my limited research tells me that the 629 p&r with a four inch barrel was only made one year, 1981. anybody know how many were manufactured? thanks

Hi, The 629 was indtoduced in 1979 and was offered in 4" and 8 3/8" barrel lengths. In 1982 the 629-1 was put out this dropped the pinned barrel, cylinder counterbore and changed the cylinder length to 1.69"
There are several 629 4" pinned barrels out there they just demand a premium.

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M.J.Hanna

i have one in the 4 inch, locks up realy tight, found mine at a dealer used a few years ago, mike

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WILL WORK FOR AMMO!

Maybe Doc44 will chime in on the actual numbers.

I believe the first year the 629 was made it was only made with the 6"barrel...then in the 2nd year they came out with the 4" and 8 3/8"..for one year only. Next year, they went to the 629-1 and eliminated the p&r. I don't know how many were made but both the 4" and 8 3/8" p&r guns were only made for one year. Thats according to the S&W Standard....if I remember correctly. It's upstairs and I'm down stairs watching a football game...will check the facts later. By the way, thats a nice one....

OK...went and got the book. First couple of years (1979 & 1980) only made them with 6" barrels. Then in 1981 they added the 4" and the 8 3/8"...for that year only. In 1982 they came out with the 629-1 and elminated the P&R. I don't see how there can be too many P&Red 4"ers out there since they were only made one year....but I really don't have a number. Might be more than I'm thinking.

Elwood

The 4 and 8 3/8-inch barreled 629s were introduced in 1981 and made for at least a year. S&W made approximately 15,000 Model 629s in 1981 and probably several thousand P&R guns in 1982, before introducing the 629-1. If 35 percent of the total was made in four-inch, that would suggest approximately 6000 plus 629s with a four-inch barrel were made.

Lots of assumptions here, but I have seen enough 4-inch 629s over the years to indicate they are not rare.

Bill

Bill:

Your assumptions seem reasonable...and while using the term "rare" is probably not appropriate for a 4" 629, they are sometimes a bit hard to find. I have a 4" and wouldn't mind having a 6" and an 8 3/8" if the right ones ever come along. I think all the P&R 629s are a little special...just a little. One final note...my 4" came from the factory with a McGivern gold bead front sight...out of your estimated 6,000 I wonder how many of them had this sight? I haven't seen another one but that doesn't mean much.

Elwood

Elwood, I bet that is a great looking gun! Those front beads are great.


I know I've seen that gun that Cush has somewhere before.......

One more thing to look for in these early 629 guns is an "N" serial prefix. As stated the 4" and 8 3/8" guns were introduced in 1981 and some time between then and 1982 the factory started the "ABCxxx" serial numbering system in the 629s. Also let's not forget the transistion guns, recessed cyl but no pinned barrel with the N serial prefix!


A transistion gun!

jcelect SWCA#723

Mine was purchased new directly from a distributor in early 1980. As I recall, only the 6" was offered. It came with a plain standard blue cardboard box and was accompanied by a fitted mahogany presentation box. It is P&R and has an 'N' serial number. Info from the 'Standard' book sounds correct.

NFrame;

I've shown this gun before...sorry to show it too often. One of my favorites.

jcelect: Excellent...I like them all. Nice "set".

Elwood