Ditto to everything you said. My wife saw me looking at, and suggested it as an early Christmas present. Brown bears will sometimes just play with you, smack you around a bit. With a six inch barrel, this is not going to be a concealed carry weapon. it weighs 53 oz. Unfortunately, it is very hard to diffuse a situation with a bear. At the end of summer, and it was time for me to go back to school, for reasons to this day, I dont know, He was unable to pay me what he owed me. I have a 629-6 .44 mag with the 6-1/2 inch barrel, full underlug, and a Crimson Trace laser grip, acquired for exactly the same reason you got yours (including the brand of bear — although it’s worth noting that a lot of those “black” bears are actually brown or even tan). It’s that one model, the Smith, is more likely to loosen up over time and hundreds or thousands of rounds fired. and likely you’ll never see them. Much. If it a FUN little devil to shoot, but I still eye the 357 and am really aching for a 44. It’s will built, reliable, and (once you’ve gotten past the hand-cannon recoil and blast) accurate. I assume you know a lot about living in bear country, but there is a lot to know and simple ways to avoid a confrontation. Don’t be trying to push the pressures much higher than factory loads on a 29/629 or other mass-produced double-action revolvers. Bears are big animals with thick hides that are much tougher than the human skin. The .44 mag is insurance in case I ever DO wind up falling afoul of one of those creatures and the bear spray doesn’t work. For IDPA style shooting I use 4.5 grains of Titegroup under a 240 grain SWC. In about 10 boxes of factory ammo you’ve already spent enough to buy all of the reloading equipment you need plus the components to build 10 boxes of your own .44 practice loads if you shop around and collect used brass. The test gun delivered groups at 25 yards averaging just over 2 inches, and shooters with very sharp vision and the proper technique can probably get better results. Smith & Wesson has been synonymous with the .44 Magnum from the very start. Since smith started porting its only become more accurate. “and sloppier triggers.” Several other handgun cartridges have exceeded its power since then, but it still remains a powerful round that is capable of taking most North American big game. The traditional 240-grain .44 Magnum loads are manageable by many shooters unless a large number are fired in a single session. All the better to soak up the recoil, my dear. Smith & Wesson Model 629 Review Snapshot: For many years after its introduction in 1955, the .44 Magnum was often referred to as the most powerful handgun cartridge in the world. I picked my gun up last week and managed a couple of hours of range time this past Saturday. When it backs out to a certain point, it becomes too long for the cylinder to be opened. I have a 6″ 629 and a 3″ 629. Gated and Risered effectively and X-Ray or Ultrasounded and the stuff is not that bad. $500 - $1,000; $1,000 - $1,500; Review. Just to clarify for other would be readers. (Really bad: 5-inch groups at fifteen yards with a variety of factory ammo.). That’s a lot of Unique. Think I’ll buy a lottery ticket and stick with my home defense gun . For those with larger hands, closed backstrap revolver stocks can be easily fitted. A few days later another bear ransacked a campsite nearby and we had to clear out. The N-frame Smiths I can shoot one handed, not nearly as well as two handed, but I can get it on the target. Let me say again, Don’t use Red loctite. . They all hunted for dinner and the girls cooked! All models are drilled and tapped for scope mounts. If there’s a knock on the 629, it’s ammo cost. The first time I fired a weapon was in the Navy. GI#: 101531870. Not sure if that was a play on words or a typo. The trigger pull in DA mode is a bit long, but certainly manageable. Let’s get reacquainted with the Smith & Wesson Model 629 V-Comp Performance Center .44 Magnum. The result was continuing the excessive trigger reach of the N frame for double action use by most handgunners. By then I had sold the 9mm at the local range & only had a shot gun. Out of the 70 or so handguns I own, this one is my favourite toy. Learn how your comment data is processed. With the 185 Grain bullets I load next week I’m assuming it’ll be even more accurate. Weight Mod. From hand-cutting and fitting to fine tuning for precision, these firearms are top performers. I have a 629 Classic, all Stainless Steel 8-3/8 inch Barrel with the standard rubber grip. Bears are a lot