How does the Redhawk compare to the Smith model 29/629? I have a Redhawk (serial #500-18XXX) 7.5 inch barrel in stainless steel and have been thinking about buying a Smith. I am confused about the versions such as the -2, -3 and new Smith models made after 1990. Can anyone shed any information on these Smith models? I have been told the Redhawk is a much stronger revolver than the Smith 29 but the 29 has a better trigger. Also, I have been told the overall fit and finish of the new Smiths and Redhawk are similar. I do not know and would appreciate any advice. Thanks.
Redhawk vs S & W model 29/629
- Thread starter smlake
- Start date
smlake said:
Pretty much says it all.
The Smith has a "half-frame" design, with a removable sideplate, while the Redhawk has all its innards fitted into an opening in the center of the frame. The Smith is, however, strong enough for a lifetime of shooting SAAMI loads. A Smith & Wesson trigger has to be tried to truly understand what a great DA trigger is.
Regarding fit and finish, the older S&W revolvers beat the snot out of the new ones. Not sure which engineering change it was, but pre-1982 M29s will have a pinned barrel and counterbored cylinder, generally regarded as the most desireable.
Tommy Kelly
Buckeye
I have a older redhawk and it is great a awesome trigger and a top quality gun. It's trigger would beat most of the S&W triggers I have ever seen. The redhawk is supposed to be a lot stronger than the S&W 29 and is supposed to take hotter loads than the superblackhawks. Plus the S&W has the lock's in the side of them now. I personally wouldn't trade my redhawk for a brand new S&W today. S&W has always been the tops in handguns and the most widely used guns but the ruger's are built like tanks.
BearStopper
Blackhawk
My Smith 29 failed to hold up to SAAMI loads. It was loose with just average usage. So it is gone now and my 5.5" Redhawk is great.wwb said:
BearStopper said:
I have a 29 with, conservatively, 5,000 rounds through it. About half of those are factory 240 grain (mostly Federal) and half are my 240 grain reloads, which are 1 grain of 2400 under max load - not enough difference to spit at, since typical starting load is 2.5 grains under max. Add to the mix a small number (maybe 150 rounds) of 200 grain and 300 grain loads in varying degrees of "hotness". If there's any problem at all, it might have just a little too much end shake, but checking it with a range rod shows no misalignment of the cylinder, and the timing is still right on the money.
Lee Martin
Hunter
How much do you plan to shoot and how heavy a load? If you're thinking of max 300 - 335 grain slugs, I'd opt for the Redhawk. The Smith has more graceful lines (at least in my opinion) and a slicker action though.
As the others have said the Redhawk has it in durability over the 29/629 especially with heavy loads. The Smith will have a better trigger (the older ones). I believe the "durability" package for Smiths started with the "-4" models having a larger bolt stop amongst other things. Before then, with heavy loads, the cylinder would sometimes unlock. I had a tuned S&W 629-5 Mtn. Gun (MIM w.o. lock) that had a 7.5 lb DA and 2.5 lb SA trigger. Best I could get on my Redhawks was about a 9.5 lb DA and 3.8 lb SA and for all around reliability settled on springing to give about 10.5 lb DA and 4.2 lb SA. Did I notice the heavier trigger? No, the gun is heavier than the Mtn. Gun. Also, I liked the trigger in DA a lot better than a DW 744 I had albeit the Dan's SA was better. I guess what would work for you depends upon what you plan on doing with it.
If I was going with the Smith I would look for the forged -4 model as the "fitted" pre-MIM guns have less in the way of tolerances in the action.
If I was going with the Smith I would look for the forged -4 model as the "fitted" pre-MIM guns have less in the way of tolerances in the action.
Knuckles
Buckeye
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2007
- Messages
- 1,229
I made the choice between a S&W Mountain Gun and the Redhawk both in .45Colt
I went against the grain (like that ever happens :wink: ) and chose the Redhawk for the reason you're supposed to pick the Smith'... I liked the action better, my Redhawk's trigger is long-light and buettery-smooth.
I think the Smith is the better looking of the two.
I'd still like to get a Lew Horten .44spl pre-safety. 8)
Same gun... better pics'
I went against the grain (like that ever happens :wink: ) and chose the Redhawk for the reason you're supposed to pick the Smith'... I liked the action better, my Redhawk's trigger is long-light and buettery-smooth.
