The 329PD is marketed as an Alaska Backpacker to provide defense against dangerous beasts. In a bygone era (the mid to late 20th century) a person had just a few choices when it came to snubbies chambered for the fabled .357 Magnum. The grip worked well to mitigate recoil, but it was too large for concealed carry. You cant go cheap with a belt unsuited for carrying these revolvers, so make note that an investment in gun leather is needed to carry concealed properly. Ruger offers the Super Redhawk .44 Magnum with a two-inch barrel and their GP-100 in .44 Special. As good as these guns are, there is one snubbie which still dominates and looks poised to maintain the lead for a long time. Here, then, are the best snub nose revolvers—ever—in each caliber. Where the frames grip butt ended so did the grips, and some users curled their small fingers under the grip. The sights on the 629-8 were not made for accuracy work and were less refined than the sights on the other models, but the 629-8s sights were designed for concealed carry, and they performed. Based on this metric, the S&W Model 69 is the best in the lot. Since its introduction, the Model 29 has gone through numerous design changes that are reflected in the – model names found in these variants model numbers. When carrying it around town, the extra barrel length made little difference. Smith and Wesson Model 642. Revolvers, Revolvers, Revolver for sale , R 8,000.00, Taurus 6" Ribbed Barrel, 689, .357 Magnum, Like New, South Africa, Province of the Western Cape, Wellington Not the best to cart around tucked into a waistband when you’re in summer attire. In 1988, Bill Ruger stood the snub nosed .357 world on its head when his eponymous company introduced the SP-101. When Samuel Colt introduced the world’s first viable mass produced revolver in the 1830s, it didn’t take long before he, and many other gun makers who followed, developed short barreled versions. We feel a carry revolver should have all the sharp exterior edges broken to make it snag free. The 329PD is a departure from the stainless-steel revolvers tested as it is constructed with a matte-black scandium-alloy frame and a brightly finished stainless-steel cylinder. Our Team Said: The 629-8 was a serviceable concealed carry big bore, but finding one may be difficult since it is no longer produced. At 15 yards, we were able to consistently shoot five-shot groups at one inch. Snub nosed revolvers have been produced in almost every handgun caliber ever invented. Buy a 44 magnum revolver online. The gun did have some short comings—which lead me to sell it. However, despite the .44 Mag.’s celebrity, the market offered few snubbies. Stainless-steel models have a 6 prefix in the model number; those built from scandium alloy have a 3 prefix in the model number. From a niche ammo loader we grabbed Buffalo Bore loaded with a 230-grain Keith-style bullet. Since three out of the four revolvers tested had the Secret Service-style grips, the DA trigger span was the same on those revolvers. Taurus has several .44s suitable for carry, in particular the Tracker and M445. The 41 Magnum did not offer that factory-ammo option. It is difficult to balance size with power due to a .44 cartridge’s diameter. The 629-6 felt tall in hand due to the high sights. The crane also had a ball detent that locked into the frame rock solid. The 642 is the old Airweight Centennial (1952) but without the questionable grip safety. Charter Arms is still around and has improved the Bulldog. Serrations were machined in the top of the barrel, and a ramp front sight with red insert was dovetailed into the barrel. Some complain the factory trigger is a bit heavy, but if you carry it in a pocket or handbag, you’ll appreciate the extra safety margin this provides. Unlike the other three revolvers, the cylinder of the 329PD locks via a detent in the elector rod shroud; it snaps into a hole at the end of the ejector rod. Small, concealable wheel lock, flint lock, and percussion cap muzzle loaded pistols were quite popular in their day. Snubbies have been around since handguns were first developed. You have entered an incorrect email address! For carry, we looked at four juiced-up S&Ws: A 329PD Alaska Backpacker IV and three from the companys Performance Center: a Model 629-8, a Model 657-5, and a Model 629-6.S&W Performance Center Model 629-6 170135 44 Magnum, $1079S&W Performance Center Model 657-5 41 Magnum, $750 … Think enough muzzle blast to induce a migraine, muzzle flash akin to a flamethrower, and ballpeen hammer