The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: spentbrass on June 04, 2011, 09:58:11 AM
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Is anyone familiar with this revolver? I'm looking for a compact, powerful, short barrel revolver for close range use in the woods. I'd like to stick with 44 mag caliber. I have found a new S&W 629 Backpacker (2 1/2") at a local dealer for $795. I have an old Ruger Security Six 357 to trade on it. The Dealer said he'd sell me the Backpacker for $475 plus my 357 and holster. I've never been able to afford a Smith and I'm kind of excited about the possibility this presents. All comments and input are greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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The trade in on your Ruger sounds pretty good, He is not likely to mark it up more than $100 or so.
I don't think I would part with the Ruger though.
Every game animal in North America has been taken with the .357 (some big name shooter/hunter back in the 30's who's name I can never remember ) For lighter loads 38 is much easier to find than .44 Sp, and the Ruger is still compact enough for CC. (assuming 4" barrel ).
21/2 inch .44 Mag ? Definitely "try before you buy"
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Good luck on your choice. Are you going to be in bear country? I agree with Tom that the .357 should be enough but your choice man. :)
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I would definately ask where and what are you buying this for? If its for grizzlies, I would go with the 2 1/2" Ruger Alaskan in .454 Casull. This also has the advantage of shooting .45 colts which are cheaper than .44 specials. The guns themselves ought to be around the same price with the Ruger probably a little cheaper than the Smith. The upside to .44 mag (or the .357 you have) is that there a lot of companion carbines out there. I think Rossi is the only one who makes one in .454, but it looks nice.
FQ13
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I would definately ask where and what are you buying this for? If its for grizzlies, I would go with the 2 1/2"Rogerr Alaskan in .454 Casull. This also has the advantage of shooting .45 colts which are cheaper than .44 specials. The guns themselves ought to be around the same price with the Ruger probably a little cheaper than the Smith. The upside to .44 mag (or the .357 you have) is that there a lot of companion carbines out there. I think Rossi is the only one who makes one in .454, but it looks nice.
FQ13
Plus .44 magnum's about the most flexible caliber in existance. You can hand load it, or buy off the shelf ANY type ammo you can think of. Loaded down to 850 fps like a .45 ACP for personal protection, or up to 2,000 fps and slay deer all day. ;D
Anything from 180 to 300 grain bullets to.
Good trade in my book!
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....Every game animal in North America has been taken with the .357 (some big name shooter/hunter back in the 30's who's name I can never remember ).....
Elmer Keith?
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Not EK, I would have remembered him, besides, his work was with the .44 and lead to the Magnum.
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I would definately ask where and what are you buying this for? If its for grizzlies, I would go with the 2 1/2" Ruger Alaskan in .454 Casull. This also has the advantage of shooting .45 colts which are cheaper than .44 specials. The guns themselves ought to be around the same price with the Ruger probably a little cheaper than the Smith. The upside to .44 mag (or the .357 you have) is that there a lot of companion carbines out there. I think Rossi is the only one who makes one in .454, but it looks nice.
FQ13
Although there are some grizzlies in the areas I frequent, confrontations are rare. I've looked at using the Garrett Hammerhead cartridges. They are designed for stopping aggressive bears according to Randy Garrett. I've looked at and handled some of the 454's and they just don't fit or feel anywhere as good to me as the S&W in .44. I guess another advantage is the size and weight for packing on the hip all day in the brush.
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Keep the .357, it's more appropriate to your needs.
In fact the Ruger is a much BETTER gun if the S&W has the safety lock.
They are known to cause jams in heavier loads.
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Spentbrass
If you're not looking for a bear gun just keep the .357 and be happy with it. If you want to hunt, maybe upgrade to a .44 mag with a 6" to 8" barrel. But for just a woods gun that can drop a deer, a hog, a man, or give you a "maybe" vs a griz? I'd keep that security six in its holster unless you're jonesing for a Smith. I've owned both. They both have their upsides, but I wouldn't spend a dime more for a Smith versus a Ruger wheel gun. They have their pros and cons and I think they balance out. Model to model, do your homework, but don't judge on brand.
FQ13
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Every game animal in North America has been taken with the .357 (some big name shooter/hunter back in the 30's who's name I can never remember )
Col. D.B. Wesson
Keith did a lot of the early development though. Here's a pic of a .38-44 he used when working-up the new cartridge.
(http://i52.tinypic.com/zn2bd5.jpg)
Phil Sharpe was also solidly involved with development of the bullet shape.
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Is anyone familiar with this revolver? Yes I am, starting with the original Lew Horton 3" guns from the 80's. I have a lot less personal experience with the newer guns but have shot one and handled several others. As Tom noted earlier, the older guns of the pre-ILS and MIM part era are more reliable. I'll also throw in my personal opinion that overall quality is better as well - fit, finish, action smoothness, etc. The marketplace agrees with me, since the older guns sell for significantly more than the current models.
I'm looking for a compact, powerful, short barrel revolver for close range use in the woods. I'd like to stick with 44 mag caliber. Good idea in big bear country. You'll probably never need it but if you do a double action .44 makes an effective lifesaver. IMO there's nothing else that combines handiness, speed into action and rapidity of accurate fire as well as a DA .44 Magnum or .45 Colt loaded with warm handloads.