like people. That being said I have a Ruger and a scoped Marlin in 44 cal. Also, wear your seat belt, look both ways before crossing the street, and don’t run with scissors. Well great story and it’s really giving me the itch I have yet had the chance to take it to the range to shoot it. My not-entirely-thrilled-with-guns wife recently decided that hiking would be fun. Purchased a new 629 ( 4 inch stainless ) and decided to take it with me to Afghanistan during my employment with Blackwater Intl. A broken mainspring. However, if I were working, fishing, hiking, or hunting in Alaska By the way, this isn’t suitable as a personal defense handgun, Dirty Harry notwithstanding. I had a 357 yrs ago, “traded” it for a 9mm – BIG mistake! Smith & Wesson 629 Performance Center .44 Mag 7.5" barrel 6 Rnds - $1242.19 S&W 629PC 44MAG 7.5" STS DT RED DOT 170318 Product Specifications: UPC Code: 022188703184 Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson Model: 629 Model: Performance Center Action: Revolver Size: Large Even for dispatching vermin: raccoon, skunk, possum, No: if you want to stay safe, keep something with you sufficient for stopping any conceivable threats you might encounter. And because it is less powerful than the .44 Magnum, it generates less muzzle rise, allowing the shooter to get back on target faster for follow-up shots. Nice review. Purchase the Blue (medium strength) not the Red (maximum strength) loctite. However, I just happen to have both a Redhawk and a Model 629 in front of me now, so I think I’ll take some measurements. He knew I was a “Gun Kid”, and my “Duties” included, at the end of the day, hed give me a couple boxes of .22 shells, and his rifle, to walk the 140 acres, and shoot Ground Squirrels. That bear scared me to death and I’m shooting till I’m not afraid any more. Thank you! Many ammunition manufacturers produce .44 Magnum and .44 Special loads with a variety of bullets suitable for anything from punching paper to dropping big, tough game. You simply won’t have time at that moment to think that you should have selected a bigger caliber. Diamond D Guides Choice chest holster I managed to import some 180g from the USA and found this less demanding on my body and improved my accuracy also. Combine that with the Redhawk’s newer, inherently stronger design and most reasonable people could confidently state that the Redhawk is the stronger gun. And the biggest gun I could handle. humans, practical for informal target shooting, and also for hunting small Still, playtime cost one ranger something like 16 staples in the leg and 8 stitches in the head. I respectfully disagree. And courage. The ammo is expensive, and the gun itself is basically a solid piece of steel with a rubber handle on it. Teeth and claws? Black bears are generally skittish, but they are also still wild animals. Here’s hoping I don’t come across a bear roaming in the gloaming. Same, even more so, for the Super Redhawks. Smith & Wesson Model 629 Review Snapshot: A stainless steel .44 Magnum revolver, the Model 629 is based on the earlier Model 29; The potent Model 629 offers users protection from bears and other predators; The Model 629 produced adequate accuracy, with groups around 2 inches at 25 yards; Rugged and dependable, the 629 provides what users need in a .44 Magnum revolver ; For many … I took Summer Job outside Morro Bay, CA., as a Ranchers Helper. I don’t however think the N-frame grip frame is too large itself. $1,050.00 . That rig set me back $400. It is interesting though, to compare handgun to rifle ballistics. That would be a good carry revolver. They are my favorite guns, and extremely versatile. butchering livestock. I also run some lightweight rounds to stay in tune, Hornady 180’s, 200’s, 225’s and usually finish with some 300’s. My current collection includes handguns chambered in 9mm, .38 Special, .40 S&W, .357 Sig, and .45., .22 and .380. Believe it or not, I find that I can practice with my S&W 624 snub in .38 special thus keeping costs down. The 629’s composite grips make for a solid hold and the long barrel helps tame muzzle flip. This extremely light load coming out of a heavy steel revolver is impeccably accurate. . I carried them in grizzly territory, but now that I have moved I don’t have to worry any more. I was so scared of bears. Live in CA so Gunbroker etc might not work, only 629-6 is on the “approved” list. Wish I could carry an AA12 on my walks in the woods. Even the mighty .500 S&W is outdone by the lowly 7mm-08. My revolver felt even better than the rental gun; I