S&w model 629 or 29

which revolver to buy

  • 629

    Votes: 34 45.3%

  • 29

    Votes: 41 54.7%
  • Total voters
    75
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03cobra456

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Dec 18, 2006
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looking to buy either or. not sure which one. can anyone give me their opinions about each. pros - cons. any information would be very helpful.

thanks in advance
steve
 
Depends on the generation and the intended use. If the choice is between a pinned and recessed 29 and a non pinned and recessed 629, then I'll take the 29. Personally I prefer blued, but if it's going to see a lot of brush use then go for stainless.
 
It depends on what you plan to do. For looks the 29 wins out, for practical shooting and carry the 629 wins out. Stainless is just so much more durable then blue is. I have both 29's and 629's and the 29's are pretty much just safe queens while the 629's are shot often and a Lew Horton three inch I have is even carried from time to time.
 
Pinned and recessed, pinned and recessed...meaningless valuation IMO.

It's blue or silver is all it is, and I used to only have blued guns but certain folks and their stainless beauties have swayed me to the other right side.

629 because they look so good with Ahrend's grips.

(also, since S&W makes only SS ones with a few exceptions it'll be much easier to put together matching sets of revolvers.)
 
The pros and cons have been listed above. Really it's just personal preference.
I had the same dilemma a few months ago and I got a 629-6. What swayed me? Well, I found it unfired in the box on gunbroker for $500 and I was the only one who put a bid on it.
I would have preferred a pre-lock model but I thought it too good of a deal to pass up.
 
I have

a 29-2,6.5" barrel and it is just a real pleasant revolver to look at and handle,and most important,it's a blast to shoot.:p
 
To me the short lug barrel of the 29 is far, far nicer looking. That and I'm a fan of blue guns.

However I'd be the first to admit that a full heavy lug on a .44 isn't a bad thing when you pull the trigger.... :D
 
Personally, I'd do the 629 with a 6" barrel, then send it out to Magna-Port for some ports (and maybe a trigger job)--but then again, I'm planning on doing all of this anyway, and using the piece for a hunting revolver, so it'll get scratched up.

But the blue 29s look nicer.
 
If you are buying it to keep as a collectable or just to look at the early blued 29's are beautiful. If you are buying it to shoot, the newer stainless guns have been improved to better handle a steady diet of heavy loads.
 
If you are buying it to keep as a collectable or just to look at the early blued 29's are beautiful. If you are buying it to shoot, the newer stainless guns have been improved to better handle a steady diet of heavy loads.
Click to expand...

How are they improved?

I agree the P&R'ed 29's are the most collectible, and stainless is much easier to care for. IMHO the recessed cylinders would be stronger on the older 29's vs a newer 629.
 
Recessed cylinders really have no advantage, that is just to myth to say they are any stronger. It was the discovery that they did nothing that stopped everyone from producing them. There were several changes over the years to the newest versions of both 29 and 629 such as stronger cylinder stops and other refinements to make them stronger, not to mention the cylinder extractor rod being left hand thread now to keep them from backing off. If you want an early 29 it is a great looker but no stronger then a 629-4 IMHO.
 
The older 29's are known for shooting loose from a lot of heavy loads. The Rugers were hurting Smiths sales of 44 mags and they decided to improve them. The -3 or -4 models and later ( I cannot recall exactly when), have been upgraded and are a lot closer to the Rugers when it comes to handling heavy loads. For a lot of the really hot handloads some people use, I would still rather have the Ruger.

Since I do not shoot those loads and I prefer a smaller more compact gun I own the Smith & Wesson.
 
I have a beautiful 29-2 that I will only shoot soft target hand loads through in order to keep it that way. I shoot the boomers through my Ruger SRH.
 
My choice was for the 629 power port model. Although my dream gun is 629 with a 5" half lug tension barrel from the custom shop. The 6.5" barrel is a great length in my opinion and the power port front sight is the best of the production model options.

I also have a very accurate Ruger Bisley 7.5" in 44mag that I enjoy but the 629 PP is my favorite.
 
I pretty much agree om most posts.
IMO, there's nothing like blued steel and wood stocks so for a collector type that's what I'd prefer but for a shooter/working gun, SS has its advantages.
 
Keep in mind, there are TWO basic factory variations of the 629.

The "Classic" with a FULL LUGGED barrel and the standard/original version that has the M-29 barrel contour.

It's important to make the distinction, as it may affect the choice.
 
Who needs blue? My 29-3 is nickel finish, and hasn't a scratch on her. I handle her a lot, too -- the short 5 7/8 inch barrel makes her fun to carry concealed.

Stainless looks so clinical. It glares in gloss, and looks like a dishwasher in matte. Nickel, by contrast, has a warm gleam.
 
Who needs blue? My 29-3 is nickel finish, and hasn't a scratch on her. I handle her a lot, too -- the short 5 7/8 inch barrel makes her fun to carry concealed.

Stainless looks so clinical. It glares in gloss, and looks like a dishwasher in matte. Nickel, by contrast, has a warm gleam.
Click to expand...

well said:)
 
Yeah, but hopefully you look at it more often than you have to use it under adverse conditions. Besides, stainless steel is softer than blued or nickeled hard steel.

Reminds me of when I was a kid and we made Estes model rockets. My friend painted them for sh*t, and in his defense said, "well, you can't see them too good when they're flying so fast." Well, sure, but the things flew like a few times each summer, and sat around the bedroom the rest of the time in full view of all.
 
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