Ruger Redhawk .44 Mag vs Smith & Wesson Model 629 .44 Mag

Both are 6-shot stainless steel DA/SA revolvers with roughly 4" barrels, but the Redhawk is 4.2 oz heavier (47 oz vs 42.8 oz) and 0.3" shorter in grip height. That weight delta is the practical center of the decision: reviewers consistently report the Redhawk's extra mass makes full-house .44 Magnum noticeably more composed in recoil, while the 629's lighter frame is meaningfully easier to carry all day in the field. The Redhawk also ships with a Hogue Monogrip as standard equipment where the 629 ships with a synthetic grip most owners replace within the first month.

Pick the Smith & Wesson Model 629 if:

• You want 4.2 oz less weight on the belt for trail carry or all-day field use — over miles, that difference is real and the 629 has the lighter platform without giving up capacity
• You want access to the broader N-frame holster and grip aftermarket — Hogue, VZ, and most major holster makers cut more options for the 629 than for the Redhawk

Pick the Ruger Redhawk if:

• You want the extra mass to absorb .44 Magnum recoil — reviewers and owners on both platforms consistently report the Redhawk's 47 oz makes full-power loads more controllable than the 629's 42.8 oz
• You want the Hogue Monogrip from the factory instead of paying for it as an aftermarket swap on the 629
• You want no internal lock above the cylinder release — the Redhawk uses a transfer bar safety with no internal lock mechanism, where the 629 has the S&W internal lock that some owners pin or remove on principle

Both are 6-shot, both have adjustable rear sights, both are satin stainless, and both handle unlimited .44 Special practice along with full-power Magnum loads. The decision is carry weight (629) versus recoil management and lock-free design (Redhawk) — capacity and barrel length are not the differentiators here.