Like many here, I am searching for a pre-MIM, pre-lock, 3" barrel 629 44 mag round butt revolver. It seems that any that completely match this description are priced well over $1000. I found a 3" 629-4 with a square butt for $750 OTD that looks like it's in very good condition, just no papers or box. First is this a good deal? And if so, what I am thinking is, I work with a machinist and we could convert it into a round butt and then I'd have exactly what I want! But would this de-value or increase the value of this or should I just wait till I find a 629 backpacker or other such 3" 629 that I am seeking?

I think if you keep your eyes open you can find a used 3" 629 for much less then $1000. Smith has made several runs of them and I see for less. Most newer 629's come with a round butt. Perhaps just changing a barrel on one could get you what you are seeking.
Chop

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MSG US Army

Chop, it's the new Smiths that I am staying away from, I'm a purest when it comes to having forged trigger parts, the firing pin on the hammer and not having an internal lock. And that's why I brought up the 629-4 with a 3" barrel that is $750 OTD... Converting it to round butt costs nothing, I just wanted to know if there's any bad unintended consquences of that and if that's a good price for a 3" square butt 629-4 in the first place. As for taking off and putting on a new barrel, requires way too much experience/knowledge with doing so and tools that I simply don't have.

Price, I know nothing about. But any alteration from factory original always decreases the worth of a gun, unless it's done by a famous gunsmith or firm, and can be documented.

Acorn 1754,

I hope you don't mind a few disorganized thoughts.

Buying a 3" barrel will likely run $100-200, installing it roughly $125 and after that you would have a parts gun and never a great collectors item unless you kept the original barrel and reinstalled it which would only run about $35 at today's prices.

On the other hand if you round butt it that will be obvious and will lower the value of a gun to less than the value of standard non-collector's 629s.

I love personalized project guns BUT you've got to be sure you will want one for a long time before you dive in because financially they are stupid.

Quite a few members will want to toss me off the forum for saying this, but I think the current snub nose N frame fade will pass leaving behind a glutted market.

The only times creating a gun that the factory has already made makes sense is when the originals are really rare or you stumble into dirt cheap parts that will convert a gun you already own.

I'd hold out for the 3" round butt you want.

Best Regards,

Gil

I'll tell ya just how much MIM parts in a S&W worry me....

I was a jet engine hardware designer for almost 37 years when I retired...and worked with MANY different "metallic" materials. 30 years ago I married my metallurgist that knows more than I ever wanted to know about metals and metallurgic processes...and the thought of MIM parts in a S&W bothers me so much...I cant sleep anymore than about 10 hours each night!!!

Now..with that said..some of the "half breed"...."god knows from whence they came" ..parts for 1911 model semi auto.....THOSE bring me a cold chill.


Bottom line...if ya want a 3" round butt....BUY a 3" round butt.

Plastic guns don't worry me either but even if they're a whole lot better than the steel guns I like I'm not jumping up to buy any.

Best Regards,
Gil

Yeah, if I were to do this, I'd probably have to get a parts N frame 44 mag at a ridiculous cheap price . So I agree and won't be taking this route unless I get a parts gun that it doesn't matter to do that on. Most likely to the relief of most people here, I've thought better of doing this and will patiently wait for the 629 that I seek.