I have found a new S&W 629 Backpacker (2 1/2") at a local dealer for $795. Is this an older example or one of the current guns with the hated lock? If the former, $795 is a steal. If the latter, it's a fair price.
I have an old Ruger Security Six 357 to trade on it. Great guns, one of the best .357's ever made.
The Dealer said he'd sell me the Backpacker for $475 plus my 357 and holster. $320 for your Ruger is pretty good. Near-NIB examples don't sell for much more than that in my area. If the 629 is a pre-lock gun and in the stated condition, I'd go for the deal in a heartbeat. If it has the lock, keep your Security-Six and load it with 180-grain WFN ammo while saving for a harder-hitting bear defense revolver.
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^^^^ What justbill said! ;)
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I may not have been clear enough about the Backpacker. This is a NIB current production revolver that DOES have the security lock. Everyone talks about these new guns with the locks as a negetive thing. I guess someone will have to fill me in on the pros and /or cons of this type of feature. I am not familiar with the subject of the lock on these newer guns.
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Recoil from heavier calibers such as .44 Magnum can cause the lock to partially engage leaving you with a club.
Bane had this happen to him and blogged about it.
AVOID THESE GUNS !
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Ditto Tom's reply and then some. I've held a J-frame in my hands in which the MIM hammer sheared in half. I've seen several photos of another in which the lock failed and made the gun into an expensive paperweight...just from dropping the weapon. Mas Ayoob has reported of ILS failures in print. I'm sure there are many others, these are just the ones with which I'm familiar. Smith & Wesson revolvers of today are in no way comparable to those of little more than a decade ago.
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There's a guy over on the S&W forum who makes a plug for these that allows you to remove the lock and plug the hole. Ask for "the plug" if you're interested. Of course, that still doesn't solve the MIM problem.
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There's a guy over on the S&W forum who makes a plug for these that allows you to remove the lock and plug the hole. Ask for "the plug" if you're interested. Of course, that still doesn't solve the MIM problem.
OR, you could just buy a Ruger, and save money on the deal. ;) Don't get me wrong, I own a late '60s Smith and like it, but it really doesn't seem worth the premium you pay over a Ruger, particularly with the aforementioned issues. YMMV.
FQ13
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Basically, many S&W fans avoid anything made after 2000. That was the date of the infamous anti-gun agreement. And while the newest owners of S&W have recanted that agreement, they haven't removed the infernal, internal locks. The jury is still out on MIM. S&W isn't the only manufacturer to use that methodology.
There are many very well made 70's, 80's and 90's revolvers out there. I saw an early 4 inch Model 66 "listed" at a gun show for $575 on Saturday. This was one of S&Ws first all stainless revolvers and I do mean all stainless including the sights. Had a pinned barrel, a trigger stop and recessed cylinder (all standard features in the early 70's). It is K frame so it's a good balance between weight and firepower.
The only "current" model I would consider buying is the 460, only because they didn't make one prior to 2000.
There are still good bargains out there, though some insanity exists. A 625 in 45LC just closed on GunBroker for >$1,500.
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There are still good bargains out there, though some insanity exists. A 625 in 45LC just closed on GunBroker for >$1,500.
Tell me about it. I've coveted a .45 Colt Mountain Gun since they were first made. They were hard to get then at MSRP. Today.... :'(
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Speaking of 629s for sale.
There are two 8-3/8" ones available on GB right now for reasonable prices. Not backpacker models I know.
Both are -3s which some take to be better than most. -3's had all the problems of earlier models corrected but aren't new enough to employ MIM parts or internal lock.
One can be had for $625, but the auction ends ~3pm ET today.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=233169023 (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=233169023)
The other is available for $650 and the auction doesn't end until Sunday.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=234128684 (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=234128684)
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Just as an update, I opted for the trade and now own the 629 Backpacker. I've run several hundred rounds through it and it's great! The recoil with heavy loads is manageble and it is more accurate than I thought it would be. Best of all, when packing it in the woods I forget that I have it on my hip, being so compact and lighter weight. Thanks for all the input from everyone!
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Just as an update, I opted for the trade and now own the 629 Backpacker. I've run several hundred rounds through it and it's great! The recoil with heavy loads is manageble and it is more accurate than I thought it would be. Best of all, when packing it in the woods I forget that I have it on my hip, being so compact and lighter weight. Thanks for all the input from everyone!
Congratulations. I'm glad you like it. Personally, I'd remove the infernal, internal lock myself. If you check over in the S&W Forum, there's somebody who make a plug for the hole as well.
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Congratulations. I'm glad you like it. Personally, I'd remove the infernal, internal lock myself. If you check over in the S&W Forum, there's somebody who make a plug for the hole as well.
What he said!!
Take out the lock, save the parts if you (or your widow/estate) ever want to sell it and enjoy. :)
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Congrats on the new Smith.
FYI, the X-frame grips fit the round butt N-frame. It gives you a nice cushy pad on the backstrap that is even softer than the Pachmayr Decelerator. It really helps with the recoil on the heavy 300+ grain bullets. The downside is it increases trigger reach on a grip already too big for many people.