I've been doing a lot of research, and I am pretty sure my next gun purchase will be a 629 with either a 4" or 6" bbl. I'm very new to revolvers and have limited knowledge, so I am hoping to learn a little from the expert opinions here.

I am very much opposed to an IL, the only revolver I own is a 442 no-lock.

So, this brings me to my question...will I be OK with an older, -4 (which I believe has the endurance package), or would I be better off with a newer model and (shhh...don't let Hillary hear this)...remove the lock?

I probably won't shoot the gun a whole lot and will mostly use 44 spec. loads at the range, with a few mags just to keep in tune with the feel. I am not a collector and not likely to be in the future so resale is not an issue either. The gun will be in my carry rotation but will not see as much use as my SIG's, at least to begin with.
I just want a good solid shooter that will take the abuse of 44 mag loads when I feel like blasting away.

I know it is a very subjective question, but I'm still interested in some opinions.

Thanks!
Chet

I'd get the -4 and forget about anything with a lock. My $ .02.

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jj

Chet the older guns are as strong as the new ones.
Just buy and enjoy. Don

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"Don't worry be happy"

New ones have a warrantee, the used ones can be repaired, but on your dime. Your call, I'd try and buy a lightly used pre-lock. This way you won't sell it soon after you buy it wishing you bought a older one.
The endurance package isn't all it's made up to be providing you keep to a 240gn or lighter load. You want recoil, but a 500.

My most favorite shooters are all pre-endurance package, pinned and recessed, hint hint.....enjoy your search.

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NRA Benefactor Member

My 629 Mountain gun is an older one and it is still in great shape. My 29-2 has only been fired 20 times in it's life, so it is in great shape also. I would buy the older one, shoot and be very happy.

CTM -
You might want to consider a 629-5 also. It was the last series before the "Hillary hole", but the first with injection molded parts. The firing pin on this series is mounted in the frame.
The firing pin on the 629-4 and earlier is on the hammer. Some folks seem to like them that way, but I prefer it in the frame.

Myron

An older one is where I'm strongly leaning, in fact a 29-2 is what got me started...I really like the looks, but I decided to go with stainless for an EDC gun, probably will need a 29 eventually though.

I considered a 500 or even 460 but decided they don't really fill the need as well as the .44...I don't know...just something about the mystique, for me. Maybe it's Dirty Harry...maybe it's the song...I just have to have one in my arsenal!
I don't plan on shooting really heavy loads...just don't see the need.

I have my eye on a 629-1 6" that has been carried a lot and shot hardly at all...less than $600...I think I just might go for it.

OK, now you'll see how little I know...how do you tell if one is pinned & recessed? And aren't they pretty rare in a 629?

I have for sale what you may be interested in: http://smith-wessonforum.com/guns-sa...ix-serial.html

This is recessed, meaning the chambers are counterbored so that the loaded cartridge rim fits into the recess. It is NOT pinned, meaning there is no barrel pin. That is why this is called a transition gun as these features were being phased out and remaining parts are exhausted. Prior to that when the barrel was screwed into the frame a pin was also inserted to lock the barrel in place. You can see the pin where the barrel meets the frame on a pinned gun. A 629-1 would not be P&R. A P&R 629 can be found and a 6" just SPF in the Guns for Sale section for around $950.00. It was reportedly unfired with all the parts, boxes and presentation case and looked NIB.

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Tony

Thank you, Tony!
I thought I had the pinned bbl figured out, but wasn't sure.

I checked your listing...very interesting...I'll add it to the list of ones I'm considering.

Pinned and recessed 629's were only made for a few years and command a premium with any decent 4 inch going for 1K and the 6 and 8 3/8 barreled models going for anywhere from $750 to $850 depending on condition. I would buy any model 629 before the lock and I'd probably hold out for a model without the MIM parts but that's just me.

Pinned and recessed Model 629s do exist in the "no dash" iteration. In my opinion, well worth looking for. Here's my four-inch no-dash. I don't shoot it with hell-for-leather loads, but with .44 specials or .44 mags loaded down to around 1000 feet per second. It took me quite a while to find this one, but this proves they are out there.

