Smith & Wesson 629-1 44 Magnum: In the Legacy of Dirty Harry
Smith & Wesson 629-1 44 Magnum: In the Legacy of Dirty Harry
Made between 1982-1988, the gun is a fine example of the excellence of Smith & Wesson stainless N frames. I really meant to say that the gun is 30 years old, and I am its second owner. Jumbled and fumbled the statements. Realized after posting and viewing, and I haven’t learned how to add the little correction statements to the video.
With all its use and wear, it still splits playing cards impressively at 12 1/2 yards if the shooter does his or her part. Very good sights and a great trigger. I have really enjoyed it and the memories of Clint Eastwood and the movie first viewed in 1971.
Only early 629s before the 629-1 had pinned barrels. These pre-82 revolvers are rare in good condition. The hammer mounted firing pins were stopped when S & W went to frame mounted firing pins in 1997.
Good video but disgusted with the Scummer advertising
After the second movie came out around 73-74, I had to go get one, blue and 8 & 3/8” barrel.
Beautiful gun!
Do you feel luck punk well do ya…nice music 🙂
Nice, I have a 1988 629-1 (8 3/8" barrel), picked it up a while back really cheap from a guy that needed money.
Dear FortuneCookie45LC … a couple of FYI’s, if I may amigo:
The rank for ‘Dirty Harry’ Callahan is as a ‘Homicide Inspector’ … (cont’d)
In San Francisco, (my beloved hometown) … the S.F.P.D. do not have ‘Detective’ as one would have in say, the Los Angeles, L.A.P.D. and / or the New York, N.Y.P.D. …
Also, Inspector Harry Callahan is not a ‘Lieutenant’ — nupe … (cont’d)
what size barrel is this? i’ve been looking at getting that in the 6"
(Cont’d) — as he likely has a bunch of medals for valor and etc.’s, he always pissed off the powers that be and hence, remained simply as ‘Inspector Harry Callahan’ during the entire run of the five films: DIRTY HARRY, MAGNUM FORCE, THE ENFORCER, SUDDEN IMPACT and THE DEAD POOL.
One last thing, a bit of trivia — Clint Eastwood was not the first choice as ‘Dirty Harry’ … (cont’d)
Thanks for your question. My 629 has the 4" barrel. It’s a handy length, but for more velocity hunting – the 6 " is better. Either one is one fine piece of ordinance. Best wishes on you getting your 629.
I think I’m going to pick one of these up. I mentioned to my club president that I wanted a .44 mag. He said he had a Model 29 collecting dust and would sell it for $500. He said it was the "Dirty Harry" gun. I highly doubt it is a original 29, but either way I think it’s a deal.
A Beauty for sure.
FC45LC – Also, have the model 25 8-3/8 45 LC (Nickel plated) — have not to many videos on youtube for this model. Can you make a video on yours?
caddman68-Congratulations on your 44 Smith, I agree – they are worth the money…Best Regards…
broknprism-Thanks for the comment…Keeping the Smith stock panels on the gun is just plain A-OK Lots of shooters love the look of the factory stocks. Smith & Wesson used some good wood on those, I don’t blame you for wanting them on there. I keep mine, and putting them back on takes only a minute. Best regards..
That is a fine looking gun. I am buying one at some future date! (my gun needs list is growing rather large)
Relicse-Can I add that to my CV?? Thanks for the comment…
Is this 629-4 or 629-5 ?
Dirty and Hairy had another gun. It was black and it was 6,5".
patriotcam1776-Next time I’m at Pep Boys, I’ll jest hafta mosey over to the waxes and git me some of thet thar Mothers Mag & Alum Polish…Thanks for the tip…
FC45LC, I have the S&W 29-2 8-3/8 barrel – It’s a great revolver…They sure don’t make them like that anymore…
gabe holmes – Clint carried a 6 1/2" in the 1971 movie (sometimes, it was a rubber gun), the 8 3/8" was used in posters and promos. The 629 didn’t come out until 1978, but the blood lines of the 29 are still there. Whatever the barrel length, I’m always thinking "did he six or only five…" or "it will blow your head cleeeean off. You’ve got to ask yourself a question…" I can call him Clint, because an ex-office worker went to HS with him…
👍 Awesome revolver in great condition considering it’s age. I just purchased a 629 Classic 5” 44 magnum and I am very happy with it.
gun nut-That line is classic and defining for Clint Eastwood aka Harry Callahan 1971. Best Regards…
I have three .44 magnums barrel lebgth 7 1/2 inches. Love shooting .44 magnum I’ve always stayed away from a 4 inch barrel because of stories I hear of how unpleaesant that length barrel is to shoot. Any truth too that?
