S&W 6" Model 629-1 .44 Magnum Review

[garryj]

I picked up this S&W 6" Model 629-1 .44 Magnum a while back and finally got a chance to put it thru a few 10yd accuracy tests. I will say that this thing loves 240gr lead semi-wadcutters.

These are three of the best groups today. I did try a some factory Winchester 240gr JSP hunting rounds, but after 6 of those bad boys, my hand was tingling and that was it-they are real thumpers.

My favorite load was 6.5gr of American Select with a 240gr LSWC. These were very accurate. Next was 6.7gr of W231 with the same bullet. As I said before, this thing loves 240gr LSWC.

Below are the three best targets of the day. All were 8" targets, 12 shot groups at 10 yards, from a rest(I was testing the gun, not my shooting skills). 1st target is the 240gr JSP with 23.3gr of W296(before I adjusted the POI to the right). 2nd target is 240gr LSWC with 6.5gr American Select. 3rd is 240gr LSWC with 6.7gr W231.

Garry

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[GFK]

Nice gun. Great shooting too!

[PT7]

Sharp-looking .44 Magnum, Garry!! And looking at your targets, easy to see that your revolver passed its accuracy tests with high marks. Good job.

I've never shot a .44 revolver, but I recall the tingling right hand from shooting my SP101 .357 Magnum. Some of the stronger .357 rounds I tried did have pretty stout recoil. Always was manageable, but makes me wonder about a .44. And can you imagine the tingle from your revolver if it had wood grips? Is yours a Hogue Tamer? I put one of those Hogues on my SP101, even though I loved the looks of the stock rubber/wood combo grips Ruger made.

Always enjoy shooting a revolver no matter what it is; your report has me ready to get to the range again!
Will look forward to any future Range Reports you post. Thanks!

PT7

[JEBar]

nice S&W .... a handful to fire with full power loads, most certainly .... using 44 special loads can make firing it a pleasure .... that revolver should last several lifetimes ....

[BigAl52]

Garry give 10 grains of unique a go with those same bullets or even some 250 gr swc. Great load and it will take care of anything u need it to and not make your hands tingle.

[ESquared]

Beautiful revolver and great shooting, thanks for sharing! It's a handful, I'm sure, but you've got it under control. Congrats on a nice pick-up!

[North Country Gal]

Beautiful vintage 629. Like the half lug barrel. Don't see too many 629s like that. Just remember to keep loads on the reasonable side with an early 629 like that one and it will last, forever. Save the grizzly bear stompers for another gun.

[garryj]

UPDATE:

This revolver is out the door. Up for sale on a local(NW Florida)forum. It has a problem unique to some of the early model 29 and 629. Under the heavy recoil of full power loads, the cylinder will sometimes “reverse spin” causing the shooter to have essentially an empty chamber(chamber with a spent case)when the hammer is cocked or trigger pulled. The later models had what S&W calls an “endurance package” installed to prevent this problem. It doesn’t happen with target loads, only heavy or hot loads. Since S&W only started the lifetime warranty in 1989 and my gun was made in 1983, the cost to repair falls on me and I already have too much $$ invested in this gun so I’m selling it and buying a Ruger Redhawk or a Dan Wesson 44 if I can find one.

Sorry for the rant, but sometimes you just have to get it out of your system.



Garry

[North Country Gal]

I have experienced the same thing on some heavy recoiling Smiths, too, so I do understand. Also understand about the endurance package. That's why I warned to stay away from the grizzly loads. As long as you with a 629-2E or a -3 or later, you'll get the endurance package. Best of luck.

[Mistered]

The reverse spin issue could be nothing more than the cylinder stop being very dirty and sticking, the spring installed incorrectly or weak or it might have a slight burr on it preventing the cylinder from locking properly.
It is a pretty simple process to inspect and possibly resolve with nothing more than a good cleaning or smoothing up the cylinder stop.

[North Country Gal]

Correct. In my case it was a weak spring, but the gun was under warranty and Smith fixed it, promptly.

[garryj]

The reverse spin issue could be nothing more than the cylinder stop being very dirty and sticking, the spring installed incorrectly or weak or it might have a slight burr on it preventing the cylinder from locking properly.
It is a pretty simple process to inspect and possibly resolve with nothing more than a good cleaning or smoothing up the cylinder stop.

All true, but I will still have the problem of not being able to shoot full power loads. I intend to use this revolver as a hunting handgun and need to be able to practice with the same ammo that I use to hunt. So, even repaired, a constant diet of hunting loads will eventually cause the same problem to occur. I know that both Ruger Redhawks and Dan Wesson 44s are much stronger than older and even newer S&W N-frames. Plus, I can get a new Ruger for the money I can can get for this one. DW 44s are very hard to find at a reasonable price, but if I find one, that may be the way to go.

Garry

[JEBar]

I know that both Ruger Redhawks and Dan Wesson 44s are much stronger than older and even newer S&W N-frames. Plus, I can get a new Ruger for the money I can can get for this one.

Garry

I like a Smith but for heavy hitters, I prefer the Ruger Redhawk .... understood on the recoil with hunting level ammo .... a top quality set of Pachmayr grips and having it Mag-Na-Ported helped considerably with both felt recoil and barrel jump .... we've had ours for decades, during which time it has fired literally tens of thousands (if not several hundred thousand) .... its taken bear, boar and dear .... it is just as tight today as it was when bought

[North Country Gal]

Finding a Dan Wesson 44 mag is going to be a challenge and and an expensive at that. Plus, you'll have to beat me to it.

Honestly, my choice in a 44 mag revolver, even now with all my bad experiences with Rugers, would still be that big old ugly Super Redhawk. Have had a couple and both were great in every way - other than looks. For an out of the box revolver, the Ruger SRH was easily the most comfortable to shoot for me - almost too comfy, given the price of 44 mag ammo. Seriously, though, I could burn through a box of 50 in no time with the Super Redhawk. By comparison, had my Contender 44 mag out the other day and less than half a box was about my limit.

[PT7]

Wow, that's some challenge put out to Garry!

Next time I'm at the Arms Mart LGS in Independence, MO, I'll have to look for that DM .44 mag model. This shop usually carries a number of pre-owned DW revolvers.

DW 44s are very hard to find at a reasonable price, but if I find one, that may be the way to go.

Garry

Finding a Dan Wesson 44 mag is going to be a challenge and and an expensive at that. Plus, you'll have to beat me to it.

[garryj]

Finding a Dan Wesson 44 mag is going to be a challenge and and an expensive at that. Plus, you'll have to beat me to it.

Honestly, my choice in a 44 mag revolver, even now with all my bad experiences with Rugers, would still be that big old ugly Super Redhawk. Have had a couple and both were great in every way - other than looks. For an out of the box revolver, the Ruger SRH was easily the most comfortable to shoot for me - almost too comfy, given the price of 44 mag ammo. Seriously, though, I could burn through a box of 50 in no time with the Super Redhawk. By comparison, had my Contender 44 mag out the other day and less than half a box was about my limit.

I finally found a Dan Wesson 44 that I could afford(750.00 after negotiations)on Armslist and it should be here next week. I will post pictures and a range report after I get it to the range.

Garry