How to tell if a new 629 has a full lug barrel or not??
- Thread starter TheMystro
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Engine49guy
Member
I dont want to add a layer of confusion to the issue but consider both of these are Model 29-3's,
Both are blued 44 mags but with different frames and barrel lengths,
S&W also offered Model 29's and 629's with tapered barrels called "Mountain Guns"
The Model 29 is just a carbon steel N frame chambered in .44 magnum ,
The 629 is the same frame made in Stainless steel, barrel length, butt shape etc are sub options of the model,
S&W at one point attempted to bring order into the system by using a method of adding a "5" to existing blued guns , "6" to stainless versions and "4" to the airweight versions ,
Had they succeeded the Model 36 would have been the 536, the 60 would be the 636 and the 37 would be the 436,
The model 12 would be the 410, the 10 would be the 510 and the 64 would be the 610 but there were too many variations in existence that didnt fit the mold and it would have been a headache to go back and redo the whole system ,
To make matters worse they used new 4 digit model numbers on their next generation of semi autos instead of revisions,
beginning to see the conundrum?
Both are blued 44 mags but with different frames and barrel lengths,
S&W also offered Model 29's and 629's with tapered barrels called "Mountain Guns"
The Model 29 is just a carbon steel N frame chambered in .44 magnum ,
The 629 is the same frame made in Stainless steel, barrel length, butt shape etc are sub options of the model,
S&W at one point attempted to bring order into the system by using a method of adding a "5" to existing blued guns , "6" to stainless versions and "4" to the airweight versions ,
Had they succeeded the Model 36 would have been the 536, the 60 would be the 636 and the 37 would be the 436,
The model 12 would be the 410, the 10 would be the 510 and the 64 would be the 610 but there were too many variations in existence that didnt fit the mold and it would have been a headache to go back and redo the whole system ,
To make matters worse they used new 4 digit model numbers on their next generation of semi autos instead of revisions,
beginning to see the conundrum?
Last edited:
buck460XVR
Member
Guess the easiest way would be to look. If S&W would give a different model number to every different barrel length and barrel design(in addition to the half-lugs and full lugs there are the weighted barrels and the shrouded barrels on PC models within the 629 model number) the confusion would be even greater. For all the years Remington has made their popular shotgun, regardless of barrel length, type of choke, metal finish or stock composition, it has always been the model 870. Different product codes.......but same product number. If you think S&W model designations are confusing, try to figure out the sense to Harley-Davidson's model designations.
Like I said earlier, I had a 629-4 classic that wasnt full lug
I dont know who came up with this stupid "classic" nomenclature. Classic is supposed to mean "like they used to do it" or old, but full lugs were never a S&W thing historically. At least till the L frames.
Definition: . Adhering or conforming to established standards and principles: a classic piece of research. Of a well-known type; typical:
Invictus357
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Regardless of the naming of Smith's 44s, I have to say your new one looks magnificent.
I understand your point, but consider this: in the case of a Model 29 versus a Model 629, finish has nothing to do with it. The Model 29 is made of carbon steel and it can either have a blue finish or a nickel finish. The Model 629 is made of completely different material. It is a stainless steel revolver. The stainless is not a "finish," it is the metal the frame, cylinder and barrel are made of that is at issue.
Now - what always seemed very strange to me was the company's decision to call the Model 629 with a full lug a "Classic." Why "Classic?" There was nothing "classic" about it. It was an innovation. The "classic" Model 29 had 5 screws, a pinned barrel, recessed chambers and the standard shrouded locking lug of the N frame series. Putting a full lug under the barrel and then calling it "classic" always seemed downright dumb to me.
Okay. Rant over!
JP
That could be one of those "one of a kind Smith's", too bad you still don't own it, might be worth a small fortune.
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629 Classic = stainless, full lug (note that "classic" in this sense is not the same as their "Classic line" of reintroduced older models)
629 = stainless, standard lug
29 = carbon, blue or nickel, standard lug
Yours should be referred to as a 629.
See picture below of 629 Classic, with full lug and note barrel marking.
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5Wire
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Non-full lug, non-Jerry Miculek, non-Mountain Gun 4-inch 629:
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Non-full lug, non-Jerry Miculek, non-Mountain Gun 4-inch 629:
Wow - you must be shooting some 1,800 yard groups with the rear sight screwed up that high!
curt solomon sr.
Member
snglshotr
As you will be able to tell I'm a dummy. I have an old mdl. 23 38/44 outdoorsman with adj.sights it has A rib on the barrel is that what they are calling a lug? please set me stright.I am learning a lot on this forum. Please bare with me. I don't mind being called stupid if you explain why I am so.
As you will be able to tell I'm a dummy. I have an old mdl. 23 38/44 outdoorsman with adj.sights it has A rib on the barrel is that what they are calling a lug? please set me stright.I am learning a lot on this forum. Please bare with me. I don't mind being called stupid if you explain why I am so.
629-6 classic and 629-6 classic DX
629-3 classic
3 classic S&W's that dont say classic on them
a 6"-1 , P&R 8 3/8" and 4"-1 thats pinned but not recessed
some one said they had a 4" classic that was not full lugged , there may have been such a gun , but every lugged 629 that I have seen has the word classic on it.
Fishslayer
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
No logic? With S&W? Unpossible!
Awhile back I was trying to figure out what was lugged, shrouded, whatever in the 29/629 series. Couldn't really find rhyme nor reason in the SCSW. Gotta look at the pitchers I guess. The "M29 Classic" at least seems to follow the traditional styling but with IL & "kinda" similar stocks.
5Wire
Member
About right for 100 yards, IIRC.Wow - you must be shooting some 1,800 yard groups with the rear sight screwed up that high!
