Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Choosing a 44

I am about to buy my first revolver at 66 years old. More than likely buying for my son to inherit. I think I have narrowed my choices to a S&W 629 and a Colt Anaconda. Will be used for deer here in WV. Which way would you go?

629 hands down as the saying goes. The Ando is not a 44 on a Python frame, it is proportionally larger and heavier.
The single action hammer cock is awkward and the hammer fall seems to take for ever. I never could get use to the grip angle.

I have a 629 power port and like it. That said, I haven't handled the new Anacondas, but the older ones fit my hand better. I suggest handling both and see which one feels best to you.
Dave

I have a 29-2 and have enjoyed it for a quarter century. That would seal the deal for me for the 629. My three screw Super Blackhawk is a close second.

629 between those two. No question

Absolutely. I have two model 629s and one 29 and I love them.

I bought a new Anaconda last year when Colt came out with a 4.2" version. It's heavy, it's trigger is heavy and not easy to adjust, and it would shoot 240 grn bullets 3-5" high at 15 yards with the rear site screwed all the way down. And Colt doesn't make taller replacement rear sites. I've already sold it.

I have some 629ss (and some 657s which are essentially the same gun in .41 magnum) and that would be my vote. My N-frame Smiths are all accurate revolvers with great triggers. In my opinion, the N-frame S&W is about as nice-handling and elegant double action revolver possible for .44 magnum use.

You'll probably hear from the Ruger fans shortly, recommending that you should get a Redhawk or a Blackhawk because those S&W's won't hold up to the long-term abuse of unnecessarily high-pressure loads with heavy bullets and they may be right. There is no deer in West Virginia that you can't kill deader than dead with the kind of loads that your Smith will put downrange thousands and thousands of times without loosening up, falling apart or blowing up. Also, if your hands have been through anything like mine have for more years than I care to count, your wrists and joints will thank you for avoiding over-the-top loads.

Do something really special for him and find a pristine, or near pristine, pre-82 S&W Model 29.

I love mine.

Pick the one that feels best in your hands. Both are plenty accurate. The 629 costs about $500 less. I currently own both and like the Anaconda more simply because I had Heffron do a action job on it. After the action job I am comparing a $1700 revolver to one costing about $1000.
Buy both:) And give you son the one you like less

Hard to beat a M29.

I have an older Anaconda and the trigger is by far the best out of my smith or rugers. The smith seems the weakest and never found comfortable for me. The Rugers which I have a few are robust decent trigger. The colt is just so smooth compared to the others. Ruger is my pick assuming it could be a choice for you. Otherwise I would chose the Colt over the Smith, I just never liked the grips of the Smiths.

Kevinpauley: Go with the Smith & Wesson Model 629.
Best of luck to you and the son with whichever you choose.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

For the OP. Are your intentions to buy new in box unfired?

If I get the 629 or Anaconda, it will be new. Have spent the last hour trying to find an M29 no dash online. No luck yet.

Be prepared to spend enough to buy multiple 629s if you want a nice No dash M29. Watch the classifieds at the S&W forum, some very nice revolvers pass through there.

I like everything you’ve listed but the utilitarian in me means that I own/owned 629s. They’re lighter than the Anaconda and I like the lockwork better. They’re also easy to come by and the least expensive of the three you’ve mentioned. I also do not require the additional strength afforded by the Anaconda for how I load and use my 44s.

You say you intend to hunt with it, are you going to scope it? 629s starting at -4s and 29s beginning at -5 are factory drilled and tapped under the rear sight. I’m unsure what mount options are out there for the Colt. A Redhawk with integral mounts might also be an option if a scope is on the agenda.

Don’t be afraid to buy the new ones. I have new and old and DX. Great pistols. 5” is a great balance between packability and velocity.

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Get an older 629 for the win!...

Two of those are pre-82s.

Nice!