Hello.

I turned 44 today. I've always lusted over a 629 6.5" 44 magnum since a friend of mine had one in the 80's. I'm gonna get one. Are current production 629's as good as old ones? Should I buy used? I haven't been able to keep up on the specifics of S&W revolvers and what is sought after and what is not.

If there's an FAQ on what to know about those revolvers, please direct me to it so I can read up.

I know zip about S&W revolvers. It will be my hunting or hiking sidearm.

Next year I'm getting an Ed Brown 45.

If anyone needs help on M14's or M1A's, I'm your guy. I've got an FFL and I work on/build customer M14's, so I have dealer accounts with distributors, so I can get a new 629 at dealer cost.

Tony.

629-4 Classic 6 1/2" like the one I traded off and forever regret.

Ironically, I did same! Bought a 44 mag (first revolver) in my 44th year of walking this earth. Shoulda done it sooner. So much fun. Bought it for generally the same purposes too. Not really being ‘up-to-speed’ in the S&W revolver world at the time, I just figured going New was the safest bet for me so I did - 629 -6 Classic in 6 1/2”. I personally got an excellent firearm with zero issues, flaws, blemishes, etc. Couldn’t be happier with it or with my decision, but, I don’t own any old ones either. First revolver. Ignorance could potentially be bliss?? I have since fondled many, and even shot, a few of the old ones.... still don’t have any regrets or really understand what all the ‘fuss’ is about. I think many, perhaps even a majority here are going to steer you to an older model like a -4 or before. No MIM parts, no lock, pinned and recessed if you go back far enough (but also no endurance package if you go too far), etc. You’ll have to do your own research on all this stuff. There’s quite a strong vein of sentiment around saying ‘they just don’t make them like they used to’. That’s fine. May or may not be entirely accurate. May or may not be your experience or opinion. I also know there are plenty of others who, like myself, have continued to buy new production model guns and couldn’t be happier with them. Many of such members with far more shooting experience and vaster safes than myself. So, welcome, good luck, and enjoy.

I'd get a used M-629-3 in NRA Excellent to new condition, with six-inch barrel. The holster I prefer is a Safariland M-29 that's lined and basketwork stamped. No longer made, the El Paso Saddlery Model 2 is about identical. El Paso Saddlery – Custom Leather Holsters & More Quality is very similar, but you may prefer EPS basket stamping.

If you're new to revolvers, you may be surprised at the recoil of a .44 Magnum. Shoot milder .44 Special cartridges until you have learned the gun and don't flinch.

I think M-629-4 is the same, but they drilled the top strap for a scope mount. I don't use scopes on handguns and don't want holes there to clean.

I would not buy any current S&W handgun. Learn what to look for on older ones before buying.

Frankly, unless you live in bear country or will hunt deer or pigs, a .357 Magnum is probably a wiser all-round handgun.

Funny, I just got back from the range where I was shooting my 629-6 Classic with a 6.5 inch barrel. My gun is about 5 years old. This would qualify for your "new" 629 category. I'll tell you what, I have been shooting my longer barrel 629's ( 7.5 inch and 8 3/8 inch) mostly. I hadn't shot this 6.5 inch gun in quite a while and was even thinking should I sell it. Well after shooting it today I said to my range buddy, "no way I can sell this. It is shooting way too good." I think this answers your question.

I will say that being a reloader helps enormously with my enjoyment of 44 magnum handguns. Shooting full power 44 magnum loads is too punishing for me. I load my loads in 44 magnum cases so I don't get a crud ring in my cylinder chambers to make cleaning easier. I usually load them to a level I would describe as 44 special +P. I don't think this is a commonly used term but what I mean is my loads are higher than 44 special but less than 44 magnum. For me this is fun to shoot. YMMV.

__________________
Accuracy supercedes Speed

I noticed on Simpsons ltd website there is a used 629-6 with 6 inch barrel.
Item C37164
Looks nice!

Took me til age 60 (with 55 years of shooting experience) to get a 44 mag. Add me to the list of satisfied customers for the new 629. The skinny wood grips on the Classic do result in a smack from the exposed backstrap though, and I put the Hogue for the 500 mag on mine.
If you can get dealer cost, and you don't have that much experience with revolvers, there's something to be said for the factory service policy on the new ones. I like my old ones, and I like my new ones. I don't think you'll go far wrong either way.

