Look very close at the front of the rear sight tang.

As I posted to you in the gunsmithing forum, the only difference between the two versions is the fact that the DX's were standard Classics that were exceptionally accurate, and pulled from the production line to be labeled as DX's and sold with extra sights and two sets of grips.

The sights in your two pics were just something that happened when S&W transitioned from the old style rear sight to the newer rounded tang version.

Yep, what Gun4Fun says is right from the SCSW.

Note that the 5" 629 Classic in your photo also has the frame-mounted firing pin, as well as the triangular cylinder release - it's a different revision (a 629-5 I believe) than the DX in your second photo.

--Neill

What is SCSW?

The 629 classic was just a representative photo showing the standard new style sight. It's very hard to find a photo of a revolver showing the top. In fact the only pics I could find of DXs showing the top of the frame show the same long sight, and I've yet to find a photo of non-DX that shows the longer tang.

SCSW = Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson
The 3rd edition isthe most recent version.

It has a fairly comprehensive history of all S&W's for the last 100+ years

You can buy it on the Gun Digest books website in hardcover for a little over twenty bucks. The values listed are outdated, of course, as the book is several years old but the detailed specifications are very informative.

There's also are versions available for other brands.

Ed

OK - interesting. I hadn't noticed that - and I don't have a DX to check myself. I can't tell from your photos if it's an optical illusion or not.

I do have a 29-5 (non-DX) and I will try and photograph the topstrap later this week. Here's an older photo - you can see the raised edge of the rear sight and it's not clear how much longer it could be...

--Neill

And, btw, the SCSW is the book underneath my 29-5 ! Great reference and you should absolutely have one.

--Neill

Northslope-

Your gun points out exactly what I told the OP, both here and in the other forum.

You said your gun is a standard Classic. Look at how close the end of your rear sight tang comes to the step down in the topstrap. It's the same as the Classic DX in the OP's post. Look how much farther away from the same step down in the top strap it is on the 629 standard Classic.

Like I said before- not an issue relating soley to the DX's. The early ones for the original Classics and Classic DX's were longer, the later version is shorter.

Model 29-5 Classic. If you look closely, you can see in this photo another example of the transition long tang sight with radiused end.

This is a not a DX model.

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NRA - All Day

The original posters gun looks like a 29-5 of 1993 vintage. I'm pretty sure if you look under the top strap, you will see 3 factory holes that are drilled and tapped for a scope mount. 1993 appears to be a transition year of sorts for N-frame "Classics". They have a long round tang rear sight that is secured by a #4? screw, but also have the three hole pattern that is drilled and tapped for a 6-48 screw. In 1994, Smith changed to the shorter round tang rear sight which is attached to the top strap by the forward most screw of the new 3 hole pattern. In 1993, you also had the Hogue grips with that silver medallion insert on the N-frame Classics. Those changed to the current all rubber Hogues in 1994. Don't lose that rear sight. I've heard that Smith no longer has these available.

Hey guys, don't know if any of you has seen my post about the 629 Classic DX I acquired, but I saw another 8" barreled one for sale (I think it is technically 8 and 3/8", but I digress...) Anyhow, that particular DX did not have "Classic DX" imprinted on the right side of the barrel as mine does, yet it is being advertised as a Classic DX. I do know that the only differences between the Classic and the Classic DX's were the accuracy...mine has a test target with it that indicates it was shot at 50 yards. It only put those five shots in a 1.75" group. Whatta' disgusting display of machinery

In all seriousness, that is amazing. I am curious as to what it could do with some quality handloads. I will probably remain curious forever too. I'll never shoot that bad boy!!

The rear sight style had nothing to do with the DX versions.

When the Classic models were introduced in 1990 they were drilled and tapped for scope mounting, not so with the standard 29 and 629 partial shroud models at the time. A new rounded front rear sight was put on the 629-3 and 29-5 Classic, Magna Classic and Classic DX models at this time.

When the 629-4 and 29-6 were introduced the rear sight was standardized to a new shorter version round front rear sight style (still in use today).

Those early long/rounded front rear sights are hard to find as they were only used for a short time.

A little off topic, but...

I can't imagine my 5" 29 Classic being any more accurate than it is. I think since the Classic DX was more expensive, they didn't just select the most accurate ones - they just pulled the number of guns needed to fill the smaller number of DX orders, and verified that they met the selected accuracy standard. I would be willing to bet one American dollar that most of the Classic line of that time would have met the standard. It was good advertising though, and the extras included with the DX are nice.

But I've been wrong many times before.

Just for what it's worth, which might not be much, there also were two different length K-frame sights with the older style square-ended tang. Here's a shot of a Model 66-2 that came with the "newer old-style" sight and an "older old-style" beside it.



I found that out when I bought that extra sight online and tried to install it on that gun. The seller wasn't aware of the different lengths either and cheerfully accepted the sight as a return.

Research (the SCoSW?) taught me that when the FBI(?) evaluated sample K-frame revolvers sent to them prior to S&W making the guns in their order, it was thought that the hole for the older sight being right over the barrel-cylinder gap could be problematic so it was moved forward a tad.

Ed

I don't know about the FBIs' issue with front screw sight placement

Over the barrel area of the frame..l do know that Leupolds' aftermarket

Scope mounts add an extra screw hole over this area..l have never had

Any trouble with my mount..

I can tell you one federal law enforcement agency - the FBI, I thought - expressed concerns to S&W about the screw hole location and the hole was relocated for that reason. I'm 99% sure it is mentioned in the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson so if you check your copy in the Model 19 or 66 section, I think you'll see it.

Ed

You're exactly right, they pulled them, shot them, and lazered them as needed,,,, they all shot like a house on fire. Yes I know this is an old thread, LOL!

On a similar note, I have a '91 29-5 Classic DX with rounded front rear sight- 3 thrd holes in top strap as mentioned previously.

I purchased a S&W scope mount and rings for it in '97 -I think the rings are S&W product #191260- number stamped on bottom of base is 2843C. They are dual dovetail mount similar to Leupold.

The rings have very nice S&W logos on top- looks like laser etching very similar to barrel of the gun- pretty close match actually.

Ive been told these are rare items no longer offered by S&W- can any of you shed some light on this S&W scope mount system and if they are collectors items (as I have been told) what would they be worth?

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I know this is a very old quote but it's an accurate one according to everything I've ever heard or read about the 629 and the DX models. And like others I can't imagine my 629 being more accurate but it isn't a DX.

Classic and Classic DX's look very similar to me besides the addition of the DX on the barrel.

Not very much difference in the guns themselves as far as I can tell- just some extras that came with DX's.

I've seen pics of DX 50yd factory test targets with @2" groups which probably some standard Classics could do better- but both models were very well made revolvers with excellent fit and finish in my opinion.

Out of curiosity, does anyone know if the standard Classics came with test targets from factory like the DX's?

To my knowledge, they did not.

Ed

About what is the date range for a 6 1/2" 629-3 Classic? I have one new in the shop worn box going to a gun show soon.

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NRA Life Member

If it helps you with dates, I bought my 629-3 new in October, 1993. One of the most accurate revolvers I own.

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