New or old 629?

T

TonyBen

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Hello.

I turned 44 today. I've always lusted over a 629 6.5" 44 magnum since a friend of mine had one in the 80's. I'm gonna get one. Are current production 629's as good as old ones? Should I buy used? I haven't been able to keep up on the specifics of S&W revolvers and what is sought after and what is not.

If there's an FAQ on what to know about those revolvers, please direct me to it so I can read up.

I know zip about S&W revolvers. It will be my hunting or hiking sidearm.

Next year I'm getting an Ed Brown 45.

If anyone needs help on M14's or M1A's, I'm your guy. I've got an FFL and I work on/build customer M14's, so I have dealer accounts with distributors, so I can get a new 629 at dealer cost.

Tony.
 
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Ironically, I did same! Bought a 44 mag (first revolver) in my 44th year of walking this earth. Shoulda done it sooner. So much fun. Bought it for generally the same purposes too. Not really being ‘up-to-speed’ in the S&W revolver world at the time, I just figured going New was the safest bet for me so I did - 629 -6 Classic in 6 1/2”. I personally got an excellent firearm with zero issues, flaws, blemishes, etc. Couldn’t be happier with it or with my decision, but, I don’t own any old ones either. First revolver. Ignorance could potentially be bliss?? I have since fondled many, and even shot, a few of the old ones.... still don’t have any regrets or really understand what all the ‘fuss’ is about. I think many, perhaps even a majority here are going to steer you to an older model like a -4 or before. No MIM parts, no lock, pinned and recessed if you go back far enough (but also no endurance package if you go too far), etc. You’ll have to do your own research on all this stuff. There’s quite a strong vein of sentiment around saying ‘they just don’t make them like they used to’. That’s fine. May or may not be entirely accurate. May or may not be your experience or opinion. I also know there are plenty of others who, like myself, have continued to buy new production model guns and couldn’t be happier with them. Many of such members with far more shooting experience and vaster safes than myself. So, welcome, good luck, and enjoy.
 
I'd get a used M-629-3 in NRA Excellent to new condition, with six-inch barrel. The holster I prefer is a Safariland M-29 that's lined and basketwork stamped. No longer made, the El Paso Saddlery Model 2 is about identical. El Paso Saddlery – Custom Leather Holsters & More Quality is very similar, but you may prefer EPS basket stamping.

If you're new to revolvers, you may be surprised at the recoil of a .44 Magnum. Shoot milder .44 Special cartridges until you have learned the gun and don't flinch.

I think M-629-4 is the same, but they drilled the top strap for a scope mount. I don't use scopes on handguns and don't want holes there to clean.

I would not buy any current S&W handgun. Learn what to look for on older ones before buying.

Frankly, unless you live in bear country or will hunt deer or pigs, a .357 Magnum is probably a wiser all-round handgun.
 
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Funny, I just got back from the range where I was shooting my 629-6 Classic with a 6.5 inch barrel. My gun is about 5 years old. This would qualify for your "new" 629 category. I'll tell you what, I have been shooting my longer barrel 629's ( 7.5 inch and 8 3/8 inch) mostly. I hadn't shot this 6.5 inch gun in quite a while and was even thinking should I sell it. Well after shooting it today I said to my range buddy, "no way I can sell this. It is shooting way too good." I think this answers your question.

I will say that being a reloader helps enormously with my enjoyment of 44 magnum handguns. Shooting full power 44 magnum loads is too punishing for me. I load my loads in 44 magnum cases so I don't get a crud ring in my cylinder chambers to make cleaning easier. I usually load them to a level I would describe as 44 special +P. I don't think this is a commonly used term but what I mean is my loads are higher than 44 special but less than 44 magnum. For me this is fun to shoot. YMMV.
 
I noticed on Simpsons ltd website there is a used 629-6 with 6 inch barrel.
Item C37164
Looks nice!
 
Took me til age 60 (with 55 years of shooting experience) to get a 44 mag. Add me to the list of satisfied customers for the new 629. The skinny wood grips on the Classic do result in a smack from the exposed backstrap though, and I put the Hogue for the 500 mag on mine.
If you can get dealer cost, and you don't have that much experience with revolvers, there's something to be said for the factory service policy on the new ones. I like my old ones, and I like my new ones. I don't think you'll go far wrong either way.
 
