Last year I finally bought a brand new Model 29 ("Classic"), after waiting nearly 40 years to do so; however, am hugely disappointed with it for various reasons, reasons which will remain unsaid.
Anyway, a few months later I saw a used 8 3/8" long barrel 629 on consigment at the same gun dealer where I purchased the new Model 29; bought it as soon as I saw it on the display case!
is an older model--has the hammer-mounted firing pin, like on a 70s nickel plated Model 27.
I like its action much better than that on the new Model 29 (akin to what all other older S&W revolvers I own do, and the new 29 doesn't)...