I think I found one today and really fell for it. It was a 629-1 or -2. It seemed to have a 3 inch barrel and had two port slits. It was a prelock model. Non-fluted cylinder

Can anyone tell me anything about this Smith? It was on hold for another person and I am second in line for it.

Is the porting a plus or a minus? I have never shot a ported handgun, only a ported Marlin 444.

It is under $600 and I love the looks of it.

Please show me pics of your gun and tell me about it.

Thanks

What is your intended use of the gun?

It could be considered a bit much (in frame size, weight, and caliber) as a personal defense gun for most people and, as such, I would not recommend a ported barrel for several reasons.

As a hunting pistol, the porting isn't such a bad idea, but the barrel length is definitely too short for the application.

So, personally, I see this model as neither fish nor fowl. I wouldn't have a use for it.

But some folks may really like it - that's a personal call.

Agree w/DHart, depends on use. The gun was likely ported by Magnaport, which isn't a bad thing at all, just depends on preference. You should search in the forum for info about ported vs. non-ported revolvers. The fact that it's a pre-agreement S&W may add a little value, but the custom ports will likely detract from a collectors POV. Just my $.02. Good luck!

It's most likely a rsr distributer exclusive. It's called the trail boss. They made them ported and unported, fluted and unfluted. I'm not sure how many were made but I do know it wasn't many. This is my unported 629-6 trail boss. Absolutely love it! I carry mine all the time!

I bet you don't run too many full house magnum loads through her with those grips.....were they factory?

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On the Oak Savannah

They are factory from the PC 629! And I know I'm crazy, but I enjoy full house load through this thing!....haha! My summer carry is a 340pd that gets a steady diet of full load 357's! I've got issues!....haha

Photos or the box would help, the unfluted cylinder leads me to think its a-2 combat magnum, it probably left the factory with finger groove combat stocks and the porting may have been a factory or Lew Horton option, hard to tell without more info but I can tell you this, if it is a-2 CM, that's a wicked good price, hope this helps

Sounds like a GREAT price. I wouldn't fret over porting, I would just buy it.

Where can I buy it ?

It has a full underlug. No box or papers with it and it has a plain black front sight.

Also, the trigger and hammer are forged with flash chrome finish.

I wish that the cylinder was fluted. Less mass to move.

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USPSA CRO
Patriot Guard rider

Kinda like these?

These are both 629-2E

They have the endurance package and came with Pachmyers. I had them MagnaPorted. I polished them and put the Ahrends grips on, too.

I have the boxes if you want more info.

Attached Images

629-2E N Frame (26c).jpg (158.1 KB, 125 views)

Around here, under $600 is a great price on any N frame... Personally, I'm not keen on ports though I can see how they could be beneficial in several circumstances.

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Proud anachronism

That's a nice looking set of revolvers! Well done! How do the ports work out on them? Are functional or more just for aesthetics? Either way, great looking pair!

Sorry, out of town for a while.

The ports make full house loads more bearable. When I carry these, I use .44specials that make them real pussycats!

Boot grips are okay for recoil, but the gun twists 20 deg to the left with torque of hot loads. I lose most of the feeling in my hand after 12 rounds. After that, no problem. I'm pleased with the accuracy, despite the short radius. Mine has the non-fluted cylinder, but no porting.

I have the blued version (29-4). There were about 3000 made of these. I had the Mag-Na-Porting done myself in 1993 - cost $65. Well balanced and surprisingly accurate - good woods gun.

My absolute favorite N-frame set up!!

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"You're messin' up my Zen"

My RSR Trail Boss is ported and is a 629-4. Supposed to have been 500 made for that run.