Collecting S&W 44's what else should I add to the group?

Site Notices

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Collecting S&W 44's what else should I add to the group? (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 7/3/2014 6:06:29 PM EDT

Been collecting 44's lately and this is what I have S&W wise so far not pictured is a S&W 69 I just put on layaway any other 44's I should be looking to get S&W wise? I just picked up the 629 Competitor today it is a heavier revolver then I thought it would be but seems built well...

Posted: 7/3/2014 6:12:15 PM EDT

[#1]

add pre-locks?

nice collection@!

Posted: 7/3/2014 6:39:25 PM EDT

[#2]

Thanks, Yeah I thought about pre locks I am in the minority I know but the lock doesnt bother me..I really look forward to getting the S&W 69 in....I carry the 329pd Alaskan alot while hiking... I was just thinking of Smith 44's that would be good to have...I am not a big fan of the 29 style...I thought of a night guard but I think the 329 AK is the same revolver just stainless, is that correct?

Posted: 7/3/2014 8:58:19 PM EDT

[#3]

8 3/8" blued 29 of course, the classic 44.

Posted: 7/3/2014 9:06:11 PM EDT

[#4]

Mountain Gun

Posted: 7/3/2014 9:08:44 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:
Thanks, Yeah I thought about pre locks I am in the minority I know but the lock doesnt bother me..I really look forward to getting the S&W 69 in....I carry the 329pd Alaskan alot while hiking... I was just thinking of Smith 44's that would be good to have...I am not a big fan of the 29 style...I thought of a night guard but I think the 329 AK is the same revolver just stainless, is that correct?

View Quote

not sure.... I thought anything with a 6 in front of model number meant stainless.... 629, 659:9mm....etc

Posted: 7/3/2014 10:18:02 PM EDT

[#6]

Mountain Gun, 5 inch 629 Classic, 6 1/2 inch model 29.

Posted: 7/4/2014 8:15:53 AM EDT

[#7]

5" 629 Classic. Pre lock of course .

Posted: 7/4/2014 8:19:31 AM EDT

[#8]

You need a prelock 5" 629 V-comp to match your other V-comp..

Posted: 7/4/2014 8:23:46 AM EDT

[#9]

The original .44 S&W model 3 needs to be in that collection

You will like the model 69

Posted: 7/4/2014 8:54:03 AM EDT

[#10]

696

Nickeled 29-2 4"

Posted: 7/4/2014 10:38:40 AM EDT

[#11]

Anything older and blued. Modern S&W are cool and fun to shoot, but if you are going to collect, collect the beauties!

Posted: 7/4/2014 1:26:43 PM EDT

[#12]

Triple Lock, 2nd and 3rd Model Hand Ejector 44 Special, M24, M624, M696.

You are already off to a good start with the ones you have.

Posted: 7/4/2014 1:40:22 PM EDT

[#13]

Sorry but S&W revolvers made after around 1975 just are not collectable to me.

Preferably all my S&Ws will be Pinned/Recessed with as many screws as possible and if I can pull it off Pre-model number.

The blued guns built during the 50-60s are my favorite.

Performance center modern guns would only be for utilitarian hunting/defense use. Would just never carey the sentimental value to me of the older guns.

Posted: 7/4/2014 2:16:27 PM EDT

[#14]

I hear ya I read a lot on the S&W forums as well people either seem to love or hate the new Smiths me I prefere them my dad has some old revolvers and I just cant warm up to them much for some reason....I prefer the newer tech I have a TRR8 on the way as well I love the Scandium frame with steel cylinder; I swapped my 329pd to stainless cylinder to me its the gun Smith should have made in thefirst place

it seems to me the new guns can be customized a bit more then the old ones, I could be wrong though...

I have more Smiths those are just my 44's all new guns though. I know too if I collected the old world Smiths I would never use them, I thought collecting JM Marlins was cool too now outside of a range I never use them to nice to mess up lol...I will have to get a Rossi or Winchester to sctually use use. The old guns are works of art though just not for me though.

Quote History

Quoted:
Sorry but S&W revolvers made after around 1975 just are not collectable to me.

Preferably all my S&Ws will be Pinned/Recessed with as many screws as possible and if I can pull it off Pre-model number.

The blued guns built during the 50-60s are my favorite.

Performance center modern guns would only be for utilitarian hunting/defense use. Would just never carey the sentimental value to me of the older guns.