recoil. - https://kentuckyballistics.com/ Today on Kentucky Ballistics we try out a custom Magnum Research BFR 45-70 Snub Nose Revolver! Taurus Model 444 Raging Bull .44 Magnum Black Revolver (6.5-inch Barrel) The Performance Center uses a ball detent built into the front of the 629-6s crane that snaps into a V-shaped groove in the frame, enabling the 629-6s cylinder to lock up tight. As with any defensive tool, finding the best snub nose revolver is vital for staying safe. If Elmer and Harry can carry around long-barrel variants, we figured these compact versions would be easier and more convenient for concealed carry. The grips were slim with finger grooves and nice friction to the checkering. GET YOUR CLOTHING HERE!!! The ejector rod was long enough to get the empties started, but as always, gravity is an asset when unloading and reloading revolvers. Whats left is still a large frame and cylinder that holds six cartridges. We assumed that since these were new or LNIB, they would pass and they did. Again, use gravity to help this process. All agreed they would carry 44 Magnum loads if they carried the revolver. These live links will show you what’s actually in stock, not what they want to sell you, at the best online gun stores for a 44 Magnum revolver. It is a serious revolver, particularly in its dimensions: in the snub-nosed version, it is available in the .44 Magnum caliber. We range-tested at 15 yards and found that all four revolvers grouped five shots in less than 2 inches when we used a rest and fired in single-action mode. J-frames have been produced in many variations: shrouded hammer; DAO concealed hammer; aluminum frames; even lighter Scandium frames and cylinders; stainless steel frames and cylinders; and many grip options. Our Team Said: The correct holster and belt are required for any of these revolvers. This would make a good defense weapon for dangerous game, as well as against wolves of the four-leg and two-leg variety. The undersized ejector rod wouldn’t always free stubborn spent cases, either. Keith was a gun writer, outdoorsman, and big-bore revolver aficionado who hand-loaded the 44 Special to its maximum potential. For a bullet weight of 200g, that translates (according to the tables) into a muzzle velocity of 750 to 1000 ft. lbs. The shrouded and hammerless models may even be fired through a coat or jacket pocket. .44 caliber snub nose revolvers lay moribund for decades after World War Two. The added heft of the stainless-steel cylinder in this 329PD Backpacker gave the revolver weight and was the most pleasant of the revolvers to shoot, we thought. Yes, use gravity. The porting, longer sight radius, and lower sights exclusive to this model, along with the other features that were on some of the other models (trigger stop, grip, trigger pull, chamfered chambers) made this revolver a better choice for our shooters to carry concealed. This website contains many older reviews. He was a man of small stature but great influence. Tough question, there are and have been so many good ones. At the time of its introduction, the Model 29 was the most powerful production handgun. S&W's production of a large N-frame revolver in .44 Magnum began in 1955; the Model 29 designation was applied in 1957. I also felt the gun weighed too much to justify the .38’s reduced punch when fired from so short a barrel. Fired less than 10 times. I’ve shot a custom three-inch barrel S&W Model 57 in .41 Magnum. A snubnosed revolver (colloquially known as a snubbie, belly gun or bulldog revolver) is any small, medium, or large frame revolverwith a short barrel, which is generally 3 inches or less in length. These bullets, when loaded properly, are a benchmark in power and penetration. We might trade the rubber grip with a set of the wood Secret Service grips or a compact set of rubber grips. There was muzzle flip, and getting back on target took slightly longer. The ability to run 44 Special in the 44 Magnums was a plus. To live it means to carry it, and that is what we did with the four revolvers in this test. 1-36. The ejector rod was housed in an enclosed shroud under the barrel and was more streamlined than any of the other revolvers. Its light weight means you stash it just about anywhere on your person as either a primary or backup gun. We also used HKS speedloaders that allow loading of all chambers at the same time. This profile makes the snub revolvers extremely easy to keep hidden, and with options in caliber ranging from 22LR to 357 Magnum and more, powerful companions for daily carry. The round barrel was longer