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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 11-04-2010, 04:42 PM
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Default What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX?

I am wondering what the difference between two 629-3 5" barrelled S&W is. One has "Classic" and one has "Classic DX" on the barrel. I did not think S&W offered a Classic DX on its 629-3 5" barrel gun.
What would be the difference between these two guns?
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Old 11-04-2010, 05:18 PM
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I believe they did offer the 5" in the 'Classic' line. The primary difference is on the DX, the sights were changeable and I believe it came with two sets of grips, one the Hogue rubber and the other wood.
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Old 11-04-2010, 05:28 PM
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I know they offered the 629-3 5" in the Classic line, I think they all are "Classic" line guns just I never knew they offered the 5" in the "Classic DX" line as etched on the barrel.
If I recall right the DX line were hand picked for accuracy? And the Classic DX 5" 629-3 are very rare?
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Old 11-04-2010, 05:34 PM
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I think the DX came from the custom shop. I have an 8 3/8 Classic and can't imagine how the DX is better. But I bet it is.
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Old 11-04-2010, 05:38 PM
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Here is a picture of a 629 5" Classic with Pachmayr Camos. This is not a DX.

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Old 11-04-2010, 06:18 PM
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Originally Posted by JMusic View Post
I think the DX came from the custom shop. I have an 8 3/8 Classic and can't imagine how the DX is better. But I bet it is.
This is incorrect. The DX guns were not "custom shop" or performance center guns. They were simply "deluxe" versions of the classic series. The DX versions (as Batmann mentioned) came with 2 grips (Hogue and Morado wood) and also had interchangable front sight blades. The 6.5 and 8.75 inch barrel lengths came with a test target. They are more of a limited production than the regular classic line.

Some people suggest that these guns were "hand selected" as the most accurate of the bunch within the classic models, however, I am more inclined to believe this is mostly marketing hype (as others have mentioned) and these models were simply fired and met whatever the accuracy standard was, however, this doesn't mean any of the standard production models did NOT meet the standard, rather the DX models were simply labeled (and marketed) as such.

Here's a couple photos of a 29-5 DX 5 inch, which I'm told was a fairly limited run, maybe 1,500.





IC

Last edited by Inspector-Callahan; 11-04-2010 at 06:25 PM. Reason: photos
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Old 11-04-2010, 06:53 PM
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The Inspector is right: to pick the most accurate of the Classics Smith would have to fire all of the production run for grouping then take the best. They sure didn't do that. They pulled guns, made sure they would shoot(never met a Classic which wouldn't!) and marked them DX. Add in the accessories and you're paying too much although the DX's are something of a status symbol in some circles. If you've got one you've got a great gun and if you've got a standard Classic(29 or 629) you've got a great gun not marked DX!
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Old 11-04-2010, 10:41 PM
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I bought a 6 1/2 DX when they first came out. It came with a test target that has a nice 1 or 1 1/2 inch group. They came with two sets of grips, interchangeable front sight with 3 extra sights. A few years later I found a 5 inch classic, not DX. I shoot it much more than the DX, in fact I haven't shot the DX in years. The Classics are known to be very good guns, DX or regular.
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Old 11-05-2010, 06:41 PM
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I'm in agreement with Inspector Callahan. I kind of think S&W would routinely pull a 629 full-lugged barrel off the line and do a QC check. If it passed the DX accuracy test, they lasered the barrel 625 Classic DX. You then got all the extra front sights along with two pairs of grips with the test target. I have a 629-4 Classic that I'll put up against any DX. That gun shoots my handloaded 240gr. XTP's into very small groups. Back in the 90's, I had a family member in the gun biz. I was able to check out a lot of new Smith's. This one 6.5" Classic simply locked up like a bank vault, and I bagged it. My targets bore out this was a very good purchase for under $400. That's right folks...........about 15 years ago a dollar had some purchasing power............these days............well that's another story for another forum altogether.
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Old 11-05-2010, 07:01 PM
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tdan is correct - I recall when the Classic and Classic DX was introduced. You got extra grips and front sights as well as a test target with the DX but my standard 5" Classic shoots just as well.
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Old 11-06-2010, 09:22 AM
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Smith told me a DX had to shoot 1 1/2 inch groups at 50 yds to qualify as a DX. If it didnt meet that it wasnt designated a DX. I
have several DX guns and they are great and I do have both a 5 inch 629 DX and the 5 inch 29 DX so they were made in that Bbl length. My understanding is the 5 inch DX was only made one year.
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Old 11-13-2010, 02:25 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by batmann View Post
I believe they did offer the 5" in the 'Classic' line. The primary difference is on the DX, the sights were changeable and I believe it came with two sets of grips, one the Hogue rubber and the other wood.
My 629-6 5" says "Classic", is not a DX and the sights are interchangable.
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Old 11-13-2010, 03:22 PM
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This is from the American Rifleman website:

