Ok I'm new to collecting S&Ws, and I'm wanting a 629 with an 8 inch barrel. What would be your opinion on which is better the 629-1 or the 629-6. I could have a chance to buy either. The -1 has the hammer spur, and the -6 doesn't.

Go for the 29-2 or earlier.

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I'm with RG here! You are likely to get others that respond differently, but in my mind, the earlier the better. Yes, I understand that each iteration was to have brought, "improvements", but........ As I stare at my c. 1908 .32 HE...... I have a hard time thinking that earlier isn't "better".

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"You're messin' up my Zen"

If you are buying to collect, the earlier, the better. If it's a shooter you want, go with the -6. It will be more robust as it has the endurance package.

Thanks guys. I can't have a gun and not shoot it. That just seams "wrong" to me.

I took a class A factory engraved model 59 w ivory grips to qualify for my CHL. It was unfired. Got a lot of strange looks.

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Whatever's most readily available at a good price.

The dash. Just. Does. Not. Matter.

Dash-wars ruins this otherwise great community.

These days, it's more of what you can find than what you really want. I will say that the later versions of the Model 29/629 are more durable than the early versions. So if you just want something that you can shoot a lot, then I would look at at 29-5 or 629-3 or later.

If you want something to place into a collection and likely increase in value, then you need to be looking for very clean and original finish Models 29-2 or earlier and for stainless, the Model 629 (no dash).

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

Same here and prefer -4 or higher. As noted many times, if you are buying a -6, inspect it first for canted barrel, timing, etc.

In general, if you have a choice between a gun WITHOUT the lock and one WITH the lock, go for the one WITHOUT.

That is general guidance, but the prelock guns will hold their value and will go up over time.

The ones with locks have a lot of good technology and metallurgy and can be tuned close to the older ones, but there is a percentage of folks out there that despise the locks and what they stand for so much, that they ding the value of those guns.

In a way, the lock is a good thing, because it has increased the value of our pre-lock revolvers.

If you ever need to sell or trade the pre-lock gun, it will be heavily desired.

Some people were recommending the 29 over the 629.

The 29 is beautiful.

If you are going to shoot it, go for the 629.

It’s easier to clean, and the trigger face is smooth. The 29 has a grooved trigger and after about a dozen or so rounds of full house magnums, your trigger finger will be screaming for mercy.

Good luck to you.