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

If you're not sure between the 4" and 6", may I suggest a 5"? I had a 629-4 Classic (no IL) with the 5" barrel. It balanced extremely well and was very accurate with most loads. Kinda wish I'd never sold that one...

I know there are pinned and recessed 4 inch model 629 as I missed one a few months ago. They are very hard to find though and sell for a premium.

This 4 in.629 P&R NIB if i were to sell,it would cost at least $1000.00.

Dick

This no dash P&R 629 is the best shooter I own. I would not sell it for $2,000.
Sorry - I know I've shown this photo about 87 times.

P&R,R and no P,P and no R,Endo Package,No Endo Package,4",5",6",8-3/8" they are all great shooters.How many of us remember when you could not get a new 29 or a 629 for any money.Chet,you have a world of good options.I would start with some of the guns listed for sale right on our forum.

My Mountain gun suits me just fine ........

It's a 629-4, so it's post endurance, pre-MIM and pre-Clinton Zit!


Manufactured circa '98

Three 44s

I love my 629-4 Mtn Gun. It has a 11 lb Wolff rebound slide spring, and I have polished all the internals, and the resultant single action trigger pull is 28 ounces. This is way, way too light for most folks and I let only experienced folks shoot it, and then only after they dry fire it. It also has a Patridge front sight and the stock Hogue rubber grips. I shoot this gun much more than any of my other .44 mags. My "carry" gun is a 329PD with a 40 ounce trigger.

4" vs 6". Here are some random thoughts... Especially since this is your first 44 Mag.

The 6" might be "best":
If you are going to shoot it at the range a lot...
If you plan on using it as a primary hunting gun.
You are not concerned about concealed carry

The 4" might be best;
If you plan to carry it as a secondary when rifle hunting.
Or bow hunting [where legal].
You plan to carry it while backpacking, woods walking, etc.
You might carry it as a Concealed Carry Gun.

I have a 5" 629-3 that is a great gun and my brother in law just recently found a 6 1/2 629-4 at a gun show for around $600 with box and only very lightly used. A very good find. Just about any 29 or 629 in good shape will last a long time with due diligence and reasonable loads.

You will probably find one that strikes your fancy in your search and take it home. Maybe different in what you were originally looking for. I was not looking when I found my 5" several years ago. But there it was, so it came home.

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

Well...almost. Anyway, for your proposed limited number of commercial full-power loads, you'll never see the difference. Now, if you were competing in silhouette with Mamma-Mia loads, that's be a different story.
I have several older N-frame 29's, and have no concerns. And DON'T want a new one.
Sonny

I have both a 4" and 6" M629. In the past I have owned several others of either flavor. I like them all but prefer the 4" revolvers.

One thing that I notice is that when you are running full house loads (I don't mean monster handloads, just full power factory loads), the recoil in the 4" guns is a whole lot more severe than the 6" guns. For some reason, there seems to be a whole lot more wrist torque with the 4" guns. In my 4" .44 Mag, I like a 240 grain LSWC bullet at app 1000fps for a pleasant load that will get any job I need to do with a handgun done.

I realize that recoil is subjective and what bothers me may not bother someone else but that is my $.02 on the subject. I don't know if that will factor in on your decision.

Another issue is if you are going to carry it a lot. A 4" revolver carries a whole lot easier than a 6" revolver. It catches less on things, doesn't end up hitting things as often and even in field rigs the 4" just seems to stay out of the way better than a 6" revolver. I would throw into the mix that a 4" N frame of any flavor carries very nicely in an inside the waistband holster provided you buy your pants with enough room, use a good holster and wear a good belt. It won't disappear under an untucked T shirt like a J frame will but under most covering garments, it does well. Frankly I also like IWB carry in the field where I don't have to worry about concealment. I am right hand dominant by training, left eye dominant to shoot. While I hold a handgun in my right hand as the primary hand, I shoot rifles off my left shoulder. I also tend to carry a rifle slung on my right shoulder. By using IWB holsters with 4" N frames, it keeps the rifle and the handgun from getting tangled up. Can't do that with a 6" revolver. Assuming no cross eye / hand dominance that wouldn't be a factor for you but thought I would throw it into the mix because I am not the only one around with this issue.

My best advise is see if you have any buddies who have both that you can shoot before you decide which one to buy.