I have a 6 inch 357 in model 686. I want the larger frame “n” I think it is for my 44 mag.
But which model is best ? 29, 629 …which would you buy and why?
I want a 6 inch barrel and I want a 44, what else should I consider. What model would you get ?
I jumped on gunbroker and got confused real fast.
I’d go stainless (629). The blued finished look nice but in my experience are just waiting for an excuse to rust. Do you plan on carrying it a lot or is it mostly for the range? If you want a badass range gun or maybe hunting pistol I’d look at one of the full-underlug models maybe with the “powerport” if they still make it. I have one like that and it’s a lot of fun but would be kind of a beast to carry. If you 629 is for for carry e.g. woods defense one with only enough underlug to cover the ejector (partial underlug? I can’t remember the correct terminology). Either way I think it will be a good buy, they tend to hold their value well.
Agree with 629, but I have to recommend a Ruger Redhawk if you’re open to it.
No lock, less expensive, and much more comfortable to shoot. I speak with experience on both.
Also, have you seen the new Stainless Smiths? They’re not even stainless anymore. They’re just…grey…
I’ve had a stainless 629 from that I bought new around 1998. I love it - it’s my only big bore pistol and has been accurate and is OK to carry in the woods but lot heavier than my normal G26. Note don’t use 44 mag snake shot to scare away a nuisance feral cat - from 5 yards away it will permanently “scare” it away
Bear,
What is your intended use?
Check the model of your .357 as the 629 is a .44 Mag.
Pending further information, I would pick up a lightly used, blued model 29-2, or earlier, with a 6" barrel. Which model and year will also depend on whether or not you care about the lock.
Similar to this 4" barreled model.
The stainless Smiths are absolutely still stainless. There are other models, made of other materials, but stainless is still stainless.
They’re bead blasted then. They certainly aren’t the shiny, reflective, sweet looking guns S&W used to make.
This is an excellent example of the finish on factory new Smiths I was looking at when I bought my 586 last week. They’ve changed something.
Additionally, reviews on BudsGunShop say the same thing
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_39_1806/products_id/26266/S%26W+M686+Plus+7RD+357MAG38SP+%2BP+4"
i just bought myself a s&w 686p and love it. i was kinda nervous buying online but it worked out ok. shipping took about 10 days. the only thing i didnt like was the condition of the gun. it looked used and the finish was very dull. not what i expected from a new gun. the ffl dealer said it was because they test fired before they could sell it but ive bought many other guns and have never had that problem. other than tha the gun shoots fine.
Received the gun today, the trigger and hammer almost burned to a crisp, the stainless steel is dark close to a grey color
Yes, they are glass bead blasted, very different than not being stainless.
See the finish description of this pistol which has the same finish as the one in your picture.
Looks like that can be found for $800 at Buds. I might grab it. Just wish the stupid lock wasn’t on them.
I wonder why they bead blast some of them. I really could not find any at my LGS that were not shiny like this one.
It’s really going to be a range toy to go with my 357. It’s stainless in bead blast finish. I’m not a “keep it light” guy. I want the larger frame in a 6 to 8 inch barrel realm.
I do like some of the performance center guns. What is the lock? Like the lock on my 340P j frame? Prefer not to have it but not a deal killer for me.
I’ve even considered that M&P 8 shot 357 in black with rails and all that craziness. I like that gun. But for now I’m getting cranked up on a 44. It’s purely a because I can deal. My Goto guns are my 9mm HK’s. Just bought 9 more mags last week.
Anyway, is the frame I’m looking for a N frame ? Is there a way to easily recognize frame size ? I know they started making smaller frames in 44 and people digging it. Ie k frames or such Whatever
Thanks for the feedback guys.
PB
Your 357 is not a 629, the 629 is a SS N-frame in 44 mag, a 29 is the same thing just blued (Dirty Harry packed a 6" 29). Your 357 is mostly likely a 19/66 K-frame or 586/686 L-frame assuming you have adjustable sights. You can’t go wrong with either 29 or 629, just decide if you want blue or ss. What ever you get make it an older model they are much nicer than current models. My dream 44 mag is custom Bowen GP-44 (Ruger Redhawk/Super Redhawk hybrid) but for a factory 44 mag I’d want a 29-1 or 29-2.
This is exactly what I’d want but than I dig 4" N-frames, they make you smile 
The top photo is an older 4" 29 the bottom is a semi-newer 4" 686. Note the difference in the cylinder release on these two S&Ws and the pinned barrel on the 29 vs no pinned barrel on the 686 (the pin is located on the frame just ahead and above the cylinder), this is a quick visual indicator of older vs newer Smiths. The older 29 will also have recessed chambers, another quality bonus gone from today’s S&Ws.
You can have 'em, I’d rather take an older 13 or 19 K-frame
titsonritz, you seem to know a lot about revolvers from my threads and this one. Where do you get these older guns from, though? I would love a good, solid, older .44 but have absolutely no idea where to get them.
Based on your response P. Bear, I give you exactly what you are looking for…
629 PC This one has Nills purchased separately.
You have to keep your eyes open on various gun forums and be patient. Since it is a little different that buying a Glock, I prefer local ones so you can see and check it before you buy it. When I lived in Oregon I would check out NWFirearms.com and Outdoorstrader.com pretty regularly for local sales. I am hanging with my folks in Oklahoma right now and one of the first thing I did was join OklahomaShooters.com. But there is always gunbroker.com and armslist.com and such.
I never put too much thought into it but my 2 S&W .357s are bead blasted.
BTW, great thread , I have been wanting a 4 inch S&W .44 Mag in stainless for a while now.
Your 357 in SS could be a 627. The original N frame was a 357 some time pre-WW2 & then SS came out a “few” years ago.
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This has a lock, but is a great little bear defense pistol. This one isn’t bead blasted either.
ETA: Not that I have actually tested it in this capacity, but it is what I carry when in Bear country.
My tromping around in the desert gun is a Smith 29-2 4 inch wheelgun.