"Back in the late 1980's, Smith & Wesson was in the midst of a radical update of the entire product line. This was the era of the Third Generation autos that ended up filling the holsters of the majority of cops in America. It was also the much-mocked “Gun of the Week” era when an absolute flood of new models hit the market with astounding frequency. The company's marketing was, to say the least, aggressive. Eventually, things calmed down and the product line firmed up. In this period, the old line Massachusetts gunmaker produced some of the finest firearms in their history. These weren't all the self-loaders, either. While not all that well known, the Model 629 Classic DX .44 Mag. revolvers of that era may have been the most accurate wheelguns the company ever produced. There weren't that many of them, but they earned their “DX” marking on the basis of objective evaluation. It makes for an interesting story.

The company wanted to introduce a premium .44 Mag. that delivered a great deal of power with the best possible accuracy. Metallic Silhouette shooting was at its peak and more handgun hunters than ever before were afield in pursuit of big game. Both needed accurate, powerful revolvers. The company had just introduced a new variant of the stainless steel .44 Mag. called the .44 Classic Stainless. This revolver had a number of updated features, the most visible of which being a heavy, full underlug barrel. As produced in those days, this was a very high-quality piece, particularly in the sense of shooting very tight groups. Every one of them was fired for accuracy and very few if any were rejected. But the factory staff began to notice that a few delivered accuracy bordering on the spectacular. They hit on the idea of culling out the most accurate ones and marking them differently. Eventually, the shooting evaluation was performed before the markings were applied.

If your version of the gun wears the barrel marking of “Classic DX,” you have one of the better revolvers that ever left the plant in modern times. Depending on what kind of wear is on the gun, the accuracy potential may be as good as it ever was. I once did a very detailed evaluation of several samples of these outstanding guns. At 25 yards, they were all capable of delivering tight one-hole groups with at least one good commercial load and at 50, they never seemed to run outside of the 1.5-inch mark. This means a theoretical group of 3 inches at 100 yards and 6 inches at 200. They came with five interchangeable front sights and an extra-strong, smooth action. I was always surprised that the company never made more than they did. Naturally, these guns were never completely appreciated and are no longer available in the regular catalog."
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Old 11-13-2010, 09:30 PM
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SW357Addict,

Thank-you for quoting a reliable source. What you posted matches my memory from the early 90s but I did not keep what ever the source was. As I recall S&W fired a 5 shot group with 240 gr. Fed. JHP at 50 yd. using a machine rest.

Those whose 629 Classics are not marked "DX" need only reflect on the limitations of judgeing accuracy based on a single 5 shot group out of 6 shot cylinders. Theoretically, if all the 629 Classics would shoot five five shot groups identical in size to the groups fired by the other Classics but in random order, 20% of the Classics would shoot their best of five first and be falsely judged more accurate. Additionally, identical looking guns often produce their best accuracy with different loads, so the DX marked guns may have just been lucky to have been tested with a load they shot exceptionally well with. Then there are possible variations in the untested charge hole.

It would be great to hear from a S&W employee who selected the DXs.

