I am considering buying a current five inch 629 Classic. How do the new ones compare to the pre lock ones. I just want it for a shooter and not for any future collector value. Are they as accurate? Are there any drawbacks?

My 629-6 5” is the the smoothest factory action in my possession. I have A LOT of 1950’s to today Smith. Actually the two best actions in the bunch are a 620 and 629-6....beating pre 27’s, pre 29’s and early & late -2’s....

Edit: This is just my opinion of course. The earlier guns are prettier for what thats worth...

Despite the widespread hate of the lock around here and other places, a lot of "old timers" say that the quality of the new guns is far superior to what it used to be, due to advances in manufacturing techniques.

There is no real reason to avoid new S&W guns, even those with locks, particularly if it is not being used for self defense.

As with any manufacturer at any period of time, do a thorough inspection before you accept the revolver!

I have quite a few N frames in 45 ACP so not exactly what you are looking for. The ones with the storage lock seem to have nicer actions and are more accurate shooters. All three styles (long action, speed action, and storage lock) are very good shooters but if I were going back into competition, it would be with a Model 625, not an earlier one.

Also, new made S&W revolvers have a very good warranty.

Kevin

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Unshared knowledge is wasted.

I have both and have no issues buying new. The key to purchasing new is inspecting before buying. You're limited if purchasing online. Have seen too many new smiths coming from the factory with canted barrels. I have a 629-6 comp hunter (performance center) with this noticeable affliction simply because I wasn't educated on the topic at the time of purchase or would have refused delivery. Great revolver but the cant is problematic when using the scope mount, which is attached to the barrel.
Need to send it off to get the barrel re-clocked.

The downside of buying an older/used is finding one, price, and typically not knowing the history. Love 629-5s and have several, to include a couple -4s. I believe the -4s and newer have the endurance package.

We can talk all day about MIM/non-MIM parts, but doubt the average shooter would ever know the difference.

The lock represents an ugly hole in the frame, but little else. The MIM parts can actually be better in terms of smoothness than the older, forged and machined parts. I would not hesitate to buy a newer production revolver for purposes of shooting if the price was right and the new revolver was properly machined and assembled. It does seem that there are issues with smoothly finished forcing cones on a fair number of current production revolvers.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

Here is how I see it... Lock with out the Plug, with the Plug in.

I just bought my first Smith with a lawyer lock, a 625-8 JM. Fit and finish are good, as you'd expect, but the action was gritty and hard in DA. It looked pretty new, although purchased used; I shot it and found 255 grain LFP hit several inches high and right. In the course of shooting a few dozen rounds, the grit went away and the DA seemed to mellow out or I just got used to it. It seems like whomever owned it before didn't even shoot it enough to bother sighting it in, perhaps because of the DA trigger.

I have three 60s-80s N-frames, but they are blue, so there is no easy comparison to looks. DA on all of these is great, but they are 38 to 53 years old, so have had enough use to be smoothed out.

IMHO if you can get any model in a vintage version you would be way better off. The vintage models are just much better made, finished and blued. They have solid walnut grips, no lock, no MIM parts, no barrel inserts, hammer mounted firing pins (my personal choice), tighter tolerances over-all and in general are just much higher quality guns.

I think the vintage Smith's are the best Revolvers ever made and could not personally bring myself to but a new version. I know many here don't feel that way - but you asked.......

The 29s in my collection are old.Most are pre 29s.Some are unfired.But,one day I want to get a new 6 1/2 incher,and see for myself how they compare.

Lock ? Don't give it a second thought. I own too many S&W revolvers, and all pre-lock. But have friends who own the later Smiths with the IL. Fine revolvers and the IL, IMO, should never be a deterrent from purchasing a nice new Smith.

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John

Having owned both pre and post guns I will never understand the people who try and claim the pre-lock guns are made so much better. Any issues I've ever had mechanically with a S&W were with pre-lock guns. The lock is unsightly, but nothing else. Outside of a very few exceptions, namely super hot loads in 329s, the lock is a non-issue. As far as people saying the triggers are so much smoother on older guns, no kidding, compare any new gun to one that's been shot for 30-50 years and you'll feel a difference. The current new guns will feel just as smooth once they've had the same amount of use.

Heh. This topic has been locked so many times that it ain't even funny.
I just love my S&Ws. End of story.