S&W 627 or 629 2.625in Barrel?

[Mr. Goodtimes]

I'm thinking about purchasing one of these and putting some Ahrends grips on it for a woods carry gun while I'm hiking. My main concern, though, is barrel length and ballistics. Is a 2.625in barrel enough barrel to take advantage of .357 or .44 magnum ballistics? Does one perform better than the other out of shorter barrels? The also make this gun in .41 magnum, would this be a good performing cartridge? I'm getting into hand loading so ammunition wouldn't be a problem.

My primary concern is Black Bear, wild pigs and two legged critters.

Here is picture:
http://i56.tinypic.com/wumjc1.jpg

[Alaskapopo]

I wouldn't. Barrel is very short with a short sight radius. I would get a 629 mountain gun. Much easier to shoot and its not that heavy. The 329 Scandium revolver recoils to the point of pure hell with real loads. Also where do you live. If bears are a concern don't bother with anything less than a .44 mag.
Pat

[Jake'sDad]

Yup. Two and a half inch .44 mags have a big following, but a 4" or longer barrel makes more sense. If you want a .44 mag get a Mountain Gun like Alaskapopo suggested. And he's right, the 329 kicks like a mule with something like Randy Garrett's ammo, but with 300 grain Federal Cast Core's, mine isn't too bad.

Unless you're in big bear country, even a stoutly loaded .44 special will really do the job though.

[Timbonez]

You live on the Gulf Coast... .357 magnum is plenty. I will echo the other posters' sentiments about getting a heavier frame rather than a lighter one.

[Jake'sDad]

I dunno. If there's big pigs around in the grass, I think I'd still want a .44. They're tough little sumbitches.....

[Mr. Goodtimes]

I think what I'm going to do is just a plain old stainless Model 629 with a 4in barrel. I like the non fluted cylinders and blasted stainless so I'll probably just pick up a lightly used one and send it off to get a trigger job, cylinder and bead blast.

I thought about one of the eight shot .357's because the black bear down here are really mellow, more like large racoons. I want the .44 for versatility, it may be over kill for FL but it wont be for CO or AK.

[TOrrock]

One thing I've noticed with bead blasted stainless is that it tends to rust more easily than standard polished stainless, as you're opening up the pores of the steel....and when you knock the rust spots off with some 0000 steel wool and solvent/oil, it'll get shiny again.

Something to think about if you're down in the Gulf with high humidity.

I echo going 4".

[Jake'sDad]

Good point on the rusting. I've noticed that too. The rough surfaces will also allow moisture to stay on the gun. Even my factory finish SS guns will develop rust along checkered or grooved areas if I'm not diligent with wiping them off.

Good choice going with .44, (though I'd still recommend the Mountain Gun version). You can always load specials when you don't need full power. You can't load a .357 up enough for really big stuff. Honestly, a 240 grain HC bullet at 900 fps will knock down anything you're likely to come across in the lower 48. In Alaskapopo's backyard, even the hottest .44's are pretty puny if it's a big bear.

I just got some of these (http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=99) from Buffalo Bore. They call them their "anti personnel" loads for .44 special. It's a 200 grain, super hard cast, full wadcutter, at around 1000 fps. Given what .38 full wadcutters do in gelatin, they should be a great, really easy to shoot load, that would work on anything shy of a big bear. After I shoot a few boxes, I might make them my all around load in my everyday woods/winter carry gun, a customized S&W 396 .44 special.

http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m602/JakeandDad/IMG_0715.jpg

If you end up carrying the 629 a lot, the Cylinder & Slide fixed sight replacement rear is great in my opinion. The S&W rear adjustable's are kinda fragile, and for some of us, they seem to snag on everything. If you don't want to spend the money for an action job, the trigger spring kit that Wolf makes for Brownells is a super cheap, easy to install upgrade.

[Mr. Goodtimes]

Jake's Dad, whats the difference between the standard 629 and the Mountain gun? From what I've read it's just two ounces in weight?

Also, I think the Wolff spring pack sounds like a winner, along with a case of .44 special and a weekend at the range :)

EDIT: I am on the gulf coast but not right on the coast, I'm about 30 miles inland so salt isn't an issue. I take good care of my guns and have never had an issue with rust, I just wipe everything down frequently.

[Jake'sDad]

Jake's Dad, whats the difference between the standard 629 and the Mountain gun? From what I've read it's just two ounces in weight?

Also, I think the Wolff spring pack sounds like a winner, along with a case of .44 special and a weekend at the range :)

Don't know the weight difference off hand, it's not much, but it's a case of it feeling like much more. I tend to carry my guns, a lot, so even a couple ounces is noticeable to me.

Since I got the 396, and the 329, frankly, I don't even carry my steel Mountain Guns anymore. The full steel gun is definitely more fun to shoot a lot at the range though, and I'd carry it in AK for controlability with heavy loads, (as a backup to my 45-70, .375, or .458. Big Bears scare the crap out of me).

If you reload, (or want to start), the .44's are very easy to load, with their big cases, and since there's no dirt cheap factory ammo, it will save you a bunch.

When you need a holster, look at Simply Rugged. Rob makes great, old craftsman type holsters, that are priced very reasonably, and he's one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet.

[Alaskapopo]

http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m602/JakeandDad/IMG_0715.jpg

.

I like the looks of that revolver. It would be sweet if they could make that in a 45 acp with moon clips or in 45 colt. Nothing wrong with the 44 special that you have it in either.
Pat

[Lost River]

I shoot .44s quite a bit, so here are a few thoughts to consider:

Your are still likely to be carrying the revolver in a holster, so why not carry a 4" gun in a belt rig? It will be much more practical.

Personally I find 5" 44s to be my "sweet spot" of practicality in regards to packing, shooting, getting in and out of vehicles, etc.

