I just picked this up. Confirmed with Lew Horton that S&W made it for them in March 1999. Product code 170135. Pre-lock. No MIM. 44mag, of course. I got it, hoping to enjoy the flamethrower aspects of shooting it before deciding if I would keep it or trade it away. Unfortunately - or fortunately - it turned out to be unfired, as best I can tell. I've got a little over $900 in it. I'm assuming that isn't too bad. I've been wrong before, though. There's no box and it's been played with enough to have a cylinder turn line. Considering that it's not perfect, if I shoot it, would that affect the value much if I decide to trade/sell it later? Here are a couple pics the guy I got it from sent me. I'm just showing it off as much as I'm curious about how shooting it might affect value, given its rarity. I haven't found much information about these guns; so if you have one, post a picture and tell me about yours. Thanks

I don’t have the gun I posted about originally, but I have this one. It’s another 629-5, 165 of 300.

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Since it's not NIB, I don't think it would devalue it to shoot it. I shoot all of mine, and that one would be a hoot. I have a 3" 629, and figured that if I missed something, I could set it on fire with the muzzle blast. Enjoy it. Bill

I guess everyone agrees with Bill. Me too.

Does this gun take N-frame or K-frame grips? Thanks

I like those. Go ahead and shoot it, it is fun.
I think that the -5 had at least the MIM trigger and hammer, but I may be wrong.
Enjoy it.

I do believe that is the infamous Bloodwork 629. Pretty popular around here and as you know rare. I say shoot the mess out of it, no box and papers makes the overall package less collectable.

Glad you're going to shoot it! That is why it was made.

It should take standard N frame grips, just like every other 629. Unless someone else knows better...

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Proud anachronism

I thought MIM triggers were 'hollow' instead of solid in back. I'm probably the one that's wrong. Thanks

That's not a real big bore snub!

You need a 629-5 Camfor special 2 5/8 inch FIXED SIGHT 44!!!

MIM triggers have a groove in the back.

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Proud anachronism

I doubt I'll run across one of those, but Ralph(Cocked&Locked) has told me I can shoot his whenever I want.

I agree that adjustable sights on a snub-nosed 44mag are a little out of place.

Great find. Those are pretty hard to find. Never shot a short barrel .44 mag.

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

I still haven't shot this one. I had a 4 5/8 Ruger Vaquero that was my favorite gun to shoot. Plenty of fire and kick.

I said that I thought adjustable sights might be a little ambitious for a snubby 44, but this one is also drilled and tapped for scope mounts. Very ambitious.

Just my personal Opinion, IF I was going to carry any short barreled revolver as a primary, I would highly consider getting it with adj sights.

I just like having my hand gun point exactly where it, and I, am looking.

As a No 2 I can get by with non adj sights.

I have one too. #94 made in 1999. It only has 18 rounds through it. Its a safe queen for now. It's getting tougher everyday though.

The actual Bloodwork is a fluted .357 Model 627 8 Shot (S&W originally marketed this weapon as the, "Ultimate Defensive Revolver") based on what Clint carried in the movie of the same name which he even refers to as an 8 Shot when showing it to someone in the movie - you'd expect him to be carrying the .44 magnum though right?

Over time the Bloodwork moniker has been used in reference to all three (.44, .41, .357) of the S&W PC revolvers with the 2 5/8" barrel and virtually identical appearance, and all have a reputation for being very accurate.

Enjoy that 629. I have the .357, love to run across the .44 - great find!

Anyway to pull the Original photo back up for viewing ???

If you're reeeally worried about value, why would you shoot it?
Nothing I own is a collector's gun. If I can't shoot it, I don't want it.

I didn’t shoot it. Traded it away. That picture is of the one I currently have. Dogmann asked about a picture. I’m actually trying to trade it for a 3” 629 like the other one in the picture.