smith wesson model 629-1

Really nice weapon ~~ lot of recoil and be sure to wear ear-plugs at all times.!
If your going to carry it then you will have to get used to the weight plus the weight of 6 ~ 240 gr. Hollow Points.
Add's up real fast and really not a good gun for concealment all day in and out.!**
Some don't mind but others like a lighter Pistol to tote all day.!^^
I would go with a smaller Gun myself."
 
Are you going to hunt with that ?
Mine was made in the late '70s but there have been many upgrades since then. A 6" would be better for hunting .You don't have to stay with a 240 ,they go from about 180 to 280 depending on the use.Don't bother to hot load it no need for that. I hunt with the Barnes all copper premium bullet which performs very well you can get it factory loaded . Also Swift A frame is excellent performer . The Speer Deep Curl has significantly higher recoil so I gave up on those. If the recoil is high for you bend your elbows a bit then your elbows act as shock absorbers Makes it easier.
Mine was used for many a metallic silhouette matches .Excellent cartridge for deer and black bear !
 
These are very high quality revolvers. The 4 inch barrel is the best compromise in length if you want to pack it on a hip holster for hiking, farm work, or etc. It will work for hunting too (I know personally) but the 6 inch would give you a better sight profile. This is moot if you scope it.
This barrel length is also perfect for home defense. You can shoot .44 Special (.44 S&W Special) and .44 Russian in it for lower power loads in the range of a .45ACP in power and performance.
 
It is a LOT of recoil for a smaller barrel...though I love my "Classic".....



....still a lot of recoil but the heavier the firearm, the more manageable it is. Grips can make or break your shooting experience. Investigate what is comfortable and what also manages the recoil best for you.

Takes a deer at 40 yards easily, I use 320 Gr CORBON Hunter HC rounds but only because the cabin is in the heart of Black Bear country. They do pack a punch I tell you...

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I don't think it's necssary to go that heavy,I use Corbon's all copper [ DPX] which is 225 .That would work well on bear too so you have lots of choices . Of course there was a PA resident who recently just punched out a bear that was trying to get his dog !! LOL
 


It ain't the arrow, it's the Indian. Depending on your actual use, may be better tools..years ago I carried my 629 in a cross draw while rifle deer hunting..stopped as tired of humping the extra weight and very few opportunities for an ethical handgun shot.

Used to be a joke that you could buy all the .44 magnums you wanted, usually came with 44 rounds from the original box of ammunition.

Best.
 
Like I said, that revolver can fire lower recoil ammunition, rather than the full power .44 Mag stuff. The full power loads are great for a cylinder or so, and for hunting, but for plinking or personal defense or home defense, the .44 Special may be better. Also, thanks to Cowboy Action Shooting, you can also get .44 Russian (the grandfather of the .44 Mag) and shoot that, too. It has even less recoil.
S&W developed the .44 Russian in 1870 as an improvement over their .44 American cartridge. From that case, the .44 Special (1907) was developed as people wanted something more potent. That case was lengthened, yet again, and the .44 Magnum (1956) was born.
 
Like I said, that revolver can fire lower recoil ammunition, rather than the full power .44 Mag stuff. The full power loads are great for a cylinder or so, and for hunting, but for plinking or personal defense or home defense, the .44 Special may be better. Also, thanks to Cowboy Action Shooting, you can also get .44 Russian (the grandfather of the .44 Mag) and shoot that, too. It has even less recoil.
S&W developed the .44 Russian in 1870 as an improvement over their .44 American cartridge. From that case, the .44 Special (1907) was developed as people wanted something more potent. That case was lengthened, yet again, and the .44 Magnum (1956) was born.

oh yes I agree but like I said I hunt with mine and so, I use the heavy rounds. Probably more as a 'precaution' [because of the bear] and you are also correct....these rounds aren't for target shooting or plinking in any manner. There are better rounds for that.
 
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