Has anyone shot both a 629 and a raging bull?

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Smcx

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I'm looking for opinions. Looks like the 629 is finished nicer, and easier to carry, while the RB can handle hotter loads, and has much less recoil. Is it really a lot less? I'm looking for a 44 for silhouette use so I'll probably be firing it a lot each session. I also have smaller fingers (a 1911 with the short trigger fits me perfectly)

Are there problems with barrel porting and cast loads?
I really don't like the look of the rugers so I'm trying to avoid going that route.

Thx!
 
If you have small hands a Raging Bull may be too large with the factory grip. However muzzle flip is very controlled on my 8 3/8", the full underlug definitely does help but the built in muzzle brake works well. I haven't shot a 629 but my Super Redhawk would be comparable and its not bad to shoot either. More muzzle flip, as expected, but its not like you need a quick follow up for silhouette.
 
I have a never shot a 629 but own a raging bull and it tames the .44. I have medium hands and can barely grip and #### the hammer with one hand.

Also this may sound stupid but the grip on the hammer is pretty harsh, first couple of times I had it out it took a couple of layers of skin off my thumb.
 
cote_b said:
Maybe I am biased as I own a 629, but I can't imagine the Taurus could be a nice as it.
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^Agreed, I have not shot or handled the raging bull, but I own a 629, one Anaconda and one DW. I once got to handle & shoot a Taurus in 357 calibre.
The thing spat lead from the side, there was at least one misfire from the weak mainspring. This event left me unimpressed to say the least! I expect that kind of behaviour from an antique sixgun with it's original parts. And not a 'modern manufactured revolver' from a company, who do not hold thier name to anything even remotely approaching ISO-9000 standards. Therefore I hold the name Taurus in poor esteem.

my two honest bits........like it or leave it........

Edit: Silhouette shooting, probably best to choose a barrel a bit longer than 6 inches. Also a full length lug would be nicer too.
 
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Brutus said:
^Agreed, I have not shot or handled the raging bull, but I own a 629, one Anaconda and one DW. I once got to handle & shoot a Taurus in 357 calibre.
The thing spat lead from the side, there was at least one misfire from the weak mainspring. This event left me unimpressed to say the least! I expect that kind of behaviour from an antique sixgun with it's original parts. And not a 'modern manufactured revolver' from a company, who do not hold thier name to anything even remotely approaching ISO-9000 standards. Therefore I hold the name Taurus in poor esteem.

my two honest bits........like it or leave it........
Click to expand...

Yeah I once handled a friends Taurus 24/7 ( auto, not a revolver) and was not impressed at all. My 629 is amazing. Both the DA and SA triggers are unreal.

Brutus, how do you like the Anaconda? How does that compare to the Smith? I've seen the odd one in the EE and they go for BIG bucks, so I'm curious how it compares.

To the OP. Go with the 629 or 29.
 
You can shoot hot 44 mag out of a Raging Bull all day long, won't bother your hand one bit. Only advantage S&W has is they have a smoother/lighter trigger and attention to detail in areas where it doesn't matter.

As for leading of the barrel ports, you do get some, nothing you can do about it. I don't bother to try and remove it for fear of damaging the finish, this below is after about 1000 rounds of hard cast.

B1R6tvJ.jpg
 
I've shot a 29 in .44 mag, and a Raging Bull in .480. Of your choices I would pick the 629. It was more comfortable in my hands than the Taurus.
 
I had .44mag Raging Bull, never owned a 629 but had a .357 656 4.2... If I had to choose between the two mentioned in OP I'd go with the Raging Bull. I've only shot plated bullets so had no issues with the porting tho, you get a nice 'V' flame every time you pull the trigger. I loved shooting that gun and regret selling it. It is heavy and has a large grip tho.
 
cote_b said:
Yeah I once handled a friends Taurus 24/7 ( auto, not a revolver) and was not impressed at all. My 629 is amazing. Both the DA and SA triggers are unreal.

Brutus, how do you like the Anaconda? How does that compare to the Smith? I've seen the odd one in the EE and they go for BIG bucks, so I'm curious how it compares.

To the OP. Go with the 629 or 29.
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Both those handguns are sweet IMO! Too boot I own the DX Classic (supposedly a tad more accurate?) then the regular 629. (I can't honestly tell the difference between a DX classic versus regular 629 BTW, and that's with a full comparison with my good friend Silverback's 3inch 629) I think you have have to be an expert handgun shooter to notice any difference. I believe that friend.(Smith vs Smith)
My 629 has a 5inch barrel versus 6 in the Anaconda. I guess, the SA pull of the Colt is a maybe a bit better, then the SA pull of the Smith. But then again, the DA pull is superior, I think so, with the 629.
IMHO, they just about darn equal, in all practical uses that we would require of them.

just my two bits cote b.......

Cheers!
 
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Brutus said:
Both those handguns are sweet IMO! Too boot I own the DX Classic (supposedly a tad more accurate?) then the regular 629. (I can't honestly tell the difference between a DX classic versus regular 629 BTW, and that's with a full comparison with my good friend Silverback's 3inch 629) I think you have have to be an expert handgun shooter to notice any difference. I believe that friend.(Smith vs Smith)
My 629 has a 5inch barrel versus 6 in the Anaconda. I guess, the SA pull of the Colt is a maybe a bit better, then the SA pull of the Smith. But then again, the DA pull is superior, I think so, with the 629.
IMHO, they just about darn equal, in all practical uses that we would require of them.

just my two bits cote b.......

Cheers!
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Thanks Brutus. I guess its just the rarity of the Anaconda that causes it to demand twice or more what the 629 does. I have a Colt Trooper .357 and I like it, but I always found the other Colt revolvers ( snake series) go for astronomical prices.
 
Smcx said:
I'm looking for opinions. Looks like the 629 is finished nicer, and easier to carry, while the RB can handle hotter loads, and has much less recoil. Is it really a lot less? I'm looking for a 44 for silhouette use so I'll probably be firing it a lot each session. I also have smaller fingers (a 1911 with the short trigger fits me perfectly)

Are there problems with barrel porting and cast loads?
I really don't like the look of the rugers so I'm trying to avoid going that route.

Thx!
Click to expand...

I have both. I prefer the 629. The bull is much larger and heavier. The 629 is more maneuverable but kicks quite a bit more (I suppose because of the porting and extra weight on the bull). I shoot my own reloaded plated FN. The rubber grip on the taurus are quite a bit more comfy than the wood on the S&W. The bull was also a couple hundred smackers less which also makes it attractive to some. I'll try to put some side by side photos up tomorrow when I have more time. I'm considering selling my taurus but I'm definately keeping the 629. Just more nostalgic I suppose...
 
I have shot both. The 629 is much more comfortable, not to mention the trigger is amazing out of the box: clean and crisp. I found the Taurus to be gritty compared to the S&W.
 
I stood in the store with money in hand. Said to myself. Cost doesn't matter just pick what you like and be done with it. The weight of the Bull was a "draw" to purchase it. The cylinder gap was identical. The trigger wasn't "better" on the 629 by much. The point ability of the Bull was better. The grip felt better. The sites on the Bull was more intuitive.
The 629 looked more refined. In the end left with the Bull. No regrets. Shots on target as expected excellent.

If at the range someone pulls out a 629. side by side at the ports, I'll think to myself. "Wow that gun sure looks good." And then I'll shoot 9s and 10s with no regrets with a gun I paid 50 % less for.

Taurus: Lifetime pain in the ass warranty.

Verus Smith and Wesson lifetime
Go hump your hat lifetime, pain in the colon warranty.
 
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