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S&W 629 or 686

Hang-Fire1
I'm looking for a good all around backup hunting side-arm. I've narrowed it down to 2, the S&W .44mag 629 and the S&W .357mag 686. Which would be the best in relation to weight, firepower ratio?
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Comments

12 comments

Date Votes
  • duckhunter
    How strong are you?? Shoot them both and get the one you shoot the best.

    I WOULD RATHER BE DUCK HUNTING.
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  • calamitywood
    you have narrowed it down far enough, buy the one you get the best deal on. either will serve the purpose well.
    Sherwin
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  • haroldchrismeyer
    If you can shoot the 44 mag, then go for it. If you find the 44 mag is too much, then go for the 357.
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  • ern98
    I own and shoot a 5" classic M29 44mag and a 6" hunter M686 357mag. They are both great handguns. Both will handle all unexpected haps in the field, baring big bears, Alaskan browns or southern gis. Neither would be good for caping a downed deer, too much firepower. If popping varmints, two or four legged, is the primary reason to carry this handgun then I'd go with a M686 4". If you actually might hunt with this, then go with the M629 with at least the 5" barrel. Ten or twelve years ago the M686 was offered in the hunter config. This had a nonfluteted cylinder, which was enough stronger to allow max++ handloading of cases. I highly recomend this version of this handgun if you can find one. Even so I probably carry my M29 more often then not. You won't go far wrong with either. For capping a downed deer I use a 22mag, this also works on all varmints.
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  • Rebel_James
    Bigger is better.....S&W 629!

    WW2Guns005.jpg

    "The Greatest Battle Implement Ever Devised!"
    -- Gen. George S. Patton
    referring to the M1 Garand
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  • tommy45autos
    I just left a SW 586 6in near new in box on consignment with my dealer.It is an older model I have had in my safe for 12 years .Treasure Hunt Arms 985 -785- 0078 afternoons.(New Orleans area.)


    miss.t@treasurehuntarms.co
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  • beantole
    I would go with the larger 44 magnum gun if there is any chance of encountering an aggressive bear. Otherwise the 357 is fine. I have both.
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  • Hang-Fire1
    I'll be hunting in the Pacific Northwest, so bear encounters are always possible. Although the .44 is more expensive to shoot and a bit on the unruly side, I may be better served by it...
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  • Hang-Fire1
    quote:Originally posted by tommy45autos
    I just left a SW 586 6in near new in box on consignment with my dealer.It is an older model I have had in my safe for 12 years .Treasure Hunt Arms 985 -785- 0078 afternoons.(New Orleans area.)


    miss.t@treasurehuntarms.co


    Thanks for the info Tommy!
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  • JamesRK
    I like em both, but I like the 629 a little bit better.

    01USNoff.bmp02USNesws.jpg03CWO3USN.jpg
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  • eastwood44mag
    Get the 629. You can always put .44 specials in it--a little bit less cost, a lot less recoil, and still an angry round to be on the receiving end of.

    O Lord,
    grant me the Serenity
    to accept the things
    I cannot change
    the courage to change the things I can,
    and the supreme firepower to make the difference.
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  • Pinhead
    Both will serve the purpose but the safety margin on unexpected encounters(especially the bigger stuff) would be greater with the 629 in .44 magnum. If I was going to carry it in country where the bigger bears do not roam, I would probably opt for the 686 in .357 magnum because it recoils less, is slightly lighter and is cheaper to shoot. Jim
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