Took the Plunge on a 629 (God I love that woman!)

[Duster340]

Well, I had been thinking about getting a DA .44 mag for awhile now. Having had great service from several Ruger models over the years, especially from my trusty old SBH that I have owned since the 70's putting 3500+ full power magnum rounds through it (still tight as can be and a real tack driver!) I was thinking another Ruger all the way, and was "stuck" on getting a Redhawk 4". I have handled and really like the Redhawk. Then at the LGS/Range this a few weeks back that all changed. On my way out after putting 300 various test cast bullet loads through my Bulldog and 150 more through my SBH, the young fella behind the counter asks, " So do you want to look at anything tonight?" I say, "Well, I am thinking about getting another 44., something with a 4" barrel". He points out a sweet S&W model 69. I check it out, am impressed with the light weight, felt handy. But I kinda wanted something more robust. I look around and there it is, a gorgeous 629 4". The fella hands it to me and I instantly knew, this was it. Great balance, nice heft, just a beautiful piece of art.

Soooooo call "the Boss" of the last 25 years on the way home telling her, "I found my next 44 Hun", she sighs and says, "I thought the Bulldog was your "last" 44?" I say, "But this is another 44 mag", She says, "Your Super Blackhawk is a magnum", I reply, "I know, but this one has a 4" barrel, the Ruger's 7.5", so the S&W will be perfect for walking our property", she says, "How much?", I vaguely answer "a lot, but I am gonna treat myself when I get my bonus". She says, "I guess you've earned it then". God I love that woman.http://smith-wessonforum.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Anyway, just picked it up from my LGS and I'm happy as pigs in dirt. Can't wait to put some rounds (cast of course :castmine:)down range. Thanks for letting me share my excitement!

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f105/emandm/Hunting/IMG_0415_zpsqej4q2np.jpg (http://s46.photobucket.com/user/emandm/media/Hunting/IMG_0415_zpsqej4q2np.jpg.html)

Be well all
http://smith-wessonforum.com/images/blue_style/misc/progress.gif

[Oreo]

Nice! Very similar to mine. I'm hoping to get mine out to the range for the first time this Spring. Just haven't had the opportunity yet with a toddler and a baby at home. My 629 is a mountain gun and it sure feels great in hand. For molds I've got the Mihec 300gr RF, the MiHec H&G 503 clone, and going to buy an NOE 200gr RF for light plinking. Now if I could just find some 2400, H110, or some Trailboss I might actually be able to reload for the thing.

[osteodoc08]

Very nice. Been debating getting into the 44 game, but with my 41s and 45 colts, I have that area "covered" as far as slinging lead down range. I'm heavily invested in both and any 44 I have would be a duplication of what I own be it SA, DA, lever gun. BUT..........those 629 and even the 29 are drop dead gorgeous. I may have to join in soon. I was gonna join in with a presafety Marlin, but that deal fell through.

[RKJ]

Now if I could just find some 2400, H110, or some Trailboss I might actually be able to reload for the thing. Oreo, if you can find some Unique try 10 - 10.5 grains behind a 250 SWC with a standard primer. It shoots with enough authority to let you know it means business but doesn't beat you up like full power loads do. You could shoot it all day.

Duster, nice Smith. I want to find a 4" sometime to join my 6". The 4" would be so much handier to carry when woods walking.

[Silver Jack Hammer]

I saw one of those when they first came out and called Smith and Wesson and told them the forcing cone was too thin. The guy at the plant told me: Well we have 69's here we've put 10,000 full factory rounds through they did split at the forcing cone. Wow.

I'd been thinking about having a custom 5 shot L frame made in .44 but the $$$$$!

Brian Pierce in Handloader said that L frame .44 cylinder with the stop notches off center of the chambers due to the 5 holes instead of 6 is phenomenally strong.

[KnotRight]

I was in the same boat as you Duster. I have the SBH in 7.5" but always wanted the S&W. Ran across a new 629 5" Classic and it found the truck of car. Feels great in my hand, shoot great but have not shot it enough to figure out a good load for plinking around with. Next time the guns show is in town, it will be living in a holster.

[Oreo]

Oreo, if you can find some Unique try 10 - 10.5 grains behind a 250 SWC with a standard primer. It shoots with enough authority to let you know it means business but doesn't beat you up like full power loads do. You could shoot it all day.

Well, the full power stuff I think would be for the woods. Otherwise, I think I'd like to see just how soft a load I can get. Mostly because I don't have a 38 and I do occasionally have someone ask me to take them shooting for their first time. I have some 22LRs and other things to start with but once we step up to big bore calibers I'd like the 629 shoot like a 38sp as an intro to revolvers. I suppose one day I'll buy a 38 but till then a powder puff in the 629 would be useful and fun.

