Smith & Wesson Model 629
The Smith & Wesson Model 629 is the stainless steel version of the legendary Model 29 — the .44 Magnum revolver that Dirty Harry made famous and that handgun hunters have relied on for decades. Built on S&W’s large N-Frame, the 629 delivers the full power of .44 Magnum in a corrosion-resistant stainless finish that handles weather, sweat, and field conditions better than the blued Model 29. Available in 4-inch, 5-inch, and 6.5-inch barrel lengths across Classic, Performance Center, and Stealth Hunter configurations.
Read our full S&W 629 Buying Guide ↓
Model 629 Classic: The Standard
The 629 Classic is the baseline — a 6-shot, DA/SA .44 Magnum with a full underlug barrel, adjustable white-outline rear sight, and red ramp front sight. The 5-inch and 6.5-inch barrels are the most popular for hunting and range use, offering longer sight radius and more velocity extraction from the cartridge. The 4-inch barrel is the most balanced for a combination of field carry and shooting performance.
Performance Center 629: Competition and Hunting Upgrades
S&W’s Performance Center produces enhanced 629 variants with tuned actions, custom barrel profiles, and upgraded sights. The 629 Stealth Hunter features a matte black finish, 7.5-inch barrel with integral compensator, and a Performance Center action job — the flagship .44 Magnum hunting revolver in the S&W lineup. The 629 Competitor adds a weighted barrel shroud and match-tuned trigger for silhouette and handgun metallic competition.
.44 Magnum for Handgun Hunting
The 629 with a 6.5-inch barrel is one of the most popular handgun hunting revolvers in America. A 240-grain JHP or hardcast bullet at 1,350 fps from a 6.5-inch barrel delivers more than enough energy for whitetail, mule deer, and black bear inside 75 yards. For larger game (elk, moose) and dangerous-game defense (grizzly), heavy hardcast loads from Buffalo Bore pushing 340-grain bullets at 1,400+ fps extend the 629’s capability. Pair with a scope or red dot in S&W’s factory mounting system for precision handgun hunting.
.44 Magnum / .44 Special Dual-Caliber
Like all .44 Magnum revolvers, the 629 also fires .44 Special — a milder, lower-recoil cartridge that’s significantly cheaper to shoot and ideal for practice. Load .44 Special for range sessions and carry .44 Magnum for hunting and defense. The .44 Magnum lever-action rifles from Henry and Marlin share the same ammunition for a matched revolver/rifle pair.
Model 629 vs. Model 29
The Model 29 is the original blued-steel .44 Magnum — the Dirty Harry gun, now a collector’s piece in its classic form. The Model 629 is the same revolver in stainless steel, offering better corrosion resistance for field use and hunting. For collecting and display, the Model 29. For actual field use and hunting, the 629’s stainless construction is the practical choice.
Model 629 vs. Ruger Redhawk / Super Redhawk
The Ruger Redhawk and Super Redhawk are the 629’s primary competitors in the .44 Magnum revolver market. Rugers are built heavier and designed to handle an unlimited diet of hot +P loads without concern. The 629 has a better factory trigger, more refined fit and finish, and the S&W pedigree. For maximum durability with the heaviest loads, Ruger. For the best out-of-box trigger and shooting experience, S&W 629.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between the Model 29 and Model 629?
The Model 29 is blued steel; the 629 is stainless steel. Same action, same frame, same caliber.
Can the 629 shoot .44 Special?
Yes — all .44 Magnum revolvers safely fire .44 Special.
What barrel length is best for hunting?
6.5 inches for maximum velocity and sight radius. 4 inches for a more packable field revolver.
Is the Model 629 good for bear defense?
Yes — loaded with 300–340 grain hardcast ammunition, the .44 Magnum is one of the most recommended handgun calibers for bear defense.
Can I mount a scope on the 629?
Yes — the N-Frame top strap accepts scope rings, and some Performance Center models ship with integral scope mounting systems.
See Also: Smith & Wesson • .44 Magnum Revolvers • .44 Magnum Ammo • .44 Mag Lever-Action Rifles • Revolvers • Hunting Rifles