I know..... what could possibly be the mystery behind a 629-4..... Well here goes.

This past week I am browsing a local firearms site and see a sale ad for a 629 6.5" barrel with accessories....list price $900. The accessories you ask....136 rounds of ammo (36 hollow point, 100 soft tip), shoulder holster, 2 speed loaders w/pouch, scope mount and Bushnell HOLOsight. Gun also came with box and all original documents. I thought to myself not only is that not a bad price but would make a great whitetail gun. I contact the seller...we meet up and $800 OTD later I have me a new to me 629-4. No lock a big plus in my book!

Side note: The really coincidental events are that I purchased a set of finger groove combats for a 90's production N frame RB less than 24 hours BEFORE I bought the gun......and prior to this I did not have a RB N frame!

Now the mystery. I get home and pull open the standard catalog of Smith and Wesson to narrow down a manufacture date and exactly what it is I have. 629 classic, 629 deluxe or some other variation. This is as far as I got:

What I know. It is a 629-4. Has a 6.5 inch barrel (confirmed with tape measure) and barrel is laser etched "classic" on the right side. Inside the box there is a package full of 4 interchangeable front sights (consistent with standard packaging of the deluxe). Gun only came with S&W marked Hogue monogrips. I contacted the seller....no wood combats to be found. (wood combats only sent with the deluxe models from my understanding).

I then referred to the box label in hopes I could match it up with a product code in the standard catalog. End label product code is ID'd as 603638. No such number in the standard catalog. There is a 103638 but that is ID'd as a 6" barrel classic. In looking closer at the label is printed from the factory to be a "used" gun. Features described as "used gun", spec. order section described as "used gun".

My questions.....without lettering my hunting pistol what do I have here? Classic of Deluxe? Has anyone seen the "used gun" label on a revolver similar to this? I could understand an old service weapon but I doubt this one was toted as a service piece. Anyone out there have the same thing as far as labeling?

Thanks in advance. Hopefully my poor pictures will help someone out in addition to the information I have provided.

The gun is pictured with an Ultra dot...just my preference... the Bushnell HOLOsight is in the process of finding a home on a different gun....or a new home all together. Just didn't want anyone thinking that I can't read what kind of sight came with the package

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I look forward to hearing the explanation on this one.

Same here
That is really weird

I know I am behind the times, but I did not know that S&W sold used guns from the factory.

Did the extra front sights come with the gun, or were they purchased separately? My 629-3 6.5" Classic is as you describe except there was an order form to purchase the extra front sights in the box, and no scope mount. As I recall back in the day the Classic DX came in a presentation case. The original purchaser may have tricked it out a bit over time? My opinion is you got a good price on an excellent gun.

Well, we know a couple things here-

If it is a Classic Deluxe it will be lazer etched on the right side of the barrel Classic DX

The package of extra sight inserts could be purchased as an accessory item for any Classic or DX model

The blue plastic case started shipping in 1996 and in 1997 the thumb piece was changed to the later slanted version, which clearly you do not have, so your gun is a 1996 model

The code could easily be a misprint, but the book says that the 103638 product code was the NRA Classic and would be numbered 1-650 on the right side of the barrel

Anything is possible with S&W, so it is possible that the code was used on guns that were factory re-conditioned after being used for testing by writers or technicians or something along those lines.

You have an interesting gun there. I'd call the factory and ask them what the real story is.

First, “used” on the end label. Model 1076s were the first 3rd generation autos with a SIG like decocking lever. That feature was designed to satisfy the FBI. Initially there were problems with the decocker and a recall. The FBI returned a large quantity of unsatisfactory 1076s. Those were resold through regular distributors in boxes with “used” on their end label and a “U” stamped on their trigger guard. My guess is your 629-4 was taken back under warranty, repaired and resold like the FBI’s 1076s. Just for grins look for a “U” on its trigger guard. It’s logical that used guns get their own product code.

If your 629-4 was originally sold as a DX it would be marked “DX” on it’s barrel unless that barrel was replaced. DXs were shipped in the same boxes as standard 629 Classics. The extra money for a DX primarily bought you a 629 that came through 50 yard group testing with flying colors. IIRC DXs had to shoot a 5 shot 50 yard group under 2” with Federal 240 grain. 1 ½” might have been required as all the test targets I’ve handled meet that standard. I’m not sure. The Combats and extra sights were mainly something more tangible for salesmen to show customers. Combats didn’t become valuable until well into the 2000s.

Extra front sights are an accessory available from S&W for any of the Classics. The only sights I’m sure were packed with DXs are a few patridges in various heights marked with distances. Those were for silhouette competition. Members have been inconsistent reporting what other sights came with their DXs. That may be because some of them bought their DXs used and previous owners changed what was in the box.

You are correct, DXs were packed with two stocks and non-DX 629s ordinarily only came with rubber Hogues. The combats look great in pictures and are comfortable firing .44 special equivalents. Firing magnums they test your manhood.

Thanks fellas for the bits of clarification. I was not sure if the barrel was marked "classic" on all or if there was a difference with the classic dx. It is pretty evident (barring a barrel change) that what I have is a 629 classic.

As for the front sights, it is very possible the other owner ordered them. A blank order form was in the box. Just thought it was odd that someone would have ordered them for a hunting gun. When I picked it up it had no front sight insert in it at all. Would have thought if the guy liked all those extra front sights at least one would have been used

The logic on the "used" term seems good. I will have to call Smith and see what they have to say. Ill be honest and say I kind of hope it was just as a test by a writer or the other and re-sold....I think that would be pretty cool.

Stay tuned for the results of the smith call. Any other thoughts in the meantime are much appreciated.

It would be cool if it were a writer issued test gun, because you could try to find out which writer might have used it and then look for a back issue of that guys magazine to have pics of your gun to show off to friends.

However, I believe it was something more like k22fan said, which is also what I had guessed at in my previous post.

I looked into the "U" mentioned by k22fan. It is not on the trigger guard but..... I did find one clearly stamped in the crane on te frame above the serial #.

Can't wait to here what smith has to say

Can "U" post a pic of the U?

A DX will have the barrel marked as such. Still a great buy you made.

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__________________
Dan
SWCA #2789

My 629-3 Classic DX 5" bbl bought new by me in the early 90's came in a Blue box, has a set of 5 different front sight inserts, Hogue and wood grips, a fired target and the bbl is etched 629 Classic DX on the right side just like the picture Klyde has shown. I feel very fortunate to actually have two of these guns, one wears a Leupold 4x EER scope and the other has been fitted with an SDM
"Hi-Viz" type red fiber optic front sight. These are my two favorite 629's

brief update. Contacted smith via email this week. 1st response to my inquiry...."The gun was sold as used"
My thoughts.....No kidding (not the term I would've used but you get the point) Dick Tracy it says that on the box.

2nd response when I clarified again that I was wondering "why?" "Once we ship a gun and it comes back to us for whatever reason and the gun falls into manufacturing specification we sale as a used gun."

My thoughts.....you still didn't answer my question.

Unless I am expecting too much there has to be more information filed by serial number. If they want me to letter the dang thing to find out I wish they would just say that......phone call will take place next week.. stay tuned

Finally got my questions answered. Gun was sent back to smith and a "barrel alignment adjustment" was made and then resold.

Someone did a heck of a job. I can hold 10 ring on an outdoor bullseye slow fire target with 1 hand at 50 yards!!!