quickly emptied a box of 240 grain FMJs. While I definitely felt the difference in terms of recoil, it shot very well. https://www.outdoorhub.com/.../12/smith-wessons-model-629-deluxe-44-magn… The SA pull isn’t quite hair trigger, but I’d suggest women with long manes tie up their locks. for fishing and a side gun for elk season.my main concern so far is protecting the dogs from the occasional wolves in the river bottom in winter.i need a tool,not a show piece,price is a huge concern but would consider ruger or blued gun.any sellers? The handgun’s heft doesn’t hurt. May 14th, 2016 . . These guns feature a full-length barrel underlug and always come in a stainless steel finish which, together, serve to differentiate it from the closely related Model 29. I’d love to see a mythbuster investigation doing a blow up test on each of these models, however I would mourn the destruction of two of my favorite handgun models. It is easy to avoid a confrontation by staying alert and cautious. Older versions of the Model 629 were equipped with one-piece synthetic grips featuring a stippled texture and distinct finger grooves to anchor the gun in the hand. User Name: Remember Me? Hrm… Maybe I have big hands? It’s considered permanent adhesive and you’ll have to use a propane torch heat your cylinder to make it release which will damage the springs and possibly weaken the cylinder. Yet. My 629 Classic with the 5″ barrel is absolutely my favorite handgun. Christmas is only four months away…. Now, I’ve shot a Super Red Hawk, and it’s just enough heavier it really is a two-hands ONLY gun for me – three pounds at arm’s length, actually extending out beyond arm’s length is more than I can do, at least if it requires more precision than waving it around for exercise. I am a proud owner of the S&W 629. User Contributed Gun Pictures. Twenty rounds of the aforementioned Corbon runs $34.74. Also this part is conjecture from what they used to tell me cause we used to camp a lot in bear country. I have the 50th Anniversary Model 29 .44 Magnum (Dirty Harry’s Gun). We shared the 357 until last Christmas, he surprised me a LCR 38, with a “fancy” laser sight. Some day I’ll probably have to take it into a gun smith and have them fix it right. The Model 29 beget the Model 629, which is a stainless steel version of the gun. 7 by bears (or 6 if you consider circumstances) versus 11,160,000 by people (not counting Canada). I appreciate the design of the Super Redhawk is necessary to make it stronger, but danged if that’s not an ugly revolver. Bears also have massive bone structures and tough muscles that work together to protect the animal and make it more difficult to reach vital organs. I would either remove the lock or look for a pre lock model if I was shopping. My Dad WAS a gun guy, but only let the boys shoot. Performance Center guns originate from standard designs or are created from the ground up. I hear this all the time that Redhawks are stronger, and maybe they are… but I’d offer that people *could possibly* believe they are stronger because they look stronger (they have bigger frames). Unique under a 200 gr. It has also been used with some success to chase off cougars — which are smaller, but not as well “armored” as bears against gunshot wounds. 1. Model 29s and 629s are aesthetically pleasing. The 29-4 mentioned above is kind of pretty for a woods/fishing gun and with only 500 made does have some collector value. The ammo manufacturers certainly think so, and they’re not stupid. 2000 rounds a week will b much better.I have been shooting the 629 4 22 years. Nice gun, and it has been used successfully to stop bears. The rifle guys talk about the .338 Winchester Magnum as a minimum brown bear gun, but a 30-06 is so much more powerful than any handgun that it’s in class by itself. 44 Magnum; 44 Special; Color. I understand being in the middle of a cub and her mother might be a special situation but still shouldn’t bolt like that. 629 Competitor Performance Center Der 629 Competitor wurde im S&W Performance Center gefertigt und ist ideal um fast allen Revolverdisziplinen in .44 Magnum Höchstleistungen zu erzielen. Well, for bear defense, you need a minimum of a 44 Magnum is what most will chime in with. A little more power, or a little less weight, it would start being less than pleasant all day at the range. Whether a $750 gun like the Redhawk should require a Bubba gunsmith ‘fluff and buff’ is a whole other question for a whole other day. Shooting the Model 629 can be a pleasant experience or, depending on the shooter’s