Just Spent $130 on Ammo For a Gun I Don't Own

Shakyshoot

Just bought 4 boxes of 44 Magnum and 1 box of 44 Spl at Cabela's. They have all their "good" sale prices on Herter's ammo going, and I have a $ 20 off $ 150 code. Herters 44 Mag is $ 28.79, and after paying with gift cards bought at 80 cents on the dollar, it comes to $ 19.98 a box. Try finding new brass 44 Mag at that price. You'll have a hard time finding reloads. Now I just need a gun to shoot it. Still debating between an older Smith 29 or 629, and a brand new 629. I might just go new if I can get a good price. Don't like the lock, but I like the factory warranty.

bearcatter

You could always step up a notch and get a Redhawk......

No lock, and a virtually lifetime warranty. And you could shoot "Ruger loads" that namby pamby 629 couldn't handle.....

Shakyshoot

I'm sure an N frame S&W can handle anything I'll shoot through it, which probably won't be anything beyond typical 240 gr range ammo. I like all my Ruger revolvers, but after getting one S&W I have a hankering for more.

north country gal

Shaky, if you plan to shoot a 629 a bunch and, especially a 629 with heavy loads, I'd look for a vintage that is late enough to have the endurance package. The first series was the 629-2E (E for endurance package), then 629-3 and all following dash numbers, including the present 629. In a 29, that would correspond to a 29-5, I believe.

Smith beefed up the 629/29 action in response to 629s biting the dust with heavy use in Silhouette, which was at its peak in the 80s. Earlier guns without the endurance package are usually fine, but just be careful to check for wear.

My most accurate 629s, though, have been the current production 629s, especially the ones coming out of the Performance Center. That modern CNC machining on current Smiths may not have the charisma of the hand fitting given to vintage guns, but, trust me, new Smiths are outstanding in the accuracy department. As much as I love my Ruger 44s, I'd give the edge in accuracy to the Smiths. As for the lock giving you issues, you'd probably have a better chance of winning the lottery AND it can easily be removed and plugged.

Shakyshoot

Thanks NCG. I'm still kicking myself for not buying a new 629 on Gunbroker about a year ago when they were going for $600. Now they're going right around $700. I could even buy one at Cabela's if they'd ever put up a sale price. I have almost 1K in those 80% gift cards.

44s Rock

Send it to me, I'll shoot it up for you!

moakes58

I bought dies, bullets & brass for a caliber I didn't have yet. What's the problem!

Dennis H

I have a case of 17 hmr for a gun I haven't bought yet. The price was right! I liken it to the upcoming nfl draft, you pick the best available player when it's your turn. Sometimes it's the QB/gun, sometimes it's the RB/ammo, whichever gives you the best bang for yer buck!

moakes58

Dennis H. Nothing wrong with that. Man that's funny!

I picked .17HMR over .22mag a few years back & am glad I did. It's an accurate, quality round, know matter who produces it.

Buy the way, I went with a Savage 93V bolt rifle with the synthetic stock & an Accu-trigger & love it. Mounted a Cabela's caliber -specific scope & like it too.

Dennis H

I really want their semi auto, hopein they get all the bugs worked out or remington makes one in a 597 model.

Shakyshoot

After much self-debate about new vs old, I've ordered this brand new S&W 629 6 1/2" full lug.

http://grabagun.com/s-w-629-6-6-5-44mag-classic.html

My local Cabela's has a nice looking 29-3 for $900, and I've got all those discounted gift cards. I guess I just feel more comfortable with the new in box warranty. I very nearly ordered the deluxe Talo edition, which is only $14 more and a lot prettier. I just think it will get shot a lot more with the ugly Hogues. The Grabagun price is right in line with what they've been going for on Gunbroker, since they have $7.99 shipping and no credit card fees. Now debating about another ammo order,

gunjunkie

That's a good lookin revolver!
I've been eyeballin that one too.

RidgeRunner

Congratulations Shaky. She's a beauty. Let us know how she shoots.

tx gun runner

I had many guns no ammo is made for it and you must make it if you want to shoot it like a 40-60 Maynard or TN222 ,

44s Rock

+1

north country gal

Shaky, that's going to be a great shooter for you. Those factory grips leave the backstrap exposed, but still not bad on the felt recoil. On mine, I bought a factory rubber grip for an X frame Smith which you can buy directly from S&W. Covers the backstrap and makes the gun very comfy to shoot. It doesn't match up on the frame in the same way as the original, but it bolts right on, nice and secure. Still ugly, but if you do a lot of shooting, great option.

Shakyshoot

When you say "backstrap exposed" do you mean exposed as in bare metal, or that it's just a thin layer? Pretty sure there's SOMETHING over the backstrap on the one I ordered. If I'm wrong on that it kinda defeats the whole purpose of not getting the better looking Talo edition.

Shakyshoot

Oops--In doing some more checking I see it does have a bare metal backstrap even with the rubber grips. I thought they were like the very cushiony Hogues on my GP100. So now I've called Grabagun and changed my order to the Talo edition:

http://grabagun.com/smith-and-wesson...ss-as-6rd.html

If I'm going to want to buy another rubber grip, I might as well have the nice looking wood grips, rather than 2 sets of rubber grips.

north country gal

Very nice looking gun on that Talo. Really, though, that standard grip isn't that bad. Never especially bothered me, but I'm used to 44 mag recoil. The Talo IS prettier, though.