Which 44 magnum?

Which 44 Magnum?

  • S&W Model 29 Bright Nickel

    Votes: 10 10.9%

  • S&W Model 629 Stainless

    Votes: 39 42.4%

  • Something else in 44 magnum, but what?

    Votes: 43 46.7%
  • Total voters
    92
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mesinge2

mesinge2

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Joined
Feb 12, 2009
Messages
2,231
Location
Central Florida
I have a blued S&W model 29 with a 8 3/8" barrel and a Ruger Redhawk with a 7.5" barrel and
I have pretty much narrowed it down my next to either a nickel model 29 Classic Series with
a 4" barrel or a Stainless model 629 with a 4" barrel.

I love the look of the Classic with the bright nickel but I think the Stainless will be tougher.

Sombody convince me one way or the other.
What are the benefits and disadvantages of each model?
Also, these are going to be purchased new and for replacement grip purposes are these both round butt revolvers?

dawico , got me looking at the snubbie models, mmmh. I am adding the S&W 629 2 5/8" Performance Center model and the S&W 629 Talo Deluxe 3" model.

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The bright Nickle looks good NOW...

But It limits you to certain cleaning products and methods. Plus, even a well cared for Nickel gun will start to go eventually. The stainless is more durable long-term.

I vote Stainless 629.
 
I voted "something else".

It should be one of the new Classic Model 29's in blue steel.

Guns (especially S&W revolvers) are supposed to be blue steel and wood. It's the law. It says so somewhere, I just can't find it right now.
 
I have a 4" 629 (stainless) that I bought in the mid '90s but I'm going to suggest "other" in the form of the Ruger Redhawk KRH-444. I have a KRH-45-4 which is the .45 Colt version and it's one of my favorite revolvers. I plan on buying the .44 Mag version in the near future. My 629 is reserved for .44 Special duty these days since it's not the most robust of revolvers. I already had to send it to a gunsmith to be "fixed" and I don't plan on doing that again. Also, as a matter of personal preference, I don't like any form of internal lock on my firearms, so if S&W continues with this practice, Ruger (and others) will continue to get my business.

Here's my Redhawk and 629.

redhawk_45colt.jpg


S&W_629.jpg


:)
 
dawico you got me looking at the shorties.

I am now looking at the one you showed me and the talo deluxe edition.
I might be buying on of them!!
 
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My vote was for the 4" 629. It's a favorite hog/Whitetail gun.
I installed FO front sight and slicked the double action.
Chamber throats were too tight (.427") so were opened to .4305" to shoot cast, gas check lead.
It's a nice revolver.

629a.jpg

629.jpg
 
I realize it is merely a matter of personal preference, but I prefer stainless to plating. My 629 Mountain Gun had slightly tight chamber throats. I used the same .431” reamer I used on my Dan Wesson 744. That gun is super accurate, so I don’t anticipate any problems with opening up my 629. It also weighs 42 oz., so I have no burning desire for anything lighter in .44. My 5 ½” .44 Redhawk is 53.5 oz.
 
I just picked it up!! S&W m629-9 Deluxe Talo Edition (it says number 119 of 300)

I am going to the range on Monday to give it a whirl.
 
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I am a fan of 44 mags and IMHO the Ruger Redhawk is the "pick of the litter" and I have some particular reasons for that opinion. First, the rev is engineered to take the hotter 44 mag loads which adds to the flexibility of choice. If the shooter wants to shoot mild stuff it will certainly do that. However, if the shooter wants to shoot some of the ultra hot 44 mag stuff that is available on the market - the Redhawk will do that as well. I love my S&W 629 but it just won't perform like the Ruger.

5026.jpg
 
For the money of a new s&w try to pick up a Dan Wesson SS 44mag pistol pack. The pack will have several grips and front site blades ,4 barrels lenghts and a gun that S&W would hope to shoot with.
 
I voted other, and will cast my vote for Dan Wesson in a 44 pistol pack. It looks like its coming back! I had one in the 80's and loved it. If it sells here in CA I will be lining up to buy one myself. If this new offering is done as well as the one I had it should be great!:)
 
I voted "something else" because I was very fond indeed of my Ruger SRH. It initially had some issues with locking up (and when I say "initially" I mean "the first six rounds I tried to shoot) but they took good care of it and it was a great deal of fun to shoot as well as a good gun to take into the heavy brush of the Sam Houston National Forest when deer hunting.

I know there's lots of folks who do just fine with .44's in a snubbie, but to me that just sounds like asking for unnecessary pain. A little more (or a lot more) barrel will go a long way toward making your shots more accurate and the shooting process less painful.

Jan
 
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