RedHawk vs. Model 629 - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

grizz · 01-29-2008, 01:50 PM

Hi guys,

Well I’m getting close to purchasing my first revolver. I will be using this revolver to carry in the woods. (Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Canada, Alaska). Both of these models fit good in my hand. I like the cylinder release on the Ruger a little better. The S&W Wesson is about $70.00 more. I would like to go with the 4” in either model.

What do you guys think, RedHawk or Model 629?

bigun · 01-29-2008, 02:22 PM

If you are planning to shoot alot of heavy loads only the Redhawk will withstand the punishment. I have had both, the Smith started loosening up within 500 rounds, The ruger I traded for second hand so I dont have any Idea how many rounds are through it but I've put at least a thousand through it and it still locks up like a bank vault. The only advantages the smith has are its lighter in weight and comes with a better trigger from the factory. Use the extra $70 to get a trigger job on the ruger and some better grips and call it good.

RobFMJ · 01-29-2008, 02:52 PM

Short answer: If you handload, go with the Ruger. If you don't, go with the Smith.

Rugers really are built like tanks. That said, its trigger leaves a lot to be desired, and the finish and grips arent the best looking or more comfortable out there. Smiths on the other hand are considered by many to be some of the best DA revolvers out there, have pretty good triggers from the factory, and hold their value much better than the Rugers do.

Granted, I already have a Dan Wesson .44, but I'd love to have a Smith 29 or 629...

bigun · 01-29-2008, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobFMJ

Short answer: If you handload, go with the Ruger. If you don't, go with the Smith.

Rugers really are built like tanks. That said, its trigger leaves a lot to be desired, and the finish and grips arent the best looking or more comfortable out there. Smiths on the other hand are considered by many to be some of the best DA revolvers out there, have pretty good triggers from the factory, and hold their value much better than the Rugers do.

Granted, I already have a Dan Wesson .44, but I'd love to have a Smith 29 or 629...

But fall apart. Mine was so loose after 1200 rds that it started spitting lead. Yes I do reload but none of my loads were even close to redline. With the Ruger I can run loads that would have the Smith screaming uncle. All it takes to make the Rugers trigger better is a wolf spring pack and a little stone work by a gunsmith. Or time and a few rounds.

bountyhunter · 01-29-2008, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigun

If you are planning to shoot alot of heavy loads only the Redhawk will withstand the punishment. I have had both, the Smith started loosening up within 500 rounds, The ruger I traded for second hand so I dont have any Idea how many rounds are through it but I've put at least a thousand through it and it still locks up like a bank vault. The only advantages the smith has are its lighter in weight and comes with a better trigger from the factory. Use the extra $70 to get a trigger job on the ruger and some better grips and call it good.

+1 The Rugers have a reputation for being indestructable. The SW .44 is built on their "N" frame which is definitely strong enough for .357 but not so much for .44 magnum (IMHO).

The smiths are known to knock out of time, skip cylinder lugs from recoil, etc. I like SW and own about 12 of them, but I don't think the "N" frame .44 is the gun I would want to save me from a bear in the woods.

xdfan80 · 01-29-2008, 03:40 PM

Go with the Ruger, with the money you save you can get a trigger job if you think you need it.

45XDC · 01-29-2008, 03:57 PM

Well, I can not honestly say that I've ever shot the Red-hawk or 629 much but do own a S&W Mod. 29 (8 3/8") that I've put over a 1000 rounds thru. Mostly hot hand loads in fact. It is still tight as new. It was however sent off for a trigger job (1.5lb) and has Pachmayr grips installed. The only problem I've had was finding scope mounts that could hold up to the recoil of 240gr JHP's.

AH-1 · 01-29-2008, 04:29 PM

I have owned both and the ruger is a excellent revolver and can take a beating with handloads.that said I also have have a smith 44 629 mountain gun 4".smith did some changes years ago on the 29's and 629 so don't be confussed with the early smiths which would shoot loose.if some one shot one of these new smith 629's loose in 500 rd's they must have been shooting handloads that well might not be in the books

.my 629 MG 44 is as tight as the day I bought it.
pete

ichy_trigger · 01-29-2008, 05:04 PM

I have owned Rugers and Smith and here is a little analogy
Think of smith as a Cadillac Denali and the Ruger as a built to the hilt 4x4.

