Smith & Wesson Model 629 Performance Center 44 Magnum Competitor For Sale | Smith-Wesson USA

“Go Ahead, Make My Day”. The Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum revolver was the first, and arguably the most important big bore, high performance handgun ever made. Until it arrived on the scene, there really weren’t any handguns available for the serious sportsman.

The .44 Magnum cartridge was invented by Elmer Keith in 1955 and was released commercially later that year by Smith & Wesson with the Model 29 revolver. Both the cartridge and the gun would spend the next decade-and-a-half languishing in relative obscurity, only finding limited success, primarily among those in law enforcement, handgun enthusiasts or hunters.

Then in 1971, the Smith & Wesson company, the Model 29 revolver and the .44 Magnum cartridge were about to get launched into super-stardom by an unlikely source- the Hollywood feature film. Clint Eastwood’s “Dirty Harry” debuted with the immortal line, “I know what you’re thinking, punk. You’re thinking “did he fire six shots or only five?” Now to tell you the truth I forgot myself in all this excitement. But being this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and will blow your head clean off, you’ve gotta ask yourself a question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do ya, punk?”.

The rest is history. Even though it technically wasn’t the most powerful handgun in the world (even at that time), the public really didn’t seem to care.

With the ensuing explosion in popularity and subsequent gun sales that followed, it would take retail stores several years before they were able to keep up with demand. Most buyers weren’t even sure why they needed a Smith & Wesson Model 29, they just knew it was good enough for the beloved Inspector Harry Callahan, so it was good enough for them.

In 1978, the Model 629 had finally arrived. It was an all weather, stainless steel version of the blued steel Model 29. Similarly, it was a large N- frame sized platform and the revolver was capable of handling hot .44 magnum ammunition.

Its a solid wheel gun that balances well in the hand. The Smith & Wesson 629 Competitor is a Performance Center gun that is hand-cut, fit, and fine tuned for maximum precision.

It has a heavy barrel that includes a set of interchangeable weights to help balance the handgun, as well as absorb recoil. The gun is beefy, tipping the scales at 57.7 ounces unloaded.

The six-round cylinder is fluted and the iron sights are exceptional. It has traditional style adjustable sights with a white outline rear and red ramp front.

With the aid of a small flathead screwdriver, the rear sight is adjustable for both windage and elevation. The 629 Competitor is equally at home firing full power .44 Magnum, as it is reduced recoil .44 Special loads.

The smooth organic contours make it a superb hunting gun. Its superior stopping power and accuracy make it an excellent choice for taking dangerous game, or just taking out to the target range.

It has a transfer bar safety mounted on the frame. If you’re unfamiliar with the function of a transfer bar, it is a thin strip of metal that rises once the trigger is squeezed, allowing the hammer’s energy to be transferred to the firing pin and then on to the primer.

The invention of the transfer bar safety allowed revolvers to be carried with a full six rounds in the cylinder without the chance of the hammer being snagged and / or being dropped, then inadvertently fired. In addition, the gun is equipped with a built in key lock to disable the gun for safe storage.

The Smith & Wesson Model 629 Competitor’s satin finish provides an overall pleasing appearance, while the solid forged stainless steel chassis ensures longevity. Shots can be fired in either a double action mode, or for greater precision, the hammer can be easily cocked back and fired using a crisp single action trigger pull.

The Performance Center chromed hammer is checkered on the top side, making cocking sure and foolproof. The double action mode is long, but the trigger remains smooth throughout.

When cocking the hammer for single action, the trigger pull is almost imperceptible. The 6- inch barrel features an integral optics rail and a massively sculpted under lug that protects the ejector rod from being bent if the underside of the barrel were to violently strike against something, or even get dropped on the pavement.

An extremely smooth cylinder latch, combined with positive cartridge extraction, make reloading easy. The rubber grip on the 629 Competitor accommodates all three of the shooter�s gripping fingers for a firm and secure hold, and also helps to absorb recoil.

Overall, the Smith & Wesson Model 629 Competitor is a precision instrument that features an enhanced action from one of the world’s most acclaimed custom shops. It has been hand cut, fit and fine tuned to provide the ultimate in a reliable hunting revolver.