629 classic help and advice

[swampfox2]

i have searched on this forum for a while and need some sound advice and help on which 629 classic will fit my needs. i am looking for the ultimate 629 classic to fit my hunting needs,range needs, and overall want the highest quality 629 classic i can obtain. i live and hunt in north east north carolina
for black bears and deer. i have switched from rifles to pretty much all revolver hunting. i currently hunt with a bowen arms redhawk but am ready to add a 629 classic in the mix. with all that said; am i correct in saying that the 629-3 and 629-4 are best suited for the "hot" bear loads with their endurance package? also what is the difference in these versus 629-2 classic hunter model and 629 classic dx? any thoughts and input is greatly appreciated as the season is approaching fast and have an opportunity to purchase a mint 629-2 classic hunter as we speak.
thanks , swampfox

[Mule88]

Actually any 629-3 and up are equally strong and have the full endurance package, The 629-6 added the lock which most people dont like but doesnt make it less strong. The classic DX which has been discontinued was hand selected for having exceptional accuracy marked DX on the Bbl, they added 5 additional front sights, 2 grips and a target that came with gun showing its grouping. I have 6 DX models and they all are exceptional shooters. Good luck in your quest and welcome to the forum!

[grip frame]

The 629-3 and -4 as stated are the best for shooters. (of the pre lock/pre MIM guns)
The -2 in the classic hunter did not have the full endurance package.

Differences between the -3 and -4.

-3 had a longer rear sight assembly, old two pin method of aligning the extractor and they had flash chrome hammers and triggers.

-4 went to the new style pin less extractor, new shorter rear sight assy. and they went to non flash chrome lined hammers and triggers.

There were 629 classics and 629 classic dx's in both -3 and -4. (pre lock/MIM)
Also 29 classic and 29 classic dx models in -5 and -6.(pre lock/MIM)

Hardest to find are the five inch barrel lengths and more so in the DX designation.

My favorite N frame .44 mag for a shooter and carry is the five inch classic and classic dx.

I have two 629-3 five inch classic dx guns (made in 1992) and a 629-4 classic also in five inch.

Good luck on your search.

Also the classics and dx's were also made in 6.5 and 8 3/8 barrel lengths.

[smithman]

My old 629-1 Classic Hunter is holding up just fine. Are you really going to be shooting that many big bear loads?

[grip frame]

Cool thing about the classic hunter series (along with the non fluted cylinder) is they had six inch barrels where the standard classic and classic dx models were six and a half.

[ci11]

Originally Posted by grip frame

Hardest to find are the five inch barrel lengths and more so in the DX designation.

My favorite N frame .44 mag for a shooter and carry is the five inch classic and classic dx.

I have two 629-3 five inch classic dx guns (made in 1992) and a 629-4 classic also in five inch.

To the OP: go for the 6.5" or 8.375 629-4 DX. You will not regret it.

I LOVE my 629-4 DX 6.5" which was made in January 1994, and came with a 1.2" group at 50 yards on the supplied factory test target.

Therefore, I have been looking to find - in vein - a 629-4 DX in 5 inch. Any chance you want to sell one of yours ;-)? Alternatively, just a nice picture of your prized collection would "make my day"!

[Mule88]

I may be wrong but I believe the 5 inch DX was only available in the Dash 3 it was only made one year that fell within the dash 3 models. My 629 5 inch DX is a dash 3 and I have a 29 DX 5 inch thats a dash 5. If anyone actually has a 629 5 inch DX-4 id really like to see pics of it.

[CWH44300]

Don't over look the magna classic series, blued and stainless, 7.5" barrels, round butted and a super finish, some say the greatest 44 since the triple lock

[grip frame]

No 629-4 five inch classic DX guns were made as far a I know.

The 5 inch 629 classic DX was only made for one year in 1992 and only in -3 models.

Never posted pics here before but I will give it a try, soon.

ci11 where do you reside?

Jon

[ci11]

Originally Posted by grip frame

No 629-4 five inch classic DX guns were made as far a I know.

The 5 inch 629 classic DX was only made for one year in 1992 and only in -3 models.

Never posted pics here before but I will give it a try, soon.

ci11 where do you reside?

Jon

Hi Jon,

Alas, I am in MN - a little ways from where you are in UT!

Chuck

[swampfox2]

thanks for the the info. guys. i have started my search for -3,-4, and dx as we speak. does any one know if the 629-2 classic hunter has any inherant problems that i should be aware of? i have an opportunity to buy the classic hunter and am on the fence about aquisition. should i buy or hold out for -3 ,-4 or dx? in response to question about # of bears harvested with pistol;you are allowed one per season and our group harvested 23 mature boars last year with the largest being over 700lbs. my pistol was responsible for over half as it would be given to shooter when i took them into "bayed" situation. all input and thoughts appreciated.
swampfox

[Larry from Bend]

The only other difference between the -3 and -4 is that the -4 has tighter cylinder throats. At least mine does.

