This is my first post, but I've been a lurker for many years. GREAT FORUM! I recently traded into a 629-4 3" Magna-Ported Trail Boss 44 Rem Mag. After doing some research online, mostly off these fine forums, I found that a "RSR" version might be something a little more special. I pulled my grip to find the serial # on this one began with RSR. Does that signify that this one of those special versions? If so, is there any info regarding this special run? Does it make it anymore valuable? I took quite a few pics. Any info would be great!

What is the bbl length on that Trail Boss, please?

It is s 3" barrel.

500 were manufactured from 1996 to 1999. Hogue's rubber grips with lanyard loop, .4" semi-target hammer, .312" smooth combat triggerr, white outline and red ramp sights, satin stainless finish. Not much more info.

Product code on the RSR Trail Boss was 103408. I've seen seven with the RSR s/n prefix. The two I could date conclusively were -4's shipped in December 1997 and January 1998. The earlier guns, based on s/n's, had no date code on the box label.

The -5 I saw shipped in September of 1998. In this same era, there was also a 6-inch and a 7 1/2-inch M629 with a RSR s/n prefix.

The last Trail Boss was a -6 with the lock, that had the PC of 163409. I've seen only two. One a CJU that shipped in March of 2006. Not sure if it was a RSR or not. And a CRM s/n prefix, definitely from RSR, that shipped in June of 2011.

I don't think the s/n prefix add any value on it's own, but it does add providence. The value of the Trail Boss comes from the gun itself, it's features, and it's relative scarcity.

__________________
~ S&W aficionado in training ~

Can someone comment on my RSR76xx Trail Boss ??



It was purchased as pictured. No "Hogue rubber grips with lanyard loop"
Got it with those wooden grips.

Instead of the $15 Hogues that were standard, you got "stuck" with a $150 pair of Combat Stocks. The Mag-Na-Porting was done by RSR after the guns left S&W. RSR sent them off to Michigan to the MP shop to have the work done. Not all Trail Bosses have the MP. To me, it seems like it was about a 50/50 split.

__________________
~ S&W aficionado in training ~

In the absence of Combat stocks the feature that changes desirability of 3” 629s more than anything else is Magna-Porting. That’s not to say I can predict whether a random buyer will love ports or hate them, but may people have strong opinions about them. I don’t think the RSR serial number changes the value at all and the Trail Boss etching only makes a slight difference that could be good or bad depending on the buyer. On the other hand dash 4s are my favorite vintage of 629 and also are the favorite of a lot of other members.

Dregg,
Those flat sided Combats often were “harvested” off early 1990s 629 DXs to sell separately. Earlier 1980s Combats were more rounded and nearly always made out of Goncalo Alves. Yours are Morado wood which under the name Pau Ferro is Hogue’s default species for their wood stocks.

3” 629s are popular here. I’m sure lots of members envy you two.

There was another run of them by RSR (the distributor) in 2003, but those were -6s with locks. Generally not as coveted as your -4. The 2003 models had variations with fluted and non-fluted cylinders.

Great information! Thank you!