S&W Model 629 Classic DX

[Bullzeye260]

Hey all, curious if any of you could help me determine the value of a LNIB Model 629 Classic DX in .44 mag? Pistol was built in 1991. It is a 6.5", full lug barrel. It has the original box, paperwork, cleaning kit and test target from S&W. I believe the pistol is brand new, but for valuation purposes, let's say it's "used." It has original grips and the various different sight blades they came with, including a McGivern front bead sight.

Anyone have any opinions?

Thank you all.

[bangbig]

Anywhere from$900 to $1200 depending on the day, the web/auction site you list it on, and the - version. The -3 and -4 should bring the highest $.

You can list it here for free. And you already have one interested party if it's for sale! lol

[Bullzeye260]

It is a -3 model. Thanks for the clarification! May be looking to sell, will keep this site in mind. Thanks!

[boatswainsmate]

Do you have both grips? I saw one at a recent gun show and they were asking $1150

[richcory]

Can we get some photos to drool over in the mean time?

Cory

[AveragEd]

I've mentioned this before but it now seems that parting with $800 a few years back for a 629-3 Classic DX with a 5" barrel, which was a one-year offering, was a good investment. It is so nice to shoot that it is one of the last guns I would sell.

Ed

[jughed440]

DX, or not, a 629-3 Classic is a very desirable revolver.

Pics are required when discussing any 629 model

[Bullzeye260]

Lol!! Yes, it has both sets of grips as well as a third, aftermarket set of Cocobolos. I will post some pics here in a few.

[farrell]

You have another person interested,put me on your list.

[Nightowl]

I bought a new one back in 1992, and had to pay over $600 for it. I have shot it very little, but would not part with it for twice what I paid. Although, it was overpriced at the time I "splurged"!

[Bullzeye260]

alright folks, tell me what you all think!








I know, I know, looks damn good, huh? HAHA!!

[zelda]

Against the rules. For sale on Gunbroker. Seller-bagman.

[Bullzeye260]

Originally Posted by zelda

Against the rules. For sale on Gunbroker. Seller-bagman.

The rule you must be referring to is, "10. NO Links to current or upcoming auctions or promotion of current or upcoming auctions or discussion of current or upcoming auctions, even in vague and general terms, or GunsAmerica ads, Guns International ads, or other internet listing sites should be posted without permission.
Do NOT participate in discussion of current auctions or ads.
Links to CLOSED auctions and ads are permitted."

"Rule breaker!!!" LOL!! I love when supposed "gun people" tell on other gun people. Let's go tattle, hurry quick, grab the mods!!!

What rule did I break? Asking knowledgeable people what they believe the firearm should cost? Not once did I mention the firearm was for sale, in fact, I attempted to dissuade the very idea by not responding to those asking me to place them on my "list" of potential buyers.

Ask any of the members whom have expressed interest if I have contacted them. Go ahead.

Ever stop to think that I may trying to figure out a genuine price for the revolver as I have zero idea? The reserve on GB is so damn high you'd never be able to buy it, nobody will. But guess what that does? Gives me an idea of what the revolver could go for (that was prior to coming here anyhow).

By bringing attention to the auction, you're the one who violated the darn rule. Here's your sign!!

Mods - if you believe I violated Rule 10 with my post, by all means, delete it and kick me off.

I am sorry you guys have to put up with this cupcake BS. Crybaby nonsense. Sorry to offend your delicate sensibilities, "zelda" (name says it all). Uh oh, I used some bad words in my post...go get mommy!!!!!

[richcory]

Bullzeye260,

I don't see where you did anything wrong. No link was posted.

On the other hand, great looking gun. Are you sure you want to sell it?

Cory

[muddocktor]

Bullzeye260, until zelda brought it up, I didn't know you already had it listed for sale on GB, so I wouldn't think you broke the rules either. As to value, I would put that in the $1000-1500 range, depending on how the buyers are running on GB. If it was listed here in the Classifieds I bet it wouldn't last long at $1000-1200. That's a nice gun and it looks like you got all the goodies for it too, including the test target. And the cocobolo grips are some Kim Ahrends round-to-square butt conversion tacticals and those cost $70 plus shipping new off eBay. I have a set of them myself on my 627 Pro.