I too recently (May) bought a 629-6 Deluxe Talo edition 6.5" Really like the gun although I haven't been able to get out and shoot it much. My complaint was the trigger pull was a bit heavy for my liking so a spring kit and a bit of smoothing has made a great difference. I in a past life had a gunsmithing business but what I did was not any smithing and if you are Tony B of M14 fame it's well within you capability. I did change the grips to the S&W Hogues as I didn't want to bung up the nice wood grips in the field. Some folks have been complaining about the lack of quality control coming out these days -- but mine has great timing and locks up tighter than any of my J, K or L frame Smiths--I wouldn't be reluctant to purchase another--in fact I'm toying with the idea of getting a 629 Talo with the 3" barrel. Wishing you the best in your decision.

Sorry missed the bottom of your post - identifying yourself as thee TonyBen

I prefer the older models, they just look better to me. As far as shooting goes, I don't think you can go wrong either way. The recoil from the magnum loads can be tough on the hand. I'd suggest getting the longer barrel though, as it'll help with the recoil, and muzzle rise.

A -6 before and after factory grips to Ahrend customs.

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If you get an used one,try to go for a 629-3 and younger.They've got the E package(Endurance).They'll stand up better under hard use(265gr bullets and over at max speed).
Qc

Thanks! I've got a line on a local guy who has an older 629. I'll find out if it's a -3.

Tony.

Beautiful before and after grips change,can I have it? lol

__________________
Life is short,live it fully.

I’d let you shoot it for sure. And see for yourself. Proof
Is in the pudding. But I think I might be missing an element of
Your humor/sarcasm.

A couple decades ago, I was at a gunshow, and a guy was selling a no-dash 629, 4-inch.

It looked,, literally, like it had been drug down a gravel road..
I never had owned a gun it that bad of condition,, but,, the price was CHEAP!!
($150,, IIRC)
I was taking a gunsmith evening class at a local tech school, this was my project for that year.

Well, that gun turned out stunning. I already had one identical to it, so I gave it to my brother.

When I first gave it to him, he said he did not want it,, he could shoot a rifle, or shotgun very good, but, had never been able to hit anything with a handgun.

I said try the gun, before passing judgement.
Well,, at about 25 feet,, he hit 6 large coffee cans,, out of 6 shots,,

This was pretty amazing,, to him, he had never hit anything with a handgun with any accuracy.

Each year,, he finds an excuse to come visit,,
so we can use my Dillon press to reload all the ammo he has shot during the year,

Get a used one and enjoy it,,, there is WAY less concern about the "first" scratch!!

Next to the bottom is my 4",,



I have never shot the bottom one,, but,
of the top three,, the 4" is the most accurate,, in my hands.

I concur completely with MK above regarding pre-owned guns in nice condition. And the lack of the Endurance Package is not important to me since you don't shoot all that many hot loads when hunting and sighting in for hunting. In fact, I don't even handload my hunting loads since I shoot so few of them each year. I don't think that anyone in their right mind shoots a lot of full magnum loads just for fun. I shoot 240-grain cast SWC handloads in my three 629s for target use and Hornady XTP factory loads for hunting - I bought four 20-round boxes maybe ten years ago and still have two full boxes and a partial left.

Ed

I have a 629-4 square butt 8 3/8" barrel. It was in a local gun store for quite a while and one day I decided to look at it. I didn't know much about smith revolvers but I was curious about it. I went home that evening and started researching a little on here and found out the square butt dash 4s were a little more uncommon and had all the endurance upgrades. Seemingly everything desirable and I knew I had to have it. Turns out it has the nicest trigger I've ever felt and outshoots all my other revolvers. It has to be the best purchase I've made.

I detest scopes on handguns, but as I get older I can see a nice tidy red dot optic sight could be very nice.
Therefore I go with the dash 4. JMHO/YMMV

Looks like my friend has a 629 no-dash, S/N N778XXX. He has to research the price but he's conflicted about selling it. Barrel is pinned and cylinder recessed.

I remember him saying he had one a couple of years ago and when I talked to him yesterday, he said he didn't have one. He said he had a model 29-4. He called me back today and said he had a brain fart and he indeed did have a 629.

If it's in mint condition, what would you say is a fair offering?

Tony.

If you want "pretty" then the older 629s seem to be tops. But I have found the newer 629s better shooters, especially at long range. Quite frankly, my 629-6s get the bulk of the usage over and beyond the supposedly superior PC 629s (including a -4) and the 629-3DX. If you don't shoot much over 25 yards then it doesn't much matter.

(I have a 629-1 6" barrel that was purchased just because it looked so good! It gets very little range time, yet I can't bring myself to swap it for something more practical....)