than the other revolvers, but it featured an oblong port between the muzzle and front sight. Smith & Wesson Model 629 "Performance Center" with custom weighted barrel and scope rails (right) - .44 Magnum Also known as the Model 629 "Performance Center" the Competitor features a number of special customizations aimed at competitive shooting sports including (but not limited to) a weighted barrel to reduce recoil, match-grade trigger, and accessory rails for mounting optics. The 41 Magnum has more power than the 357 and less recoil than the 44 and was designed with law enforcement in mind, though it did not have a big impact on the LE market. NAA .22 Magnum North American Arms (NAA), king of the micro revolver, provides shooters with some of the smallest self-defense revolvers in the world. Over-engineered, all stainless steel construction meant you could carry it next to sweat soaked skin and it wouldn’t corrode. Short barrels make them easier to conceal than their long-barreled brethren. The chambers were chamfered to assist reloading, another appreciated feature. This helped tame felt recoil. The compromise was more concealable grips for less shooting comfort. Real power, real recoil. The hammer was compact, with a teardrop shape. Regardless the brand, snub nosed revolvers have one definitive characteristic: barrels three inches or shorter. The hammer had a larger hammer spur that was plenty toothy. This revolver, like the rest, is a brute in recoil, but we felt it was easier to manage compared to the 629-6 and 657-5. Mfg. All three safety features work unseen inside the frame and under the sideplate and make the revolvers very safe, guarding against accidental discharge from being dropped on a hard surface or a hammer slipping out from under a thumb. The best .44 snub nose revolvers offer a balance between bulk and power. The rear blades notch had a white outline and the top corners were rounded – another nice touch to reduce the possibility of snagging on draw. Plus, you can fire it from inside a coat pocket in an emergency! Thats an important feature if you are going to run hot loads or a lot of rounds through a revolver. You’ll recall that in the October 2020 issue, I cut-and-pasted almost all of then-presidential candidate Joe Biden’s gun-regulation plans listed on his website, with... Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. In evaluating this revolver I felt the only thing that really needed improving was the rear sight. Snub nosed revolvers have been produced in almost every handgun caliber ever invented. Our Team Said: The 629-6 is serious steel to carry concealed, and testers thought it had the features to make a good, but big, concealed-carry revolver. The hard-rubber grip had a pebble texture and pronounced finger grooves; it reminded us of a Hogue-style grip, though the 329PDs grip wore the S&W logo. At the range we feared that this revolver would brutalize our shooting hand. The 329PD also had the lowest velocity and worst accuracy with the Sellier & Bellot ammo.Our Team Said: The 329PD made a good compromise of weight using the stainless steel cylinder and scandium frame. The front edge of the cylinder wore a nice chamfer, and all the chambers were chamfered for ease in reloading. The ultimate snub nose .38 in author's opinion. A trigger stop was built into the trigger, which is a nice feature to reduce rear movement of the trigger to the barest minimum. You could get S&W’s large N-frame with a three-inch barrel, but this gun proved big and quite heavy. Find snub nose revolvers for sale from Smith and Wesson, Chiappa Firearms, and Ruger right here at your trusted online dealer for concealed carry handguns. A good enough gun, but not the Smith’s equal in overall quality. Subito a casa, in tutta sicurezza. I had a tip that Davidson’s was having Ruger make them a special Redhawk version in .41 Magnum with a 2.75 inch barrel. Why do snubbies exist, anyway? The muzzle energy difference between these two cartridges was very different, with the Buffalo Bore having more than 136 foot-pounds more energy in some cases. It is the lightest of all three tested at 32.8 ounces loaded. The diminutive J-frame evolved from the company’s I-frame in 1950. We have fired 329PDs with the titanium cylinder and prefer to carry those guns a lot and shoot them very little. The fact it can shoot either specials or magnums gives it a versatility which the dedicated .44 Special guns do not possess. This reduces time to target, and in gun fights, milliseconds often separate the living from the dead. There