Another 629 opinion question. I am going to be looking for a 629 soon and would like to get some input. This will be more of a fun at the range and play with hand loads gun, not anticipating any concealed carry, backpacking, or such. I have a 3” 686 so I have no desire for another 3” and don’t really want a 6” or 6-1/2”. I’m thinking the 5” with full underlug would fit my needs well but I like the looks of the 4” also. Have kept my eyes open for a pre-lock 5” but they seem kind of scarce. None of the gun shops around me have either one so I can’t really compare the two side by side. Anyone care to opine on their preference?

I found a dash 3 classic 5" here not too long ago. I would agree they are pretty scarce. I can't think of another one I've seen since I started really paying attention a few years ago.

Also I would pick a 5" over a 4" every day.

Of the 629s I own, the 5" balances the best. It's not muzzle heavy or unwieldy. Good all around choice.

The 5" may be the best all purpose barrel length for a revolver. I have them from 2" to 10", each for a different use. I like them all.

Both barrel lengths would work great for your purposes.

I would suggest looking for a 629 dash 3, 4 or 5 and buying the nicest one you find with a 4" or 5" barrel.
I don't think you can go wrong with either barrel length.

Myself, i’d Go for the 5”. Irregardless of dash #, pre or post lock and MIM.

5" is a great gun. Mine is a -3.

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Psalm 27:2

I own a dash 3 and can't say enough about it. What a great shooter and just enough extra steel than the 4"er to make it a more comfortable gun to shoot. If you can find a pre-lock gun, great. If you can't, there's an abundance of dash 6 5" Classics out there & I'm sure they'll be dead nutz accurate shooters too.

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

Great. Now I want combats for mine

IMHO, THE FINEST BALANCED VERSIONS OF THE S&W REVOLVERS, BOTH VISUALLY, AND IN THE HAND, ARE THE 4" GUNS---IN EITHER K/L OR N FRAMES.....

I LIKE SNUBS AND 8 3/8" BARRELS AS WELL (5" OR 6" BARRELS DO NOT INTEREST ME), BUT THE MAJORITY OF MY REVOLVERS HAVE 4" BARRELS...

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

A 4" N Frame is really balanced and is a great shooter.

For your stated purpose, I would try to locate a 5" one with the full underlug. It will be the perfect platform for what you want to do.

I think a 5" barrel is a good compromise length. Balance is good & the slightly longer barrel will mitigate the muzzle blast with full loads.

I have longer, & shorter, barrel lengths but this one is my favorite.

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629-6 Classic 5" bbl. - added unfluted cylinder & SDM front sight


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Waiting for the break of day

I only own a 5" 629-3 Classic, so I can only speak from that experience with N-frames, but I've noticed many more comments over the years about 5" being the best all-around barrel length for N-frames. For the range, if you can find a 5-incher, it ought to serve you better than the shorter barrel, even though 4-inches would work, too. Either way, an N-frame is a big hunk of steel.

I like the fiber optic sight. Where'd you get it?

I bought it direct from SDM:

SDM - Super Sights

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Waiting for the break of day

IDK about 5" but of my 8, 6 and 4 inch 44s I find myself packing the 4 most often.

Just my 1/50th of a bucks worth.

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On the whistle draw and fire 6

Price might be the determinative factor. The 5" version will cost you $300 or more than the same 4" gun.

Are you willing to wait around for a good 5" gun to show up and to pay the premium?

Thanks fellas, I probably had already answered my question with the 5", but was looking for other opinions. Yes, the 5 inchers seem to go for a pretty good premium, I've actually come across two -3's in the last couple of months. First one went for a little more than I was willing to pay at the time, but had I known then I might have coughed up a little more. Second was a local LNIB one that was offered up for trade, but I just couldn't part with my pistol he wanted. In no hurry so the right one will probably show up eventually.

That is the attitude that will get you what you want at the right price.

A friend of mine has the 629 Classic in 5" and for a range gun I was impressed. Sounds like a premium though for the 5". When I bought my 629 Classic I went the longer 6.5" as that is what the shop had at time and the extra weight does help tame the recoil. For that reason I would still prefer the 5" lug barrel over the 4".

I have a 5" 629-4, can't go wrong it's one of my favorites. I say hold out for the one you want , they are out there. I traded mine for a Glock 21 +$200 from a guy that shot it once and didn't like the recoil.

The 5" would be my choice. My 5" was one of my favorites which I sold in a fit of stupidity.

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Lynnie, Professional Pest

6", fluted cylinder, and no Python-esque barrel for me, please.

The 5" feels so good. Here is my 629-4 Classic.

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Thanks! I currently have a brass bead on my 629 that is already better than the orange insert, but the fiber optic sight looks very tempting.

My 5” -3 is my deer hunting rig



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I reckon so