Ruger Redhawk vs. S&W 629

luckysedem · November 3, 2010, 06:37 AM

which is the better choice for shooting not to show off! also which do you prefer,wood or sinthetic grip?

mete · November 3, 2010, 07:07 AM

Welcome to the forum !

If you're the type who wants to load HOT get the Ruger. For normal people I think the 629 looks nicer .My old M29 sports a Pachmyer rubber grip which improves things .But use whatever fits your hand better. I never use a scope. To become proficient get into metallic silhouette or some other game .

TinyDee · November 3, 2010, 07:50 AM

I started my 44 days with a Ruger Blackhawk but moved to the Smith many years ago and would suggest to you the same thing. Double action is nice, the revolver is flawless in more ways than not.

jtb1967 · November 3, 2010, 07:52 AM

The Redhawk is a stronger gun, but the S&W has the edge in the trigger department. The 29's and 629's I've owned or shot seem to have had a slight accuracy edge on average than the Redhawks and Super Redhawks.

WESHOOT2 · November 3, 2010, 08:04 AM

My choice was for Redhawks. I'd had a new 44 delivered, and its DA trigger was superior to a dozen other large-frame revolvers including Dan Wesson, three Raging Bulls, an Anaconda, and a plethora of varied S&W models.
The 'test' was done at the gunshop, with my new Redhawk removed from its shipping box, and compared to the others.
There were six of us in the shop at the time, and the test was done 'blind'.

I also owned two 357 Redhawks, and a 41 and 45 Colt.

I don't shoot my DA revolvers SA.

mikejonestkd · November 3, 2010, 08:06 AM

Its hard to go wrong with either, but I like the feel and the trigger of a model 29 better.

.284 · November 3, 2010, 09:30 AM

I have a 629 classic that I bought for deer hunting. I know the Ruger has a stouter frame but, the Smith just fits my hand better than the Ruger. As someone else mentioned, this should be part of the deciding factors. I also like the Hogue grips that I have on mine more so than wood.

JMO, good luck.

jrb_pro · November 3, 2010, 09:45 AM

Smith.

/discussion

munson1 · November 3, 2010, 10:29 AM

Love them both!!!!!!!!!!! I think the trick is to have grips that Fit. Also I never shoot single action. Once you get use to double action its the only way to go.

Ken

jmortimer · November 3, 2010, 10:36 AM

This is a win-win deal (one of the few in life) You can't go wrong here. I have read a number of threads regarding these guns and what you see here is what you get. Most who have owned both like the S&W better. Me, I'd put up with the Ruger's trigger as I generally like Rugers better with the exception of the J Frames which are so nice.

EdInk · November 3, 2010, 11:18 AM

Go with the 629. It's only about $80 more around here. YMMV. Now if you plan only shooting it SA then buy a Ruger SBH and save about $350.

luckysedem · November 4, 2010, 05:20 PM

thanks for the feedback,i'll let you know which i choosed...

Rockhanger · November 4, 2010, 06:21 PM

Both are great guns. The Redhawk is much stronger.

22-rimfire · November 4, 2010, 09:12 PM

I generally prefer the Smith N-frame. I have a number of Model 57's (41 mag) and finally picked up a Ruger Redhawk in 41 mag. I have not shot it much as I keep grabbing my 4" Smith M57 Mountain Gun, but I like the feel of the Ruger. For me, I would probably install rubber grips on the Redhawk. I have not yet, but they are sitting in my pile of goodies waiting to be installed.

RickE · November 4, 2010, 10:23 PM

jtb167 is right on. Want hotter loads, go with the Ruger. And, with the savings, you can have a little gunsmithing of the trigger.

MADISON · November 5, 2010, 09:35 AM

My thoughts on Redhawk vs. S&W 629.
A 629 is a "ighter" gun than a Redhawk.
A S&W [629] has a better trigger pull than a Redhawk.
A Redhawk is a heavier and stronger gun.
The Redhawk's trigger pull is terrible...
A Redhawk will take heavy loads and not stress the frame, like a S&W will.

I have owned both guns. I loaded 21 GRAINS OF 2400. The S&W thought the
load was too hot. The Redhawk thought the hot load was WONDERFUL!!!

lovethosesooners · November 5, 2010, 10:35 PM

Have never fired the S&W 629, but have a Super Redhawk with 7 1/2" barrel-love that gun!

Trigger seems smooth to me, shoot it very accurately, and they are definitely "built like a tank"-per Buffalo Bore's gun's list capable of handling their 44 magnum +P+:

.44 Remington Magnum +P+: Use only in Ruger Super Blackhawk, Vaquero, Redhawk, or Super Redhawk models, Freedom Arms model 83, Taurus Raging Bull & Dan Wesson revolvers, Thompson/Center Encore, Winchester 1894 and Marlin 1894 rifles, the H&R Handirifle and any rifle with a falling block action.

While I like S&W, I don't see it listed in being able to handle this VERY hot load (1649 ft. pounds of energy at the muzzle!)

Slamfire · November 5, 2010, 10:44 PM

The Redhawk is a tank!!