Ruger has unmatched strength in their revolvers, they are very accurate and with a spring kit and minor polishing, can have a VERY nice trigger. The Smith is a bit more refined but lacks the strength that a Ruger has.

grizz · 01-30-2008, 06:31 AM

Thanks to everyone for your input. Now all I need to do is get my wife to agree we need a revolver! Thanks again.

01-29-2008, 01:50 PM	#1
grizz XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: CO Posts: 138	RedHawk vs. Model 629 Hi guys, Well I’m getting close to purchasing my first revolver. I will be using this revolver to carry in the woods. (Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Canada, Alaska). Both of these models fit good in my hand. I like the cylinder release on the Ruger a little better. The S&W Wesson is about $70.00 more. I would like to go with the 4” in either model. What do you guys think, RedHawk or Model 629? __________________ SA XD .45 ACP Service Ruger 10/22 Blued 18 1/2" 1963 Browning Safari Grade 30-06

01-29-2008, 02:22 PM	#2
bigun XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southern Iowa Posts: 2,711	If you are planning to shoot alot of heavy loads only the Redhawk will withstand the punishment. I have had both, the Smith started loosening up within 500 rounds, The ruger I traded for second hand so I dont have any Idea how many rounds are through it but I've put at least a thousand through it and it still locks up like a bank vault. The only advantages the smith has are its lighter in weight and comes with a better trigger from the factory. Use the extra $70 to get a trigger job on the ruger and some better grips and call it good. __________________ Springfield Loaded Stainless,Kimber Pro CDP 2, Kimber Custom Target, Beretta 92D Centurions x2, 92FS, SIG 229 SAS, CZ75, and several other weapons that give Liberals nightmares.

01-29-2008, 02:52 PM	#3
RobFMJ XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Galveston, Texas Posts: 1,883	Short answer: If you handload, go with the Ruger. If you don't, go with the Smith. Rugers really are built like tanks. That said, its trigger leaves a lot to be desired, and the finish and grips arent the best looking or more comfortable out there. Smiths on the other hand are considered by many to be some of the best DA revolvers out there, have pretty good triggers from the factory, and hold their value much better than the Rugers do. Granted, I already have a Dan Wesson .44, but I'd love to have a Smith 29 or 629... __________________ Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

01-29-2008, 03:40 PM	#6
xdfan80 XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,812	Go with the Ruger, with the money you save you can get a trigger job if you think you need it. __________________ Ruger Sp-101 .357 magnum SA XD Tactical .45 acp Mossberg 500 12 gauge pump Marlin 25N bolt action .22 rifle

01-29-2008, 03:57 PM	#7
45XDC XDTalk Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Va. Posts: 53	Well, I can not honestly say that I've ever shot the Red-hawk or 629 much but do own a S&W Mod. 29 (8 3/8") that I've put over a 1000 rounds thru. Mostly hot hand loads in fact. It is still tight as new. It was however sent off for a trigger job (1.5lb) and has Pachmayr grips installed. The only problem I've had was finding scope mounts that could hold up to the recoil of 240gr JHP's. __________________ If guns kill people, then... -pencils miss spel words. -cars make people drive drunk. -spoons made Rosie O'Donnell FAT!

01-29-2008, 04:29 PM	#8
AH-1 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: texas Posts: 363	I have owned both and the ruger is a excellent revolver and can take a beating with handloads.that said I also have have a smith 44 629 mountain gun 4".smith did some changes years ago on the 29's and 629 so don't be confussed with the early smiths which would shoot loose.if some one shot one of these new smith 629's loose in 500 rd's they must have been shooting handloads that well might not be in the books.my 629 MG 44 is as tight as the day I bought it. pete __________________ High capacity is not a substitute for marksmanship

01-29-2008, 05:04 PM	#9
ichy_trigger XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 7,525	I have owned Rugers and Smith and here is a little analogy Think of smith as a Cadillac Denali and the Ruger as a built to the hilt 4x4. Ruger has unmatched strength in their revolvers, they are very accurate and with a spring kit and minor polishing, can have a VERY nice trigger. The Smith is a bit more refined but lacks the strength that a Ruger has. __________________ "The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." http://militarysignatures.com/signatures/member2645.png

01-30-2008, 06:31 AM	#10
grizz XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: CO Posts: 138	Thanks to everyone for your input. Now all I need to do is get my wife to agree we need a revolver! Thanks again. __________________ SA XD .45 ACP Service Ruger 10/22 Blued 18 1/2" 1963 Browning Safari Grade 30-06

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