I need some help with a possible dilemma. If faced with having to let one of these go, which one?

You be the judge, let personal opinions, and preferences run wild. Which one would you keep and why?

Personal carry, shooting comfort, collectors value, let it all hang out, I love them both for different reasons. So help convince me.

#1 Smith & Wesson RG, Mdl 629 2-E E is supposed to be for Endurance model with hardened crane and frame. Manufactured in 1989. SN BEE 55XX w/Wood Grips. Unfluted cylinder, white outlined rear sight, Target Hammer & Trigger, very slight chip in grips, slight scratch on frame above trigger, see pics.



Notice the wider Trigger. #1 on bottom W/ Wood Grips #2 on top W/Hogue and Lanyard



#1 Full Lug & Non Fluted Cylinder vs #2 Partial Lug, Fluted Cylinder , Red Target Ramp.


Hmmm... I do have two hands!
Neither of these guns was stored in that nasty case LOL

For me, I would retain #1.
Why? I prefer the full (untapered) underlug, unfluted cylinder and do not care for Mag-na-porting.

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"You're messin' up my Zen"

I would keep number 1 also because I don't like porting on a snub nose revolver and the grips are killer on number 1.

I'd say keep number 1, send me number 2, then you won't have this problem. The smooth cylinder and fine grips do it for me.

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SFC, US Army, Retired

To my mind the grips can be swapped out so no issue. I prefer a fluted cylinder as well as the classic lines of #2 as opposed to the full lug. Personally I also prefer the narrow trigger. I'd be inclined to keep #2 although muzzle blast could be an issue with the magnaporting. Still, as a whole the piece just looks .

PS I also like the newer, cleaner rear sight set up on #2 but don't fancy the Trail Boss inscription.

The noise from the Magna-Porting would be the predominant issue for me, so I’d keep the older 629-E. Before I scrolled down far enough to see the porting, the more important things favored the 629-4: narrower trigger, cylinder flutes and non-full lug barrel. About the only thing that favored the older revolver was its flash chromed hammer and trigger, and then I saw the dash 4 was customized to damage your hearing.

I'm a sucker for full-length barrel underlugs and wood grips.

The full lug barrel debate will be the same as a 686 snub vs. a 66 snub. It's personal preference ... both look good. The TH/TT consideration is a valid because we're talking N-frames, and for some people the N is a handful without the TH/TT. Grips are interchangeable, so that shouldn't be a concern. Porting can be a deal breaker if you've seen what a pair of ports do for a large bore revolver with a short barrel. Front sights? More personal preference. Will the endurance package make a significant difference? Only if you run a steady diet of Magnums over time. Everyone should be so lucky to be faced with a similar quandary. I say flip a coin, then get Ray @ Lobo or Lefty @ BCO to hook you up with a primo field rig.

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I'm with the banned ...

#1 for me also

Wood Grips, Unfluted cylinder, Target Hammer and Trigger.

OK, I'm a newb here and don't know what this means... but it sounds promising!

Hmmm... Must be holster makers.

This is much more one sided than I thought it would be...

But I really appreciate all the feedback.

THANKS GUYS, KEEP IT COMING!!

Yes, holsters.

Lobo Gun Leather.
BCO = Bell Charter Oak.


P.S.
Welcome to the Forum.

I'd keep #1 all the way.
Magnaport on the other is the issue.
Don't need it, don't like it, won't have it.
But, you'll likely take a $$$ loss because of it.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

# 1 for me also....

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

#1, hands down.
Reasons: black, no colored insert front sight (#2 has RR/Stainless front), no porting, Herrett grips (look like Jordan Troopers).

I would keep number 1 also because I would not have a ported snub nose revolver I would never want to shoot one in low light then not only is it harder on your ears but you are blind as well !!!

FWIW I'll go with the herd and say I'd prefer #1. The unfluted cylinder and lug just give it a personality lacking in the other one. Plus, the blast from the porting is an issue on # 2 . . . .

