Go West Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 I got the itch real bad for a S&W 629, but I'm having a hard time deciding on a 4 or 6 inch barrel length. This will be a fun gun so no concealed carry, no bears, etc. And no, I can't get one of each. I have both special and magnum brass and will do both. Maximum bullet weight will be 240 gr. Any preference as to balance, gun blast, etc.? or ? Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 6" OLG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rancho Roy Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 Take a hard look at the Model 69. Five shots on s smaller L frame. Easier to carry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Harley, #14153 Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 6”. With concealment and speed not being issues, I just like how the longer barrel feels with the 44s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. James H. Callahan Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 Mine is a 6. Wouldn't trade it for a 4. Always wanted a 6 1/2 blue "Dirty Harry". Buddy of mine used to have one, I was quite jealous. When I bought my 629 many moons ago a Dirty Harry was REALLY $$$$$ IF you could find one. I bought mine when they first came out, couldn't resist the SS. Buddy of mine shot a cylinderful and came back shaking his head sadly. "Gotta have one" JHC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twelve mile REB Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 Mine is also a 6" wonderful gun I just don't shoot it enough. Owned and played with it since the late 80's a nice accurate, smooth pistol great for varmints and targets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 For thet model, a 6 inch is the minimum as far as I'm concerned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 See if you can find a 629 Mountain Gun with 4" bbl. It's by far my favorite S&W 44 mag. OLG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Three Foot Johnson Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 I've had this one for over 20 years, and can't remember the last time it was out of the box... a dozen years, at least. It might be for sale... 6", 629, P&R, no dash. No papers, and I doubt I have any correct N-Frame grips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbilly Drifter Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 sold the last one I had recently. don't really miss it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkansas Jim 107095 Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 I have the 4” Mountain gun. I really like it. Have had several 44’s over the years, it’s my favorite. Carry and shoot it a good bit. I think it’s fun to shoot JB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 You didn’t mention hunting, only fun. I would go 4”. Better balance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Rick Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 Aesthetically, I prefer the four inch barrel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassnetguy50 Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 6” More weight, more velocity, longer sight radius, more comfortable in the hand under recoil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Brules Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 It’s a .44 Magnum..... regardless of what you’re saying now, it likely will wind up being the weapon you go to in a crisis situation. But, even if it’s not.... You’re not likely to be shooting it regularly at targets after familiarizing yourself with it, because of ammo costs, the noise and the tremendous recoil. In the field, ease of handling and carry is a big consideration. “Quick deployment” is a big factor. — Ambush, either by bad guys at home or elsewhere in town, translates to “a close encounter”. — Ambush in the field by people or by large animals are “close encounters,” too.. Neither of these will likely require long distance shooting. All this comes down to “which barrel length?” I suggest, and I would buy, the 4” barrel length. However, YOU are buying the weapon. So, you can consider all the advice, then buy what you like. Cat Brules Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birdgun Quail, SASS #63663 Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 I have two S&W N-Frame revolvers similar to your desired 629 only in a different caliber; a S&W Model 625-9 "Mountain Gun" with a 4-inch barrel in .45 Colt and a S&W Model 25-5 "Target" with a 6-inch barrel also in .45 Colt. I love them both but as a personal preference, I prefer the longer 6-inch barrel. The 4-inch 625 I use shooting IDPC because a 6-inch barrel is not allowed in IDPC. Go West, if you will be shooting the 629 often, I suspect the vast majority of the time you'll be shooting .44 Special and only rarely .44 Magnum. When you do shoot .44 Magnum, you'll appreciate the greater weight of the 6-inch barrel. If you plan to shoot IDPC, you'll need the 4-inch barrel. So, my recommendation is get the barrel length that "cranks your tractor" the most. If you ever decide to seek a political office, I'll also be happy to advise you on how to give wishy-washy, politically neutral answers. Such as, "What's your favorite color?" "Plaid." S&W Model 625-9 "Mountain Gun" in .45 Colt S&W Model 25-5 "Target" in .45 Colt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullett Sass 19707 Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 I have a 4 inch nickel plated M 29, great gun. I have never fired one round of 44spl in it. I fired my 500 th round through it Sunday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
largo casey #19191 Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 I have a M 544 in 44/40 Sweet shooter. Largo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLACKFOOT SASS #11947 Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 I know you didn't ask about a longer one but I like the real McCoy, Dirty Harry 8 3/8". Blackfoot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpo Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 31 minutes ago, largo casey #19191 said: I have a M 544 in 44/40 Sweet shooter. Largo Ain't it just. And 5" is the perfect size for an N frame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Go West Posted October 25, 2019 Author Share Posted October 25, 2019 8 3/8 is a bit long for my tastes. Longest barrel I've had is a 6. I can get a 6 incher for less than the 4, my guess is the demand is higher for the shorter barrel. Getting hard sitting on this fence. At the moment, I'm leaning towards the 4. Thanks for all the input. If you have more, please post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 Go West, I saw a few .44s at the Tucson Gun Show today. There was a 5" full lugged barrel 629 for about $600. Looked about like my 625. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chili Ron Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 Howdy, Another suggestion is the 625 45 acp with 5 inch barrel. So easy to shoot and wide available ammo too. Full moon clips make fast reloads. BUT to answer your 4 or 6 question, Id go 4 because you could carry it if you wanted someday down the road. And my guess is the specials will be shot more than those tiring 44 mags. However there are no losers being considered pard. Best CR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailrider #896 Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 An N-frame Smith is not the gun of choice for concealed carry. So, if you contemplate ever using it for self-defense, a 4-inch tube is probably quicker to get into action. OTOH, I doubt you would want to use full-power .44 Mangle-em loads. (I have only known one individual who could shoot full-power loads double-action and hold the gun relatively level in the process. He was a deputy sheriff in west-suburban Illinois, and he had wrists about as big around as my calfs! IIRC, his N-frame had a 6-inch tube. For full-power loads or anything approaching them, I would prefer longer barrels. Of course, I have never owned or shot a double-action .44 Maggie, only Ruger single-actions. For hot loads, I prefer the longer barrels, or at least nothing shorter than 5-1/2". Of course, ideally, you should try one of each. However, I doubt you'd find a 29 or 629 in each length just floating around shooting ranges. Best of luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Go West Posted October 27, 2019 Author Share Posted October 27, 2019 My excuse for the .44 magnum is that I have a lot of brass and bullets and dies in that caliber. If I sell those off, I have an even weaker excuse to buy that caliber. I sold off two Ruger bisleys in .44 magnum years ago with 4 5/8 & 5 1/2 barrels. The shorter one was quite fun with full loads. I'd consider the S&W an item on my bucket list since I never had that model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chantry Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 Split the difference and buy a Ruger Redhawk with the 5 1/2" barrel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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