Greetings again!

I just picked up a 629-5, 2-1/2" barrel, fixed sights in 44 magnum. According to the product code, it is one of the "few" built for Camfour in 2000. All in a all a nice piece that I'm happy with.

A previous owner had an unknown (to me) style of porting done to it and had the action "worked over". DA and SA trigger pulls are nice, I have to admit. The porting? To soon to know. The porting is a pair (on each side) of 3/16" holes, roughly pointing up.



She wears a pair of Ahrends retro combat grips with finger grooves.

This is to be a backwoods/backstreet carry gun riding in a cross-draw Lobo enhanced pancake. I plan to carry it loaded with Speer 44 Mag 200 gr short barrel gold dot ammo.

Now the questions.

1. I'm tempted to send it to MagnaPort to have their standard porting work done, in place of the "ports-o-mystery". Opinions?

2. Does a ball detent on the crane make any sense? Or am I obsessing about nothing?

3. What is the concensus on moonclips for the 44 mag round? I had a 625 that I liked a lot (for target use). I often read that moonclips are the fastest method of reloading a revolver (Jerry Miculek anyone?). I "think" being able to reload reasonably quickly is a good thing in general, but with this gun, might be "overkill". Opinions?

Thanks in advance!

'alp

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It looks to me like porting by Black and Decker?
Not sure if Magnaport could clean that up or not?
Too bad they had to do that to such a rare piece.
Still should shoot allright though.
Lets see the whole gun.

Good luck
Chuck

The only pics I've got are pretty ****. I need to "arrange" a photo shoot for the girl, that's for sure.

I like the B&D description. Might be pretty accurate too, as the other side wasn't as nicely done....

But the price was right!

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Does it have the lock? If not- see my WTB ad concerning these.

You may be able to replace the barrel for not much monetary difference than the magnaporting will cost you. I am NOT a fan of porting. If you need to fire a ported weapon from the hip--in close to your body, in the heat of the moment to protect your self from a 2 or 4 legged assailant, I guarantee you will not enjoy the blast of flame and hot gas across your torso. Been there, done that (no I don't have the T-shirt). I find the blast in your field of vision when firing with arms extended distracting. Naturally, this is JMHO. If you LIKE porting, then Magnaport should at least make the weapon look like it wasn't ported on some hacker's kitchen table. Again IMHO, the ball detent is a cure for a non-existent problem. Here's some pics of my 3", unported.

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	DSC00597.JPG (85.8 KB, 190 views)
	DSC00596.JPG (85.8 KB, 158 views)

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

I talked to Magnaport and there's nothing they can do.

How would I go about getting a new barrel? I can't imagine many "spare" barrels laying around for this gun. Could S&W help?

BTW, this is a dash 5, so no lock. Also not really for sale either.

Any opinions on moonclips?

'alp

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Transalpian, here's a barrel that may interest you...
Barrel, .44 Magnum, 3", Magna-Ported, Red Insert Front Sight, Nickel

Though I just noticed that it says nickel plated even though it says it's for the 629... But it's worth looking into. There should be more barrels listed on gunbroker too.

Gunbroker... http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=206489137

Being fixed sighted, I think replacement barrel options might be limited. Look at how short the front sight is on my gun versus the 3" in the gunbroker link.

Thanks for the lead though!

Alp

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I gotcha, I wasn't paying as close of attention as I should have been.

It would be interesting to see that one shoot in the dark; 4 laser jets of light shooting into the air?

I am personally not a fan of porting for defense guns, but there are those that like it.

I thought I remembered someone here had a barrel for this gun, but no gun. Any thoughts?

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I would just try to get a barrel from S&W, Brownells, Numrich Arms/Gunparts Corp. Midway or someone who sells S&W parts, or on GB or on this forum in the wanted section. Don't worry about the front sight or rear sight. That can be addressed by an outfit like Cylinder & Slide, or a competent gunsmith in your area. You may wish to get a longer barrel, shorten it, and have an appropriate front sight dovetailed into it.

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

I'm trying to chase down a replacement "stock" barrel as option A.

Option B could get more interesting. What do you all think of putting an XS tritium dot sight on a new barrel? The rear sight could be left as is (or removed, I guess) and you'd have a stainless, no-lock version of a 329.

And no opinion on moonclips for 44 Mag?

'alp

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How much did you pay for it??

I have thought about doing a moon clip conversion to my 3" 629. With the short ejector rod it would help to remove the empties a bit faster as well as load fresh rounds. It may not be as smooth as the 625 with the stubby .45 rounds though.

I would give S&W a call on the barrel. They may just have one.

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AL
Pax Per Potens

Looks like plan A wins! I found a NOS barrel for the gun right here on the board (thanks again joeysplace!)

I've heard good things about Andy Horvath (and he's local!). Any updates here before I call him tomorrow about installing the new barrel?

I'll ask him about the moonclips (and ball detent while I'm at it) but I am interested in hearing your opinions too.

And, no, it's not for sale.

Thanks

'alp

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And here she is, albeit with the old barrel:



She is number 115 of (300 I think?) and is currently resting in the original box.

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That's a great looking revolver and will be even better with a non Swiss Cheese barrel. Please post pictures after the swap.

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AL
Pax Per Potens

Couple things, I did hear back from S&W and they don't have any 2.5" barrels, best they could do was 3". But, they did respond!

Second, the old (?) girl is going to visit Andy Horvath next week to get the NOS 2.5" replacement barrel fitted.

Lots more research has steered me away from moonclips, so that's a dead issue for me now.

Any recommendations on things to have Andy look at? I plan on asking his opinion (of course) but I'd like some input regarding things to consider.

Thanks!

'alp

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Well, Andy made her right.

No pics yet, but just an FYI that Andy made the swap and she looks as good as new.

The rollmark on the replacement barrel is swapped from (what I assume to be) the OEM barrel. In other words, Smith and Wesson and 44 Magnum are on opposite sides of the barrel. Still looks worlds better than the leaky barrel.

'alp

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Got pics yet!??

Another happy ending, what a great blaster.

I have a 3' in 90% , around 500 - 600 rounds thru it , just wondering what kind of
money it might be worth .
I had been thinking of a shoulder type holster I just saw Rick at Welcome To RG Leather ,build for a western revolver that I thought might work good , but after handling the gun some more I had forgotten how much this thing weighs . I might be too heavy for me on a single shoulder rig . Unless we could come up with an attachment on the gun side that would use the holster to take some weight of of my shoulder ,and I would like it to be cross draw and fairly high up on the side and some what horizontal but far from fully horizontal . I would also be a nice driving holster .
But Iwould love to carry it while traipsing around the state land woods , just in case I might come across a wild hog .
Mybe my pt 145 would be a better option and sell the 629 3" ?
Any Idea what one might be worth 629 3' 90 % 0r better .

Any pics ? Email sent

Pics.....????