View Quote

Posted: 7/4/2014 2:18:05 PM EDT

[#15]

Hi how much have you shot your model 69? To me ut seems like the perfect revolver for woods carry, have you done so? What have you shot out of her so far?

Quote History

Quoted:
The original .44 S&W model 3 needs to be in that collection
<a href="http://s305.photobucket.com/user/bars01/media/holloween002-1.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn237/bars01/holloween002-1.jpg</a>
You will like the model 69
<a href="http://s305.photobucket.com/user/bars01/media/model69001_zps1618c8ae.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn237/bars01/model69001_zps1618c8ae.jpg</a>

View Quote

Posted: 7/4/2014 2:19:09 PM EDT

[#16]

Shes a beaut

I thought about a 3" 629 V comp

Quote History

Quoted:
<a href="http://s813.photobucket.com/user/Icopy1/media/396d07c4-795d-42c6-aad1-1fd06e2fb695_zps3d1abd5a.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz59/Icopy1/396d07c4-795d-42c6-aad1-1fd06e2fb695_zps3d1abd5a.jpg</a>

You need a prelock 5" 629 V-comp to match your other V-comp..

View Quote

Posted: 7/4/2014 2:37:49 PM EDT

[#17]

I reload 44 Russian so that is what I shoot out of it . I shot one cylinder worth of 44 Magnum and for me that was enough .
I like the frame size as I do not have large hands and it is lighter than the full size Smith making it an ideal woods gun .
It is my truck gun and the only thing I do not like about it is the finish but again it would be an ideal wood gun as I would not worry about messing up the finish on it .
When you get yours I'm sure you will be pleased .

Quote History

Quoted:
Hi how much have you shot your model 69? To me it seems like the perfect revolver for woods carry, have you done so? What have you shot out of her so far?

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:
Hi how much have you shot your model 69? To me it seems like the perfect revolver for woods carry, have you done so? What have you shot out of her so far?

Quoted:
The original .44 S&W model 3 needs to be in that collection
<a href="http://s305.photobucket.com/user/bars01/media/holloween002-1.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn237/bars01/holloween002-1.jpg</a>
You will like the model 69
<a href="http://s305.photobucket.com/user/bars01/media/model69001_zps1618c8ae.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn237/bars01/model69001_zps1618c8ae.jpg</a>

Posted: 7/5/2014 2:55:29 AM EDT

[#18]

Forgive my ignorance but how does the 44 Russian perform say to the 44 special and what about the S&W 69 finish dont you find to your liking?

Quote History

Quoted:
I reload 44 Russian so that is what I shoot out of it . I shot one cylinder worth of 44 Magnum and for me that was enough .
I like the frame size as I do not have large hands and it is lighter than the full size Smith making it an ideal woods gun .
It is my truck gun and the only thing I do not like about it is the finish but again it would be an ideal wood gun as I would not worry about messing up the finish on it .
When you get yours I'm sure you will be pleased .

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:
I reload 44 Russian so that is what I shoot out of it . I shot one cylinder worth of 44 Magnum and for me that was enough .
I like the frame size as I do not have large hands and it is lighter than the full size Smith making it an ideal woods gun .
It is my truck gun and the only thing I do not like about it is the finish but again it would be an ideal wood gun as I would not worry about messing up the finish on it .
When you get yours I'm sure you will be pleased .

Quoted:
Hi how much have you shot your model 69? To me it seems like the perfect revolver for woods carry, have you done so? What have you shot out of her so far?

Quoted:
The original .44 S&W model 3 needs to be in that collection
<a href="http://s305.photobucket.com/user/bars01/media/holloween002-1.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn237/bars01/holloween002-1.jpg</a>
You will like the model 69
<a href="http://s305.photobucket.com/user/bars01/media/model69001_zps1618c8ae.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn237/bars01/model69001_zps1618c8ae.jpg</a>

Posted: 7/5/2014 5:28:58 AM EDT

[#19]

Must have the " Dirty Harry" Model 29. A 6 1/2 inch pinned barrel and recesed cylinder.

Posted: 7/5/2014 7:13:54 AM EDT

[#20]

The 44 Russian is a shorter case and lighter load than the 44 special .
S&W lengthened the case to 44 special whenever they started proofing their 44's for smokeless powder .
It prevented folks from loading smokeless rounds in a Black powder gun .

