Mastrogiacomo
New member
I'm used to the kick of the 686 but this looks like a nice gun. I've never shot a .44 though; anyone have one that can describe the recoil? Is it the same as the .357 or worse?
629 unfluted questions
- Thread starter Mastrogiacomo
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I just got a 629 with the 8 inch barrel, and it's got quiet a bit more kick than my 4 inch 686. It isnt a gun I would want to shoot all day, but it does not hurt. I havent played with any loads other than PMC 240gr, so someone with more 44 knowledge can help you more. I do know you can shoot 44 special through it for plinking if recoil is a problem.BTW, the 629's are very nice guns.
Just because the gun will fire full house maggies doesn't mean you need to do so. I very rarely shoot full house .44 mags in my 629. My favorite loads in the 629 are .44 magnum "starting" loads... a 200 grain bullet moving at about 1000 fps. Very nice indeed! And there is a factory defense load which is great... ProLoad Tactical Lite .44 mag. 200 gr. Gold Dot moving at 1036 from my 3" 629. Excellent and very controllable defense load.
As a recent buyer of a S&W 329, I've encountered recoil that I can hardly believe...as in a hematoma between 1st and 2nd digit after very few full-house rounds.
What I discovered fairly quickly, is the Hogue grips provided with both the 329 and 629 leave the backstrap uncovered- exactly where you need some padding!
S&W sells some excellent Hogue grips intended for their M500 which do a great job at taming recoil- they take the pain and injury out of heavy recoiling guns.
Just start out with some .44 Spl loads (or reduced power .44 Mag loads should you have access to a reloader) and work up- you'll find with the proper grips, the .44 Mag's a real hoot!
What I discovered fairly quickly, is the Hogue grips provided with both the 329 and 629 leave the backstrap uncovered- exactly where you need some padding!
S&W sells some excellent Hogue grips intended for their M500 which do a great job at taming recoil- they take the pain and injury out of heavy recoiling guns.
Just start out with some .44 Spl loads (or reduced power .44 Mag loads should you have access to a reloader) and work up- you'll find with the proper grips, the .44 Mag's a real hoot!