I want to get an S&W Model 629, 44 Mag, with a 6 ½” barrel. My dealer is offering me two choices. One is the “standard” model as it comes from the factory. The other is the version put out by S&W Custom Shop. I believe this one comes with the muzzle brake, a fancy tune job, and a few other “features” that I’m not really sure of.

It’s about $300 more for the Custom Shop version, but I’m seriously thinking of going that way. I understand the muzzle brake (I forget exactly what S&W calls it but it’s their version of porting to reduce recoil) really does work well. A tune job by a real expert is always a good thing to have. I’m not sure what else they do to them. Somebody said they install a ball and detent lock up on the yoke, and they also hand cut the forcing cone and crown.

Can anybody shed any light on this for me? Does anybody know exactly what is done to the Custom Shop guns for the extra money – and is it worth it?

Thanks for your thoughts and input.

First of all, welcome to the forum.

I suspect many here will recommend the standard model. Many of us are more interested in the older guns.

If it was me, I would take the standard version, but you must keep in mind that I am an old fart who has seen a lot of changes in my lifetime and I've fought every dammed one of them.

Heck I still ain't convinced that them caplocks will really replace a flintlock if you want know the truth!!

I'm sure more will have input, but in the end, you have determine what you want to use the gun for and which will suit your purposes best.

Have fun making up your mind.

I agree with Iggy.I have a 629 classic 6.5" and a Mod 29 4".I am not a large person but I see no need for a muzzle brake on a .44 mag.Both of my guns are perfectly adequate the way they are,nothing special or custom.I'd buy the standard and put the 300.00 towards ammo.

I love my Performance Center 626-6. I say go with the Performance Center................

Thanks for the info guys.

Iggy - I agree with you about the flinters. I build and shoot them most of the time. I don't think this cartridge fad thing will last either.

It's not so much the muzzle brake that I'm after, it's the (alleged) better quality parts and tune job. I'm in Northern Canada, so finding somebody to do after market work on the action is pretty much a non-starter. I thought the better indexing, action tuning, crown work, and cylinder work might be worth the extra cost.

Wonder if a guy could have them do that work and skip the muzzle brake? Guess I could phone them and ask.

Hey 1972, I think that's a great plan. See if you can order one with the custom features that you want. I'm NOT a fan of porting either. I never shot a handgun that the reduction in felt recoil was worth the annoyance of the upward blast through your field of vision, or into your torso in a SD situation with a snubbie fired with a bent arm close to your hip. BTW, welcome to the forum......

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Welcome 1972,
Go with the standard. Performance Center guns are great but I have no use for ports either. However, if you really have to have a PC gun, I bet you will have no problem finding one without ports.
Mark
1972-A great year. I was born and so was my 4 inch 29-2.

Buy a standard. Shoot it a while. If you want to have it tuned do so at a later date. That way you can send it to an expert smith and know exactly what you are getting. I have read that the trigger work coming out of the performance center can be hit and miss. I bought a standard 686 plus and am doing the same thing. Out the box I like the trigger and see no need to tune it at this time. Good luck.

I think the Performance Center guns with the built in muzzle brakes are just butt ugly!! Search gun broker for a standard gun, maybe a DX that was built in the early '90's. You probably will not even need an action job. They are some of Smiths best guns made in the last 30 years, for my opinion.

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102