I think the Smith is the better looking of the two.
I'd still like to get a Lew Horten .44spl pre-safety. 8)
Same gun... better pics'
Iron Mike Golf
Blackhawk
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2010
- Messages
- 945
Thel said:
I think it was 29-3E and 629-2E, but I could be wrong.
mohavesam
Hawkeye
"How does the Redhawk compare to the Smith model 29/629?"
Sounds like a title of one of 1000 gun rag articles from years past!
RL value
Durability
Fit
Finish options
Trigger SA & DA
Grip options
Sight options
Scope mount options
Factory variants
Barrel options
Hard-to-find factor
accuracy (ugh)
Holster availability
(wife just chimed in with "resale value", and walked away laughing...)
There are quite a few comparisons to cover.
Sounds like a title of one of 1000 gun rag articles from years past!
RL value
Durability
Fit
Finish options
Trigger SA & DA
Grip options
Sight options
Scope mount options
Factory variants
Barrel options
Hard-to-find factor
accuracy (ugh)
Holster availability
(wife just chimed in with "resale value", and walked away laughing...)
There are quite a few comparisons to cover.
5of7
Hunter
Between the two, if you are looking for a gun that you can explore the upper performance limits of the 44 Mg., or the other big bore cartridges, the Redhawk is the way to go.
chris_
Blackhawk
I can make a Redhawk trigger a lot like the Smiths but I could never make the Smith frame anything like the Redhawks.
FergusonTO35
Hunter
Good lookin' Redhawk there. I think the four inch tube is the bee's knees.
Clint50
Bearcat
The four inch RH is my favorite too. I just bought one yesterday and am waiting for Fedex to deliver it. How many of you own one? It doesn't seem like there's a lot of them around.
Dale53
Blackhawk
I have several Smiths and a Ruger Red Hawk.
My original Model 29 with 8 3/8" barrel has digested around 10,000 .44 magnum rounds (with my cast bullets and reloads). It is still just as tight as when it was shipped. A couple of years ago, I bought a like new Performance Center "Light Hunter" model 629 with 7½" barrel. I also have a 4" model 629 Smith.
My Red Hawk is my "foul weather" gun (a blued gun will rust while you watch it when hunting in the rain). The Smiths have a far better trigger (yes, my Red Hawk has a trigger job). Red Hawk's design limits your minimum trigger pull. My Red Hawk is the one I use when shooting heavily loaded 310 gr Cast bullets.
However, when I consider that my 29 has digested 10,000 .44 magnum rounds I consider it "strong enough". The Smith does not take kindly to heavier than normal bullets when heavily loaded. It's the recoil not the pressure that accelerates wear.
I have several "old Smiths" and several new ones. The new ones are every bit as good as my old ones as far as shooting accuracy is concerned. The "lock" troubles me NOT AT ALL. My daily carry HAD a lock - I simply removed it and replaced said lock with the PLUG. Simply NOT AN ISSUE.
Dale53
My original Model 29 with 8 3/8" barrel has digested around 10,000 .44 magnum rounds (with my cast bullets and reloads). It is still just as tight as when it was shipped. A couple of years ago, I bought a like new Performance Center "Light Hunter" model 629 with 7½" barrel. I also have a 4" model 629 Smith.
My Red Hawk is my "foul weather" gun (a blued gun will rust while you watch it when hunting in the rain). The Smiths have a far better trigger (yes, my Red Hawk has a trigger job). Red Hawk's design limits your minimum trigger pull. My Red Hawk is the one I use when shooting heavily loaded 310 gr Cast bullets.
However, when I consider that my 29 has digested 10,000 .44 magnum rounds I consider it "strong enough". The Smith does not take kindly to heavier than normal bullets when heavily loaded. It's the recoil not the pressure that accelerates wear.
I have several "old Smiths" and several new ones. The new ones are every bit as good as my old ones as far as shooting accuracy is concerned. The "lock" troubles me NOT AT ALL. My daily carry HAD a lock - I simply removed it and replaced said lock with the PLUG. Simply NOT AN ISSUE.
Dale53
WESHOOT2
Hunter
I agree in entirety the above.
mattsbox99
Hunter
I've got them both, I like them both. The Ruger is my working gun though.