BTW, thanks for all you've done for the M14/M1A community! Long time fan.

And a final note: S&Ws are about as quirky and need about the same level of pre-purchase inspection as your basic M1A!

I too have a 6" 629-1. With a Millett rear sight, it is a very accurate gun that I use solely for punching paper with 240-grain cast semi-wadcutters. For hunting, I have a 6.5" 629-4 Classic and a 5" 629-3 Classic DX.

Even though my -1 isn't a prized P&R gun, it has a very smooth action and let's face it, they don't make 'em like that any more.

Ed

A VINTAGE version is the way I'd go. That's the ONLY WAY I buy - don't care for the new stuff.........

Look for a 629-3 or -4. Both have the full endurance package and both are pre lock/mim.

Or buy a new version if the looks don't bother you.

629-5's pretty good. The MIM doesn't bother me so much.

Of course, if you don't mind the lock, then a -6 can be found a lot cheaper.

old is gold-non holer.

A "P&R" 629 will bring a bit of a premium, but it needs to have it's original stocks and box, etc. to be super special. Eh, it's a regional (and horse trader) thing, but SWAG would be US$800 +/- 100 or so (no box).

Weak points to the no dash model that I've found:
1) Cylinder throats typically run 0.432"-0.433", which can be a bother if you're a cast bullet shooter, less if you cast your own. Jacketed bullet loads are often more forgiving accuracy wise in these, but that means you'll be shooting warmer loads. (I have overcome much of the problem using oversized swaged projectiles on top of very slow powders, but most folk don't compete at 100 to 200m with these revolvers any more!)

2)The yoke retaining stud of the front sideplate screw will eventually wear the retaining shoulder of the yoke to unacceptable levels after many opening/closing cycles. Can lead to excess endshake and cylinder crashing the barrel extension on closing. Repairable by various methods. Both my 4" and 6" "no dash" 629 revolvers have developed this problem, both repaired at least once. I think S&W may have started hardening the yoke fairly soon after the no dashes, as it seems less common on following variants. Redesigned altogether when the plunger type front screw was adopted, a good change! Never much noted on blued steel revolvers for some reason.

3) Probably not a huge concern, but hotter loads have been noted to cause cylinder unlock, and sometimes chamber skipping during recoil. Also dealt with by minor design changes later on. (Most easily noted external change is the longer locking notches on the "endurance package" 629s.)

As noted, I have two, and would not pass up a "no dash" 8 3/8" barreled 629 if it came along, so don't let those minor foibles dissuade you from buying! Just make sure it passes the usual revolver inspection first. (Timing/carry-up, endshake, hammer rubbing, barrel clocking, forcing cone condition, yoke warping, etc.)

Been shooting and hunting with my 629-1 a long long time with 0 issues but I do reload and I don't try to run hot hot loads in the gun as it does not have the endurance package you will hear about . I personaly love tne 44 mag it's about as much as I can handle in a handgun and if you reload it is very versatile .Mine is the 8 3/8 kinda wish I had gone with shorter but the longer sight radius does help .You won't go wrong either way but that lifetime warranty is hard to beat and there are older shooters out there that are pretty beat up so be careful if you decide to go used .Oh yea stick around and let us know what you do decide by tne way I also shoot an M1A national match yea it's outfitted with a Turner sling ect I love it or maybe I just love all the attention I get at the range when all those ARs are pinging steel and they hear that bloom klaanngg when a real gun connects lol.By the way tony I am a m14 forum member love ya videos they have been a real help to so many ,when it comes to m14/m1a rifles.Guys this guy is the man check out his videos if you shoot or like tne m14 rifle and it's civillian variants ( ok Tony that is all ya get for the 2dollars and 35 cents check ya sent me lol) .

Thanks for the promotion on my vids! I'll keep an eye out for the right vintage. My friend wants a pretty penny for his ($1,500+) so I'll keep an eye out for another 629.

Are there drop-in parts to replace the MIM parts? Is the endurance package something that can be done to a revolver that wasn't made with them?

Tony.

I hear all that has been said.....
I have owned 20 or more Model 29s and 629s. I carried a 3" 629 for years, but after awhile, the weight problem exceeded the "cool" factor (I was young). Hunted deer all my life and only used a .44 (Ruger Super Blackhawk was my first, but then used my Dad's 8 3/8" Model 29). Never missed a deer either....they dropped right there. I am a fan.
So to address your question, old or new. I think that the best bang for the buck is a Performance Center gun on the new ones. If the trigger is not to your liking, call and return for a trigger job. These are really well made firearms, with attention to detail. Accuracy from my 7.5" is stellar.
If you like recessed chambers, try to find an early 629.

