Limited run 629's???

[Maximumbob54]

A guy on another forum posted that he found a deal on a 629 Master Hunter. I tried to look it up in the book and I guess I know they have made several special runs, but I didn't know they have made dozens of them it looks like. Is there some special increased value in these limited run 629's or do they go for much better than the standard models? I would think the rarity of them would add to the value but then they keep pumping out the latest tweaked version the next year so I'm not sure how that would affect them really being "rare"... I just know they all look pretty darn good. The latest listing is for a ".44 Magnum Hunter" and looks pretty decent. I like the blackened stainless. But is this another one that is really just a fancy 629 that isn't worth much more than the standard or do these claim a better price tag used???

 

[Maximumbob54]

Over a hundred views and not even an opinion posted? Did I start a toxic thread or something???

 

[Joni_Lynn]

No, not a toxic thread, probably just one of the guns that few know by name and don't feel qualified to comment. I myself have no clue which gun it is other than knowing it would be a stainless N frame in 44 mag.
There's been a lot of variations on the 629.

 

[tmd11111]

Hi guys, its my gun that Maximumbob is talking about. I've been a member on this forum for a few years now but have never posted until now. For whatever reason I can't figure out how to post a picture. Anyways the gun is a 629-4 "Scope only" Master Hunter. It has a 7.5" slab sided barrel. S&W's catalogue number is 170087 and was made in 1997. I used the search feature on here and came up with nothing. I was just wondering how many were made, what was the MSRP, and what would be the current value if it. I've had it for a few weeks now and haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. Hopefully after the hollidays I'll find time.

 

[tmd11111]

Ok I guess with my second post it lets me attach a picture. Here it is.

 

[DHOLLA]

So beautiful!

 

[tmd11111]

Over 500 views and no comments or info yet so here's a litte bump in hopes someone out there knows a little more about it.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

It's briefly mentioned on page 358 of the SCSW 3rd edition.
Made in the fall of 1997 for RSR.
I found nothing else on it. Most of these gun were made in relatively small runs but no clue how small.

 

[kennyb]

i have the relatively new M629 stealth hunter...it has the black melonite finish,7.5"slabside barrel,blk.hogue grips and shoots like a laser...it's built by the performance center...is that the one?
there have been a variety of "hunter models"in a variety of calibers thru the years...they have come out in several finishes
in addition to enhanced features,they also have an enhamced price as well....they seem to be somewhat difficult to locate...at least in this area

 

[Nightowl]

I recently picked up a Stealth Hunter Plus, that looks about like that barrel, except it has a Birdsong black finish and is not magnaported and has sights. I have only shot it once, but it is a sweet shooter. I am putting a red dot sight on it.

Thats a might pretty gun there, although I did not know they made it in that configuration.

 

[DesertFox]

Very nice looking 629.

 

[fyimo]

Sweet looking revolver

 

[DCWilson]

It's not scarcity that increases the value of a particular model as much as it is demand. The higher-styled a gun gets, the lower its long-term demand. The small-production models that go on to generate owner interest long after production ceases are generally fairly basic models with one possible non-standard variant -- a three-inch barrel on the Lew Horton 24-3, a 2-5/8" barrel and eight-shot cylinder on the "Blood Work" 627.

No matter how much a Magnum Hunter might appeal to a particular buyer, if it doesn't appeal to thousands of other possible gun owners as well, even a production run of a few hundred is enough to satisfy demand for a long time to come. Even inelastic commodities get no value kick if no one is in the market for them.

My basic take on this: guns like the one you showed are tools, not investments. Interested parties should buy the gun for what it is to them, and ignore what it might be worth in the future. I would actually predict that specimens of some hyper-stylized designs might be worth less in the long run, as a percentage of original purchase price, than standard models. In short, I suspect some of these special-run models might perform more like commemorative issues, which to my mind are designed to make money for the original manufacturer, not for future collectors.

 

[tmd11111]

Thanks for all the input guys. I kind of knew it was a scarse model and was just trying to find out how many were produced. I'm sure it's like S&W's other PC guns in that the value is based solely on finding the right buyer. I bought it because it was different looking than the norm and just wanted to add it to my collection. Sad thing is I bought it almost two months ago and still haven't shot it. Just haven't had the time I guess. Now I'm headed back overseas for a few months (work for a defense contractor) and probably won't get to shoot it until I get back this fall.

 

[AveragEd]

"DC" is right about those types of guns. They are cool to look at but I prefer the true classic S&Ws - pre-MIM, pre-IL six-shooters that you can't buy new any longer. One day, those guns stand to gain the most in value porportionate to their initial cost or cost today. Really "different" models like your beautiful piece could either skyrocket in value or depreciate heavily, depending upon collector demand. But there always will be some demand for the older Smith & Wessons because they truly don't make 'em like that any more.

The best rule is to buy guns to enjoy now, not appreciate in value in the future. Today, quality guns like Smith & Wessons are good investments and it seems like gun sales, particularly handgun sales, are increasing every month. Wait until fall - if it looks like Hussein Obama might win another term in office, the gun manufacturers won't be able to keep up with the demand.

Ed

 

[DGNY]

Hope you will enjoy your special 629 for a long time. It is a superb firearm in its many configurations, of which there have been very many over the years. I enjoy mine and find them classy and accurate.

You might also get some hours of happy reading from the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, III, available at many gun shows and online. Truly a treasure of background information, though even it cannot detail every single fact about every special edition.

Best regards,

Dyson

 

[CaboWabo5150]

Ok I guess with my second post it lets me attach a picture. Here it is.

Got one... Picked it up in around 1997/98.. I live in Michigan and had to have it shipped up from Florida as there were only 5 in the U.S. at the time...

 

[buck460XVR]

Here's my "Magnum Hunter". I don't really give a Rat's butt about it's collectabilty 'cause I bought it to hunt/shoot. And shoot it does. Trigger breaks like glass and it's scarey accurate. Took a good size doe with it this year @ 40 yards and blew out the heart and both lungs with a complete passthru. My guns are tools, and my investment with them is as such. The second pic is after the installation of X-Frame shock absorbing grips. They fit my hand much better than the round to square conversion grips that came from Lew Horton.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

One of my local dealers has had that model in stock for awhile and every time I see it I can hear it asking to come home with me.

 

[mikeydio]

buck460XVR

Part of that scary accuracy comes from the Lothar Walther barrel that is sleeved within the outer shroud. These barrels are put on many of the Performance Center revolvers and are considered to be benchrest grade. I have a 629 just like yours and it is also scary accurate.