I probably could load up to 44 special in a Russian case but I just keep my powder dump set for my Cowboys loads .
The pair of S&W model 3 in my pic are used in Cowboy Action Shooting but I do have an Original Model 3 Russian /Japanese contract .
As many of the previous posters have stated I prefer my guns blued and do not really like Stainless Steel .
I guess it is a generation thing but the bead blasted finish is a cheap way to finish a gun but to S&W credit they price the model 69 accordingly .

Posted: 7/5/2014 8:02:43 AM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:
Mountain Gun

View Quote

love them

also a nice 29 forget the lock 29sare easy to find if you skip the pre mim P&R stuff

Posted: 7/5/2014 9:27:44 AM EDT

[#22]

I was kind of thinking that the S&W 69 would fit the role of the Mt. gun I will probably pick up a 29 Dirty Harry model :) though I have several Smiths in front of it I want to get a 640pro and a 340pd

I digress though. I love my Vcomp I think the 5" and 3" would be awesome.

Quote History

Quoted:

love them

also a nice 29 forget the lock 29sare easy to find if you skip the pre mim P&R stuff

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Mountain Gun

love them

also a nice 29 forget the lock 29sare easy to find if you skip the pre mim P&R stuff

Posted: 7/5/2014 9:30:43 AM EDT

[#23]

Thanks for the info I had heard of the 44 Russian but had no idea where it fit in the 44 lineup..You have some beautiful pistols I went with SAA Rugers would like to have a break top though that seems to me classic and cool. Be nice to have on display.

Quote History

Quoted:
The 44 Russian is a shorter case and lighter load than the 44 special .
S&W lengthened the case to 44 special whenever they started proofing their 44's for smokeless powder .
It prevented folks from loading smokeless rounds in a Black powder gun .

I probably could load up to 44 special in a Russian case but I just keep my powder dump set for my Cowboys loads .
The pair of S&W model 3 in my pic are used in Cowboy Action Shooting but I do have an Original Model 3 Russian /Japanese contract .
As many of the previous posters have stated I prefer my guns blued and do not really like Stainless Steel .
I guess it is a generation thing but the bead blasted finish is a cheap way to finish a gun but to S&W credit they price the model 69 accordingly .

View Quote

Posted: 7/5/2014 10:10:01 AM EDT

[#24]

You need old school p&r four screw and five screw examples in each barrel length offered - finding them all will take 20 years and $20k so you will be at it a while

Posted: 7/5/2014 10:27:52 AM EDT

[#25]

I like your style

I have been buying more of the evil black rifle type guns at the moment just hedging my bets for Nov while prices seem to have come down for the moment...I wanted to get my shooters first then some collectibles for down the rd. Just asking and dont beat me up to bad here but wouldnt the guns prior to 1988 when they started adding the endurance package really just be 44 special type loads or can the pre endurance package upgrade revolvers handle some magnum rounds?

Quote History

Quoted:
You need old school p&r four screw and five screw examples in each barrel length offered - finding them all will take 20 years and $20k so you will be at it a while

View Quote

Posted: 7/5/2014 3:01:03 PM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:
Must have the " Dirty Harry" Model 29. A 6 1/2 inch pinned barrel and recesed cylinder.

View Quote

This is my suggestion as well. This probably the best known and recognized example of a 44mag revolver

Posted: 7/5/2014 3:27:16 PM EDT

[#27]

696 if you can find one. 3-inch, 5-shot .44 Special on an L frame.

Posted: 7/6/2014 11:16:26 PM EDT

[#28]

29-2 pinned and recessed, nickle

any barrel length you can find

Posted: 7/7/2014 12:02:28 AM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:
I hear ya I read a lot on the S&W forums as well people either seem to love or hate the new Smiths me I prefere them my dad has some old revolvers and I just cant warm up to them much for some reason....I prefer the newer tech I have a TRR8 on the way as well I love the Scandium frame with steel cylinder; I swapped my 329pd to stainless cylinder to me its the gun Smith should have made in thefirst place

it seems to me the new guns can be customized a bit more then the old ones, I could be wrong though...