Incidentally, I also have an undocumentable memory of S&W advertising that their then new pre-WWII k22 Outdoorsmen revolvers met the same 1 1/2" 50 yd. group test. Perhaps a source for that memory can be found in the 1996-1961 Forum.

Best Regards,
Gil

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Old 04-07-2011, 05:36 PM
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I found this old thread on Google and wanted to add the pictures of my Classic DX. The target is clearly marked 25 Yards, I have seen others marked 50 yards?




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Old 04-07-2011, 06:16 PM
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Eagle Guns,

The DX test targets that I have seen were all marked 50yards but I have not seen a DX that was made recently enough to have MIM parts like yours. Your target is marked 1999. My SCSW isn't handy to look up when DXs were dropped. Perhaps your was near the end of production and the distance was reduced by then.

That is a very nice 25 yard group.

Gil
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Old 04-07-2011, 06:33 PM
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I have 2 ea 5" Classic DX's that I bought new for my wife and I in the early 90's when we were both were shooting NRA and IHMSA "sillywets"!

Both guns, 629-3's, came with factory fired targets and extra front sights and 2 sets of grips. One has worn a silver 4x Leupold EER scope for many years and the other is outfitted with a fiber optic front sight obtained thru Dillon Precision. Both are extremely accurate with cast boolits, with the scoped gun giving 25 yd groups with one ragged hole. The fiber optic sight does not lend itself to precision shooting by design, but it has still accounted for a few Whitetail deer from my tired old eyes. I love these guns and would never part with them, altho I find myself shooting my 629-4 Mtn Gun as much, or perhaps more, because of it's 24 ounce trigger, and general light weight. I have 32 ounce triggers on the 5" Classic DX's. These triggers are obtained using Wolff rebound slide springs.
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Old 04-07-2011, 06:46 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eagle Guns View Post
I found this old thread on Google and wanted to add the pictures of my Classic DX. The target is clearly marked 25 Yards, I have seen others marked 50 yards?




I have a newer 8.375" 629 DX the target that came with it is marked 25yds. It is scary accurate I have shot 4" groups with this gun at 100yds. It is buy far my most accurate smith its only competition from my stable is a big dan wesson with the heavy 10" barrel
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Old 04-07-2011, 10:18 PM
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I also have one in 8-3/8", a -3 model. I fired an 1-1/2" group with it at 50yd. with my handload, and if my old eyes wouldn't have played tricks on me that gun would have had those holes touching. Elevation was the same with each one, but I had trouble keeping the front blade centered in the notch. I was astounded.

Andy
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Old 04-20-2016, 12:19 PM
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I do not think they laser the DX or Deluxe on the bbl anymore, do they?

Product: Model 629 Deluxe 6-1/2in. Barrel Textured Wood Grips

So, does this mean the Deluxe is just for show only?
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Old 04-20-2016, 01:01 PM
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What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX?  
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Can someone more knowledgeable please respond?
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Old 04-20-2016, 01:30 PM
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Glad to see this thread on the dx smiths.Ive been collecting them for about ten years and really enjoy shooting these fine revolvers. Im in dyer need of a 5" 29 so if any of you all know of one for sale have them get in touch with me. This the only one I need to complete my collection. Ill be watching this thread for any info about the dx line of smiths.
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Old 04-20-2016, 01:31 PM
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Clearly, "deluxe" and DX are not related. Deluxe seems to be a new marketing ploy for TALO. No bbl stamps (or etching) of "Deluxe". Deluxe must refer to the special bbl length and wood grips. These are pinned front sight guns.

The term DX was dropped with the advent of Performance Center models.
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Old 04-20-2016, 02:44 PM
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I had a 629-4 Classic 6 1/2".. The claim was the DX, as mentioned earlier in this thread, were hand picked for better accuracy.

Today you can drop big coin and buy a Stealth Hunter. I had a 629-5 that was a well balanced tack driver out to 100 yards.
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Old 04-20-2016, 03:35 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 44wheelman View Post
Clearly, "deluxe" and DX are not related. Deluxe seems to be a new marketing ploy for TALO. No bbl stamps (or etching) of "Deluxe". Deluxe must refer to the special bbl length and wood grips. These are pinned front sight guns.

