S&W .44 mags?

[Eric2340]

Which is more desirable in a S&W .44 mag, the 5" or the 6" barrel?

I'm guessing the 6" might be better for a mini red dot scope? or will one fit on the 5" too?


Do these come in both a square butt and round butt like K frames do?


Leaning towards the 5", I think it just looks a little cooler and maybe a little "handier", but big old 6" sure is a beautiful monster too!

Don't like the 8", too long for my taste.


Thanks -

Eric

[NDGlock]

5 inch. I wish Ruger would make their SRH in 5 inch.

I'm thinking of getting mine cut down to that length for handiness.

[69HEMI-R/T]

Desirable ? That is your decision. Rarity, well, the 5" is probably rarer. The 6" models are nice shooters and I am sure the 5" bbl. models are too, although I have never shot one. I personally prefer the 4" models but beware of the muzzle blast!
I do have a Model 29-2 with an 8 3/8" bbl. and it is a sweet shooter! Probably my favorite to shoot. Not my favorite to carry , though.

[sigcalcatrant]

Which is more desirable in a S&W .44 mag, the 5" or the 6" barrel?

I'm guessing the 6" might be better for a mini red dot scope? or will one fit on the 5" too?


Do these come in both a square butt and round butt like K frames do?


Leaning towards the 5", I think it just looks a little cooler and maybe a little "handier", but big old 6" sure is a beautiful monster too!

Don't like the 8", too long for my taste.


Thanks -

EricThere's a lot more to it than that.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&categoryId=15706&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15703&top_category=15703

[Eric2340]

There's a lot more to it than that.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&categoryId=15706&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15703&top_category=15703



Yeah, I had already ran through that. I guess I am leaning more towards the 629 line, I know I want SS, I know I want a full lug barrel.

I guess my big things were I wanted a round butt one if it's an option like it is on some of the smaller smiths, and just some feed back on the 5" vs the 6".

I think both look cool, but again, I am still leaning towards the 5".

That, and I wondered how bad the muzzle blast is on the 5", I mean I KNOW it's a .44 and I know that 1" is not going to make THAT much of a difference. I just don't want to spend $700 on a revolver that is not fun to shoot if the 6" is that much more pleasant to shoot than the 5". If it dosn't really matter, then it just comes down to which looks cooler. :)

[hogship]

Which is more desirable in a S&W .44 mag, the 5" or the 6" barrel?

I'm guessing the 6" might be better for a mini red dot scope? or will one fit on the 5" too?


Do these come in both a square butt and round butt like K frames do?


Leaning towards the 5", I think it just looks a little cooler and maybe a little "handier", but big old 6" sure is a beautiful monster too!

Don't like the 8", too long for my taste.


Thanks -

Eric



Strictly for desirability, I'd say the 5" barrel would be more desirable. For the purposes of installing a red dot sight, it's a toss-up......neither will have any advantage. For hunting, the longer barrels will milk more energy out of the bullet.

Back in the 1980's, I had a model 629 with an 8 3/8" barrel and one of the original Aimpoint scopes on it. (The one with the lens about the size of a dime, and the body about the size of a large potato!) My purpose was strictly hunting, so it was a great combination. My groups at 100yds were about the size of a baseball......nice!

hog

[sigcalcatrant]

I'm pretty sure the ones with full under lug, Classic Series, are all round butt, not optional.

[machinisttx]

Round butt 44 magnum = bleh

Less control during recoil.

[AustinTx]

I believe sigcalcatrant is right. The large square butt is no longer available, unless it's a special order, maybe.
At

[Glolt20-91]

As far as I know, the N frames are square butt. I only handload the .44mag, AA #9 will soften things up a bit w/o losing much on the top end, works better in the 4" barrel as does Lil'Gun and N110.

For the 6.5" barrels, W296/H110 will give top end velocities.

Aimpoing 9000L on the M629 Classic, still doing the testing stage to keep on the mag or changeover to an AR platform. Wiegard base, Burris XTR rings. Aimpoing is 2x with 1moa.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o144/aztrekker/At%20the%20range/SW44mag005.jpg

The Classic has 3moa groups with AA #9/Sierra 240gr JHC, all are very accurate. I prefer the 6.5" barrel over the 5", but then the 4" Mountain sees CCW time part of the year and the Classic in colder weather.

Bob :cowboy:

[AustinTx]

As far as I know, the N frames are square butt. I only handload the .44mag, AA #9 will soften things up a bit w/o losing much on the top end, works better in the 4" barrel as does Lil'Gun and N110.

For the 6.5" barrels, W296/H110 will give top end velocities.

Aimpoing 9000L on the M629 Classic, still doing the testing stage to keep on the mag or changeover to an AR platform. Wiegard base, Burris XTR rings. Aimpoing is 2x with 1moa.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o144/aztrekker/At%20the%20range/SW44mag005.jpg

The Classic has 3moa groups with AA #9/Sierra 240gr JHC, all are very accurate. I prefer the 6.5" barrel over the 5", but then the 4" Mountain sees CCW time part of the year and the Classic in colder weather.

