3" 629-2E, first S&W revolver!!!

iPac · Apr 2, 2015

I just got this Monday. A like new, 629-2E, with a magna-ported 3" barrel.

I am ordinarily a Colt man but prices have been artificially inflated and shooters are not affordable to use for field use anymore.

I needed something for hiking and camping this summer and fell in love with the 629 as soon as I saw it. I wanted something I could use and enjoy but still carry some rarity and collectability factor as time goes on. I believe I found it.

It is a joy to shoot. Just had it out yesterday and increased the total round count through it to a grand total of 100rds since its production in '89. It has the smoothest trigger pull in both SA/DA. In D/A it has smoother pull than any of my Colts.

The felt recoil is barely noticeable compared to others I have shot, mainly Anacondas. Being my first S&W I am completely happy with it and glad I made the jump to S&W. From now on, it will be Colt for collecting but S&W for field use and function.

Can anyone elaborate on the 629-2E? I know about strengthening enhancements they started with the 2E for silhouette shooters, but how rare is this particular set up? What is a good price estimate on these? I am curious as to whether I got a deal or just paid average rate. I know I didn't over pay, but don't think I got a steal on it.

Any and all opinions and information on this particular model and issue number is appreciated. For instance, are those rubber Pachs original from the factory? The gentleman said they are, but I can't believe S&W would leave the Pach logo medallions in them. Or is that they way Smith rolls?

Thanks.

ISCS Yoda · Apr 2, 2015

The Lew Horton series of 3" Model 629s has been discussed often but as a "2E" with an unfluted cylinder I am uncertain how your gun fits into that run. I do think it is part of the Lew Horton run but, offhand, I can't verify that, but someone will. The Magna-porting, of course, is after-market unless I missed something, which is always possible. You need the Pachmayr rubber and the Magna-porting to make the gun a reasonably comfortable shooter.

These three inchers - in good condition, I must add - probably all trade now between 900 and 1100 dollars. There could be exceptions. I had a happy day when I got rid of mine; I never could learn to like it. I didn't like the weight, I thought it was very clunky, and recoil was over the top with full house magnum loads. As I said, the rubber and the porting might alter that significantly. I have a couple of other N frames that I really like - I just never could fall in love with the 629, having purchased it solely because I HAD TO HAVE a 44 Magnum at the time. I got over that.

You should enjoy it immensely. Around this fireplace a lot of folks will be amused by your collecting versus your shooting guns. If a dear friend hadn't literally given me my Colt Cobra I'd have sold it long ago - Smiths are better guns! (That should start a fun debate!)

Ya did good - I really think the porting is an excellent idea on that gun. Have fun with it!

b_san · Apr 2, 2015

ISCS Yoda said:
These three inchers - in good condition, I must add - probably all trade now between 900 and 1100 dollars.

Beat and scratched up without the box, any of the pre-lock 3" 629s in good shape with a box will easily go above $1300 on GB.

The way to find out if it is a Lew Horton is to email [email protected] your serial number and ask them, if it was one of theirs they'll also tell you if it was originally ported or not too and how many of them were made.

629shooter · Apr 3, 2015

Well, that is a cool way to start a S&W revolver collection!

Stirling · Apr 3, 2015

629shooter said:
Well, that is a cool way to start a S&W revolver collection!

Agreed, some way to start collecting Smiths.

k22fan · Apr 3, 2015

Lew Horton special ordered and sold a lot of batches of 3" N frames over the 25 to 30 years they marketed them. .44 magnum is the most common chambering among them but this is the first dash 2E I've seen. Don't assume the ports are "after market" from a collector's view point. Some of Lew Horton's batches of 629s were Magna Ported before Lew Horton sold them. It's been speculated that S&W shipped them to Magna Port who shipped them on to Lew Horton.

So far as I know all of Lew Horton's 3" N frames had wood combat stocks until those were phased out of S&W's whole product line and replaced by rubber. Early 625s made about the same time as your 629-2E had the same model Pachmyr grips that are on your 629-2E but wood combats were still the norm for Lew Horton.

I hope you are a reloader. Factory .44 special loads are softer than most people want and factory .44 magnums are hard on your hearing and more than is needed. It's nice to be able to split the difference.

iPac · Apr 3, 2015

The guy I bought it from was the original owner and purchaser. He said he bought it new in '89 as a back up hunting piece. He said everything about it is original, even the black Pach grips. He also said the magna-porting was done upon his request.He said he went to the dealer, picked out the gun, said he wanted it ported, so it went for porting before he purchased. I thought about the possibility of a LH run but absent the wood grips and the fact that he requested the porting, I was pretty sure it wasn't, but you guys have me curious now. The serial number starts with BEE50**. I will have to get in touch with LH and see about it.

Unfortunately, the gun did not come with the box. It was bought to be used and future collecting was never a concern, so the guy tossed the packaging. That is fine with me, I didn't buy it for collecting either, but boxes are always nice. Looks like I was able to get this 629 on the lowest end of price estimate that "b san" mentioned. Not to mention, the guy included about $100 in goodies with it. So I think I did pretty well on price then. I gave him a cool $900 flat for it, and a little drive to get there.