MMichaelAK
Single-Sixer
Ive got a Redhawk 5 1/2 inch now. I had a Smith 29-4, 4 inch I bought used LNIB. It had what S&W calls their endurance package. I shot only 240 grain factory loads in it and it shot loose in 4 years. It would unlock under recoil and the cylinder would roll in reverse 2/3rds the way back to the previous chamber.
It didnt do this on every chamber but 3 of 6, then after I had it repaired by Smith, it worked correctly for a couple hundred rounds, then the trouble began again but only on two chambers instead of the three before. I traded it off at a loss for part of the cost of a Ruger #3.
Yes, it had a nice trigger but for it to fail like that, a nice trigger doesnt mean much. Besides, my Redhawk has a very nice Ruger trigger and it isnt going to shoot loose like the Smith did.
It didnt do this on every chamber but 3 of 6, then after I had it repaired by Smith, it worked correctly for a couple hundred rounds, then the trouble began again but only on two chambers instead of the three before. I traded it off at a loss for part of the cost of a Ruger #3.
Yes, it had a nice trigger but for it to fail like that, a nice trigger doesnt mean much. Besides, my Redhawk has a very nice Ruger trigger and it isnt going to shoot loose like the Smith did.
Hammerdown77
Blackhawk
I have a S&W Model 629 5" Classic that I bought from forum member Wayno. It's easily one of the best shooting guns I've ever owned. The trigger is mahvelous.
(posted this picture a lot now, but it never gets old...)
(posted this picture a lot now, but it never gets old...)
The S&W Mountain Guns in all their caliber variations are wonderful guns for woods carry. Pre-lock for me as well.
My 5.5" Redhawk in .41 Magnum (SS) took me a long time to find and it is a heck of a revolver.
To say those guns are "apples and oranges" is an understatement. I never go to the safe and try to pick between them. The situation that led to me going to the safe calls for one or the other. Not both.
I really like my S&W .44 Magnum Mountain Gun but honestly I like the Mountain Gun in .45 Colt even more. It has been converted to use moon clips so it will happily fire and extract .45 ACP as well. For a general fun gun, that one gets to go shooting more than the other two. For actual hunting and/or killing something big and ugly, I'll take the Redhawk. For putting in a Simply Rugged holster and walking around the property, I'll take one of the MG's.
Gregg
My 5.5" Redhawk in .41 Magnum (SS) took me a long time to find and it is a heck of a revolver.
To say those guns are "apples and oranges" is an understatement. I never go to the safe and try to pick between them. The situation that led to me going to the safe calls for one or the other. Not both.
I really like my S&W .44 Magnum Mountain Gun but honestly I like the Mountain Gun in .45 Colt even more. It has been converted to use moon clips so it will happily fire and extract .45 ACP as well. For a general fun gun, that one gets to go shooting more than the other two. For actual hunting and/or killing something big and ugly, I'll take the Redhawk. For putting in a Simply Rugged holster and walking around the property, I'll take one of the MG's.
Gregg
yankee7809
Single-Sixer
I own a Super Redhawk as well as a 629-3, as well as several other .44 Mags. The two guns are as different as night and day. Both are stainless and both fire the same cartridges. That is where it ends. The Super is for load development and the 629 is for fun shooting and looking at. I love 'em both the same and won't part with either.
The SRH is a heavy, super strong gun and the Smith is a beautiful thing.
The SRH is a heavy, super strong gun and the Smith is a beautiful thing.
ultramag44
Bearcat
My first Redhawk was a 1982 production 7.5 stainless. made just after they went to the newer barrel profile. I liked it alot, balance was about perfect.
In 1988 I bought a Blue 5.5 Redhawk NIB for $289.00 The balance on this one never felt 'right' for me!
I traded the 5.5 years later for a NIB S&W 5 " Classic Blue 29. The Blues were only made for a few years. it has the endurance package. All I shoot is cast bullets and handloads. It's still perfect. The balance is good for me.
In 1988 I bought a Blue 5.5 Redhawk NIB for $289.00 The balance on this one never felt 'right' for me!
I traded the 5.5 years later for a NIB S&W 5 " Classic Blue 29. The Blues were only made for a few years. it has the endurance package. All I shoot is cast bullets and handloads. It's still perfect. The balance is good for me.
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