BTW, this is a family oriented site so you might keep the profanity down a bit. I know the filter stars out the profanity, but you don't need to keep going on with it even though you are mad. And you might want to remove your GB name out of your post too, as that is definitely a violation since you have this up as an active auction. Not trying to tell you what to do because I'm just a member and not a mod here, but trying to help a new member steer clear of the rocks and shoals.

[zogger]

Based on the target it looks like the gun shoots high. You definitely need to sell it! ;-)

[BE Mike]

Originally Posted by Bullzeye260

alright folks, tell me what you all think!








I know, I know, looks damn good, huh? HAHA!!

I own a 629-3 Classic with 5" barrel. I'm curious of the group size of the test target you have. I see it was fired at 50 yards.

[Bullzeye260]

You guys rock! I never get as pissed off as I did when I read zelda's post last night. What BS that was...although I now feel somewhat disingenuous for having it for sale but asking for a value (like I said, I didn't think to even come by here until the GB ad was posted, but the reserve is stupid high, that was my true intentions was to get a "market value") was my sole purpose.

Unfortunately, I know enough about revolvers to be a bit dangerous. I am a 100% dedicated firearms fanatic. I shoot competitively and am an LE Firearms instructor. Because I do so much more "tactical" (kind of hate that word nowadays) type shooting, I didn't have much of an interest in revolvers. My Pop left me an S&W Model 19-5 in .357 Magnum that I actually do shoot from time to time and absolutely love it, but outside of that, I hadn't thought of purchasing one until I came across this 629.

I knew just from looking at it that it was a super nice piece. After I really looked at it, I started to question whether the thing had ever been fired outside of that factory test target (honest to goodness). Anyhow, are the 19's considered quality pieces? Mine shoots great and is very accurate.

What are considered the really high end S&W's? What in S&W's lineup is looked upon in the market like Colt's Python?

Again, thank you guys for the support. I read the rules before posting this and never once did I believe my post was going against any of the rules. If I would have, I would not have posted it.

Thank you all very much!

[AveragEd]

No offense taken on this end, anyway.

S&W never made a Python-like gun unless one could consider the 627-0 guns from 1989. To me, that's a Python-equivalent piece but S&W never to my knowledge made a revolver with the Swiss watch-like workings of a Python.

I haven't visited your GB auction but am wondering what a "stupid-high" reserve is.

Ed

[BillyMagg]

Originally Posted by AveragEd

No offense taken on this end, anyway.

S&W never made a Python-like gun unless one could consider the 627-0 guns from 1989. To me, that's a Python-equivalent piece but S&W never to my knowledge made a revolver with the Swiss watch-like workings of a Python.

I haven't visited your GB auction but am wondering what a "stupid-high" reserve is.

Ed

Come on Ed, every single registered magnum, and 357 magnum, up through likely most 27-2's are well beyond the little "snake", think about those "triple locks", and the early 5 screw 44 Mags, up through 29-2's are also well beyond the "snake guns".

I've picked up 100s of those things, but never bought a single one, and they were cheap at one time. Most of the time the grips are a little "loosey goosey", I agree they're nice, but certainly far out of Reg Mag territory, Triple Lock, and 5 screw N-Frames of every caliber???

You need to be exposed to some real "Smith and Wesson" treasure! you'll be convinced, no doubt in my mind! LOL

[AveragEd]

You're right of course. But remember, I wrote, "...to my knowledge..." which means that those guns were in production before I became the minor league Smith & Wesson collector that I now am. I knew when I wrote that reply that I was probably incorrect but like I said, ...to my knowledge...

Ed

[cadmike]

Well I know pythons are generally valued quite a bit higher than 629's, but that doesn't make it a better gun IMO. I'm not knocking the python, a great gun for sure, but current values aside I'd take that 629 classic dx over a python.

That's right, I said it.