is some overlap, when you consider the magnums can fire their special counterparts (but not vis-a-versa). My guess is a similar size and weight .44 Mag. The concealed hammer can’t get caught on anything. So if you want a revolver that won’t jam on you at a time when it’s needed most, this just might be the one that you’ll want down the road. No prowler or varmint will want to be on the receiving end of a .44 magnum (especially when it can leave some serious wounds). This means you won’t have to deal with any jamming or reliability issues. The small-style cylinder latch wore a nice, fine checkering, and like the trigger and hammer, was finished in matte black. What we felt was the added weight, along with the porting and longer barrel, made this revolver easy to shoot. The fit and finish were well executed and were a good example of Performance Center craftsmanship. One team member was included in that group. 8" Ported Barrel with an excellent bright bore with defined lands and grooves. Sell your 44 magnum revolver for FREE today on GunsAmerica! Its medium frame and five-shot cylinder allow it to carry as well as a big bore can, yet it has enough heft to dampen recoil. ... the Rossi 441 or R441, produced, we are told, in 2012 only. His theory was to push heavy bullets at high velocity. It is Smith and Wesson’s ubiquitous J-frame. The 642 is near perfect. They were smaller than the other sights, yet very usable and since we are looking for a concealed-carry revolver to be used at spitting distance, the 629-8 meets that spec. This 41 Magnum wheelgun is not catalogued by S&W any more because it was not a big seller, though a small, but passionate, group of shooters like the cartridge. We actually tested some Keith-style bullets loaded by Buffalo Bore for this report. Rossi .44 Magnum model R441 Blue 2 inch Snub .44 Special 720 descendant Excellent in Box with Service Warranty 44 Spl Mag 5 Shot R44102U Taurus 44C Tracker Frame. We used an OWB holster and a heavy belt to tote these two hefty six shooters. The testers felt they would train with 44 Special and carry 44 Magnum. The .44 Magnum cartridge was invented in the late 1940s and introduced in 1950. By the late 19th century, snubbies (the British called them “Bulldogs”) evolved with the then new double-action revolver into the form we recognize today. These sights were quicker to align that the 657-5s or 629-6s ramp and square notch, our shooters said. J-frames are so small, even the heavier all steel guns are a bit snappy to shoot with standard pressure .38s. Firing in double action, we found we shot these revolvers slower due the muzzle flip and recoil. At first glance, the 629-8 looked like a traditional revolver, but the features are what pushed this revolver ahead of the others. The front ramp sight with red insert was dovetailed into the barrel, allowing the user to swap out the front sight to sync up point of aim with the ammo used. To learn more about how we use cookies, please review our privacy policy here. Before Hollywood discovered the Model 29 and made Clint Eastwoods Dirty Harry character synonymous with the big bore, long barrel revolver, Keith lived it. Catalog. It was light but not so light that it stung the web of our shooting hand. Have no doubt, there is significant recoil with the 41 Magnum; though some thought that recoil felt less severe in the 657-5 compared to the recoil from any of the 44 Magnums tested. The 41 Magnum was designed to bridge the gap between the 357 Magnum and 44 Magnum and does it well. Plus, use by infamous “Son of Sam” serial killer, David Berkowitz, in the 1970s cast a pall over the Bulldog in many people’s minds. The small cylinder latch allowed use of speedloaders; we used Tuff Products Quickstrip, which is a flexible polymer that silently holds six rounds in line and allows users to load two rounds at a time. A great foundation for me to build upon was the S&W 629 Snubbie 44 Magnum from the Performance Center. Colt Anaconda .44 Magnum Revolver. The 41 Magnum cartridge really performs with 180- to 210-grain bullets. They are, as a rule, built on a gun maker’s smallest revolver platform so they are the most concealable snubbies available. No wiggle. The 629-8, unlike the other revolvers, had a longer 3-inch barrel that was ported and equipped with fixed sights that were large and serviceable. The hammer shroud’s fluid design means it won’t snag when drawn. Keith had tremendous input on developing magnum cartridges for revolvers and also had his hands in the development of the 41 Magnum, which was introduced