I have more Smiths those are just my 44's all new guns though. I know too if I collected the old world Smiths I would never use them, I thought collecting JM Marlins was cool too now outside of a range I never use them to nice to mess up lol...I will have to get a Rossi or Winchester to sctually use use. The old guns are works of art though just not for me though.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:
I hear ya I read a lot on the S&W forums as well people either seem to love or hate the new Smiths me I prefere them my dad has some old revolvers and I just cant warm up to them much for some reason....I prefer the newer tech I have a TRR8 on the way as well I love the Scandium frame with steel cylinder; I swapped my 329pd to stainless cylinder to me its the gun Smith should have made in thefirst place

it seems to me the new guns can be customized a bit more then the old ones, I could be wrong though...

I have more Smiths those are just my 44's all new guns though. I know too if I collected the old world Smiths I would never use them, I thought collecting JM Marlins was cool too now outside of a range I never use them to nice to mess up lol...I will have to get a Rossi or Winchester to sctually use use. The old guns are works of art though just not for me though.

Quoted:
Sorry but S&W revolvers made after around 1975 just are not collectable to me.

Preferably all my S&Ws will be Pinned/Recessed with as many screws as possible and if I can pull it off Pre-model number.

The blued guns built during the 50-60s are my favorite.

Performance center modern guns would only be for utilitarian hunting/defense use. Would just never carey the sentimental value to me of the older guns.

I am down to 4 S&W N-frames.

I was at a high of 7 at one point.

Sold a nice 28-2 1968 S-prefix gun and a somewhat rare 1955 Target Model 45 ACP that had an incorrectly marked 1950 Target barrel(1950s were skinny taper while my gun was fat 1955 Target).

I sold the two guns for like 1500 if I remember correctly. I used the money to go out and buy a midlife crisis mobile(95 Mustang Cobra which is graduating year of high school).

Had a NICE 29-2 4 inch that was factory Nickle Plate. Picked it up for 450 with every intention of using as a horse trading gun. Wound up trading into a Glock 22 for using to practice with before LE academy.

Left in collection is my grandfathers 1950s era 38/44 Outdoorsman with original grips and box. A 27-2 4 inch. A 25-3 45 Colt with the intentention of being an heirloom gun, was bought new in original shipping box about 15 years ago with all collectible goodies. And lastly a 29-3 4 inch.

Everything is blued. One day I would like to get the matching 1950 Target Models to my 38/44. A 44spl, 45acp, and the rare 45LC(like 250 exist). Some day I hope to be in the right place at the right time and yes I will shoot them. Sentimental value is worth infinitely more than monetary value.

Posted: 7/7/2014 6:02:54 PM EDT

[#30]

5" Model 29s (Classic, Classic DX, and a 29-2). Grab a 5" M29 and the other 29s will be jealous.

Couple more 29-2s. A 6.5" and 4".

These are worth the $$.

Posted: 7/7/2014 6:05:31 PM EDT

[#31]

How about a Wheel o' Model 29s, with an NIB Model 24-3 thrown in for the "Special" crowd..

Posted: 7/7/2014 6:09:33 PM EDT

[#32]

The Favorite:

Shooting .44 mags out to 500 Plus yards on the Pahsimeroi (Elmer Keith old stomping grounds)

Posted: 7/7/2014 6:11:07 PM EDT

[#33]

Ringing the steel gong at 110 yards from the porch of the cabin...

The Ghost of Elmer smiles every time the steel rings..

Posted: 7/7/2014 6:34:45 PM EDT

[#34]

You need a standard 4" 629. Best looking and most versatile N frame IMO.

It interesting that some people only collect/use the pinned and recessed .44 mag revolvers. Then here you are liking the modern versions. Neither group is wrong in their thinking.

I like own/shoot/collect the ones in the middle. Pre lock/mim but with the endurance package.

Posted: 7/7/2014 8:40:53 PM EDT

[#35]

Quote History

Quoted:
<a href="http://s18.photobucket.com/user/IV_Troop/media/P1000377_zps80c1047b.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/P1000377_zps80c1047b.jpg</a>

Ringing the steel gong at 110 yards from the porch of the cabin...

<a href="http://s18.photobucket.com/user/IV_Troop/media/Porch1_zps8b8d2e94.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/Porch1_zps8b8d2e94.jpg</a>

The Ghost of Elmer smiles every time the steel rings..

