SW 329 or 629 - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Chapie+ · 05-06-2008, 08:25 AM

So we like to go for hikes sometimes with the family. I am debating between a SW 329 which is a really lightweight and therefore really hard to shoot but easy to carry .44 mag and a SW 629 with the 6.5" barrel and power port which is a heavier and therefore enjoyable to shoot and a pain to carry .44 Mag.

Here are the guns:

629 with power port

329

Anyone have either one? Any suggestions?
Chapie+

**hobocircus** · 05-06-2008, 10:09 AM

A back up for hiking?

Why do you need a .44?

Just with the info you have provided so far, I would go with the lighter pistol, but why are you packing such heat for family hikes?

Barbarossa · 05-06-2008, 10:18 AM

I've shot the 629.

I felt it had more recoil then the 7-30 waters TC I shot right after it.

Chapie+ · 05-06-2008, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hobocircus

A back up for hiking?
Why do you need a .44?
Just with the info you have provided so far, I would go with the lighter pistol, but why are you packing such heat for family hikes?

When we hike we're up in the mountains and that can mean encounters with Mountain Lions, aka cougars, or bears. No tigers. I want something that can effectively stop a black or brown bear or cougar if needed.

That said, I don't have a .44 so I am not sure if "need" has as much to do with it as want.
Chapie+

englandcrown · 05-06-2008, 11:19 AM

Word up Chapie! You never know. My vote is for the 329. I want one too.

**jmichna** · 05-06-2008, 11:32 AM

I've read a scattering of reviews on the 329... consensus seems to be that the recoil makes practice unpleasant. The gun is just not fun to shoot, unless you are a masochist. Again, this is a summary of a small number of reviews, not my personal experience.

Myself, I'm torn between the S&W 629 and the S&W Classic model 29 (slightly more expensive). I'm watching our local shop hoping they come across a nice used 29 or 629, but I'm also saving for a new Classic 29 in the meantime.

**jmichna** · 05-06-2008, 11:38 AM

Model 629 "Trail Boss" 3" barrel

Chapie+ · 05-06-2008, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmichna

Model 629 "Trail Boss" 3" barrel

That's a new one on me.

I thought about Product: Model 629ES - Emergency Survival Kit
and Product: Model 629 - 4"

But I am not sure about shooting a .44 with a 3" bbl. I wonder about what sort of ballistics you get out of so short a bbl.

The only difference I can find between the .44 you're suggesting:

and the "Emergency Survival Kit one is the cylinder.

Anyway, I am still not sure about a 3" .44 mag. I do like the option of being able to attach my keys to it though.

gun1three · 05-06-2008, 09:40 PM

I have a 629 classic with a 5" barrel. For me it was the best of both worlds. It has the full length underlug so it helps abosrb felt recoil. Shorter than the 6 1/2" so it's easier to carry. Obviously it's longer and heavier than the 329 but it is a lot easier to shoot. I have shot the ultralight .44's and they are punishing. I carry mine into the mountains frequently when camping, hiking, riding the ATV, etc.. I carry it in a Galco dual position holster, you can carry it strong side or cross draw. It is very comfortable to carry cross draw, you will forget it's there. The Galco is about $90 but it is absolutely worth it.

p.s. I carry mine on family outings all the time.

**hobocircus** · 05-07-2008, 02:37 PM

There is alot of controversy about handguns and bears. Most say that there isn't any reliable handgun for bears. The best medicine is to make noise and let the bears know your coming. They usually avoid confrontations with people, but you always hear about attacks too. Who knows for sure?

If it was my choice, I would go with the lighter pistol. Packing extra weight on mountain hikes can be a strain.

05-06-2008, 08:25 AM	#1
Chapie+ XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 956	SW 329 or 629 So we like to go for hikes sometimes with the family. I am debating between a SW 329 which is a really lightweight and therefore really hard to shoot but easy to carry .44 mag and a SW 629 with the 6.5" barrel and power port which is a heavier and therefore enjoyable to shoot and a pain to carry .44 Mag. Here are the guns: 629 with power port 329 Anyone have either one? Any suggestions? Chapie+

05-06-2008, 10:09 AM	#2
hobocircus XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: The Nevada Desert on a Dry Lakebed. Living in a trailer with thunderstorms looming in the distance. Posts: 3,344	A back up for hiking? Why do you need a .44? Just with the info you have provided so far, I would go with the lighter pistol, but why are you packing such heat for family hikes? __________________ Ported V-10 XD9 Service SOLD Tactical XD9 in Basic Black I like to shoot Wolf ammo out of my Hi-Point pistol and rifle.

05-06-2008, 11:19 AM	#5
englandcrown XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 412	Word up Chapie! You never know. My vote is for the 329. I want one too. __________________ . . . God Bless America! "Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY!," saith the Lord" SAXD 45acp Benelli Nova 12ga NEF 20ga Stag AR15 5.56mm NATO *Ruger P85 9mm

05-06-2008, 11:32 AM	#6
jmichna XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NE Illinois Posts: 2,132	I've read a scattering of reviews on the 329... consensus seems to be that the recoil makes practice unpleasant. The gun is just not fun to shoot, unless you are a masochist. Again, this is a summary of a small number of reviews, not my personal experience. Myself, I'm torn between the S&W 629 and the S&W Classic model 29 (slightly more expensive). I'm watching our local shop hoping they come across a nice used 29 or 629, but I'm also saving for a new Classic 29 in the meantime. __________________ There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance— that principle is contempt prior to investigation. - Herbert Spencer ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ "The inherent vice of Capitalism is the unequal distribution of blessings, the inherent vice of Socialism is the equal distribution of misery." - Sir Winston Churchill

05-06-2008, 11:38 AM	#7
jmichna XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NE Illinois Posts: 2,132	Model 629 "Trail Boss" 3" barrel __________________ There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance— that principle is contempt prior to investigation. - Herbert Spencer ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ "The inherent vice of Capitalism is the unequal distribution of blessings, the inherent vice of Socialism is the equal distribution of misery." - Sir Winston Churchill

05-06-2008, 10:18 AM	#3
Barbarossa XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: CA, I miss Butte County! Posts: 401	I've shot the 629. I felt it had more recoil then the 7-30 waters TC I shot right after it.

05-06-2008, 09:40 PM	#9
gun1three XDTalk Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 35	I have a 629 classic with a 5" barrel. For me it was the best of both worlds. It has the full length underlug so it helps abosrb felt recoil. Shorter than the 6 1/2" so it's easier to carry. Obviously it's longer and heavier than the 329 but it is a lot easier to shoot. I have shot the ultralight .44's and they are punishing. I carry mine into the mountains frequently when camping, hiking, riding the ATV, etc.. I carry it in a Galco dual position holster, you can carry it strong side or cross draw. It is very comfortable to carry cross draw, you will forget it's there. The Galco is about $90 but it is absolutely worth it. p.s. I carry mine on family outings all the time.

05-07-2008, 02:37 PM	#10
hobocircus XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: The Nevada Desert on a Dry Lakebed. Living in a trailer with thunderstorms looming in the distance. Posts: 3,344	There is alot of controversy about handguns and bears. Most say that there isn't any reliable handgun for bears. The best medicine is to make noise and let the bears know your coming. They usually avoid confrontations with people, but you always hear about attacks too. Who knows for sure? If it was my choice, I would go with the lighter pistol. Packing extra weight on mountain hikes can be a strain. __________________ Ported V-10 XD9 Service SOLD Tactical XD9 in Basic Black I like to shoot Wolf ammo out of my Hi-Point pistol and rifle.

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