I was out all afternoon and after I came home I was just admiring my new acquisition. Looking in the S&W blue box I see this sticker that says: "CAUTION: Never place a loaded gun in this box. Be sure to read the Safety & Instruction Manual loacated behind the top foam insert." Yeah, sure. That's been gone for years. Pulling up the foam, guess what? There they were. Waranty card that was never mailed in, parts manual, scope base installation procedure and a nice brochure in S&W handgrips. I was completely blown away. Had no idea the gun would come with the original papers complete with the S&W sticker on the side of the box. The only dates I can find on any of the lit is the dates of a sweepstakes offer from S&W which began on Oct.1, '92 and ending on Oct. 31, '96. So that narrows the birthdate a little. Still hoping someone will help with that. Serial Number is CAH81XX. This gun looks so good to me. I bet there hasn't been a 100 rounds fired through it. Could be wrong but it appears in fantastic shape. Enclosed are a few pictures. Hope I haven't bored everybody with so much dribbling at the mouth. I am one happy camper. Now, all I have to do is get up the nerve to shoot the beast. Never have fired a .44Mag. I've got some WWB .44Mag and some Magtech .44Spl. I'll post my findings. Thanks for listening.

Attached Images

	008.jpg (115.0 KB, 79 views)
	014.jpg (214.2 KB, 118 views)
	015.jpg (215.0 KB, 103 views)
	016.jpg (100.0 KB, 68 views)
	017.jpg (117.1 KB, 75 views)

Usually the date a S&W was boxed is on the end label printed as the Julian date under "Spec Ord". In other words, 3111 means the 111th day of 1993 for guns boxed in the 1990s. It's assumed you know the decade.

With the heavy FL barrel and muzzel brake your recoil shouldn't be too bad as .44 mags go. I find the rubbers on it to be the most comfortable but that's just a matter of preference. There's no reason to fire mags until after you are comfortable firing lower recoiling cartridges, and in my opinion you will be the better shot in the long run if you work your way gradually up the recoil ladder.

You got a great deal on the 629.

Nice buy. You purchased one of the best dash 629's made (IMHO). No lock, firing pin on the hammer, no MIM hammer or trigger, full endurance upgrades. Enjoy your new toy.

Well thanks so much, k22fan. I had no idea what the "Spec Ord" meant. That being the case, mine is 5313 meaning, I suppose, the 313 day of 1995. That quite interesting. Wonder what's it's been doing for those 16+ years? I wish it could talk. But if it could I think it would say that "nobody's shot me very much, I sure hope you change all that." I plan on it. It's a keeper. Think you got a good idea on the lower powered cartridges to start off with. Thanks again.

That makes me feel good. I do plan on enjoying it.

Always check under the foam.....

nice gun, btw

__________________
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

Thats a super nice 629-4.
CONGRATS !
As far as getting the nerve to shoot the beast, I believe we all have had that feeling before.
But after taking that first shot and realizing it wasn't that bad at all, you'll be fired up to load it complete and keep shooting -----------
Start off with a low grain and work your way up to the 240gr & 300gr for the most enjoyment.



Ernie

__________________
S&W .500 Magnums RULE !

Going to bed dreaming of my first trip to the range with it. Hopefully tomorrow. We'll see.

Here's the "disco" edition of that gun. Purchased it new in April-96 for $489.96+tax in NJ and later sent it to Magnaport for a triggerjob and slight facelift.

I'm sure you will enjoy yours...



IC

Yours is great looking. Yep, I'm already enjoying mine.

You'll like shooting that gun even more if you dump those factory grips and order from S&W the 500 grips .
Part #294670000

Thanks Nick. I'll check it out.