I've got a nice 629 no dash with an 8 3/8 inch barrel in my safe. It's the gun that got me started in S&W revolvers. I fell in love with it the minute I saw it. My idea from the outset was to hunt with it.

After I bought a scope base for it I discovered that these earlier models didn't come drilled and tapped. Now I'm kind of torn...do I leave it in it's original condition? Or do I have a gunsmith drill and tap it so I can mount a scope and hunt with it?

My thoughts are that I want to hunt with the gun and therefore I should have it set up to optimize that goal.

I don't plan on ever selling it...and if I decide I no longer wanthte scope on it I can simply remove it.

Is there any downside? Any thoughts on this?

There are a lot of reasons to do it, not one for not doing it.


You want a scope and bought the one you want.

You aren't selling it so not worried about resale value.

You can always take the sight off and all you will have are a few drilled/tapped holes on the gun. Maybe put screws in them to cover the holes. If you ever HAVE to sell it, just say "with scope" or "drilled and tapped for scope mount"

It sounds like a no brainer to me. Get what you want.

I agree fully!

I wouldn't drill it, they only made them for one year, they are hard to find in nice shape, find someone that wants it and sell or trade it for a new one, that shouldn't be to hard, I'd swap in a heartbeat if it is a crisp one

Had the exact same issue with my 29. Didn't want to alter the gun so I put on this side mounted scope rail. Works damn well and no damage to the gun what so ever. I'll have to dig up a pic of the other side so you can see how it attaches.

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~ S&WCA No.2159 ~

I tapped my m-29-3 with 10 5/8 barrel that I bought used specifically for hunting and don't regret it . I also have another 29 with a B-square no gunsmithing mount and one with the weaver no gunsmith mount and have no problems . I did try the aimtech and really screwed up the gun . I checked the side plate screws every couple of shots and they were tight but 3 more shots and each time the screws loosened and retightened . So I thought I would use loc-tight, but when I backed the screws out they were bent a little and the side plate scratched up badly . So I would be afraid to use an aimtech again, but I have a friend with a m-57 and its holding just fine with a Leopold on it and I helped mount it just as I did mine . Its your choice .

Weaver used to have a mount that would attach without drilling and tapping. Utilized a barrel clamp just forward of the frame. Worked well, but I don't know if they're still made....(Oddly enough there may be one somewhere in a box amongst my spares, but...)

I would not drill it regardless. Too hard to find (!) as noted above.

I purchased a model 19 many years ago with a scope mounted that somehow replaced the rear sight. I sent the gun to a gun smith who removed it and fitted the standard target sight. I still have the gun and there is no sign of drilllings so they must be available?
I would not drill it.
Cheers.

The no tap mounts will all leave permanent "scars" on the gun, so IMO that's an option far worse than drilling and tapping.

If you have it done to the standard pattern that the factory is using today those new tapped holes will be "hidden" by the rear sight when you don't have a rail mounted. In addition the new holes will NOT interfere with the current mounting hole for the rear sight. Overall I consider drilling and tapping to the now standard scheme to be a real benefit, which is why I preformed that operation on my 67-1 and 617 no dash. Below is the dimensionals for the std mounting hole locations.

Attached Files

s&W STANDARD MOUNTING PATTERN.pdf (2.9 KB, 30 views)