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Qui plantavit curabit

Really appreciate the input! Thanks to all, please keep them coming.

Seekers

#1 sell #2 buy more ammo for #1

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T. Johnson

I will not buck the trend. Keep #1 and sell #2. Ported barrel is the issue with me also.

Hands down #1 is the keeper.

#1 for sure. Full underlug + unfluted cylinder.

Easy call for me, probably tough one for you. I strongly prefer a fluted cylinder, don't mind the porting, and I know that those grips on #1 won't fit my hand. In fact, I might change the grips on the Trail Boss. However, if the grips on #1 fit you, it's a no-brainer. VERY nice-looking grips, and the added cylinder and lug weight will probably compensate for the porting, and eliminate the drawbacks thereof.

I would like number 1 so you should keep 2 and sell number 1 to me.

Jay

I like the full lug ,but I also like the fluted cylinder- the unfluteds look unfinished to me.
Swap the cylinders and keep the #1

I picked up some grips at the gun show that will fit either. It really took me a long time to find the grips I wanted, with both checkering and S&W Medallions.

Number 2, hands down. Just add new grips. My RSR came with MNP and Combats, although a 4" bbl.

Porting is the deal killer on #2 for me. Otherwise it would be #2

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Forum consigliere

To saemetric

Very Nice! That blue Smith & Wesson pin just sits there like a Blue Ribbon at a fair screaming "FIRST PLACE WINNER"!

Grips are beautiful too, with the shorter barrel I just wanted a little extra to hold on to and decided to go with the checkering. (a few posts up) Not as pretty as yours though. :-)

Thanks for sharing!

Seekers

Yes, from Herrett Stocks, not the Jordan Troopers but the Roper's. Good eye, and thanks for the head's up!
Roper Gun Stock

I would keep #1 because it is not ported and has the target trigger and hammer. However its not perfect for me because of the unfluted cylinder (heavier spinning mass in DA causes more cylinder stop notch peening and not as refined looking as a regular cylinder) I also think the full lug snubby barrel is ugly and does nothing for recoil control in that short length. For the record I also think the non full lug barrels under four inches just don't look right either. These are my opinions and tastes, others may differ.

I personally would sell both and buy a regular pre lock 629-3 or -4 in four inch with the target hammer and trigger (or a 29-5 or 29-6) but this was not your question, so no offense intended.

Well, I'm going to buck the trend. I draw your attention to the second picture posted by the OP. Note the rear sight is considerably over to the shooter's left. That indicates to me the barrel is not properly centered/lined up. That could cause more than an off-set rear sight. It could affect the front lock-up of the ejector rod.

Also, if ever a gun could use MagnaPorts I'd say it would be a short barreled 44 Mag. The business about being blinded at night is grossly over stated. The fire ball that's going to come out of that barrel and from the B/C gap from a full power, slow powder Magnum round will be substantial, even without the ports.

I say sell the crooked barrel #1 and get used to the noise of #2. YMMV!

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

I would get rid of the ported barrel. Although it will probably bring less because it is ported.

I also love the full lug.

Well, now it's me bucking the trend but #1 hit the auction block tonight. sniffle...

Thank you all

Why? The only reason I'm selling is financial hardship, I needed to get the most I could and this thread indicated I would get more for #1

Seekers

If #2 didn't have the porting I would say keep it. But I have to say keep #1 and buy more ammo for it.

Porting would kill the deal for me.

Hmm - sight screw slots on both appear buggered. Porting just sucks. Number one, being a -2, may have a square butt - if so, that's a huge plus for me (they still make round butts). Number one needs the stainless "re-satined" to remove the fine handling scratches. I much prefer the target trigger and hammer. Unfluted cylinders are much lesss common and the added weight is only a factor in rapid-fire use (my "combat" handgun would be a 1911 in .45ACP).

For the above reasons, I would prefer #1.

Ed

Non-ported, for sure. I have had too many bad experiences with porting and its problems.

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GA Carry member
Vietnam Vet