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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 09-29-2010, 03:48 PM
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Default Best 629 Dash Numbers

Been looking for a new 629 with a 4 inch barrel. On the few I examined, the barrel gap is huge, over 8 thousanths. Additionlly, the gap varies by over a thousanth from the left side to the right. Not particularly excited about a new one so far.

I think I'll look for an older no-lock model and was wondering what the best dash numbers are. I think I recall at one point they were beefed up a little to handle heavier loads. What are the best dash numbers and/or what numbers should I avoid?
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Old 09-29-2010, 03:58 PM
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629-4 hands down, it has the endurance package, HMFP, no lock, the new sight that is rounded, and the case hardend hammer and trigger that are FORGED.....not MIM, and most of these if I am not mistaken are round butt so you have a wider grip selection.
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Old 09-29-2010, 04:09 PM
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The 629 no-dash has a pinned barrel and recessed cylinder, which is cool. Later models don't. 629-2E and later have the endurance package, which provides a stronger lockup. I've never seen the point of -1 and -2, but I'm sure there are those who disagree. I guess in the final analysis, they're all good.
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Old 09-29-2010, 06:57 PM
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If you can't find a no dash I would go with a dash 3 or dash 4 before the introduction of MIM parts.
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Old 09-29-2010, 07:17 PM
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Originally Posted by RightWinger View Post
629-4 hands down, it has the endurance package, HMFP, no lock, the new sight that is rounded, and the case hardend hammer and trigger that are FORGED.....not MIM, and most of these if I am not mistaken are round butt so you have a wider grip selection.

This is a good post, and right on for what you are looking for.
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Old 09-29-2010, 07:30 PM
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If you plan to shoot it with factory or handloaded 44 Magnum ammunition (240 grain bullet with reloading manual velocities) or reduced handloads, the 629-1 is easier to clean than the 629 with the counterbored charge holes in the cylinder. However, the 629 is more collectible since it has the barrel pin and the cylinder is counterbored as described above.

I have owned and shot both the 629 and 629-1 and find each to be a great gun.

Bill
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Old 09-29-2010, 07:33 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gun 4 Fun View Post
This is a good post, and right on for what you are looking for.
And what your looking for is a picture of a 629-4...



...that gunfourfun fella' forgot to mention that!

GF
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Old 09-29-2010, 07:43 PM
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And what your looking for is a picture of a 629-4...



...that gunfourfun fella' forgot to mention that!

GF
Took ya' long 'nuff.

By the way broheim, what kinda wood is that on that baby!?!

Last edited by Gun 4 Fun; 09-29-2010 at 07:46 PM.
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Old 09-29-2010, 07:59 PM
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The 629-4 is the one you want. All the upgrades you want with none you don't.
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Old 09-29-2010, 08:08 PM
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Yep - the 629-4 is the one you're looking for.

Bruce

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Old 09-29-2010, 08:17 PM
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I have two 629-3 one in 4 inc and one in 6 inch. Can anyone tell me what the difference between the -3 and -4 guns are?
Thanks,
TOM
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Old 09-29-2010, 08:21 PM
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"By the way broheim, what kinda wood is that on that baby!?!"
G4F

Those are genuine imitation synthetic rubber stocks. Rare. Only an advanced Smiff & Wesson collector would have them.

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Old 09-29-2010, 08:26 PM
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Hey ol' buddy,

Well most would speculate that I'm more in the retarded class than advanced, but I have quite a few sets of them that I'd be happy to trade for some of that wood you have lying around, and I'm not talkin' 'bout that stuff nearin the fire pit.
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Old 09-29-2010, 09:38 PM
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Default 629-5 Mountain

I would appreciate your opinions on the 629-5 mountain compared to the the 629-4, shortcomings since everyone seems to prefer the 4's or earlier.
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Old 09-29-2010, 11:34 PM
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No dash or dash 3 or 4.
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Old 01-04-2014, 12:38 PM
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What about the 629-1? Are there any shortcomings with it? I see people are recommending the 629-4 but wouldn't all the previous dashes have all the features of the newer -4? Or was the -4 just leaps and bounds above the rest? Do the previous models have this "endurance package"?

Thinking about picking up a 629-1 locally within the week with some ammo for $700. Any common problems I should look for?
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Old 01-04-2014, 01:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by w0lfattack View Post
What about the 629-1? Are there any shortcomings with it? I see people are recommending the 629-4 but wouldn't all the previous dashes have all the features of the newer -4? Or was the -4 just leaps and bounds above the rest? Do the previous models have this "endurance package"?

Thinking about picking up a 629-1 locally within the week with some ammo for $700. Any common problems I should look for?
You should look for the standard things when looking at any new or used revolver, timing, lock up, barrel squared up, etc. There is a plenty of posts here that will explain what to look for in a used revolver in addition to the above.

The endurance improvements were developed to overcome some of the shortcomings of the 29, 629 that became apparent when using lots of heavy loaded 300 grain bullets. If you are a casual user of only 240 grain or lighter bullets in standard loads, any of the models will serve you well. If you shoot thousands of heavy loaded, heavier than 240 grain bullets, then you will be better served with the endurance package models. I certainly agree that the -4 is the most desirable, but I wouldn't pass any model that is available for a reasonable price. Enjoy the big .44!
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Old 01-04-2014, 01:18 PM
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I picked up a brand new s&w m29-10 last year in blue. It's been said here it's the best quality m29 that has ever been offered by s&w to this date. It's been though 10 upgrades and engineering changes. It's the best of the best. I can live with the loc.