[BC38]

I've done the same on GB Bullseye260.

If you're not in a hurry to sell, set a really high reserve on a 2-week auction and see how high the bidding goes.

If the reserve isn't met, run it again with a reserve still above the highest bid from the first auction and see how it goes.

A couple of times through ought to give you a real feel for what the market value is. Then you will know what reserve price to set - assuming you're willing to sell it for an amount that people have been willing to bid for it.

Then you can list it here for that amount or relist on GB for that reserve.

That's worked well for me a couple of times.

[zelda]

Originally Posted by BC38

I've done the same on GB Bullseye260.

If you're not in a hurry to sell, set a really high reserve on a 2-week auction and see how high the bidding goes.

If the reserve isn't met, run it again with a reserve still above the highest bid from the first auction and see how it goes.

A couple of times through ought to give you a real feel for what the market value is. Then you will know what reserve price to set - assuming you're willing to sell it for an amount that people have been willing to bid for it.

Then you can list it here for that amount or relist on GB for that reserve.

That's worked well for me a couple of times.

l do not bid on Reserve Auctions. They waste my time.

[BC38]

Originally Posted by zelda

l do not bid on Reserve Auctions. They waste my time.

Ummm, good for you? I guess?

A lot of people do.

[AveragEd]

I used to bid on reserve auctions and actually bought a 1 of 500 686-3 National Match on one. But that took seven auctions before the reserve was lowered to my high bid and I wouldn't have suffered through that ordeal had I not wanted that gun in the worst way.

I've found that no-reserve auctions attract more bidders and would respectfully suggest you drop the reserve and make the minimum bid the amount you actually want for the gun. Once one bid is placed, your gun is sold for a price that is satisfactory to you. Any additional bids are just gravy and no reserve makes that first bid easier to attract.

Ed

[Bullzeye260]

Originally Posted by muddocktor

Bullzeye260, until zelda brought it up, I didn't know you already had it listed for sale on GB, so I wouldn't think you broke the rules either. As to value, I would put that in the $1000-1500 range, depending on how the buyers are running on GB. If it was listed here in the Classifieds I bet it wouldn't last long at $1000-1200. That's a nice gun and it looks like you got all the goodies for it too, including the test target. And the cocobolo grips are some Kim Ahrends round-to-square butt conversion tacticals and those cost $70 plus shipping new off eBay. I have a set of them myself on my 627 Pro.

BTW, this is a family oriented site so you might keep the profanity down a bit. I know the filter stars out the profanity, but you don't need to keep going on with it even though you are mad. And you might want to remove your GB name out of your post too, as that is definitely a violation since you have this up as an active auction. Not trying to tell you what to do because I'm just a member and not a mod here, but trying to help a new member steer clear of the rocks and shoals.

You're right, mud. I went through and edited my post, my apologies to everyone else who read that, but that stuff tends to get me a bit fired up.

This gentleman was the most meticulous firearms collector/owner of whom I've had the pleasure to go through his collection. He kept a large, three ring binder which was basically a catalog with every firearm, every detail about them, where he bought them from, condition, etc...he noted the 629 as one of his "most prized possessions," and still had the original receipt in the box and everything (original retail in 1991 when his family bought it was 571.99).

My only regret is not having been able to meet this gentleman while he was alive. Lived about 2 minutes from me and everything. I'm sure I could've learned a thing or two from him.

[Bullzeye260]

Originally Posted by zelda

l do not bid on Reserve Auctions. They waste my time.

Exactly why I stated, "The reserve on GB is so damn high you'd never be able to buy it, nobody will."

I've been around firearms and firearms "people" my entire life. My life, outside of my family, is firearms. With that being said, in all that time, do you not believe I have not run into those individuals who are just like you? Ain't got anything good to say, just want to report people to the authorities and make negative observations on things they wished they had.

I don't care if you offered me a million bucks, I wouldn't sell it to you anyway. Now, if Spongebob Squarepants offered me a mill, I'd chat with him, but you, nah. I'm good. It's a principle thing, zelda. I know you have some of those. You told me all about them when you cried "rule violator!" a few days ago.