While I find I do my best accuracy work with a 6.5" N frame, and prefer to pack a 4" N frame, the 5" does it all "for me". This is what I have found.

A few 5" rigs:

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/M29629003.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/dec2006213.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/dec2006232.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/039-1.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/055-1.jpg

This is after years of experimentation. I know that anything shorter than 4"s for a belt gun, is not really practical. It may look cool, but I know few who shoot them well. I also do not know a single truly accomplished handgunner who regularly carries one.



http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/M29629003.jpg

[Lost River]

Some 4"ers:

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/018.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/077.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/Taffin44project030.jpg

[Lost River]

A little .44 variety

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/018-1.jpg

[TXBob]

If you want a snubbie , go .357. Get a sturdy heavy one (Which it looks like you have--I lose track of S&W models) like a Ruger SP101 and not an airlight. They really aren't that heavy--its my "Rule 1" gun when its 110 and i am wearing gym shorts and a t-shirt.

A barrel of that length doesn't give you full advantage of .357 or 44 mag, but it does give you some advantage. The disadvantage is the increased recoil, blast, and non-controlability of the firearm. But .357 is much more manageable in a snub that .44mag.

For Hog takedown, you probably want .44 Magnum. DO NOT GET A SNUB NOSE 44 MAG! Yes some guys will macho up and pretend they are all bad and "tier 1". The rest of us like our hands and wrists enough to spare them the damage. A snub nose .44 spec or .45 ACP may be ok, but I don't think that will help with large creatures.

I think 4" is a good starting point, I have a 5 inch full lug S&W that is a sweet shooter and travels to deer hunting with me in case of Hog charging.

For comparison, it is easier on me (recoil management+pain) to shoot .357 Mag from a 2.5 SP101 than 5" 44 Magnum 629. The .357 is sharp recoil., The 44 magnum is a sledgehammer.

[Jitterbug]

I live in the Central Rockies and make it up North to just south of the Canadian border a few times a year, its no doubt rare but, I've seen a 1000 pound Grizz up North and it was an awakening moment if you will...an epiphany of sorts.

My 1911 Commander, 10mm with 200 grain Beartooth Bullets WFNGC, felt really, really inadequate. I've relied on various 10mm formats for woods carry out west for the past 20 years. Glock, S&W 1006 etc.

Initially I drove myself crazy researching which .44 to go and settled on the regular 4" 629 model, I now have about 400+ rounds through it and carry it in a Simply Rugged Pancake.

So far I've run 240 LSCW from 800-900 fps.
250 gr. BTB, WFNGC from 1100-1300 fps
280 gr. BTB, WFNGC up to 1200 fps.

Obviously I reload.

I just received some 250 grain Keith Leadheads and loaded up some test rounds with Unique, 231, 2400 and H-110. But haven't had a chance to get to the range with them yet.

My goal is to run the 250 Keith at about 1300 fps
250 gr. BTB, WFNGC, which really weighs 260 at 1250 fps
280 gr. BTB, WFNGC at 1200 fps.

These velocities seem doable, with H-110 and/or 2400. I'm still playing with powders/chrono and trying to shoot tight groups, so I'm still tweaking loads, the above is just a goal, even if I come in 50-100 fps less with all the loads, it's probably still good to go.

Accuracy and flash are important considerations too.

The heavy loads in the 1150+ range are a bit of a handful and take some getting use too, especially when shooting off a bench for groups.

I'm a skinny, little old guy with girlie wrists so 50 or so hot rounds is enough for me for one day. I use the mild 240's for practice, especially in DA mode.

As far as carry, I can feel the cylinder after awhile, I've found that suspenders really help out. I have CCW'd the gun a few times now and with a loose, unbottoned cover shirt it's tough to tell, the wife can, but she knows what she's looking for. But if dressed right it conceals well enough to go grocery shopping in the big city.

Barrel length. YMMV, but for me the .44 looses too much velocity going from 4" to 3". I may as well stick with the much easier to carry 10mm, in 1911 Commander.

5" is what I'd really like to have, but then I'd loose the conceal-ability factor and inch of leather is going to show below most of my shirts and jackets...so 4" it is.

Overall I'm pleased, although with a 1000 pound Grizz, this will still feel really inadequate too, good thing there are not many that size around in the lower 48.

Most of my concern is Moose while stream fishing, for the most part bears don't want anything to do with people.

If I think I'm going to encounter anything over 250 pounds that can give me trouble in the woods, I now take the .44. May not be as comfortable as the 10mm, but certainly more comforting.

Next up might be a 329, I can really see the purpose of this lightweight, but I'd still keep the 629 for range work.

[Jake'sDad]

I like the looks of that revolver. It would be sweet if they could make that in a 45 acp with moon clips or in 45 colt. Nothing wrong with the 44 special that you have it in either.
Pat

You can get sorta close. The Nightguard 325 in .45 ACP. It's a 2 3/4" barrel though, and there's no pre-lock version. It does have the stainless steel cylinder. I went with the old discontinued 396 to get the L frame instead of N. I'll give up one round to get something that carries better concealed. The old 396 also has a 3 1/8" barrel instead of the 2.5 on the Nightguard. Every little bit helps. It only gives up 30-40 fps over a 4"

Don't know why S&W didn't do the Nightguard series in 4". A .45 Colt version would have been great too, especially in your backyard. Instead they did 10mm and 41 Mag. :confused:

[Jake'sDad]

Next up might be a 329, I can really see the purpose of this lightweight, but I'd still keep the 629 for range work.

I like my 329. Not horrible to shoot as long as you don't go crazy with hot loads. Not exactly "fun" to shoot, but it's shootable. It would definitely be a good one to carry fishing in Grizzly/Moose country.