Now for a great quality shooter wouldn't the higher dash number matter?
I can understand as a collector a certain dash number may matter. It depends on what you want.
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Old 01-04-2014, 02:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RightWinger View Post
629-4 hands down, it has the endurance package, HMFP, no lock, the new sight that is rounded, and the case hardend hammer and trigger that are FORGED.....not MIM, and most of these if I am not mistaken are round butt so you have a wider grip selection.
I have to agree. Here is my 4" 629-4 with Ahrend's retro combat round-to-square stocks in Cocobolo. It carries well and shoots great.
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Old 01-04-2014, 02:22 PM
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Lazarus post ,

Without getting into the MIM IL thing most here would choose a 629 made before MIM and the IL for the same money,

The 629-4 had forged Hammer trigger with the new rear site that also added a factory drilled n tapped frame for a scope mount,
I would give honsorable mention to the 629-4 "Classic" because of the quick interchangeable front site system if you dont mind a full underlug barrel.
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Old 01-04-2014, 02:27 PM
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Guess I'll have to get rid of my -1 and get a -4.

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Old 01-04-2014, 02:32 PM
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Guess I'll have to get rid of my -1 and get a -4.

Yes you will...but I won't trade!

And Engine49guy is right...this is a moldy old thread. I wonder what the OP finally decided?
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Old 01-04-2014, 04:55 PM
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-4 or -5 in my opinion.

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Old 04-23-2017, 02:10 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigBill View Post
I picked up a brand new s&w m29-10 last year in blue. It's been said here it's the best quality m29 that has ever been offered by s&w to this date. It's been though 10 upgrades and engineering changes. It's the best of the best. I can live with the loc.

Now for a great quality shooter wouldn't the higher dash number matter?
t.
I wrestle with this. Technology advances. The lock bugs me Bad spot for it, plus my own beliefs. I have ruger put theirs under the grip. If you have to one, that is the place.


Some say you want the firing pin on the hammer, but their a few posts that will say they weern't always the good ol days with that either.


What concerns me about MIMs parts is that some claim you can't polish. But I am not sure that is a big concern me. I think about it, but havn't done any.




When the 29-3 or 4 came out, and if we had forums, I wonder if people would be arguing about the new dashes.



Yes, I know this is an old thread. But nothing has changed.
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Old 04-23-2017, 02:25 PM
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Not in my lifetime, anyway. I remember when I bought my first 29-2 and everywhere I went with it people turned their noses up because S&W had the audacity to do away with the 4th screw when the -2 ECO came along. It's still going on today. Everyone who buys/owns a revolver knows how to build them better than S&W.
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Old 04-23-2017, 04:15 PM
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I think human nature is often old is better, they forget about those boring nights in their favorite bar. Though on the other hand we also like new and improved. We are strange animals.


But the - indicate often an improvement. Even before MIM and IL. So you have to decide which is more important.

I did break down and buy airweight J frame with IL. I like it. I bought the 638, so I could shoot DA. Wish I did not. Collect dirt and I find it nice in DA.

The world moves on. We got electric starts and ignition, kevlar belts, fancy scopes that extend the DNR suggested shooting hours, and all kids of stuff we didn't have 30 years ago.


That being said if I was like to slick up I would have to read up on MIM ad aftermarket parts.
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Old 04-23-2017, 09:19 PM
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Almost a 7 year old thread...
The 29-2 was in production when the 629 was introduced so they are equal in revision.
The 29-3 and 629-1 omit the counter bored cylinder and barrel pin so are a step down in desirability,

There was a transitional 629-2E but all 629-3's have the endurance package as well as being drilled and tapped for a scope mount and with flash chromed forged hammer triggers, the 629-3's only shortcoming is it has a rear site unit that is unique to that revision.

The 629-4 has forged hammer trigger that are case colored and a rear site that is interchangeable with current S&W's so perhaps the high water mark for the S&W .44 Magnum design.

That being said the pre 29's are more collectible.
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Old 04-24-2017, 12:02 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Engine49guy View Post
Almost a 7 year old thread...
n.

That being said the pre 29's are more collectible.
Yes, I know the age. But why start a new thread to repeat the same posts?

As S&W fans, you can question, do we want to shoot guns, or collect them. That much be answered first. While I collect guns, I shoot them. So I am different than many here.

Not saying which is the best dash, but what I want in gun may not be the same as others.


I am not a stamp collector. I have heard there are people that own guns, that have not shot them. I figure there is a place in Hell for those type of people.
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Old 04-24-2017, 12:53 PM
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Quote:
The 629-4 had forged Hammer trigger with the new rear site that also added a factory drilled n tapped frame for a scope mount,
My 629-2 Classic is drilled and tapped. It has the full under lug also of course. I don't know why anyone would "mind it" but I guess some don't like the weight. That weight absorbs recoil and barrel flip. Both of those are good things and worth the extra weight.
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