Hello,
My LGD has a 629-2 with 6" barrel and an unfluted cylinder. It is in good condition with only a very faint ring around the cylinder. It appears not to have been fired much. He is asking $499. Is this a good gun to buy and a decent price? I am a little concerned for the long term durability of this gun as it does not have the 629-5 or 629-6's durability enhancement features. Thank you for your feedback on this. It is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Magnus

500 is a good price for a 44 mag.If I liked the length and the solid cylinder,I'd buy it.Unless you're planning a steady diet of 300 gr bullets at rip snorting speeds, a -2 should be fine.

The 629-2 is an excellent model to purchase. It has the new yoke retention system and no MIM parts or lock. I would say the $499 price is a good deal for a 97% or better revolver.

Hi Arjay,
Thanks for your reply. I was planning on mostly shooting WWB and other standard factory loads. I had some concern with the cylinder shooting loose or frame stretch over time. I do tend to shoot my guns a lot, but may be these are unfounded concerns for this gun.
Thanks,
Magnus

Hi Jeff45,
Thanks for your reply. It is a nice gun and in very good condition. I'm not well versed in the evaluation of condition of a gun based upon the NRA % system. The gun locks up tight though and only has the aforemantioned minor scoring ring on the cylinder. I would guess it would be considered 90% or possibly 95%. From your reply I guess you are saying that there are some desirable features on the older models that the newer guns do not have. I do like the absence of a lock and the firing pin on the hammer. Do you know if this has a transfer bar safety with the firing pin on the hammer, or know if it is "drop proof"? Does $499 seem fair for that condition.
Thank you,
Magnus

thats a good deal...quite good....i have 29's,629's -2,-3,1 etc...some i have been shooting since the early 70's long before any word of an endurance package...not a single hiccup and i shoot reloads from mild to wild....that gun will do fine...none of mine have ever been in for repair...have fun!

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KK4EMO

$500 seems more than fair. I don not fret condition of stainless revolvers because they can be cleaned up so easily. If you like it and it checks out ok you should have no reservation about buying it.

Even though it does not have the endurance package it is no slouch. I would not shoot really hot reloads but factory ammo should be just fine.

Magnus,

The revolver has a hammer block in the frame so it is indeed drop-proof. I think that $499 is a good price on a 90 - 95% solid 29-2 if everything checks out OK. Do a search on this forum for "MIM Parts" and "Frame Lock" and you will receive quite an education on some of the new S&W features that lead some to prefer the old revolvers.

Hi,
Thank you all for your replies. I appreciate it. I will post how it turns out and if I strike a deal will post pictures.
Thanks,
Magnus

Hey guys i just picked up a 1983 629-1 44 mag with 8 3/8 barrel perfect bore great finish some scratches on the bottom of the wood grips. Not bad though. I got it for $400 from a friend that needs to repair his boat. Anyways the only flaw i can find is inside one of the holes in the cylinder about halfway in there is what looks like an impression from a crimp or something almost all the way around with a couple spaces here and there that is smooth. It is very small and looked like some kind of writeing or something but after closer inspection i can see that it is a line of small parralel groves way before the ring near the ends of the hole My question is should i not use that hole or would you think it will be a problem if i did. The groves are very shallow but you can feel them with a plastic pointy scrape tool. I may try to get an unfluted cylinder in the future anyways But would rather wait if it wouldnt be a concern to the resident experts