaport.com

 

[Bob79]

OK, so I can get it with a 3" barrel that is not magna-ported then?

Is the 3" barrel gonna have more recoil than the 4" barrel?

I understand that .44 mag is pretty intense, heck .357 is bag enough. I plan to do very little shooting of the magnum round. How bad is the regular .44 special? Because on paper it looks like the .44 special out performs 38+P and 9mm, and I was kinda hoping the wife would be able to handle .44 specials. She handles the model 66 4" stainless loaded with +P's just fine, how much worse is .44 special?

Thanks.

 

[Majic]

If by your posts you are not already a .44mag shooter then a 3 incher maybe a little out of your league right now. It will be rather pleasant with the .44sp loads once you get used to the big bore, but the full powered magnums are in an entirely different world. If you think the .357mag is intense then you best be prepared to hang on to your hat.
Go to the range and see if you can try someones .44mag (a 6 incher if possible) to get an idea of what you are getting into.

 

[E357]

Bob, you've got the right idea about shooting .44 specials out of the 44 magnum guns for home defense. You don't want to, nor will you ever need a "fullhouse" .44 magnum load for home defense - unless you live in bear country.

The .44 spl out of the heavier N frame will have pretty much or maybe just a shade more recoil than the .38 +P's out of the 66. But this depends on bullet weight and barrel length etc. A very nice 44 special load is the Georgia Arms 200 gr. Gold Dot HP's.

Elliot

 

[Standing Wolf]

Is the 3" barrel gonna have more recoil than the 4" barrel?

Yep. Full house loads are manageable in all barrel lengths, but you're not likely going to want to bang off a couple hundred rounds in an afternoon at the range.

If you load your own ammunition, there are lots of reduced load possibilities that deliver much less recoil and amazing accuracy, not to mention lower costs. The .44 magnum is an easy cartridge to reload, and there's a pretty good selection of bullet weights and types, although I've never found a hollow-based wadcutter.

My first .44 magnums had 8.375-inch barrels. Recoil was noticeable, but my no means painful. I bought a model 629 with a 6.5-inch barrel. Recoil was more noticeable, but only painful after a few dozen rounds of full house ammunition. My recently acquired three-inch model 629 is painful after a dozen or so rounds of full duty ammunition.

That saidâ„¢, it's a wonderful gun. I carry it when I'm in an open carry mood, and shoot it mainly with target loads. I'd really like to have a five-inch blued model 29.

 

[BluesBear]

So do all 3" 629's that are fluted come magna-ported?

Nope.

Is the 3" barrel gonna have more recoil than the 4" barrel?

I guess it might. BUt if it does I can't tell the difference.

Until I was recently forced to sell it I regularrly carried a 3" 629-1 (fluted cylinder, standard lug). And I still have my blued 3" Model 29-3 (fluted cylinder, standard lug) that I also regularry carry.

I find them easy to shoot with anything 240grains and under. There's still enough weight there to soak up the energy. The 300 grainers do whip the muzzle about but are still controllable. But the flash and report are wicked.