You have a very fine and desired handgun. The 6 means stainless steel. The 29 means N-frame 44 magnum goes back to the original in 1956. The 5 means non-recessed cylinder, frame mounted firing pin . You have non-pinned barrel. And, check this, you do not have stupendous key lock above the cylinder latch. Steel rated handle any maximum approved loadings – but long use will loosen up the pistol eventually. Medium load 8-10 gr Unique/245 SWC shoot forever. Thanks for question.
sick of the stupid commercial at the beginning
i need one <3
Great vid, my favorite gun & round … @ BattleBlades, I read somewhere that when they started shooting Dirty Harry, model 29’s weren’t in production at the time, so S&W sent a model 57 until they could get a couple of 29’s tooled up. The only real difference was a 1/2" shorter barrel & smaller bore so they just had to be careful of camera angles with the m57. Clint Eastwood actually fired live rounds through the 29 at a range so he could emulate the recoil of the .44 in the movie.
After the movie hit the theatres, S&W couldn’t keep up with the demand for their model 29’s.
Hello FC !! please i had a question. I have the Smith and WESSON 629-1 stainless wichtig 6" Barrel in .44 magnum . its my First wheel Gun. How is the Maximum load for this Gun. ? I load with hornady XTP 200gn. With 23gn. Vihtavuori N110. the primer is a little bit flat. In Reloaders Manuel from Hornady is this a lighter load ? Ich hope You can Help me ? thank You very much for your Support ! regards, Gerry from Austria
jessearrizon1974-Congratulations-that’s a fine shootin’ iron ya got there…Thanks for the comment.
Thats not even the same model
Nice gun, thanks for sharing. Good information.
(CONT’D) WAIT! One more one last thing — when Clint Eastwood actually fired what was supposed to be the Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum on an ‘N’ Frame … it was in reality a .45 Smith & Wesson on the ‘N’ Frame because in 1971, there were no .44 Magnum blanks — and a plethora of .45’s — and so, they used the aforementioned .45 on an ‘N’ frame for any time any bang-bang scenes happen.
So there.
Fin.
MeBeTheDB-Thank you very much for the updates, corrections, additional information, just great stuff from one and about one of our favorite films. I’m a likin’ all of it. And I am sure that a lot of shooters still think about Inspector Harry Callahan of the SFPD when they touch off the M29 44. Dirty Harry is alive and well….and the M29 will see to that…
what does a 629-5 mean? its a smith and wesson 44 mag
(CONT’D)
Can you imagine the chairman of the board uttering: "I know what you’re thinkin’. ‘Did he fire six shots or only five?’ Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement, I’ve kinda lost track myself. But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you’ve got to ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do ya punk?" (cont’d)
Thanks for your question. My 629 has the 4" barrel. It’s a handy length, but for more velocity hunting – the 6 " is better. Either one is one fine piece of ordinance. Best wishes on you getting your 629.
BattlesBlades-The M29 pistol used by Clint is on display at the NRA Museum in Virginia.The 5 in 1 blanks Hollywood used would not fit the M29, but I don’t believe they fit the M57 either. At any rate, since the 29 and 57 are indistinguishable on the screen, it wouldn’t surprise me at all that they had a 57 on the set at some time. That sure looks like a 44 bore in the original Dirty Harry, though. Thanks for the comment…
Nothing new here chrome layer on top ? Not a good video
Get some moisrure behind the grips guess what RUST Stains less
the 44 magnum the clint eastwood used was black and had an eight inch barrle
just got my 6" 629 and plan on reloading power coated cast bullets for it. This piece of metal art is a canon in the hand for sure. First time to the range, I shot better with the .44 than i did with my 9MM. Of course at 2.8 pounds you really know you’ve got a handful.
(CONT’D) It was in fact, (ready for this?) John Wayne! And he was to be an aging N.Y.P.D. Homicide Detective. Ultimately though, Frank Sinatra who accepted the part … but had to bow out due to a hand injury. (cont’d)
That old school stainless 44 is the best looking handgun of all time. You have a treasure there sir those pistols are hard to find. Just beautiful enjoy.
i own a 629-1 in 6 inch, shoots great, though i tend to shoot 300 gr JHP most of the time. Do have some 210 Silvertips i’m saving and some 240 gr HP, I do my own loads and tend towards the 300 gr. i do have a set of SP in 300 gr I haven’t shot. soon i may be able to cast my own. we’ll see.
Gung Hay Fat Choy, FC!
Question. Regarding .44 mag, which make/model would you recommend and what length, 6"? Thanks!
i understood clint actually used a .41 mag
Mothers Mag and Aluminum polish is awesome on stainless steel. I used it on my 629-1. Looks new.
I got a 629 no dash with a 6 in barrel myself. Love the old square butt wood grips. It’s depressing they don’t still come with them. The most comfortable grip ever IMO.