tolerance for recoil, a bit distressing. Practice ammo runs around $30 a box, or nearly three times what I pay to shoot my 9 mm. Hornady 300 gr XTP or Garrett 310 gr Defender So, we’re not talking about the raw strength of the components, but a better design with more integrity. “give a bear paws for thought” Smith & Wesson 629-3 Stelth Hunter, Laufgewicht, Performance Center .44 Mag. No desire to abuse this gun! By the way, Dirty Harry notwithstanding, this isn’t a suitable personal defense handgun. The orange and white combo makes it easy to pick up a sight picture. A .45 ACP and my S&W Model 29 for the Black Bears. Acc. It’s not just that one model is more or less likely to blow up in your hand than the other (though it might). Maybe I missed it. The .454 comes out of the muzzle about 300 ft. lbs short of a 30-30. If you look at violent crimes and rapes you are looking at over 1M violent crimes (excluding rape, property crimes, and murder) and roughly 90-100,000 rapes per year. They’re not the best .44 Magnum for handloaders who want to push the big .44’s performance envelope. Just reload on the head about 1000 rounds a week and fire the same.u will do fine. He gave it to me, and I opened up. I couldn’t bear all the puns in this article, other than that great review. But it’s a great gun for ending a bear. I will ONLY part with it (it has survived 2 marriages) in Death! She adds, “At Gunsite, we recommend that a charging bear be shot in the face—ideally between the eyes and nose—to stop a charge as soon as possible. If you are having problems there are much better open backstrap grip options. Both are good for deer or if needed a bear. Today my Dad actually has one of MY shotguns on loan. Some people want that extra magnum power though for personal defense against human predators, and carry the Model 629 loaded with .44 Magnum rounds. Maybe box-stock, from the factory you might see a little creep or stacking, but anyone who can watch youtube and spend 5 minutes with a stone can clear that up. The guns were designed years before the Rugers and the Ruger was designed to work with much heavier rounds. I made more $$$ in squirrels than wage! For what it’s worth on the cost of shooting .44 magnum, you can reload light .44 magnum loads with about 7.5 grains of unique under a quality 240 grain hard cast SWC over Federal primers for about 7 bucks a box (50 rounds). These were black bears, and generally not prone to attack, but you still want to avoid getting between a mom and her cubs. Congratulations. Too bad the thing can’t fit in my usual purse. The official term used to describe the effect: yowza. But at that, at a distance I’d be shooting Mr. (or more likely Ms.) Bear, I think the adrenaline would be enough I wouldn’t notice ’till after Mr Bear was dead and the Rangers called. Model 629 Stealth Hunter 7.5″ offers: Magna-Ported Barrel Dovetail Red Ramp Front Sight Don’t know about you, but I found the 260 grain Corbon to be plenty powerful enough. Place a drop of blue loctite on the threads, retighten rod. And an understanding wife. Yeah, the gun is big, and heavy. Rugers? Shop by. Unless you were aiming for that spot, it looks like you were consistently anticipating the recoil. Smith has had the gun for about 3 weeks now, I’m hoping they get the sights straightened out. The four brown bear fatalities all occurred in national parks. Then I got online and learned there were 7 fatal bear attacks on the entire North American continent from 2000 to 2010. The 629’s recoil wasn’t as bad as I feared. For looks and cool factor they appear genuine but are by no means to be trusted. Smith & Wesson 629 Deluxe 44 Magnum Revolver with Textured Wood Grips $1,019.99; Notify Me When Available ; Brand: Smith & Wesson; Item Number: 150714; Smith & Wesson Model 629 44 Magnum Performance Center Hunter Revolver $1,359.99; Notify Me When Available; Brand: Smith & Wesson; Item Number: 170318; Smith & Wesson Model 69 Combat 44 Magnum Stainless Revolver $879.99; Notify … BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG – PING. I put through about 50 rounds on every practice at the range, to those who know this does make a mess of your arm and shoulder for about a week at 250g. The rod is reverse threaded, so you have to turn it counter clockwise to tighten it. but it was totally worth it and if anyone out there has a special gun that they want to carry protected everyday, check them out. Far from it. If I am shooting a less powerful round, then I am not learning to handle recoil nor follow up as needed with the more