Mother Nature, how sweet! One of America’s most proudest pastimes is exploring the great outdoors. After spending 40 hours in a cubicle, there’s nothing quite like exploring the freedom of the backcountry. It all began in 1872, when Congress created Yellowstone as the first U.S. National Park. Since then, national parks have been given more land. Most of us can now enjoy our little piece of heaven in the great outdoors. You might also want to protect yourself with the Smith & Wesson 629.
The Smith & Wesson Model 629 is the best choice for the Woods
The problem with being in nature is the danger of what you share the land with, primarily wild animals. You could spend many days in the field and not see any other animal. There is always the chance that you will find yourself between a mama bear or her cubs, even though you are not equipped for such a situation.
It is highly recommended to carry a firearm in case of an emergency. Sidearms are not only for hunters. Sidearms can be beneficial for archery hunters, but so can hikers, fishermen and photographers.
Glocks in 10mm have gained popularity as woods-carry weapons, but they still don’t match the old reliable revolver. Glocks are lighter and more powerful than revolvers. Their cartridge isn’t as powerful as the venerable.44 Magnum.
The.44 Magnum was developed in the 1950s. It has been a constant field weapon since. It is versatile because of its multiple bullet types and weights. Since the dawn of the.44 Magnum, the S&W Model 29 has been in use.
I converted a Model 629, which is the stainless-steel version the 29 to a great woods-carry gun. It takes only a few modifications to make the transformation.
Considerations for Holsters
Let’s talk about carrying the 629 in the woods. You will usually have a pack with supplies on your back if you are out in the field. Without basic food and equipment, it’s difficult to travel far in the wilderness.
Over the years, technology has advanced in packs. Many packs have a built in belt system. While this is great for your back it can be a problem if you want to carry a gun.
The interference of the pack’s belt will make it difficult to reach the handgun if it is in a traditional holster. Although you might be tempted to conceal your pistol in your pack, I strongly recommend that you consider the speed handicap it creates.
Do you think that if a bear is approaching you fast and charging at you, you will be able to reach your pack, open it, pull your firearm, make a sight picture and fire a round before it is too late?
Holster Options
What are you left with if belt holsters are out? Of course, the chest holster! GunfightersINC offers a Kydex holster with straps and buckles that allows you to quickly attach your rig. The Kenai Chest Holster comes with three quick-detachable clips. You can quickly slip your arm through one of the main loops and wrap the strap around you body by undoing the other. Your sidearm is now easily reachable with a click.
(Photo by Ashley Carlson
You can carry a heavier firearm with no feeling the effects. The drawstroke will be slightly different if the gun is strapped to your chest. During the draw, I had to be careful not to sweep my weak-side hand. It becomes easier and more natural with practice.
Perhaps your pack has a belt system that allows you to use a traditional holster. You might be able to have someone carry your supplies into the woods if you are lucky. A Kydex holster by RKBA Holsters is my choice for those times when a belt holster won’t be an obstruction.
This holster fits the 629 perfectly. You can adjust the belt loops to make it ride high or low. I prefer the gun to ride high on my hip. The RKBA Holster allows the 629 to be held close to the body. This helps prevent it from getting caught in brush while hiking.
I feel more comfortable firing and drawing from a traditional belt holster. This is a benefit when you rely on muscle memory to accomplish a task.
Grab A Grip
What is the first thing your hand comes in contact with when your pistol is securely seated in its chosen holster, and you are ready to fire? What absorbs the powerful recoil of a.44 Mag when you fire a round? If your 629 stock is like mine, then the answer would be a Hogue Monogrip.
The Hogue grip has a soft rubber surface that allows you to interact with your hands. The 629’s metal backstrap does show through the slot at the rear of Hogue’s grip. The Monogrip was adequate for me, with one exception. My pistol’s previous owner had broken the plastic backing on its side panel. This caused the grip not to lay flat against the side plate, which drove my crazy. I used this opportunity to replace the grip.
I tried my luck using a Pachmayr diamond pro grip. It doesn’t have a screw at the bottom like the Hogue. To make the switch, you will need to remove the bracket and cross-pin that Hogue used. Just slip the Pachmayr on the frame like a glove, and secure it with one screw.
The Diamond Pro grips are less gooey-tacky than the Hogues that they replace. The Diamond Pros have a side benefit that I didn’t expect. They are smaller and feel closer to the bore axis.
Aim & Fire
The 629 is now being comfortably carried and held. You should have a front sight that works when you raise the 629 to your eye level for that crucial shot. Personally, I couldn’t see the ramped sight with the factory red insert.
The front sight on the 629 is easy to swap. It’s as simple as pushing the sight rearward and tilting the gun up and out. I prefer fiber-optic sights for my pistols, but I have had draws from holsters that were equipped with a metal sight. The fiber rods can be broken with impact and may not be visible to the eye.
(Photo by Ashley Carlson
I decided to use an old-fashioned sight: the gold beads. The gold bead can reflect any light available and my eyes can pick this up much better than the factory view. Brownells provided the front view. They also sell fiber-optic or tritium versions if you disagree with my choice.
(Photo by Ashley Carlson
I left the factory adjustable rear view intact. You can swap the rear sight out for a red-dot mount if you so desire. It’s not ideal for a defensive firearm but I can see the benefits to a hunting revolver.
Modifying the Trigger on the Model629
The firing process’s final step begins when your finger touches the trigger shoe. The press starts. My TriggerScan machine measured the factory double-action pull to yield a weight of just under 10 pounds. I was able to pull a single-action pull for a weight of 3.6 pounds.
I wanted a lighter pull that I could do without having to go to the gunsmith. Brownells was my first stop. I received a Pro-Spring kit from Brownells and a cylinder-and slide extended-length firing pin.
After doing some online research, I decided to purchase two tools simultaneously to help me deal with my fear of bugging up my 629. Brownells’ rebound slide-spring tool was the best tool to compress and release the rebound spring quickly and easily.
(Photo by Ashley Carlson
I was glad to have the right tool for the job after watching tutorials of people using ballpoint pens and other oddball contraptions. Brownells four in one combo screwdriver kit was also what I bought for my S&W revolvers. It comes with four flat-head tips that will fit all the screws.
It was easy to install the firing pin and spring kit, which lowered my double action pull to 7.1 lbs. The TriggerScan actually reported that the single-action pull weight increased to 4.9 lbs. This increase is not noticeable in practice. However, the trigger does feel lighter and more fluid while shooting.
(Photo by Ashley Carlson
Wrapping up
I tested a variety of ammunition to help me decide what ammo to take with me into the field. Then, I set up the chronograph to gather hard-data. Any ammunition I tried in the field would be comfortable for me to carry. After a full day of testing.44 Magnum ammunition, I can confidently state that I really liked the Pachmayr Diamond pro grips!
(Photo by Ashley Carlson
I love the Model 629 revolver. It would be comfortable to bring it to bear, pun intended, in any situation. It can be used for hunting and defensive purposes. I found working with a revolver refreshingly different from my usual routine of working with polymer pistols.
The 629 has gone from good to great and I don’t see it ever leaving my collection.
(Photo by Ashley Carlson
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Personal Defense World published the post Into the Woods – The Smith & Wesson Model 629 Woods Gun.