Dropbox - 629 Hunter 2006.jpg

__________________
Terry
SWCA, SWHS, IWLA, NRA

I have a 1989 6-inch S&W 629-1 in my lap right now. I am going to check again to see if it is loaded. It is - with 210gr wadcutter bullets and 9.0 gr WSF for 1200 FPS. It is a great bowling-pin mover. The next match is in Chester, NH on 28Oct2017.

Hmm... what are the thoughts on the 7.5" PC stealth hunter? That one seems like a better choice than the base model 629 that I wanted. I'd immediately remove the lock and fill it with a plug.

By the way, I'd be firing exclusively jacketed bullets. I'm not a lead loader.

Tony.

A perfect 629 no dash, pinned and recessed 4 inch just sold on Gunbroker for $2806. with correct box, grips papers and original sales receipt. I have seen lesser 4 inch P&R at around $2,000. so$1500. may be a good buy as the 4 inch commands a premium over the 6 inch version.

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Magnaport 329NG, Custom386 NG

Thanks. That's good to know. I'll chew on it. I guess it will be between the no-dash or the PC hunter.

Tony.

That no dash is too expensive. There is a bit of snobbism about the old ones. Don’t fall for it. I have new ones and old ones and they are all good. You can often find lightly used 44 mags for cheap because many people don’t take the time to learn how to shoot them and just give up and want to get rid of them.

Here are a couple of mine that I posted recently in another thread.

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Accuracy supercedes Speed

I like the dash 4 but the dash 3 is probably just as good.

I like factory adjustable sights so fixed sights are bad.

I don't like altered guns,engraving,nickle and pawn shop rescues.

We get ideas stuck between our ears and what we think everyone should think.

I have a 629-3 a a -4 Mountain Gun and a 3" 629-4 Backpacker.Yeap,I prefer the shorter barrels if not using for hunting.The 3" Smith's are presently on my buy when found list

Also between my ears is a like for hammer mounted firing pins.

There's nothing wrong with what you like so don't let my thinking sway your thinking.

The mind is a terrible thing.

__________________
NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

I like the extra weight of the PC but I mostly just shoot the full underlug versions (629 "Classic"). For some reason the PCs are more "deer getters" than high round count shooters for me. I wish I could tell if the muzzle brakes on those so equipped does anything, but....

As far as MIM, or locks, or whatever folk like to complain about, I've run multi-multi thousands of rounds through the current versions without drama. In actual fact, in single action I think the trigger pull is as good or better with the MIM hammer and trigger as the old style. Can't comment much on DA pulls in the .44s as I don't do that much, currently. (It does seem that aspect is something that the old 4" P&R 629 gets the lion's share of when the need is felt. Usually when ammo needs "reconfiguring"!)

I own older pinned and recessed S&W's as well as current models. I have a 629-6 Classic with a 6.5" pipe and it has been 100% trouble free for me. I reload and I am one who believes in practicing with the same ammo I intend to hunt with. So when I practice, I shoot full house 240gr loads. My 629 sighted in predictably and always performs when I am on my game. I am able to make 6-8" groups at 50 yds with it. The nice thing about the 629 Classic is the quick change front sight. I picked up a fiber optic front sight and it only took a few seconds to swap it out, it helped my sight picture quite a bit.

My other 44 is a m29-2 with a 4" tube. This one is my baby. It is also a very accurate shooter when I do my part. Yes, the older models have a sweetness about them, but the current models are also excellent firearms in my view.

629 Stealth Hunter... I have been drooling over that one for awhile! I wouldn't hesitate to buy one were I in the market! 7.5" bbl for a bit more sight radius and velocity.. it IS ported though, so hearing protection even when hunting would probably be advisable. I've fired my 629 Classic without hearing protection in a hunting situation a couple of times, that barrel isn't ported and it's not at all pleasant.

I'm sure you will be well satisfied with whatever you get, be it an older specimen in good shape or a new one. If I were in the market and on the hunt, I would be going after the Stealth Hunter. Not sure why one would think it a piece focused more toward less shooting, it's not a scandium framed 329 platform, it's stainless just like the regular 629.

I picked up a 629-4 , 4" several yrs ago at a gun show in Az for $775. Has the endurance pkg , no mim parts and no IL . I had it out this last weekend , great gun . I cast / size my bullets .431 .
I have often wondered if the endurance pkg thing is really that important anymore as current load data is not as powerful as years before . If your shooting factory ammo known for being extra powerful or reloading really hot loads out of much older manuals , then yes there is a reason for having it .

