Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawg Rider
It's interesting how various Threads are resurrected from time to time. This Thread originated in 2009, was brought back to life in 2020, and now again in 2023 by CH4. I was an original Poster (#16) back in 2009 when I was just beginning to search for some S&W .44 Magnums. Since then, I've been able to add a few to my modest collection. My favorites, and the ones that I think are the finest, are the early 5-screw and 4-screw .44 Magnums. How can you not love the fit and finish, the Coke Bottle stocks, the presentation cases, and the smoothness of the actions? Outstanding revolvers!
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Nice 44 collection, Btw, you might wanna double check the 4th one down from the top,
The lack of frame top strap grooves ahead of the rear sight leaf, lack of barrel set pin and what appears to be a wider gap between cylinder and recoil shield are all clues it's more likely a 29-3.
As for the rear sight question, the 629-3 and 29-5 (which btw are equals in revision change because the 629 came out during 29-2 production so you add 2 to a SS 44 Magnum revision to figure out its blue/nickel equivelant),
The 629-3 and 29-5 were introduced with the new rounded rear sight leaf ( they were also drilled and tapped for scope mounting) the rounded leaf eliminated the need to mill all the way through the top strap), The rear sight units are unique to those two revisions as they are longer than the rear sight leafs on the 629-4 , 29-6 and later models so are not interchangeable IIRC.