S&W 629 .44 Classic. Wanted something to use in a lock-on treestand instead of the .460--lighter, less recoil, close-range. Should be enjoyable.

I just looked that up on their website. Very Nice! Did you order the 6 1/2" or the 8 3/8s" barrel?
I have been leaning towards a 41 magnum myself. In fact I was looking for one when a friend offered my 686 to me at a price I could not refuse. I am still keeping an eye out for a 41. There was a 41 SBH on the classifieds and I am still kicking my self for letting it get away!
Nice gun though. How bad does your 460 kick?

The .460 actually doesn't kick very bad at all with the lighter .460 loads or with the .454s. Now step up to the 395 gr. Corbons and you have an animal on your hands. I'm now shooting what I should have been all along--the Hornady 200 SSTs. My problem with the treestand hunting with the .460 is weight and a good rest. I'm not sound shooting it free-hand! The 44 will be much better up a tree. However, open field-- the .460...

I know what you mean. It will be two years in January since I bought my very first handgun. I started out with an XD in 9mm. That thing is fun to shoot. This January I got the idea I wanted to go after Deer with a pistol. I started looking for the 41 magnum. Well like I said before I couldn't say no to the 357, but that was my first "big bore" handgun (and that depends on who you ask, a lot of people don't consider it a big bore revolver). So I have only been shooting the smith since April. I decided to rig it for deer hunting, and I have only shot it with the scope a few times. From a rest, I like my chances at 50 yards and under. But and here is the issue, without a rest lets just say the broadside of that barn is really safe!
Now I have the same issue as you, My climbing stand does not have a shooting rest. So I have about a week to figure something out!!

Buy either a monopod or bipod. Set the feet on the stand platform.

Thanks for the advice Grimel, I think that is exactly what I am going to do!!

No problem. That's what this place is about.