Wasn't the main reason for the "endurance" changes throwing heavy bullets at max+ charges though? I seem to recall it being said several times that the heavy bullets (300gr) are/were the main culprit.

I run max charges in my pair of 44s, the 629-6 gets 240gr bullets and the 4" barreled 29-2 gets 200gr.

Before my time, but that is my understanding. The popularity of the caliber for silhouette shooting, and guys pushing their guns as hard as they could with hot and heavy loads to knock down those rams at distance. Was shooting them loose prematurely.

If you're using your dealer accounts to get a new gun, there are other current production PC guns out there besides the Stealth Hunter in case you're interested. I own these two that are still being manufactured at the factory.
The 629-6 Comp Hunter

And the 629-7 44 Magnum Hunter

Both are wonderful guns to shoot!
There is also a 629-8 8 3/8" PC gun to throw in the mix that I'm sure would be a fine addition.
Happy shopping!

__________________
Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

I keep eyeballing that 8 3/8"PC version. I suppose I'll have to buy one new, as nothing used has popped up yet, locally. The upside is that I can inspect several before purchase.

Now if S&W re-introduced a long tubed .44 revolver (or .41 or even .38!) with the four position front sight I would not hesitate!

What's with the premium on 4" guns? A .44 Magnum is hardly a concealed carry piece and the longer barrels offer better sighting and more muzzle velocity. To me, a .44 has two uses - hunting and target shooting, both of which benefit from longer barrels. Or has the world gone totally snubbie-happy without regard to caliber?

Ed

I bought a 629-6 with a 6 1/2 inch barrel and never looked back. I ordered the 500 Magnum rubber grip from S&W as the original grip was too small. I also bought a Bianchi holster and belt, and carry it during deer/coyote season. Have used everything from moose loads to mouse loads with nary a hiccup. One of my favorite guns.

4" N-frames seem to bring a premium kind of like a 2.5" K-frame. I remember when I bought my 4" 29-2 the blue book added value for the 4" barrel. I can't remember off-hand what the number was but it did add value.

And then there is the element of what people like us are actually willing to pay for what we want/like. Sometimes the blue book doesn't reflect that.

I do carry my 4" 29 occasionally. Were it not in excellent condition as it is, I would definitely carry it more but I don't because I want it to stay in nice shape. It does carry pretty nice considering the horsepower you have as long as you use a descent belt holster and legit gun belt. But it is still an N-frame so you still know it's there.

I haven't experienced any issue with accuracy due to the shorter barrel. Shooting 50 feet, it's not terribly difficult to make a large ragged hole out of the bull and it shoots every bit as tight as my 6.5" 629 Classic. I'm sure sure that shooting longer distance that the 629 would come out the winner, but I have not tried the 29 at what I would consider long range for a handgun.

4" N-frames are quite fun. You're missing out

Our son has a 4" 629-4 and with full-power loads, I wouldn't call shooting it "fun." But I get what you're saying about accuracy - I have shot many very good 50-foot and 25-yard groups with 4" revolvers but the longer the distance becomes, the more valuable a longer sighting radius becomes.

I guess I'm too old school as I just don't consider a 4" barrel on a .44 to be all that desirable. Our son wouldn't own the one he does if it wasn't offered to him a few years ago by a family friend at the proverbial "price too good to refuse." For a grand, he got that 629 and a mint condition 4" Model 19-3, which is a P&R gun.

Ed

I am going to the range now to see if my S&W629-1 is still hitting to POA.

From what I recall when S&W brought out the ''E'' package,it was because guys were shooting heavier than the then usual bullet(240gr).A 265 or 280gr(as you certainly know,some went to a 300gr bullet)has a recoil time pulse which lasts much longer than the 240gr bullet.The E package was to solve,amongst others, the cylinder skipping problem.
My 629 dates before the E.I solved the problem by shooting 215 gr in it,keeping my heavier bullets(255 and 265)for my other 44s.And it performs in an excellent fashion.
Qc

I like 4" and 6.5". Haven't found myself wanting the really long barrels. Something for everyone though. I too have a 4" 19-3, what a sweetheart that one is

I'm not crazy about the 8-3/8" barrels either. I had what I considered a real oddball many years ago, an 8-3/8" Model 14. It was enjoyable to shoot but a pain to carry around. Five-inch barrels are my preference.

Ed