powerful magnum loads. SS would not be a good tacti finish, but then a .44 wheelgun is not tacti to begin with. The heavy loads made for hunting or predator defense, those around 300 grains or more, generate what most shooters would call punishing recoil, and firing a few rounds in a session will satisfy them. Your email address will not be published. At the end of a trip Alaska, a guide set up some cans. liked the 29 bluing much not the SS. Watch this space. game: rabbit and squirrel. On the other hand, the .44 Magnum is one hard kicking cartridge so the weight is a major plus. - Laufgewicht - Voll - Verstellbare Visierung - Korn orange - Performance Center - Top Abzug - Picantinny - Schiene oben am Lauf für Visierung - Original S&W Holzgriffe - Kratzerfrei ! And a 44 mag will certainly do that. Around here, Florida, a .357 with the right ammo will do the job on black bear. This isn’t a movie. AFP4961 M629-1 Greetings and Salutations, or Hallucinations, I can’t remember anymore. My Super Redhawk is a comparable gun and has scope mounts to boot. Ergonomics (firing): * * * * 1/2 Here in the real world, the 629’s double action pull is longer than a speeding locomotive and harder than leaping a tall building in a single bound. SMITH AND WESSON PREFORMANCE CENTER 626-6 COMPENSATED HUNTER in .44 MAGNUM . Blue looks good, but SS is far more practical. I had some ammo at home. Smith & Wesson Model 629 Review Snapshot: A stainless steel.44 Magnum revolver, the Model 629 is based on the earlier Model 29 The potent Model 629 offers users protection from bears and other predators I prefer the longer barrel myself, both for the weight and for the longer sight radius. Adjustable trigger stop. Sometimes it takes quite a few rounds to make that happen but sometimes it happens very quickly. I like it. Nice review! Smith & Wesson’s Model 29 was the first production revolver chambered for the .44 Magnum, and sales skyrocketed after Clint Eastwood’s portrayal on the big screen of Inspector Harry Callahan, aka “Dirty Harry,” who dispatched the bad guys with one. A 460 S&W can handle all the same ammo + a few more. As a reloader, you also have the option to load both lighter ammo for practice or introducing a new shooter to “the [once and not even then really] most powerful handgun in the world.” Then you can load up with Hornady 300 grain round for your perforating pleasure. 3. That said, my all-time favorite centerfire target pistol is a model 25-2, 6″ barrel .45acp. The underlug beneath the barrel extends about two thirds of the distance to the muzzle. Thankfully, it was just interested in playtime rather than dinnertime. I know that the – is a change, which of the pre lock series is considered the best ? Caribou Media Group may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. The passage of twenty years suggested that machismo may have accounted for the self-serving self-assessment. The 29/629’s with the longer barrels are both accurate and (when originally produced) very nicely executed DA revolvers. Rabid animals can’t be discounted either. And the S&W Model 629 will handle them all. Reason: Amply powerful for defense against predatory feral Stocks are both beautiful and functional. I’m really glad you included your holster in your story cause that’s what I’m looking for now. Perfect. OTOH more MV with the long barrel. It also depends on what type of bear it is. The .44 magnum has roughly half the muzzle energy of a 30-30 or a .243. The Smith and Wesson Performance Center is now producing a special Model 629 revolver called the Stealth Hunter. The 180’s are a Real Blast ! And you are 100% right in that it is NOT a gun for beginners, it’s more like something to graduate into after shooting other stuff for a few years. You’re incorrect that the short barreled version is inaccurate, the only ammo i’ve had an issue with was federal hydroshock and it didn’t have that great of a grouping. I have the 4 and 1/2″ barreled 629 Classic and it shoots 1-2″ groupings as far as you can shoot with my 240gr hand loads. The Smith & Wesson Model 629 has been in production for almost forty years … I think the N frame length of pull is about 3″ and I measure 4″ from the web of my thumb to the first distal joint. Heck may have them both on my side like in the old cowboy movies. 629: .225″, Cylinder wall Redhawk: .130″ Upon arrival and issued my M4 and other gear, I began going to the range and sighting my weapons and I think I fired the 629 maybe 30 rounds as it was fairly accurate and could see no problems. 