Yes, I do reload. I am one cheap person, and will not buy store ammo. Plus I think my reloads are so much better quality. Just tried out my Christmas present chronograph Tuesday after I got this and my reloads were dead on with store bought Fiocchi FMJ averaging 1100fps.

cooperduper · Apr 3, 2015

There's info here.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/84813-info-629-snubbie.html

Old post of mine.

Not a Lew Horton. S&W product 103650 with yours getting porting after-the-fact. The grips are original. Some people say the recoil is too much, but I assume many haven't shot them much. And it is attention getting. But manageable. I roll my own in levels from 44spl to full mag.

iPac · Apr 3, 2015

I called Lew Horton and they confirmed it was not one of theirs. I was pretty sure it wasn't. That doesn't bother me none. I like it just the way it is, 100% genuine from S&W, except for the magna-porting.

Even though it is not from LH, it is still a relatively rare bird isn't it? They only made the -2Es in '89 for a month or so didn't they? I thought I read where '89 began with the -2, then went to the -2E, then the -3 all before the year ended. So there can't be many -2Es. Then out of all of them, how many were the 3" snubs?

The recoil on this one is very manageable as compared to all other 44mags I have shot. Unless the porting just makes a world of difference, I don't know why anyone would complain about recoil.

I am sure once I start cooking up a defense round, the recoil might get snappier, but for now it hasn't bothered me a bit.

cooperduper · Apr 3, 2015

Yes, rare.

In the thread I linked to in my last post you'll see references to 3200 made in 1989.

jjbrewst1 · Apr 3, 2015

I don't think 3200 is Rare or even scarce. Limited maybe.

Great gun, shoot and enjoy it. These are tough as nails and will outshoot and out class any Colt.

.

Good Pick Up

iPac · Apr 4, 2015

cooperduper said:
In the thread I linked to in my last post you'll see references to 3200 made in 1989.

I forgot all about that link, I wanted to follow it to begin with but never did, then it ended up blurring into the background as I kept overlooking it. Apologizes for repeating the answer, but thank you for answering the question.

cooperduper · Apr 4, 2015

No apologies necessary. Just happy you could get some info on your rare or scarce or limited, run of the mill, common, readily available or whatever, jewel, there. I have only ever run across the one in my picture.

iPac · Apr 4, 2015

I think 3200 would be considered rare. Especially when you think of all the S&W collectors out there. If any of them have collections that would need one of these -2Es to complete, 3200 isn't many to go around. Considering nationwide and even worldwide now collectors. Kind of wish I did have the box and packaging now.

jjbrewst1 · Apr 4, 2015

We can agree to disagree. 3200 isn't even scarce. It's a ltd run. But enough to go around.

Look for a 610-2 3". That's rare. There have been multiple 629-2E on a gunbroker for years. I just bought 2 in the last month.

I can't find a 610-2 to save my life.

Now just because I think it's not rare doesn't mean I think it's not a great revolver. I love them. I own 3. What's not to love.

iPac · Apr 4, 2015

jjbrewst1 said:
We can agree to disagree. 3200 isn't even scarce. It's a ltd run. But enough to go around.

Look for a 610-2 3". That's rare. There have been multiple 629-2E on a gunbroker for years. I just bought 2 in the last month.

I can't find a 610-2 to save my life.

Now just because I think it's not rare doesn't mean I think it's not a great revolver. I love them. I own 3. What's not to love.

That actually makes me feel better because I did not buy this to collect. I bought it to shoot, shoot a lot, and carry with me hiking, camping, and hunting.

If it would have ended up rare, I would have a different outlook on the piece.

Here is one more question, Are there guns marked 629-2 without the E? Like did they start out making them stamped 629-2 then decided to start the enhancements thus adding the E. Then after the year ended they moved on to the -3?

I didn't see that question answered anywhere in a previous thread. Or isn't there any resources that can confirm this?

jjbrewst1 · Apr 4, 2015

iPac said:
That actually makes me feel better because I did not buy this to collect. I bought it to shoot, shoot a lot, and carry with me hiking, camping, and hunting.

If it would have ended up rare, I would have a different outlook on the piece.

Here is one more question, Are there guns marked 629-2 without the E? Like did they start out making them stamped 629-2 then decided to start the enhancements thus adding the E. Then after the year ended they moved on to the -3?

I didn't see that question answered anywhere in a previous thread. Or isn't there any resources that can confirm this?

Yes. Absolutely. There are 629-2 with NO E. you have the one to shoot and enjoy or collect.

k22fan · Apr 4, 2015

Be glad it is not rare, or at least that it is not both well known and rare. There are 15 factory nickel plated model 17s. They are much discussed, coveted and rare. In the last month one sold for $11,005 and a second sold for over $12,000. You wanted a revolver you can afford and shoot. Be happy.

jjbrewst1 · Apr 4, 2015

Agreed. IMHO. the 17's went for ludicrous money. Worth about half that. MAYBE

3" 629-2E, first S&W revolver!!!

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