Has smith stopped making these? Can not find them in the new on-line web pages.

Ken - they haven't offered this package in more than a few years IIRC.
The 6 or 6.5" has been the longest outside of Perf Center offerings and even those haven't been the 'traditional' 8 3/8's configuration.
My guess is that 'if' it were to show up again it would be in the Classic lineup.

I haven't seen them for a few years. Maybe the so-called "Classic" models were the last ones... ?

The good thing is that plenty of them are starting to surface on the used market and since the current rage is the 4-incher, the 8-inchers don't command the big price. Another plus is that the 8-inch guns didn't seem to get the use that the 4- & 6-inch guns did, so they can often be found in LNIB condition. Cool guns, but I always found them tougher to shoot accurately than the 6-/6.5-inch guns.

I bought an 8 3/8" 629 (cannot remember which - number it was) back in the early-mid 80s and shot it quite a bit, got a deer with it. It was very accurate and pleasant to shoot with that weight and long barrel out front. I carried it in a Bianchi cross-draw holster (again, I cannot recall the specific model) and it wasn't all that cumbersome. I sold it about 10 years later but wish I hadn't. I'm not sure I'd buy one again even if they came available, though, as I now have an 8 3/8" 500 which fills the hunting handgun niche very well, but I considered it a useful, albeit purely for hunting, handgun.

The very first .44 Magnum revolver I ever bought was an 8-3/8 inch Model 29-2. They (8-3/8) were all the rage at the time (mid 1970's) and somehow conferred great status upon their owners.

Ah yes....I remember it well. Had a 8 3/8's blued 27-2 that would make the ladies swoon when I whipped it out at the range. Those "boys" with their 4" model 19's didn't haver a chance ........been a 27 man ever since

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My wild pig gun is a 8-3/8 inch 629-3 Classic, full underlug, target trigger and hammer, with an Ultradot 3 MOA red dot sight on top. To this day I'm still amazed at how accurately I can shoot full-house mag loads with this gun. It's gotta be the gun. I'm not into rage and status, it's just a superb revolver that I have no intention of selling. Sorry it's out of production.

[QUOTE=CAJUNLAWYER;135552540]Ah yes....I remember it well. Had a 8 3/8's blued ... that would make the ladies swoon when I whipped it out at the range. Those "boys" with their 4" model 19's didn't haver a chance

Did you ever have a doctor look at it? I take it that the condition cleared up over time...

[QUOTE=BUFF;135552652]Big time....seems like I went from a 8 3/8's 27 to a NAA .22

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I have several Long tube revolvers including a 27-2, 29-2, 629 no dash, 17-4, and 14-4. The only ones I enjoy shooting and shoot well are the 17-4 and 14-4. I guess that makes me a wimp and proves a long large tube doesn't instantly make you a man.

The 29-2 and 629 no dash long tubes are beasts and best used for pounding in tent stakes or saving hoping that in unfired condition they will appreciate and make me some money

fyimo,

How do you know they are only good for pounding in tent stakes if they are in unfired condition?

When I first got mine, I had some real doubts that I had done the right thing. But after practicing with target loads and working my way up to the mag loads, it became one of my favorite guns. Do I shoot a lot of mag loads? No, I'm not into self abuse. But practicing for pig hunting and then hunting usually consumes less than 100 rounds/ year. The rest of the time it's target loads.

17-4 & 14-4??? Those are girlie guns. The 29 8 3/8" have great balance, a great sight radius and the long tube reduces muzzle jump. fyimo, old friend, you are just getting old and looking to be too comfortable LOL.

I had always made it a point to stay away from the "Long Toms".
However, when I came across this marked at $500 at a show a couple
months ago I had a quick change of heart and bought it.
Took it to the lease last weekend shot a few specials thru it to get a
sight pattern and then let loose a cylinder of mags.
It will be in the stand with me this fall...surprised at the accuracy.

44 Magnum doesn't have a lot of utility in my part of the world but my 8 3/8" 629 Classic isn't going anywhere soon. 1/2" groups with my cast bullet load at 25 yards(open sights) when I do my part. 50 yards usually opens things up to 4" and much as I hate to admit it that's my fault(I have been know to blame the gun, other shooters near me, the position of the sun.....you get the idea!). Seems like it would make a deer getter deluxe. The way things are going it just may get into the woods one of these days.

Anyway, as big bores go, it's my favorite. You'll probably have to haunt the gunshops to find a used one or go to Gunbroker. It'll be worth the hunt.

Now, now firearmsunlimited, take it easy on fyimo. I know exactly how it feels when you get older and want to enjoy more shooting while you can, and are smart enough to know that eliminating pain from your life doesn't make you a girlie man. While I still shoot some of the big stuff, the amount of 22 LR I send down range has increased dramatically. I even pulled out my 617 no-dash for the first time in about 10 years. It does look a lot like my 629, but sure feels easier on the hand and the wallet. Cheers.

Xfuzz,

Superb acquisition, both on price and accuracy.