View Quote

I'm jealous you lucky dog . Good shootin too

Posted: 7/8/2014 2:31:33 AM EDT

[#36]

You need to collect old guns like these;

1976 Mod. 29-2, 6-1/2"
1980 Mod. 29-2, 4"

Posted: 7/10/2014 11:44:21 PM EDT

[#37]

Quote History

Quoted:

I'm jealous you lucky dog . Good shootin too

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
<a href="http://s18.photobucket.com/user/IV_Troop/media/P1000377_zps80c1047b.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/P1000377_zps80c1047b.jpg</a>

Ringing the steel gong at 110 yards from the porch of the cabin...

<a href="http://s18.photobucket.com/user/IV_Troop/media/Porch1_zps8b8d2e94.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/Porch1_zps8b8d2e94.jpg</a>

The Ghost of Elmer smiles every time the steel rings..

I'm jealous you lucky dog . Good shootin too

Thank you! I've been an Elmer Keith fan for many years. So when I was 18 I got my first .44 Magnum and have never been without one since. The cabin is another life long dream( still working on it piece by piece). Located in the mountains of central Idaho, I roam much of the same country that Keith did so many years ago.

As far as collecting .44s, I'm a shooter more than anything, so I am trying my best to wear the blue off of most, through honest use and many miles of trails.. :)

If I never bought another one, and could roam the mountains and high desert country for the rest of my years I would be a happy camper. The .44 does many things quite well and I've been fortunate to kill everything from ground squirrels and Jack rabbits on up to elk with properly selected loads. It's a truly excellent outdoorsman's cartridge and the Model 29 is an excellent platform.

Posted: 7/11/2014 8:29:56 AM EDT

[#38]

This is not a good picture as the 5x5 was taken in failing light. That was a long evening of hauling meat in the heart of wolf/lion/bear country..

Gun was a 5" Model 29. 320 Hardcast.

Posted: 7/11/2014 8:54:37 AM EDT

[#39]

Quote History

Quoted:
8 3/8" blued 29 of course, the classic 44.

View Quote

My wife has killed a lot of deer with hers

.

Posted: 7/11/2014 10:56:34 AM EDT

[#40]

Quote History

Quoted:
<a href="http://s18.photobucket.com/user/IV_Troop/media/009-2.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/009-2.jpg</a>

This is not a good picture as the 5x5 was taken in failing light. That was a long evening of hauling meat in the heart of wolf/lion/bear country..

Gun was a 5" Model 29. 320 Hardcast.

<a href="http://s18.photobucket.com/user/IV_Troop/media/P1000384_zps06f31ec1.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/P1000384_zps06f31ec1.jpg</a>

View Quote

Your living a charmed life and using the .44 the way it was meant to be use .
I'm turning green with envy .
More pics

Posted: 7/12/2014 2:51:28 AM EDT

[#41]

What you should do next is easy ...get a copy of sixguns by kieth off amazon read it then decide what you want to do.

Posted: 7/12/2014 5:11:25 AM EDT

[#42]

As well as John Taffin's Gun Digest Book of the .44 and Big Bore Sixguns.

All Great reading.

Posted: 7/12/2014 3:44:17 PM EDT

[#43]

Lost river is right.

Posted: 7/12/2014 10:31:27 PM EDT

[#44]

I joined this site to learn more about AR15s but I sure do enjoy all the pictures of these beautiful S&Ws. Especially the older ones.

Posted: 7/13/2014 3:49:02 PM EDT

[#45]

P&R 29's in what ever lengths float your boat.

Posted: 7/14/2014 10:43:47 PM EDT

[#46]

Quote History

Quoted:
Sorry but S&W revolvers made after around 1975 just are not collectable to me.

.

View Quote

This - although i would extend to any of the pre-lock guns --- Without a couple of Model 29's , your admittedly impressive pile of wheelguns is an accumulation, not a collection ----

The PC and lock equipped guns are modern commodities, -- like AR-15's. Sure, they will do a job and can be effective, but not what i think of when i think of a collectible .

Posted: 7/14/2014 10:51:29 PM EDT

[#47]

Quote History

Quoted:
, I thought collecting JM Marlins was cool too now outside of a range I never use them to nice to mess up lol...I will have to get a Rossi or Winchester to sctually use use.

View Quote

Looks like your levergun thinking is backwards too --- collecting JM MArlins but wanting a Winchester to be a beater? --- LOL,

Hint ----- Marlins (or Rossi) are typically considered the beaters - with the exception of the 94's which the cas crowd has artificially inflated the prices on, ---