[kevmc]

Try Trail Boss powder....
Just fill the case to where the bullet base will be, take 70% of that and you have a start load from little handgun up through big **** rifle loads.
NO compressed loads!!!! It don't like it!!!
~6.0 grs. with a 200-250 lswc.

[sixshot]

What are the 629's going for?

Dick

[NC_JEFF]

I love my 629. 8 3/8 brl, walnut grips......blue dot for j-words and bullseye for lead is what I settled on years ago, all 240 gr.

[Joni Lynn]

Congrats! 29/629 are some of my favorite revolvers.

[osteodoc08]

What are the 629's going for?

Dick

Depends on sub model. Have a look at GunBroker or Gallery of Guns. In my area $750-1400 depending on model. All are new prices.

[Oreo]

Trailboss is the plan. But where to find any? Not around here (Baltimore) for sure. I bought 100rds of cowboy ammo from midway to try. Says 200gr rfn @ 700fps on the box. Sounds nice.

I got my 629-4 mountain gun for $750 iirc on Gun Broker a year and a half ago. I was very picky and selective about what I wanted. Based on similar guns sold then and since it was a good but not exceptional deal.

[Joni Lynn]

Nice. To many they don't get any better than the 629-4 generation.

[Duster340]

Thanks Folks. Load wise I have a variety loaded up of everything from cream puff loads using light weight 162gr WC & 172 gr RN over 44 special weight charges of RedDot & Unique. Mid range magnums using 200 gr FN, 208 gr WC and 214 gr SWC on up to max/near max charges of H110, Unique and Blue Dot behind 255 gr SWC and 240 gr XTPs. It will be interesting to see how my "Go-To" SBH loads do in the 629. May take hours to shoot and log all of them, but that is a sacrifice I am willing to make. [smilie=p:

[osteodoc08]

Thanks Folks. Load wise I have a variety loaded up of everything from cream puff loads using light weight 162gr WC & 172 gr RN over 44 special weight charges of RedDot & Unique. Mid range magnums using 200 gr FN, 208 gr WC and 214 gr SWC on up to max/near max charges of H110, Unique and Blue Dot behind 255 gr SWC and 240 gr XTPs. It will be interesting to see how my "Go-To" SBH loads do in the 629. May take hours to shoot and log all of them, but that is a sacrifice I am willing to make. [smilie=p:

No sympathy here.

[Duster340]

No sympathy here.

LOL. Not even a little? Range is closed today, so I'll have to "suffer" through my testing tomorrow. All kidding aside, I can't wait to fire it, the wait is killing me.

Be well

[MtGun44]

Another vote for 10 gr uf Unique under a 250 Keith, sized to throat diameter.

[Shooter973]

Try a 240gr. cast boolit, over 8.5gr. Unique. This runs at abut 1000 fps. Nice load.Works very well on pins. I shoot this load about 90% of the time in my 629's.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

What are the 629's going for?
Dick
a few months ago, I was drooling over a "used" 29-3 Elmer Keith commemorative (4" blued 44 Mag) at one of the Cabelas. They usually go for around $1400, this one did have a little wear and was about $1000.

[PWS]

Yep, 4" .44s and Elmer Keith! After a lifetime of packing pistols, that's what he settled on for a work gun and always asserted that a 250grSWC at 1200 was plenty for whatever comes along.

[Lefty Red]

Make sure you get that lady something nice! And forward phone numbers of any single female relatives my way!!
Jerry

[Got-R-Did]

I am looking at the new 69. Handled one at the Indianapolis NRA Convention and loved it.
My SBH and SRH are awesome, but not the best for belt wear when mending fences, etc.
Got-R-Did.

[PWS]

The 69 is pretty darn handy. They aren't that much smaller overall than an N-frame but the narrower cylinder gives it a much more slender feel. It's pretty hard to drop an N-frame in your pocket and go for a walk but the 69 is no problem.

It's a bit cramped while loading and unloading the cylinder but that's about the only complaint I would have. Oh, and trigger pull was pretty heavy but that can be remedied. Shoots as well as I can hold and isn't fussy.

[Duster340]

Make sure you get that lady something nice! And forward phone numbers of any single female relatives my way!!
Jerry

You know it Jerry! Unfortunately all the sisters are married. Lol

[Lefty Red]

You know it Jerry! Unfortunately all the sisters are married. Lol

Well good, keep that lady happy!
And of course they are! LOL