Bob :cowboy:

I bought a 629 Classic about 3 weeks before S&W comitted suicide and all that was available was round grip. They dropped the large square butt about the same time they started shipping with a rubber Hogue Grip.
At

[sfguard]

Anything 44mag with a barrel length longer than 2" is made for little girls to shoot.

[AustinTx]

Anything 44mag with a barrel length longer than 2" is made for little girls to shoot.


Where did this come from and why?
At

[tous]

Any of them.
All of them.

I am honored to own three of the things and that's far too few.

With the proper grips (I favor Miculek grips on my big boys) and the proper grip, shooting large-caliber revolvers is not unpleasant. Just be aware that it is a different technique than shooing a 9mm.

They make a most satisfying boom. :supergrin:

Ammunition is expensive. If you like .44 Remington Magnums and you only handload one cartridge, this would be the one.

[sfguard]

Where did this come from and why?
At


It's a recoil junkie thing

[pogo2]

I have a 629 Classic with 5 inch barrel and the frame is round butt. The rubber grip it came with sort of converts it to a square butt, but I have looked under the grip to make sure - round butt. It is a 1990s gun without a lock.

The 5 inch barrel is a nice length - sort of a compromise between 4 and 6 inches. 1911s also have a 5 inch barrel.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o25/pogo2/013.jpg

[Glolt20-91]

I bought a 629 Classic about 3 weeks before S&W comitted suicide and all that was available was round grip. They dropped the large square butt about the same time they started shipping with a rubber Hogue Grip.
At

All I can say is the M629 Classic in the pic is square butt, also comes with target trigger and target hammer. :)

From Davidson's

Item # 163638 MSRP $1,019.00
Mfg Smith & Wesson Your Price: $849.59
Model Model 629 Classic Sale Ends:
Type Revolver Quantity: 2
Caliber: 44M Finish Satin Stainless Finish
Additional Specifications
Action: Double Action
Stock: Hogue Rubber Combat
Capacity: 6
Sights: Front: Interchangeable Rear: White Outline
Barrel Length: 6 1/2"
Overall Length: 12"
Weight: 49.5 oz
Additional Features 1: Square Butt, Target Hammer, Smooth Target Trigger
Additional Features 2: Full Lug, Drilled and Tapped

Bob :cowboy:

[carbofan21]

simple solution

ruger redhawk 5.5" barrel

[pogo2]

All I can say is the M629 Classic in the pic is square butt, also comes with target trigger and target hammer.
Additional Features 1: Square Butt, Target Hammer, Smooth Target Trigger
Additional Features 2: Full Lug, Drilled and Tapped

Bob: I think the term "Additional Features" means an option that is not standard, but is added on to a particular gun. While the Davidson's gun you cited may have a square butt, I know that mine has a round butt because I removed the grips and looked at it.

[bac1023]

I prefer the 5" 629 and the 6.5" 29.

[Agent6-3/8]

To echo others, square butt S&W's are long gone with a few exception in the heritage series or what ever they call it. Personally, I wish S&W would go back to square butts. Round butts are great for women, but suck when it comes to revolvers...

[Bren]

I'd rather have the 5". I have the 8 3/8 now, but it's a lot to carry around (although it is 100 yard acccurate without much trouble).

[HiVelSword]

I prefer the 5" 629 and the 6.5" 29.

Ding! Those are the only two other S&W .44 mag revolvers I want!

I'd have to pick up a Cattle Baron shoulder rig for the 29 though. :supergrin:

They still make em'?

[AustinTx]

Bob: I think the term "Additional Features" means an option that is not standard, but is added on to a particular gun. While the Davidson's gun you cited may have a square butt, I know that mine has a round butt because I removed the grips and looked at it.


pogo2, I believe has the correct take on this. When I bought my 629, I don't think that it was offered with a 5" barrel. I thought mine is 61/2". It looks just like the one, in the photo.

I suspect that these 5" barrel guns were a special run for Davidson's. Maybe not. It sure looks good.
At

[machinisttx]

To echo others, square butt S&W's are long gone with a few exception in the heritage series or what ever they call it. Personally, I wish S&W would go back to square butts. Round butts are great for women, but suck when it comes to revolvers...

Round butt revolvers are great for carrying, just not so great for shooting.

Square butt revolvers aren't gone, they're just not commonly made anymore. Easy to find on the used market.

[krl45]

What about an 8 3/8 inch barrel?
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s174/randy4523/DSC00002.jpg

[bhk]

All Smiths (except some possibly in the retro classic line) are now produced only with round butts. It gets confusing because some are sold with 'round-to-square' conversion grips, making them appear to be square butts. Replace these grips with round butt versions and viola, you have a round butt gun!

[just for fun]

With a S&W you can't go wrong. To my way of thinking it's the finest handgun made, bar none. But that's why the build Fords and Chevies! Ive got a 629 Classic deluxe with a 61/2 inch barrel. Bought it new in 1991. That thing is a one handed rifle! Under 50 yards, you almost have to try to miss! Has rounded grips and except for being a little nose heavy it's one of my best handling guns I own. With the exception of my Kimber 1911, every other handgun that I have handled comes up short. Must admit that I have never shot or handled a 5 inch, but sure would like to! That noseheavy that I mentioned,sure is nice with full house reloads! That would be my one concern with the 5 inch.