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04-13-2018, 06:09 PM
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629 4 or 5
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 dont really want a 6 or 6-1/2. Im 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 cant really compare the two side by side. Anyone care to opine on their preference?
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04-13-2018, 06:15 PM
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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.
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04-13-2018, 06:31 PM
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Of the 629s I own, the 5" balances the best. It's not muzzle heavy or unwieldy. Good all around choice.
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04-13-2018, 06:36 PM
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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.
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04-13-2018, 07:22 PM
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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.
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04-13-2018, 07:43 PM
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Myself, id Go for the 5. Irregardless of dash #, pre or post lock and MIM.
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04-13-2018, 08:36 PM
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5" is a great gun. Mine is a -3.
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04-13-2018, 08:47 PM
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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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04-13-2018, 08:53 PM
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Great. Now I want combats for mine
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04-13-2018, 11:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brjr51
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 dont really want a 6 or 6-1/2. Im 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 cant really compare the two side by side. Anyone care to opine on their preference?
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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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04-13-2018, 11:24 PM
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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.
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04-14-2018, 12:02 AM
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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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04-14-2018, 12:25 AM
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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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BLUEDOT37
629-6 Classic 5" bbl. - added unfluted cylinder & SDM front sight
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I like the fiber optic sight. Where'd you get it?
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04-14-2018, 12:33 AM
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I bought it direct from SDM:
SDM - Super Sights
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Last edited by BLUEDOT37; 04-14-2018 at 12:39 AM.
Reason: .
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04-14-2018, 12:42 AM
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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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04-14-2018, 08:02 AM
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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?
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04-14-2018, 10:05 AM
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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.
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04-14-2018, 10:11 AM
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That is the attitude that will get you what you want at the right price.
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04-14-2018, 10:37 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brjr51
This will be more of a fun at the range and play with hand loads gun, not anticipating any concealed carry, backpacking, or such. Anyone care to opine on their preference?
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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".
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04-14-2018, 10:52 AM
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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.
Last edited by apollo99; 04-14-2018 at 10:54 AM.
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04-14-2018, 10:52 AM
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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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04-14-2018, 10:53 AM
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6", fluted cylinder, and no Python-esque barrel for me, please.
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Last edited by Warren Sear; 04-14-2018 at 10:56 AM.
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04-14-2018, 06:12 PM
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The 5" feels so good. Here is my 629-4 Classic.
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04-14-2018, 06:31 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BLUEDOT37
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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.
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04-14-2018, 06:34 PM
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My 5 -3 is my deer hunting rig
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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I reckon so
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