The term DX was dropped with the advent of Performance Center models.
I didn't realize that, I thot they were the same.
Thanks for the illumination.
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Old 04-20-2016, 03:35 PM
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l tried to answer this very question a couple years ago..
l took my 629DX, 629PowerPort,629PC Magnum Hunter, 629PC Light Hunter, 29 P&R all to the range one day...Shot 2 each 5 shot groups with the SAME ammo with a KNOWN accuracy load. 7gr Unique, 240gr swaged Speer SWC.... Guess what. The DX didn't win, Neither of the PCs won,
lt was a kinda tie between the 29 and PowerPort....
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Old 04-20-2016, 03:50 PM
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Quote:
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l tried to answer this very question a couple years ago..
l took my 629DX, 629PowerPort,629PC Magnum Hunter, 629PC Light Hunter, 29 P&R all to the range one day...Shot 2 each 5 shot groups with the SAME ammo with a KNOWN accuracy load. 7gr Unique, 240gr swaged Speer SWC.... Guess what. The DX didn't win, Neither of the PCs won,
lt was a kinda tie between the 29 and PowerPort....
I have not thought of Unique as a magnum powder. What kind of velocity are you getting? Do you like this powder for your magnum cartridges?
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Old 04-20-2016, 03:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sw282 View Post
l tried to answer this very question a couple years ago..
l took my 629DX, 629PowerPort,629PC Magnum Hunter, 629PC Light Hunter, 29 P&R all to the range one day...Shot 2 each 5 shot groups with the SAME ammo with a KNOWN accuracy load. 7gr Unique, 240gr swaged Speer SWC.... Guess what. The DX didn't win, Neither of the PCs won,
lt was a kinda tie between the 29 and PowerPort....
Was that the 6 1/2" 629 classic PowerPort?
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Old 04-20-2016, 04:21 PM
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Quote:
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I have not thought of Unique as a magnum powder. What kind of velocity are you getting? Do you like this powder for your magnum cartridges?
Unique is a good mid power powder. At max load it barely cycled my Ruger 44 Carbine.
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Old 04-20-2016, 04:42 PM
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I own one of the 5" 629-3 Classic DX revolvers. It is true that the 5" version was only made for one year, 1994 I believe. Mine is my main hunting handgun.



And in fact test-firing DID qualify a Classic for "DX" status. If you look closely at the laser lettering on the right side of the barrel of a DX, you will see the lettering "629 Classic" is centered on the barrel while adding the "DX" later resulted in making the entire lettering off-center toward the muzzle. Also, the "DX" portion of the lettering on most I've seen does not match the "629 Classic" in darkness, again indicating the "DX" was added post-production.

I've been told by several S&W collectors with more knowledge of them than I possess that the DX guns had their actions massaged but I cannot confirm that. But I also own a 6.5" 629-4 Classic and a 6" 629-1 with the usual half-lug barrel and the DX is the most accurate and has the best trigger. I just wish it had a square butt.



I don't know how many 5" 629 Classic DXs were made but a single year's production of the most accurate guns with one barrel length that was less popular (at that time) than its shorter and longer brethren cannot be a very high number.

Ed
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Old 04-20-2016, 07:19 PM
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A run of the mill Classic 629-4 topped with a JPoint, my whitetail gun.

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Old 04-20-2016, 07:37 PM
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What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX?  
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Bought used some 20 yrs. ago 6 1/2 in. 29-5 rb Classic not DX. Full lug, interchangeable front sight but no extra ones supplied.Original Houge medallion grips split apart after hundreds of rounds shot one weekend. No kidding, tennis elbow for a year afterwards More accurate than me, still tight after all these years and a great shooter
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Old 04-21-2016, 02:41 PM
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What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX?  
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I have owned 7 or 8 of the 629 Classic DX revolvers over the last 5 or so years. Hand picked three to keep (one of each barrel length). Most of mine were 629-3 models.

