Model 629-3 5" full underlug

[KneverKnew]

I won this on Ebay over 20 years ago for $350.

Been a great gun and even harvested a nice whitetail deer a couple years back. I was just wondering, now that I've joined this forum, if anyone might have the "shipping date" for this 44 mag? Serial number is BKY4***.
Also, what would a gun like this be worth now days, and is there anything special or unusual about this make that is noteworthy?
Thanks for any help.

 

[Goblin]

Hard to believe eBay has been around 20 years. Congrats on finding that one before they took guns off the menu. I'd say $800 to $1000, depending on your exact locale. Someone else should be able to help with the date.

 

[SeamasterSig]

I concur with that price range. I've got the exact same revolver with serial no. BPR8***. I purchased it last year for just under $900. Mine was manufactured some time in 1993 I think. I called S&W customer service and asked for the date once, wrote it down and promptly forgot where I filed the note

I don't think there's anything special or unusual about this particular gun. It's just a typically awesome pre-lock N-frame. The fit and finish on mine is excellent. Even better than on my early 80s model 66-2.

 

[MP1518]

I have a five inch classic 629-3. One of my all tI me favorite handguns.

 

[AveragEd]

I guess I really did do okay when I paid $800 for this 5" 629-3 Classic DX a few years ago.

I don't shoot it much but it is scary accurate and has a truly smooth action. The fact that 5" DXs were only made for one year - 1994 - gives it even more potential value.

Ed

 

[Nightowl]

It IS special. In my opinion anyway. I think that the early 90s guns, up to the introduction of MIM parts, are the finest guns Smith ever made. I love the old ones, especially early 50s guns, but the 90s guns have better steel, stainless, the yokes are hardened,and good timing, fit and finish, and durability that no other era has. And, they have a lifetime warranty.

 

[KneverKnew]

I guess I really did do okay when I paid $800 for this 5" 629-3 Classic DX a few years ago.

I don't shoot it much but it is scary accurate and has a truly smooth action. The fact that 5" DXs were only made for one year - 1994 - gives it even more potential value.

Ed

Looks very nice. Just like mine. But what is the difference between the "regular" 629 and the DX's?

 

[KneverKnew]

It IS special. In my opinion anyway. I think that the early 90s guns, up to the introduction of MIM parts, are the finest guns Smith ever made. I love the old ones, especially early 50s guns, but the 90s guns have better steel, stainless, the yokes are hardened,and good timing, fit and finish, and durability that no other era has. And, they have a lifetime warranty.

I'm glad to know that about the 90's guns. I just need to find out when mine was made (I mean shipped).

So when we talk about the action locking up tight when cocked, does that mean the cyclinder doesn't move side to side AT ALL? My particular 629-3 has zero fore and aft movement when locked, which is what we all want. But if I wiggle the cyclinder side to side when locked, there is an evere so slight flees hair amount of movement, side to side. Is this considered normal, or should a properly tight lockup have ZERO movement in any direction? If so, how would I go about tightening up the lockup on my 629? Or is such a thing even possible?

 

[KneverKnew]

Does the S&W lifetime warranty carry over to subsequent owners of the firearm? Not the original owner in this case.

 

[AveragEd]

Looks very nice. Just like mine. But what is the difference between the "regular" 629 and the DX's?

Back then, when the guns were test-fired, the 29s and 629s that shot to a certain level of accuracy had the letters "DX" added to the barrel marking, which is why the resulting "629 Classic DX" is off-center on the barrel (the "629 Classic" portion will be centered) and the "DX" is often a shade darker or lighter than the rest.

Those guns were then shipped with their test target, an extra wood Combat stock set and a set of front sight blades.

Ed

 

[NCBeagle]

Hard to believe eBay has been around 20 years. Congrats on finding that one before they took guns off the menu. I'd say $800 to $1000, depending on your exact locale. Someone else should be able to help with the date.

I just paid $800 for a modern production version of that gun in June 2016.

 

[cz223]

I just found one of these

at a favorite gun shop for $750.00. I did not buy it on the spot because I wanted to do my research first. The gun is in pristine condition but I do not know if it comes with the original box or not. The serial number is BKR 2*** ( I am not really sure why everyone does this, but hey, might as well go with the flow) Anyway, I put it on a no money down hold so I have 7 days to go put money on it. I won't wait that long. I now wish I had taken pictures. It comes with a nice pair of Hogue conversion grips on it that I know goes for about $130. I have an original set of Hogue rubber grips for it that I took off another 629. To answer one of the other posters questions, yes they all have a little side play. You just don't want an excessive amount. My gun has a tiny bit but it appears almost new.

 

[JackRussel]

I just paid $800 for a modern production version of that gun in June 2016.

I've got the same gun. Love it, 10gr of Unique and an MBC Elmer K has been great fun.

 

[The Gila Bender]

Here's another 629-3 5", with BKV prefix produced in 1992 or so. I liked it so much that I tracked down a 625-4 .45 ACP and a 625-5 .45 Colt with 5" barrels. These 5" full lug N frames are great shooters with nice balance and manageable recoil.

629-3 .44 Mag

625-4 .45 ACP

625-5 .45 Colt