Read an interesting thread on the forum today, forget exactly where, about the quality of the new Smith 629. One individual had the opinion the new 629 was even superior the old ones. One day, in the future, since I just acquired a 66 and a 27 and the wallet is somewhat flat at the moment, I'm going to buy a 629. So I'd love some more input from all you wonderful people. What's your opinion? I won't be buying it as a collectors piece, just to shoot and enjoy. Another question comes to mind, which I voiced in the other thread, is what makes the current 629 so good and other Smiths not so good. All you guys know more than I do. If your opinion is a used 629, which would it be? -1,-2,-3, etc. Thanks. Should be interesting to read some comments.

New or Used, and the choices are Yes or No?

Shouldn't the choices be New or Used?

Hmm, 1st, this is just an opinion worth barley what you're paying for it, but I do have a few 629s.

My first choices are dash 3s that are drilled and tapped or dash 4s. Runner ups are other 629s made after Tompkins bought S&W and tightened the 629 chamber throats, 629-2EEs & later, but still made before broached rifling was dropped in favor of rifling made by eroding metal off with electricity. Actually, I'm not sure about the new rifling for lack of experience with it, but whether it is as good as broach cut rifling for lead bullets is controversial, and with lots of used 629s to choose between there's no need to gamble my money on it. Dash 5 changed the internal parts to MIM which hardly matters and Dash 6 added the undesirable lock which I don't dislike enough to reject a 629 because it has a lock. My preference is based on what I think will get the tightest groups out of longer barreled 629s.

Sorry guys. I've never done a poll before. Bare with me. I meant the answers to be "new" or "used". I can't find out how to change the yes and no now. Sorry.

629's are great guns and very versatile. I love mine. I carry a 3" sometimes. The 4" is the most versatile and the longer ones are better for hunting.

The only thing I would not buy a 629 for would be shooting a lot of heavy rounds through it a couple times a week, that's what Rugers are made for.

New or Used, whatever you can get the best deal on. JMO.

629-3 or -4 would be my pick

I've had 'em from 3" to 8 3/8" and from 629-1 to -5. Nary a trouble with any of 'em.

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Dum vivimus Vivamas

In my experience, a used 629 is better than a new one. Especially if it is a dash 3 or dash 4. Most of these were prolly owned by someone who just had to have a .44 magnum, fired it a few times and then decided it was too much gun!

Another vote for a used, pre lock, 629.

Everything you need and nothing you don't. More gun for less money too. Good luck! Regards 18DAI

Good used guns will bring a premium, if you can find them, big "IF" New are right there, make your choice from a large selection and plunk down your $. i'm looking at the 4 inch 29 Classic, must admit i would have bought it already if it didn't have the lock. Lock on the Classics really detracts from the Classic idea in my book. But i will probably get it anyway.

I love my brand new one. It's action is smooth as glass, has a durable finish (it rains 65-140" annually), decent balance and has the best factory grips I've ever felt on a Smith and Wesson. With its 4" barrel and in my Bianchi holster, it is easy to pack all day long. I am absolutely a fan. C.B.

My opinion and what I have is a good used 629-4-4 inch - endurance package- no lock -no min parts- no lasers all stamped words on sides-pinned front sight- square butt-grooved frame-firing pin in hammer - This is the last good 629 built in my opinion

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T. Johnson

The OP needs to fix the poll. The only 629 I have currently is a 4 inch no dash, P&R'd one.

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Sure you did

Clean Break, you had to go and show that gun, now I want one worst than ever. Keep reaching for the phone, know Bud's # by heart.

Own four-2 no dash 8 3/8's and 2 -2's 6 inch unfluted's-wouldn't trade them. There is only one-a dash 2- that I don't shoot. It is a gun that can be a collector and a shooter piece if taken care of. I shoot 240gr LSWC's over 10-12 gr of Unique regularly. I am looking for a 4 inch no dash. Wouldn't want a holer. Flapjack.

I have a 629-4 (PC double-Magnaported 3" with Fishpaw grips). It won't rust very easily, unlike most of the 29s I've run across. Case-hardened trigger, flash-chromed hammer. It should be around for a while.

I have a 629-3 and it is quickly becoming my favorite. Mine is a 6", it always comes to the range and I will be taking it deer hunting this fall.

used. used.used.

i have several 629's of various vintages...i must say,for me,the stealth hunter from the PC is a monster...it really shoots and handles like a charm!

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

No on New, Yes On Used...and only Yes if it's old enough.

I am calling on a 629 in about 5 minutes, just to see how old. Unfired in box!

Chalk one vote up to used for me. I had a 629-1 that served me extremely well for many years, until I traded it for a Nickel 29-2 :P.

Thanks for all the posts, guys. Why did I have a feeling the the majority would lean toward "Used"? By the way, I'd fix the "Yes" and "No" to "New" and "Used" if I could figure out how to do it. Thanks everybody.

I just purchased a 629-2 with a six inch full underlug barrel and unfluted cylinder. It will be carried in a shoulder rig for hunting, this fall.

I wish some of you knowledgeable guys would post the differences between original 629 and the -1,-2,-3,-4. I getting that the 629 to have is maybe a -3 or -4. Your thoughts?

What are the thoughts on the no dash 629 which I think was the only one that was P&R?

My LGS has a 629-3 for a pretty good price as well as an older 29-3 for an identical price. I prefer Stainless personally and had not heard of issues with older 629's before this, but honestly I have really not been in the market for a 44 magnum until recently.

Here's my answer: unfluted cylinder, full lug barrel and no locks. The 8-3/8" M-629 dash-2 is the most accurate revolver I own. And all were bought used, 3 of them off GB.

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S&WHF 366

Beautiful, just beautiful.

I almost bought one just like his with the new grips. The gun I sampled was in supreme condition. No barrel cant and the fit and finish was excellent.

The new grips feel great too.

I didn't buy it because I just can't decide which new gun to buy this year.

Go for it, you won't regret it I've got 3 current production 4" 629' s and they superb in every way

you can find used 629's for $600 or less; a lot cheaper than new. i bought a used 4" p&r with 100 rds. of new ammo for $600.

I'm looking.

No lock, no MIM...but that's just the opinion of an old phart.

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

Any of them with "DX" marked on the side of the bbl work for me,

and second to those would be guns marked "Performance Center".

I don't know what your computer is showing, since the day this poll came out the yes(new) voters have been way out in front on my screen.

Yep, it appears that the people who just voted in the poll are leaning toward "new" but the people who actually bothered to add to the thread are leaning toward "used". I'm not totally opposed to buying a new one but if you can get a good used gun for less money, that is something to consider. Just MHO.

Yes it is, you might eventually end up with both I have 629's from -1 to -6 they are all pretty good sixguns

As to the OP, I have to say I'd get new.

HOWEVER....

When I was at my not quite local LGS they had a used 629 for sale and gave it a once over.

I found it completely unmarked, no scratches, not a trace of flame cutting, etc

I said to the guy behind the counter about the great shape it's in. He said most 44 magnums he gets in on trades are seldom shot very much.