[ci11]

Originally Posted by Larry from Bend

The only other difference between the -3 and -4 is that the -4 has tighter cylinder throats. At least mine does.

Larry - simply stunning! Thanks for posting the picture.

Chuck

[DaveBreck]

The throats in my -3 Classic Hunter slug at .428. Don't know how that compares to yours though.

[Larry from Bend]

Originally Posted by DaveBreck

The throats in my -3 Classic Hunter slug at .428. Don't know how that compares to yours though.

I haven't measured the throats, but the .430 sized, 280 grain WFNGC BearTooth bullets that I use in the -4 were reloaded for my -3 and in that gun they slipped in and out of the cylinder easily. On this -4, they require a push in completely seat in the cylinder. Also, the primers seem a bit flatter than they did when shot in my -3.

However, I can't complain about how they shoot.

25 yards

[DaveBreck]

I have not found a bullet small enough in diameter to slip into the cylinder throats on my 629-3. I wish mine grouped like yours. From 25 yds off a rest using a 2x scope it's no better than 1 1/2" with 2" more the norm.

[grip frame]

Here is my new minty 629-3 classic dx five inch.

[grip frame]

Here is my 629-4 classic five inch.

[grip frame]

My "shooter" 629-3 classic dx five inch.

[grip frame]

The three amigos together.

[grip frame]

Box, other pics the new 629-3 classic dx five inch.

[Larry from Bend]

Originally Posted by DaveBreck

I have not found a bullet small enough in diameter to slip into the cylinder throats on my 629-3. I wish mine grouped like yours. From 25 yds off a rest using a 2x scope it's no better than 1 1/2" with 2" more the norm.

Dave --- That -3 oughta sing @ 25 yards with a scope. Your throats sound about right to me --- I wouldn't mind if mine were the same as on my -3.

I'm guessing you've already tried hard (BNH 21-22) lead bullets like I'm shooting. These 280 grainers DO have gas checks, which might matter. I push them pretty hard with H110. The -3 shot them about the same as the -4.

Another bullet both my -3 liked and a Ruger 44 Special REALLY likes is the 200 grain Hornady XTP pushed pretty hard with Power Pistol. These grouped even better in the -3 than the above group --- of course, I was younger then!
.

[ci11]

Originally Posted by grip frame

The three amigos together.

Jon,

I am completely speechless...with envy. WOW. One day...

Chuck

[grip frame]

I'm not a big collector.
The five inch tube classic in .44 mag is my favorite revolver.

It just worked out in my favor.
Started with the first dx, bought the -4 classic as a backup, could not believe when I saw the new dx posted on the local classifieds. Al were bought locally within 20 miles of my house.

Just missed a 6.5 inch 29 classic a couple weeks ago for $500.

I would like to find a 5 inch 29 classic then I done with the classics.

I also own and shoot/carry a 629-4 mountain gun .
Been looking for a pre lock 29 or 629 in six inch, would like to own that configuration also.

[cochise]

I thought they only make a Classic in a 5 inch bbl. :-)
Beyond a doubt this Classic .44 is the most accurate of the bunch I own.

[JohnAC]

I would buy that 629-2 Classic Hunter in a heartbeat. But I may be slanted just a bit...

[CWH44300]

Originally Posted by JohnAC

I would buy that 629-2 Classic Hunter in a heartbeat. But I may be slanted just a bit...

That's a sweet heart, do you know what grips it shipped with?

[JohnAC]

Originally Posted by CWH44300

That's a sweet heart, do you know what grips it shipped with?

Thanks! It had the Hogue finger groove grips that were held in place by that metal clip/ screw deal. Monogrips maybe? I'm not sure if those were original to the gun as I bought this one used. Either way the rubber had to go!

[Inspector-Callahan]

Originally Posted by CWH44300

That's a sweet heart, do you know what grips it shipped with?

I think the grips must have changed over time because I have two that were shipped with N Combats and others came with Hogue's.

IC

[CWH44300]

Those look great, and that answers a question that I've had for awhile now, I just bought a 6"-3, the gun appears to be unfired but its got speed loader targets, unfortunately the box is missing. The question I have is about square butt combat grips and which if any SB 629's routinely shipped wearing them. I've asked this before and never gotten an answer

[Inspector-Callahan]

I doubt there is any foolproof answer but in my experience SB Combats were used on special/limited production guns to some degree. I don't think they were used on any normal production models. That is only my experience.

IC

[DaveBreck]

Can anyone give me an idea what year my 629-3 Classic Hunter was manufactured? Serial #BHE 179X.

[swampfox2]

Definitely some nice rigs there. I have been looking for a -3 or -4 in the classic or dx since I posted thread. I haven't ran across the right one yet. Anyone that is ready to part with one please let me know. Thanks