If you want to load the hottest loads that give the biggest bang, the Redhawk is the one for you. I would still have mine if it were not for the fact that rubber grips for the thing were all huge. I don't have long fingers and all the aftermarket grips were made for mutants with big mitts.

My M629-4 has a wonderful trigger and is about the most accurate 44 I have ever shot. It is exceptionally accurate.

The Hogue X grips made it shootable.

But from what I have read, you load the big heavy bullets and push them as fast as you can, that will knock an N frame out of time.

SwampYankee · November 6, 2010, 06:50 AM

I've got a 4" Redhawk in .45 LC and a 25-5 in .45 LC. I love my Rugers but I prefer the Smith in this case.

10Ringmagic · November 6, 2010, 08:18 AM

If you like to shoot the hottest reloads, by all means get the Ruger.

Otherwise, the S&W is the best choice. IMHO

orsogato · November 6, 2010, 01:58 PM

It's like comparing a chevy corvette to a ferrari. I'd go s&w model 29 or 629. Much better trigger, excellent quality. I like to roll old school:

jrb_pro · November 6, 2010, 02:08 PM

orsogato: exactly.

xanth · November 7, 2010, 07:56 PM

Love my model 29. Great trigger.

BlackStaff · November 8, 2010, 12:04 PM

I just went through the process of making this same decision. I went to the range and rented both of them. For me, shooting them back to back was the best way to decide. As far as accuracy is concerned, they are about the same. The Super Redhawk only comes in two barrel lengths though, 7.5 and 9.5. You'll have a lot more options if you go with the S&W.

I ended up getting a S&W 629 Classic with a 5" barrel and full lug. It shoots like a dream. I haven't replaced the grips on it yet, but I'm gonna go with wooden ones from hogue. The rubber grips that came on it work fine and they help with recoil. I'm going for a custom look though.

November 3, 2010, 06:37 AM	#1
luckysedem Junior Member Join Date: November 3, 2010 Posts: 3	Ruger Redhawk vs. S&W 629 which is the better choice for shooting not to show off! also which do you prefer,wood or sinthetic grip?

November 3, 2010, 07:07 AM	#2
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	Welcome to the forum ! If you're the type who wants to load HOT get the Ruger. For normal people I think the 629 looks nicer .My old M29 sports a Pachmyer rubber grip which improves things .But use whatever fits your hand better. I never use a scope. To become proficient get into metallic silhouette or some other game . __________________ And Watson , bring your revolver !

November 3, 2010, 08:04 AM	#5
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Once five, now two. My choice was for Redhawks. I'd had a new 44 delivered, and its DA trigger was superior to a dozen other large-frame revolvers including Dan Wesson, three Raging Bulls, an Anaconda, and a plethora of varied S&W models. The 'test' was done at the gunshop, with my new Redhawk removed from its shipping box, and compared to the others. There were six of us in the shop at the time, and the test was done 'blind'. I also owned two 357 Redhawks, and a 41 and 45 Colt. I don't shoot my DA revolvers SA. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

November 3, 2010, 08:06 AM	#6
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,716	Its hard to go wrong with either, but I like the feel and the trigger of a model 29 better. __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

November 3, 2010, 09:30 AM	#7
.284 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2009 Location: davison, michigan Posts: 665	I have a 629 classic that I bought for deer hunting. I know the Ruger has a stouter frame but, the Smith just fits my hand better than the Ruger. As someone else mentioned, this should be part of the deciding factors. I also like the Hogue grips that I have on mine more so than wood. JMO, good luck. __________________ Guns have only two enemies, rust and politicians! Deer are amazing creatures....so please don't burn the sauteed onions and I'll pass on the steak sauce, thank you.

November 3, 2010, 07:50 AM	#3
TinyDee Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 351	I started my 44 days with a Ruger Blackhawk but moved to the Smith many years ago and would suggest to you the same thing. Double action is nice, the revolver is flawless in more ways than not.

November 3, 2010, 07:52 AM	#4
jtb1967 Junior member Join Date: September 29, 2004 Location: WV Posts: 454	The Redhawk is a stronger gun, but the S&W has the edge in the trigger department. The 29's and 629's I've owned or shot seem to have had a slight accuracy edge on average than the Redhawks and Super Redhawks.

November 3, 2010, 09:45 AM	#8
jrb_pro Member Join Date: October 16, 2010 Posts: 42	Smith. /discussion

November 3, 2010, 10:29 AM	#9
munson1 Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2009 Posts: 141	629 & Ruger RH Love them both!!!!!!!!!!! I think the trick is to have grips that Fit. Also I never shoot single action. Once you get use to double action its the only way to go. Ken

November 3, 2010, 10:36 AM	#10
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	This is a win-win deal (one of the few in life) You can't go wrong here. I have read a number of threads regarding these guns and what you see here is what you get. Most who have owned both like the S&W better. Me, I'd put up with the Ruger's trigger as I generally like Rugers better with the exception of the J Frames which are so nice.

