S&W 629 vs Colt Anaconda

[Hochulsucks1234]

Like title says, I am eyeing a new revolver to get very soon before the PP offices get crazy. I have been set on a 629 Deluxe, but have interest in the Colt Anaconda. Both 44 mag. Both are excelent pistols and I don't see going wrong with either. Looking for feedback from people that own these fine revolvers.

 

[kev74]

I've only fondled a couple of the newer Colt revolvers, but have a bunch of S&W revolvers - no 626 though.

I like the Smith & Wessons. Maybe just out of familiarity.

 

[C3D]

I might ask why you would ever want a .44 Mag. Big, heavy, expensive and painful to shoot. And yet still not enough of a round for effective protection against large predators.b

If you really need to have a revolver (and I question that too), then either get a very big one - .50 S&W, .454 Casull - or get a .357 Magnum/.38.

But if you are dead set on .44, then the S&W 29/629 is the way to go.

And I should add, I have no bias. I have .44 Anaconda. I have not fired the thing in two decades.

 

[Hochulsucks1234]

I might ask why you would ever want a .44 Mag. Big, heavy, expensive and painful to shoot. And yet still not enough of a round for effective protection against large predators.b

If you really need to have a revolver (and I question that too), then either get a very big one - .50 S&W, .454 Casull - or get a .357 Magnum/.38.

But if you are dead set on .44, then the S&W 29/629 is the way to go.

And I should add, I have no bias. I have .44 Anaconda. I have not fired the thing in two decades.

Cowboy shooting mainly to be a companion to my 1894 and Henry 44s. Most of the time there are limits to 44 special. I reload so idc.

 

[Hochulsucks1234]

I've only fondled a couple of the newer Colt revolvers, but have a bunch of S&W revolvers - no 626 though.

I like the Smith & Wessons. Maybe just out of familiarity.

I have the 686 in 357/38 so it would almost be a bigger brother.

 

[Bananabandit]

I might ask why you would ever want a .44 Mag. Big, heavy, expensive and painful to shoot. And yet still not enough of a round for effective protection against large predators.b

If you really need to have a revolver (and I question that too), then either get a very big one - .50 S&W, .454 Casull - or get a .357 Magnum/.38.

But if you are dead set on .44, then the S&W 29/629 is the way to go.

And I should add, I have no bias. I have .44 Anaconda. I have not fired the thing in two decades.

Man Id hate to hear your opinions on my S&W 460 or even a S&W 500 snubby

 

[thegatman]

629 hands down.

 

[MuttCat]

629 here. And a Ruger 77/44...and REALLY thinking about a lever to add to the mix. And REALLY REALLY thinking about a S&W 29.

 

[Hochulsucks1234]

629 here. And a Ruger 77/44...and REALLY thinking about a lever to add to the mix. And REALLY REALLY thinking about a S&W 29.

Definately need a 44 mag lever they are fun. I run 44 special as well, same bullet, just less powder and standard small pistol primer.

 

[Hochulsucks1234]

629 hands down.

I am thinking so too. Looking at the Deluxe, wood grips. Big brother to my 686.

 

[Xae289]

I love my 629. I can't compare it to an Anaconda since I've never shot one, but I can say that the 629 is my favorite firearm. I've done a lot of handload experimenting with it this past year. I mostly feed it hot-loaded .44 Specials. I don't want to beat it or myself up with full house magnums, but I also want to shoot something lively, so I mostly stick to Skeeter loads (250 gr bullet @ 1000 fps) or Keith loads (250 gr bullet @ 1150 fps). I'll probably shoot more full house (240 gr bullet @ 1300 fps) as it gets closer to hunting season.

 

[Getzville 068]

629 for the win.

 

[1075tech]

No experience with an anaconda. My 5" 629 is a nice shooter. I've only used factory magnum loads. Big brother to my 6" 686 and pairs well with my 1894 44

 

[S&W Fan]

You definitely can’t go wrong with an S&W .44 in either 629 or 29 . I own a couple of both and enjoy shooting them, in addition to hunting with a Ruger super black hawk in .44 mag. For the past 30 years. There’s Nothing better this side of sex than touching off full load 240 grn. .44 mags !

 

[S&W Fan]

I might ask why you would ever want a .44 Mag. Big, heavy, expensive and painful to shoot. And yet still not enough of a round for effective protection against large predators.b

If you really need to have a revolver (and I question that too), then either get a very big one - .50 S&W, .454 Casull - or get a .357 Magnum/.38.

But if you are dead set on .44, then the S&W 29/629 is the way to go.

And I should add, I have no bias. I have .44 Anaconda. I have not fired the thing in two decades.

Bah humbug . I’ll take the Anaconda if you’re looking to dump it.

 

[fresch]

I had a 8-3/8th m29 back in the 70s, trigger like glass, blue perfect. S&W or Colt how much to spend up to you; both nice weapons.
Ever think of a Dan Wesson, you can tune the barrel gap, built like tanks, only no new stock to buy from, but you can easily take it apart for repair, I know on DW mod 15 (357) the factory has new parts. Not sure on the 44 but old parts are available through the DW community.

 

[Phauxtoe]

Hey i have a vintage dirty harry 29 and had shooting day at my friends house. His brother brought his vintage anaconda.
Everyone who shot the two, except the colt owner liked the Dirty harry Smith.
I dont know how current models relate.
(S&W double/single triggers have always been better)

 

[Hochulsucks1234]

Hey i have a vintage dirty harry 29 and had shooting day at my friends house. His brother brought his vintage anaconda.
Everyone who shot the two, except the colt owner liked the Dirty harry Smith.
I dont know how current models relate.
(S&W double/single triggers have always been better)

I am bidding on a 629 Deluxe. Thanks for all the advice guys

 

[FP1201]

I've owned both, fired a lot of rounds through both the Anaconda and the 29/629 and I believe the S&W to be more accurate and better built than the Colt, however the Colt will always be a "Colt" and generally commend a higher price.
The New Anaconda and Python are pretty much the same "V" Frame/action. Given the shit Colt put out in the 80's & 90's it's no wonder they went Bankrupt.

 

[Xae289]

Hey i have a vintage dirty harry 29 and had shooting day at my friends house. His brother brought his vintage anaconda.
Everyone who shot the two, except the colt owner liked the Dirty harry Smith.
I dont know how current models relate.
(S&W double/single triggers have always been better)

That's surprising to me. I always found the Colt revolvers I've tried (Cobra and Python) to have some of the best DA triggers of any revolvers I've tried. SA though, I don't think Colt has anything on S&W's revolvers.

The one thing I will say about my particular 629, the overtravel stop rod in the rebound slide was too short, so it wasn't doing anything at all to reduce overtravel. To fix it, I took a thin nail, cut it just long, polished it, then using a jewler's file, slowly filed it down to where it allowed the hammer to drop and eliminated the overtravel. Really tedious work, because I had to remove and reinstall the rebound slide multiple times, but that and a very conservative job polishing the trigger's contact surfaces took a great trigger and made it amazing.

 

[fresch]

Be careful internal parts are more surface hardened than hard; you can "polish" only so much.

 

[Xae289]

Be careful internal parts are more surface hardened than hard; you can "polish" only so much.

For sure. MIM parts are not to be worked on rough. I'm talking using 10,000 grit sandpaper and polishing compound to lightly smooth the surfaces that would, over time, wear against each other anyway.