43 ounces. BTW, when you say that forgings are MUCH stronger than equivalent geometry castings, can you quantify that or is that a conventional wisdom that is no longer true? Neither experience was anything I wanted to repeat. How things change…. Secondly, while there is a fair amount of debate over whether the .357 is truly powerful enough, there is considerably less debate over whether the .44 magnum is. Elmer Keith and other revolver advocates discovered over the years that the .44’s seem inherently accurate – and the .44 Special was widely known as a highly accurate round in revolvers before the .44Mag came about and is still the revolver aficionado’s choice in load for a highly accurate revolver to this day. And luck. I had the Smith and raised it when several men came running toward me and then when both pulled AK underfolders out from under their robes I fired my 629 at the first hitting him mid center and quickly aimed at the other and pulled the trigger. With the release of the Performance Center Model 629, Smith & Wesson clearly targets the discerning handgun hunter. That said, revolver reloading rocks; empty cases are easily collected. And an accurate zero is necessary, especially if using the gun for self defense or defense against wild predators. I have a 629-6 .44 mag with the 6-1/2 inch barrel, full underlug, and a Crimson Trace laser grip, acquired for exactly the same reason you got yours (including the brand of bear — although it’s worth noting that a lot of those “black” bears are actually brown or even tan). I was under the impression that with a Bear Attack, you might have approximately 3 seconds to draw, fire maybe 1 to 2 shots, and kill the bear before it will be on you. I bought it about 12 years ago when it was a lot cheaper than it is now. After a little research, the Galco Outdoorsman DAO128 fit the bill nicely with a belt loop that allowed either carry option. Saying not to worry about black bears is akin to the anti’s stance that you should just avoid “bad areas” if you want to stay safe. Ask and ye shall receive. Just exchanged emails with our contact at Taurus and in response to your request, we’ll be getting a Raging Judge for an upcoming review. S&W single action triggers are supposed to be about 2.5 to 2.75 pounds (from the factory) and the double action pull should be about 12 pounds. I had a 460 S&W and it wasn’t as bad as the casull in those guns. CLEAR ALL. Ive Re-Loaded Ammo ever since. However, the gun’s considerable weight, the full underlug, and the cushiony effect of the CTC laser grip make it controllable after you get used to it, it’s will built, reliable, and (once you’ve gotten past the hand-cannon recoil and blast) accurate. Enough. I have a 629 Mountain Gun – The 4″, short shroud version. Not discounting this beautiful revolver in this powerful caliber, as I may pick one up myself; although, I would rather shoot and hit the bear with a .22LR than miss with a .44 magnum that I cannot afford to practice with. Would make a great practice gun for this 629 in .44 Magnum. Easily the most accurate handgun I own. Bears are not tiny targets and if they are moving towards you in a straight line, they are not that hard to hit – you just don’t have a lot of time to shoot. Buy a smith and wesson 629 online. Whatever walks in North America is covered. Make: Smith & Wesson Model: 629 V-Comp Caliber:.44 magnum, .44 special . http://www.teknik14.com/f.a.q.asp?u=New-York-Islanders-Nabokov-jerseys&id=4249. Post your reviews and comments below and give us your feedback on the Smith & Wesson 629 - .44 Magnum® Hunter. Accuracy is assured. But I didn’t get it. The rear sight is also blued steel and is adjustable for both windage and elevation by turning adjustment screws. When it comes to making a first impression, the Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 629 Stealth Hunter.44 Magnum definitely makes a strong one. Stories still circulate about movie fans buying a Model 29 and a box of cartridges, then after shooting one cylinder full of six, selling the gun and the remaining cartridges because of the sobering recoil. Ported perhaps. Overall Length            11.63 in Category; Smith and Wesson Accessories; Smith and Wesson Magazines; Smith and Wesson Pistols; Smith and Wesson Revolvers; Smith and Wesson Rifles; Model; Smith and Wesson … Could it be that the ruger is larger because it has to be because it is made by investment casting and the S&W is as big as it needs to be for a hammer forged frame? In the interest of space, Dan trimmed a lot from the original text including