November 3, 2010, 11:18 AM	#11
EdInk Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2009 Posts: 3,968	Go with the 629. It's only about $80 more around here. YMMV. Now if you plan only shooting it SA then buy a Ruger SBH and save about $350. __________________ Sic Semper Tyrannis

November 4, 2010, 05:20 PM	#12
luckysedem Junior Member Join Date: November 3, 2010 Posts: 3	thanks for the feedback,i'll let you know which i choosed...

November 4, 2010, 06:21 PM	#13
Rockhanger Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2010 Posts: 111	Both are great guns. The Redhawk is much stronger.

November 4, 2010, 09:12 PM	#14
22-rimfire Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 5,323	I generally prefer the Smith N-frame. I have a number of Model 57's (41 mag) and finally picked up a Ruger Redhawk in 41 mag. I have not shot it much as I keep grabbing my 4" Smith M57 Mountain Gun, but I like the feel of the Ruger. For me, I would probably install rubber grips on the Redhawk. I have not yet, but they are sitting in my pile of goodies waiting to be installed.

November 4, 2010, 10:23 PM	#15
RickE Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2009 Location: Kirkland Wa. Posts: 516	jtb167 is right on. Want hotter loads, go with the Ruger. And, with the savings, you can have a little gunsmithing of the trigger.

November 5, 2010, 09:35 AM	#16
MADISON Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2000 Location: Roanoke, Virginia Posts: 2,678	Redhawk vs. S&W 629 ? My thoughts on Redhawk vs. S&W 629. A 629 is a "ighter" gun than a Redhawk. A S&W [629] has a better trigger pull than a Redhawk. A Redhawk is a heavier and stronger gun. The Redhawk's trigger pull is terrible... A Redhawk will take heavy loads and not stress the frame, like a S&W will. I have owned both guns. I loaded 21 GRAINS OF 2400. The S&W thought the load was too hot. The Redhawk thought the hot load was WONDERFUL!!!

November 5, 2010, 10:35 PM	#17
lovethosesooners Member Join Date: November 5, 2010 Location: DFW Posts: 62	Have never fired the S&W 629, but have a Super Redhawk with 7 1/2" barrel-love that gun! Trigger seems smooth to me, shoot it very accurately, and they are definitely "built like a tank"-per Buffalo Bore's gun's list capable of handling their 44 magnum +P+: .44 Remington Magnum +P+: Use only in Ruger Super Blackhawk, Vaquero, Redhawk, or Super Redhawk models, Freedom Arms model 83, Taurus Raging Bull & Dan Wesson revolvers, Thompson/Center Encore, Winchester 1894 and Marlin 1894 rifles, the H&R Handirifle and any rifle with a falling block action. While I like S&W, I don't see it listed in being able to handle this VERY hot load (1649 ft. pounds of energy at the muzzle!)

November 5, 2010, 10:44 PM	#18
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	The Redhawk is a tank!! If you want to load the hottest loads that give the biggest bang, the Redhawk is the one for you. I would still have mine if it were not for the fact that rubber grips for the thing were all huge. I don't have long fingers and all the aftermarket grips were made for mutants with big mitts. My M629-4 has a wonderful trigger and is about the most accurate 44 I have ever shot. It is exceptionally accurate. The Hogue X grips made it shootable. But from what I have read, you load the big heavy bullets and push them as fast as you can, that will knock an N frame out of time. __________________ If I'm not shooting, I'm reloading.

November 6, 2010, 06:50 AM	#19
SwampYankee Registration in progress Join Date: November 1, 2008 Location: I can be found on a number of other forums. Posts: 1,333	I've got a 4" Redhawk in .45 LC and a 25-5 in .45 LC. I love my Rugers but I prefer the Smith in this case.

November 6, 2010, 08:18 AM	#20
10Ringmagic Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2010 Location: MI Posts: 315	If you like to shoot the hottest reloads, by all means get the Ruger. Otherwise, the S&W is the best choice. IMHO

November 6, 2010, 01:58 PM	#21
orsogato Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 1999 Location: Steeler Country Posts: 628	It's like comparing a chevy corvette to a ferrari. I'd go s&w model 29 or 629. Much better trigger, excellent quality. I like to roll old school:

November 6, 2010, 02:08 PM	#22
jrb_pro Member Join Date: October 16, 2010 Posts: 42	orsogato: exactly.

November 7, 2010, 07:56 PM	#23
xanth Member Join Date: December 28, 2008 Posts: 66	Love my model 29. Great trigger.

November 8, 2010, 12:04 PM	#24
BlackStaff Member Join Date: September 26, 2010 Location: CA Posts: 59	luckysedem I just went through the process of making this same decision. I went to the range and rented both of them. For me, shooting them back to back was the best way to decide. As far as accuracy is concerned, they are about the same. The Super Redhawk only comes in two barrel lengths though, 7.5 and 9.5. You'll have a lot more options if you go with the S&W. I ended up getting a S&W 629 Classic with a 5" barrel and full lug. It shoots like a dream. I haven't replaced the grips on it yet, but I'm gonna go with wooden ones from hogue. The rubber grips that came on it work fine and they help with recoil. I'm going for a custom look though.