I seriously doubt anyone cares what you do or don't bid on. Our discussion, as it relates to my OP, is about the value of an S&W 629 Classic DX. It is not about zelda's bidding behaviors on gunbroker. If you have no comments on the discussion at hand, remove yourself from the discussion, please.

To the gentleman or lady that asked about the size of that 5 shot group from 50 yards, it only measures 1.75". What an atrocious piece of machinery, huh? That was with 240 JHP's from 1991's standards. You all know how far ammunition has come in the last two decades. I wonder what she could do with some quality handloads? What do you guys think, do you believe it could shoot tighter than 1.5" at 50?

[THREEDFLYER]

I start all my GB auctions at one-cent and do NOT put a reserve on them.
I find that the gun will get far more bids and watchers this way and more than not I end up selling for a higher price than I had anticipated. David Carroll follows this same method of selling and he gets sometimes ridiculously high prices for his stuff.....but with David's reputation bidders just seem to love bidding his auctions up, up, up!! LOL!

[muddocktor]

With the right shooter, yes I think the group would tighten up. And I also think that if you mounted a scope on it the groups would tighten up too. BTW, that revolver is already drilled and tapped to mount some scope mounts since it's a -3 model going by the time frame it was manufactured. If I didn't have a 629-3 Classic already with a 6 1/2" barrel I would be interested in it myself. They are wonderful weapons to shoot and fun too. That full lug barrel really takes the bit out of full power loads. And when you touch off some hot loads made with H110 powder it gets heads turning on the range too when the fire and hear the blast.

[tug700]

How is it you guys get the tools with your new guns. I got the tools when I bought used LNIB, otherwise with some 15 new buys, there has never been anything in the box.

[Bullzeye260]

Originally Posted by tug700

How is it you guys get the tools with your new guns. I got the tools when I bought used LNIB, otherwise with some 15 new buys, there has never been anything in the box.

LOL! That's a great question man. Either I got super lucky or some unsuspecting employee at S&W just dropped them in there on accident I buy a few guns here and there, not many come with tools. Well, I guess I'm lying about that. I get a lot of torx wrenches and allen wrenches too. Do those count? HAHA!

[snowman]

Originally Posted by Bullzeye260

What do you guys think, do you believe it could shoot tighter than 1.5" at 50?

Sir,

If my experience is the norm, the answer is definitely 'yes'. My DX shot 1.5" at 50yd. even with my aging eyes playing tricks on me. Minus that problem, I'm convinced all those holes would have touched. I was astounded.

What wonderfully accurate guns they are. The only downside, in my view, is the round butt grip. I changed mine to a round to square conversion grip from Nill.

Regards,
Andy

[BillyMagg]

Originally Posted by muddocktor

With the right shooter, yes I think the group would tighten up. And I also think that if you mounted a scope on it the groups would tighten up too. BTW, that revolver is already drilled and tapped to mount some scope mounts since it's a -3 model going by the time frame it was manufactured. If I didn't have a 629-3 Classic already with a 6 1/2" barrel I would be interested in it myself. They are wonderful weapons to shoot and fun too. That full lug barrel really takes the bit out of full power loads. And when you touch off some hot loads made with H110 powder it gets heads turning on the range too when the fire and hear the blast.

To make the DX designation, those guns had to fire 1.5 from 50yds in the Ransom Rest.. they later loosened the standard to 2.00, and later loosened the range to 25yds. In my experience machine rests are very accurate, and able to eliminate the "human element", hence a scope would not improve that group??

But, all those guns were typically fired with 240gr Federal ammo and even a different brand or bullet weight could very likely tighten that group.

I am looking for a 29-5 Classic DX if anyone has one of those lovelys, I'd be happy to hear from you..

Now Ed, you are indeed a very bright lad, and I hope someone in Brother Eds neighborhood will invite him over to have a gander at some of your nicer Smith and Wesson's, we do not want Ed suffering from a lack of serious demonstration of the true world standard of fire-arms excellence??