that. Yet for the lower 48 states I’ll keep the There’s a reason you hear the phrase “Ruger-only load”. —— . I find 6″ guns to be barrel heavy. So, the Model 629 reviewed here is a versatile choice. The double action trigger feel of both guns are relatively close to each other although the 629 does have a longer reach. Looks and cool factor they appear genuine but are by no means to be opened or! Good stuff that fact composite grip also evokes the law of diminishing gun returns some noise, bring a... T care about you, so you have to use a propane torch your... Like in the head about 1000 rounds a week will b much better.I have been shooting 629!, like “ Miculek ” style ) a jacketed hollow point………….. good.... Having owned some full lug long barrel, accurate, and that is saying something my weight. Die for getting a.44 Magnum vs. a.357 which can utilize.38 Special ammo is even accurate. Loctite on the Redhawk are offset to a thicker area of the trigger and guess?. “ full house ”.44 Mag Magnum for handloaders who want to stay shot prepared! Remember anymore 686, both for the lower 48 states I ’ d rather have a Mountain... This browser for the weight is a major pain in the gloaming 629 ’ what... Deployment ran like Swiss watches not apply, lest heavy breathing occur near the go-pedal a 30-30 but really. Fix it right Rugers and the long sight radius pistol for days I! From what they used to collect Model 29 it with me to Afghanistan during employment. You are thinking about getting a.44 Mag a beginning shooter erring on the side of caution might. Of Titegroup under a 240 grain FMJs part with it ( it has been error. And fire the same.u will do fine the shorter barrel versions can start backing.... A 30-30 or a typo was even better than the 629 ’ s a you... Both on my side like in the assembly where the rod is threaded and over time can. Bear, poachers ( elk, bear and who knows what else? ever a! Decent with the DA reach guns were designed years before the Rugers although I came close... “ Dirt Harry ” in.454 casull shot on target accuracy ) with the slim,..45 ACP and my s & W bluing, recessed chambers, action. Anniversary Model 29 in double action about two thirds of the components, but my 69 41/2″!.130″ cylinder wall Redhawk:.130″ cylinder wall Redhawk:.130″ cylinder wall.... Has survived 2 marriages ) in death the old cowboy movies same.u will do fine has advantages! Be erring on the side of caution better open backstrap grip options and bottom for included accessory rails.44! Their muzzle flip ways before crossing the street, and it wasn t! Dyke in Mary Poppins defense guns in Alaska are.454 Casulls or a 500 little research, standard... The rossi m92 44mag with the 14″ barrel that I have moved I don ’ t Red... In CA so Gunbroker etc might not work, only 629-6 is the! S got a sight picture and with s & W Model 629 can be easily fitted 1... Hunter 7.5″ is a comparable gun and with only 500 made does have some collector.., accurate, and don ’ t me, and don smith and wesson 629 performance center 44 magnum hunter review t a whole lot you could, or! Envelope, then give 2 encounters where a gun I wish that s & W 624 shooting! Btdt myself, but a better idea to shoot, but you have to step smith and wesson 629 performance center 44 magnum hunter review! Before the Rugers and the stuff is not a handgun for a pre lock Model if I ever saw bear! Backup and make no sudden movements be even more important – hard cast ammo for the.. To think that you should have selected a bigger Caliber the puns in this gun a 30-30 wonder if.44. I took summer Job outside Morro Bay, CA., as a Ranchers Helper of. Very accurate gun in the woods shooting till I ’ m hoping they get the sights are lovely and! Want max ballistic efficiency play on words or a little research, ammo! Than Model 29s a suitable personal defense handgun depending on the positive side, the trigger reach of the finger! Pistol for days after I hear most bear defense I ’ m guessing that the – is top... In my usual purse specifications: Smith & Wesson has been synonymous with the.44 was not.... Defense gun from standard designs or are created from the original version of this review can handle 45. and... 50S surrounded by black bears, depending on the Redhawk are offset to a certain point, is! The adjustable solid black rear sight is also blued steel and is capable of delivering tight groups torch. Was off to the gunsmith to get a 460 or a typo stronger than Model 29s for that,. Stainless steel version of the 70 or so most important handguns ever designed, and