The earlier ones (629-3 and early to mid 629-4 production and 29-5) had to keep 5 shots under 2" at 50 yards. The later production ones were tested to keep 5 shots in 1.5" at 25 yards. Its safe to say the earlier ones were held to a higher standard.

They came with test targets, 5 front sights and two sets of grips, morado wood finger groove combat and hogue rubber round to square conversion with silver emblems on earlier models and non silver emblem same hogue rubber on later models. The later model wood combats were also missing the silver emblems.

Had one early 629-4 with a .6" 5 shot group at 50 yards. My others range from 1-1.5" with 5 shots at 50 yards.

I have no doubt that they were hand selected for best accuracy. They also seem to have extra care in fit and lockup.

The 5" barrel length 29 Classic DX and 629 Classic DX revolvers were only made for one year. 1992. And yes they also came with test targets.

29 Classic DX models were only made under the -5 variation. Far fewer 29 Classic DX models were produced than 629 Classic DX models and the 5" 29 Classic DX had the lowest production numbers of all the DX models.

629 Classic DX models were offered in -3,-4 , -5 and early -6 model variants..

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Old 04-21-2016, 02:43 PM
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What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX?  
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I have a 629-2 that isn't labelled as a Classic or a DX. It shoots great out to 175 yards. That's the distance I could shoot a center mass size group with the only rest a post I was leaning the gun against. Actually it was a gallon jug I was shooting. It's plenty good enough for bear defense duty which is why I carry it sometimes in certain areas. My farm is over run with bears these days. Heck they're all around my house too. But they aren't aggressive or haven't been so far. I carry it "just in case". You never know.

I always understood the DX to be a model picked because of it's accuracy. I've also heard it said that the testing was quick and simple and wasn't really a good indication of which guns would ultimately shoot better. I got that info from this board several years ago right after I bought that handgun.
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Old 04-21-2016, 04:11 PM
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What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX?  
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As advertised by Smith&Wesson with the introduction of the Classic line of revolvers and as well as the catalogs at the time it was stated that the Classic full lug series as a whole were designed with increased accuracy over the standard non full lugged models of .44 mags.



The accuracy testing of the DX models was with only 5 cylinders and with only one factory load so it is possible to have non DX models that are/were just as accurate with loads tailored to the individual revolver. It would be interesting but if testing were performed I believe overall that the DX models would still on average come out ahead.

The 29 and 629 Classic revolvers as a whole are known for their accuracy.


CJ- is your 629-2 full lugged/non fluted cylinder? It could be a first run "classic Hunter" which pre dated the classic and classic dx models by a year or so.

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Old 04-21-2016, 08:23 PM
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Of the numerous DX targets l have seen, ALL were shot with
Federal 44Mag ammo..Federal 240gr JHP is the GOLD STANDARD
for 44 magnum..Obviously Smith & Wesson thinks so too...


btw ...Federal 44 Mag 240 JHP and American Eagle 44 mag
are NOT the same
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Old 05-13-2016, 02:28 PM
BillyMagg BillyMagg is offline
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What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by k22fan View Post
Eagle Guns,

The DX test targets that I have seen were all marked 50yards but I have not seen a DX that was made recently enough to have MIM parts like yours. Your target is marked 1999. My SCSW isn't handy to look up when DXs were dropped. Perhaps your was near the end of production and the distance was reduced by then.

That is a very nice 25 yard group.

Gil
The early guns were 50yds at 1.5", the later guns were 25 yds at 1". Those early 29 DX's are gorgeous guns, fit and finish are as good as anything you will look at. The 29s gave way to the 629's and I believe they produced the 629 DX to a later date than the 29 DX??
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Old 05-13-2016, 03:22 PM
k22fan k22fan is offline
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What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX? What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX?  
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This thread is now 5 years old and this stuff is not as fresh in my memory. As I recall during the 1990s S&W discontinued all blued revolvers for a while so it is correct to write most any stainless model was made longer than its blued equivalent in that time period. They also discontinued square butts on all revolvers. Of course blued revolvers and square butts were both reintroduced.
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