S&W 629 4.2'' .44magnum

[New Camper]

Not really. It was by demand if you ask me. It seemed the majority didnt want the full underlug. That way it was more inline with the mountain revolvers made by smith, even Elmer Keiths gun didnt have a full underlug. It was a 4 inch bbl. Its more of the classic look, and the closest we can get in Canada due to our barrel length restrictions.

I dont think recoil is the issue lol. They make 3 inch 44 mags.

So seeing as we couldnt own any of the really cool guns, the 629 with 4.2 inch barrel is the closest we can get. At least for the majority of us that dont have prohib status.

The supply and demand aspect makes sense, what I was alluding to is all the 4.2" 686 models have full underlug while the 4.2" 629 models are not. A 44mag recoil alot with heavy loads: I am not ashamed to admit that even mine with 5" barrel and full underlug does. I have some tame target loads that are very pleasant to shoot, and the gun is very accurate but I found on a cold day at the range a couple weeks ago, the recoil from full loads hurt which isn't surprising since my hands were freezing. It is simply heavy recoil in the summer with full loads. I expect a 3" or anything lighter would be quite unpleasant and difficult to shoot. But I am getting off the subject of this thread. I'd still get the 4.2" one if I didn't already have the longer barreled sister. S&W makes beautiful revolvers.

 

[burnaby]

How is the recoil on these 4.2" partial under lug compared to a 8 3/8". Recoil with my 8 3/8" barrel is very manageable but still stings after a box of factory. No point loading tame loads, might as well shoot my 357 mag which is a lot cheaper to shoot.

still debating getting this 4.2" or go for 5" full lug.

 

[burnaby]

~1200 fps max is the Berry recommendation (from their site) for their standard double plated bullets. The .50 triple heavy plated goes to 2000 fps (double the cost)

My 240gn Berry bullet with 20gn of H110 shoot OK with a heavy crimp
Got better accuracy with 24gn H110 with HRN 240gn XTP. At 7m got some groups of 3 shoots touching.

Got a question for the guys loading for the 44's...
I was initially planning to use either Berry or Frontier plated bullets for plinking when mine gets here. I've been loading auto cartridges for years but this will be my first foray into hot or heavy recoiling revolvers. I bought this gun for plinking to make big recoil, big noise, big fireballs and big smiles. My plan is to run a 240 grain @ ~1400fps. I want to run full power loads in this gun, not looking to tame it down
Looking at using H110, 2400, or AA9 to do it. My specific question is, I read someplace and can't remember where that pushing bullets like those over ~1200 fps isn't recommended because there's no cannelure or crimp groove in those bullets and you may get setback or movement under recoil.
I am familiar with using lead but prefer not to. With all that said, I am initially going to load winchester bulk 240's but they are quite pricey, double the cost of Berry or Frontier's. Any of you revolver savvy guys have any advice or recomendations?

 

[G37]

I've got a bunch of leftover 800x I was going to use for some .44Special loadings and bullet barns 240gr SWC.

I bought some IMR4227 to push the limits with both 240 and 300gr XTP.

Next weekend I hope to get out.

 

[burnaby]

G37> How much IMR4227 are you using for 240 and 300 XTP? With H110 found my 8 3/8" best with 24gn (Hodgdon list 23-24gn) on 240.
That 300XTP on a 4.2" is gonna hurt (assume you're doing full load with expensive XTP bullets), hope you have nice grips. Luv to try it.


Anyone goes to POCO range with one of these 4.2". In exchange more than happy to let you try my 500 S&W with 350gn and 500gn XTP bullets and 42gn Lil'Gun, that baby recoils FAST & HARD; nothing like launching a 350gn bullet at almost 2000fps. It is a performance center 500, double action is smooth.

 

[G37]

IMR4227: New to me, I've not reloading anything with it yet. I'll be doing book values, starting light and working up.
Grips: Yes, I bought the S&W500 grips just for reloading

 

[burnaby]

So both the S&W 500 and 629 are N-frame round butt??? How much and from where?

The 500 grips are big and comfy. With my med size hand got the houge grips on my 629 (the factory wood were so beautiful but hurt like hell).

 

[New Camper]

So both the S&W 500 and 629 are N-frame round butt??? How much and from where?

The 500 grips are big and comfy. With my med size hand got the houge grips on my 629 (the factory wood were so beautiful but hurt like hell).

The 500 is on the made for it "X-frame". The 629 is an N frame, but I think the N and L share the same grips. The 460 is also on the X frame.

 

[johNTO]

So both the S&W 500 and 629 are N-frame round butt??? How much and from where?

The 500 grips are big and comfy. With my med size hand got the houge grips on my 629 (the factory wood were so beautiful but hurt like hell).

New Camper...I believe you're correct.
I'm sure my 460v has a K-frame round butt(which is the same as an L-frame). The 460v grip will fit the N-frames. I'm not 100% about the 500 but it's probably also a K-frame.

 

[GunGuy34]

I was told that all new smiths have round butt. The square butt are the old guns.

 

[pazzo]

The S&W 500 X-frame Hogue grips are the best choice for the 629. Instead of an exposed backstrap it's covered with a gel-like soft rubber which greatly reduces felt recoil.
These ones: h ttp://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_765464_-1____ProductDisplayErrorView_N

Hard to see the backstrap, but this is them:

 

[burnaby]

^Maybe for the 4-5" barrel with a large hand is the X-Frame grip a good choice. Still question the logic of a short barrel 44 Mag???

On the 8 3/8" the Hogue mid size grips works great for mid size hands.
For the 500 with factory load def. need the X-frame grips, even then the recoil is massive.

 

[burnaby]

Try to PM you but your mailbox is FULL.

IMR4227: New to me, I've not reloading anything with it yet. I'll be doing book values, starting light and working up.
Grips: Yes, I bought the S&W500 grips just for reloading