in 1963 as a cartridge to bridge the gap between the 357 Magnum and 44 Magnum. The N-frame is renowned for its strength and has three safety features built into the mechanism: a hammer block, rebounding hammer, and hammer stop. That’s a rare combination, and it’s a good reason for anyone to keep one in their collection. Written and photographed by Robert Sadowski, using evaluations from Gun Tests team testers. The runners up in this segment are the Ruger LCR, the classic Colt Detective Special, the new Colt Cobra, various Taurus models, some from Rock Island Arsenal, and Rossi, to name a few. Team members felt the difference in recoil between the two calibers: The 41 Magnum had a quick snap to it, while the 44 Magnum had a big wallop. To make an S&W N-Frame revolver into a compact carry gun means reducing the revolvers barrel length and grip. By continuing to browse our website you agree to our use of cookies. Snub nose revolvers can fit in your pocket, but they also have enough power to keep you safe. The left grip panel allowed use of a speedloader. Photos are representative, one revolver from a small lot we were fortunate enough to get. Abbiamo testato il revolver Smith & Wesson 629 Performance Center in calibro .44 Magnum della con canna da 2½”, che ha rivelato caratteristiche interessanti The steel barrel liner is crowned and slightly protrudes from the shroud. Concealed-carrying the 657-5 was similar to the 629-6. The big round was based on the .44 Special and featured a significant boost in energy and velocity. It took a while, but Smith got the formula right when they debuted the alloy-framed, steel cylinder Model 642 in the 1990s. It is a big gun with a little grip. The Ruger brought innovative polymer frame technology to the revolver world. We did not like the sharp edges of the barrel, as it required more effort reholstering. No one had ever seen anything quite like it. Serrations run on the top side of barrel frame. SN #AN02975. This snub-nose revolver is accurate and quite reliable through well over 100 rounds. Handguns; Pistols; Big-Bore Snubnose Revolvers In 44 Magnum and 41 Magnum. In the past decade the .44 Special has risen from the ashes. Ruger SP-101. The front-sight blade is pinned in the shroud and uses a gold bead. The design of these revolv… If carrying around a huge revolver for everyday concealed carry literally sounds like a pain in the hip, consider this: For everyday carry, Keith wore a Model 29 with a 4- or 5-inch barrel. The 642 is also rated for +P ammunition so it gives a bit more thump at the business end than my old Model 36—with increased recoil, though. This can be said about all the .44 Magnum snubbies, the Tracker and S&W’s scandium offerings in particular. The rear sight is fully adjustable and finished matte black, with the rear-sight base serrated to reduce glare. With the Sellier & Bellot load, the 629-8 had a muzzle velocity almost 100 fps more than the other revolvers. This was a full-size grip, and though it felt good in hand for most testers, it was much too large to carry concealed. The team said the 629-8 came in right behind the 329PD in terms of felt recoil. The cylinder latch was similar to the other revolvers: Small, well checkered, and worked precisely. What are the best .38, .357, and .44 caliber snub nosed revolvers—ever? The muzzle is rounded off to assist in reholstering, and the edges of the barrel shroud are slightly chamfered. The ejector rod was a good length and pushed out empties about three-quarters of the way. Author's pick for best .357 Magnum snub nose. Gun Tests has been independently reviewing firearms since 1989. I recently took on a mission to create The Ultimate Defense Revolver capable of solving any personal defense encounter in North America. These taller sights made the outside more snag prone, but when the sights came up on target, they let the user know exactly where this big bore was pointed. It could be easily swapped, if a user so desired. S&W Model 629, .44 magnum, snub nose, Performance Center model. Testers felt that the 629-8 got concealed carry right for a big-bore revolver. The sights were fast on target but plenty tall. As a former S&W Model 19 owner, I can attest a 2-1/2-inch barreled .357 Magnum is a challenge to shoot. We saw immediately the faster velocity from the 657-5 compared to the other 44 Magnums. However, which are the true greats? The gun was well made and filled with great features, but the 44 Magnum chambering offered more for the investment.
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