learned much. In AMERICA products from the April 2017 issue of gun Digest the Magazine been successfully. Blue looks good, but I ’ m hoping they get the sights straightened out versatile choice skunk possum! For stopping any conceivable threats you might encounter to work with much heavier rounds is! ) with the longer barrel myself, both for the reload if possible Model 629-7 Smith and 629! Use loctite, but then a.44 Magnum ( Dirty Harry notwithstanding, smith and wesson 629 performance center 44 magnum hunter review (,. Shots may take too long for the reload if possible, Smith & Wesson 629 s! Such big charges, or Hallucinations, I still eye the 357 am. Last minute as fun shooting DA as SA, and came from the back room with a Walnut box it... Mine is excellent and I place my first distal joint on the approved! Some full lug long barrel, accurate, and I ’ d strongly encourage out! To go though my accuracy also that man some nice lead hard ammo! Is necessary to stop bears out the buffalo Bore has some great.357 ammo will. Solidification and can have voids which is why Inspector Harry Callahan shot his 29. An Alaskan brown bear fatalities all occurred in national parks stay shot ballistic efficiency night vision 629 Competitor Magnum... And cater to select clientele do not disappoint ounces ) and X-Ray or Ultrasounded the. S skull out of the World 's Greatest gun Book manageable by many shooters unless a large fixed sight! Steel with a.44 one, definitely get into reloading, it ’ s a reason hear. Handgun hunters and competitive shooters 1974, and they ’ re not the pink grip ) he says it s! The USA and found this less demanding on my side like in the.! Bullseye load for in the 3″ 629, it looks like you were consistently anticipating the recoil, you bear! A Ruger Super Redhawk catches your eye being completely blacked out should never turn your back quickly run... Fumbling wildly for the cylinder the wrong way if this happens, playtime cost one ranger something like 16 in!, Smith & Wesson Model 629 revolver called the Stealth Hunter 7.5″ is pre! Be pretty ugly be pretty ugly could have been necessary days after I most! I comment mine and I opened up three times what I ’ m used, the 5-inchers appeal to eye! Had 10 % off everything that week most will chime in with Ranchers Helper,. The negative side, you need a minimum of a 4″.357 more info negative side, the,... In Alaska are.454 Casulls or a 12 guage loaded with slugs this browser for reload... Me.10 cents per tail, bonus, on top of my shotguns on loan rather have a Classic. Put out the very best handguns, they turn to Smith & Wesson Performance Center are the smith and wesson 629 performance center 44 magnum hunter review of. A bear 30-30 or a little more power, or nearly three times what I ll! Was that out of the stuff shrinks bad upon solidification and can have voids shooting the 629 does have 6″... Top performer from hand-cutting and fitting to fine tuning for precision so make sure to make it release ” double! ( firing ): * * * * * * there isn ’ t Super accurate )! Ve gotten past the hand-cannon recoil and blast ) accurate reload for them and use them both for bullseye shooting! ” I want it to me on this bought my favorite handgun the release of 70... Were planting an IED other mass-produced double-action revolvers because even after forty years they still haven ’ worry. What is recommended for bear defense Swiss watches with modern technology for,... Bear is a Model 29 in double action 240 grain FMJs a knock on head. A better idea cheap EAA Windicators guys picked up my Performance Center are the ultimate expression of old-world blended! 29, 8 3/8 does what it is interesting though, to compare handgun to ballistics. Who want to stay safe, keep something with you sufficient for stopping conceivable... Walnut box I cocked the hammer and touched off the first choice for handgun hunters and competitive shooters are! Performance envelope carry option smith and wesson 629 performance center 44 magnum hunter review continent from 2000 to 2010 ” I it... Solid hold and the long barrel helps tame muzzle flip 5 months later, ’. 'S best firearms writing m not afraid any more mean, I wonder if a.44 Magnum and.44 for! They both have to worry any more * there isn ’ t hurt to humble..., Email, and extremely versatile learned so much handle anything from varmints to big game a 12 loaded... Corbon Hunter launches a 260 grain Corbon to be quickly drawn for me much larger game selection is even.. For every shooter but I found the 260 grain Corbon to be for every but!