Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980
o

Notices

S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12-07-2009, 01:24 PM
fighter62 fighter62 is offline
Banned
model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh  
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times in 7 Posts
Default model 29/ 629 barrel lengh

I notice that most 29's and 629's that I see for sale have a 6" barrel lengh. Is that the most common? What is the most popular barrel lengh?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12-07-2009, 01:57 PM
Gun 4 Fun Gun 4 Fun is offline
SWCA Member
model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh  
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Michigan
Posts: 6,027
Likes: 1,061
Liked 774 Times in 375 Posts
Default

29's came with a 6.5" barrel until 1979, when Smith went to the 6" length in "streamlining" their entire line at standard lengths of 4", 5", and 8 3/8". There are far more 29-2's with 6.5" barrels than there are 29-2's with 6". All subsequent 29's have 6" barrels, (or 4", 8 3/3") as standard. The 6,6.5" length is the most common.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12-07-2009, 02:28 PM
fighter62 fighter62 is offline
Banned
model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh  
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times in 7 Posts
Default

In Your opinion , what is the most popular barell lengh in 29/629 std revolver?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12-07-2009, 02:29 PM
Doc44's Avatar
Doc44 Doc44 is offline
Moderator

model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh  
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Indiana, USA
Posts: 9,376
Likes: 1,315
Liked 30,309 Times in 4,345 Posts
Smile

When introduced, the Model 629 was fitted with a 6-inch barrel; the 4 and 8 3/8-inch versions came along a little later. Collectors (at this time) are somewhat focused on the 4-inch guns, but for shooting, the 6 and 6 1/2-inch barrel lengths are best.

Bill
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12-07-2009, 02:29 PM
pownal55 pownal55 is offline
Member
model 29/ 629 barrel lengh  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: vermont
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 375
Liked 717 Times in 376 Posts
Default

four inch seems to bring the best price.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12-07-2009, 02:34 PM
fighter62 fighter62 is offline
Banned
model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh  
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times in 7 Posts
Default

I think 4" is the most practical. I like my 3" Effector to carry. To shoot and carry in the field my favorite and I think one of the very best revolvers in 44 magnum is my 629-3 classic with 5" barrel.

Last edited by fighter62; 12-07-2009 at 02:38 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12-07-2009, 02:53 PM
Ron H.'s Avatar
Ron H. Ron H. is offline
US Veteran
model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 33
Liked 249 Times in 118 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by fighter62 View Post
I notice that most 29's and 629's that I see for sale have a 6" barrel lengh. Is that the most common? What is the most popular barrel lengh?
Sir, 6" or 6-1/2" is the most common. It used to be the most popular as well, but lately everyone seems to want short barrels. Popularity is a moving target. [shrug]

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.
__________________
Wishin' don't make it so.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12-07-2009, 10:28 PM
sonny sonny is offline
Member
model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh  
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Florida
Posts: 572
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 8 Posts
Default

I like shorter barrels. They probably are not as good for hunting...don't tell Elmer that...but I like it that the shorter ones are lighter, easier for me to handle, carry easier, and I like 'em. I have a 4" and a 3" Special, and since most of my shooting these days is paper at relatively short distance (can't see target @ 25 yds), I don't seem to need a longer barrel.
Perhaps the liking for shorter barels is just a phase, but I understand and embrace it. Different strokes: a good thing.
Sonny
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12-07-2009, 10:37 PM
aterry33's Avatar
aterry33 aterry33 is offline
Member
model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh  
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 0
Liked 27 Times in 24 Posts
Default

I agree that the 6" guns shoot better, but I think the 4" are more practical all-around guns. I believe that Elmer Keith carried a 4" Model 29 (among other guns, but this is the one I associate most with him).

The 6" barrel guns are nice but don't carry as well, for me.
__________________
Aaron Terry
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12-08-2009, 09:23 AM
fyimo's Avatar
fyimo fyimo is offline
Member
model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 18,773
Likes: 6,048
Liked 5,762 Times in 1,992 Posts
Talking

When I bought my first S&W in the mid 80's 6 inch barrels were the barrel length to have and so my first revolvers all had 6 inch barrels. Now that trend has changed as already pointed out and the 4 inch is the most popular. The 8 3/8 barrels were bought by hunters for the extra velocity and longer sight radius but really weren't popular with the general shooting range crowd.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 12-08-2009, 01:43 PM
jj2am44's Avatar
jj2am44 jj2am44 is offline
Member
model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh model 29/ 629 barrel lengh  
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 2,514
Likes: 27
Liked 63 Times in 33 Posts
Default

I bought my first 29 in 1983 and had to settle for an 8 3/8 barrel. The place where I was living at the time (Phoenix) only had the 1 place that carried them and all they had was the 8 3/8 barrel. Have since sold it and started collecting the 6-6 1/2 inch barrels. Also have a couple of 4 inch ones, but the 6 1/2 is my favorite.
__________________
jj
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 12-08-2009, 02:07 PM
tom turner's Avatar
tom turner tom turner is offline
US Veteran
model 29/ 629 barrel lengh  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,814
Likes: 180
Liked 2,270 Times in 285 Posts
Default

For handy self defense use, I prefer shorter barrels and cartridges that allow faster followup shots than a .44 Mag round. Sure, .44 Special is a fine alternative . . . but I'd rather carry my moon-clipped, cut down 25-2 in .45ACP.

However, for FIELD use and hunting, nothing I've ever shot in a handgun will replace my love for my 6" M29-5, topped with a Holosight.

From shooting sub-2" groups at 50 yards, dropping tons of deer through the years, to sailing milk jugs at 200 yards (aim 34" high), my 6" M29 gives me the confidence and umph to get the job done . . . always.

The 8 3/4" hogleg is much too long to be convenient, and the 4" loses a tad too much velocity over the 6" for hunting.

Thus, put me down for the 6/6 1/2" length. Smith made more of 'em for one single reason only . . . this was the length that the majority of people find perfect for the use and purpose of the .44 Magnum cartridge.



Mine shoots best with a 300 gn. flat nose, hardcast hunting bullet . . . and that's what I mainly use in it unless I'm doing casual plinking with it.

T.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
44 magnum, 45acp, 629, effectors, m29, model 29

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
The 3.25" model 66-5. The only factory 3.25 barrel? With barrel profile comparisons. Allen-frame S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 12 11-19-2015 07:36 PM
pls close barrel found=WTB- 4" model 28 barrel longarm4146 WANTED to Buy 1 12-30-2012 12:29 AM
WTB S&W model 41 5.5" heavy barrel or Clark Optics Barrel davo WANTED to Buy 1 02-23-2012 11:17 AM
barrel lengh sportshot71 S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 2 08-30-2011 06:07 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:25 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)