I too recently (May) bought a 629-6 Deluxe Talo edition 6.5" Really like the gun although I haven't been able to get out and shoot it much. My complaint was the trigger pull was a bit heavy for my liking so a spring kit and a bit of smoothing has made a great difference. I in a past life had a gunsmithing business but what I did was not any smithing and if you are Tony B of M14 fame it's well within you capability. I did change the grips to the S&W Hogues as I didn't want to bung up the nice wood grips in the field. Some folks have been complaining about the lack of quality control coming out these days -- but mine has great timing and locks up tighter than any of my J, K or L frame Smiths--I wouldn't be reluctant to purchase another--in fact I'm toying with the idea of getting a 629 Talo with the 3" barrel. Wishing you the best in your decision.

Sorry missed the bottom of your post - identifying yourself as thee TonyBen
 
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I prefer the older models, they just look better to me. As far as shooting goes, I don't think you can go wrong either way. The recoil from the magnum loads can be tough on the hand. I'd suggest getting the longer barrel though, as it'll help with the recoil, and muzzle rise.
 
If you get an used one,try to go for a 629-3 and younger.They've got the E package(Endurance).They'll stand up better under hard use(265gr bullets and over at max speed).
Qc
 
Thanks! I've got a line on a local guy who has an older 629. I'll find out if it's a -3.

Tony.
 
MCorps0311 said:
Beautiful before and after grips change,can I have it? lol :):D;)
Click to expand...

I’d let you shoot it for sure. And see for yourself. Proof
Is in the pudding. But I think I might be missing an element of
Your humor/sarcasm.
 
A couple decades ago, I was at a gunshow, and a guy was selling a no-dash 629, 4-inch.

It looked,, literally, like it had been drug down a gravel road..
I never had owned a gun it that bad of condition,, but,, the price was CHEAP!!
($150,, IIRC)
I was taking a gunsmith evening class at a local tech school, this was my project for that year.

Well, that gun turned out stunning. I already had one identical to it, so I gave it to my brother.

When I first gave it to him, he said he did not want it,, he could shoot a rifle, or shotgun very good, but, had never been able to hit anything with a handgun.

I said try the gun, before passing judgement.
Well,, at about 25 feet,, he hit 6 large coffee cans,, out of 6 shots,,

This was pretty amazing,, to him, he had never hit anything with a handgun with any accuracy.

Each year,, he finds an excuse to come visit,,
so we can use my Dillon press to reload all the ammo he has shot during the year,

Get a used one and enjoy it,,, there is WAY less concern about the "first" scratch!! :D

Next to the bottom is my 4",,

2012-09-08105548508x800.jpg


I have never shot the bottom one,, but,
of the top three,, the 4" is the most accurate,, in my hands.
 
I concur completely with MK above regarding pre-owned guns in nice condition. And the lack of the Endurance Package is not important to me since you don't shoot all that many hot loads when hunting and sighting in for hunting. In fact, I don't even handload my hunting loads since I shoot so few of them each year. I don't think that anyone in their right mind shoots a lot of full magnum loads just for fun. I shoot 240-grain cast SWC handloads in my three 629s for target use and Hornady XTP factory loads for hunting - I bought four 20-round boxes maybe ten years ago and still have two full boxes and a partial left.

Ed
 
I have a 629-4 square butt 8 3/8" barrel. It was in a local gun store for quite a while and one day I decided to look at it. I didn't know much about smith revolvers but I was curious about it. I went home that evening and started researching a little on here and found out the square butt dash 4s were a little more uncommon and had all the endurance upgrades. Seemingly everything desirable and I knew I had to have it. Turns out it has the nicest trigger I've ever felt and outshoots all my other revolvers. It has to be the best purchase I've made.
 
Texas Star said:
I think M-629-4 is the same, but they drilled the top strap for a scope mount. I don't use scopes on handguns and don't want holes there to clean.
Click to expand...
I detest scopes on handguns, but as I get older I can see a nice tidy red dot optic sight could be very nice.
Therefore I go with the dash 4. JMHO/YMMV
 
Looks like my friend has a 629 no-dash, S/N N778XXX. He has to research the price but he's conflicted about selling it. Barrel is pinned and cylinder recessed.

I remember him saying he had one a couple of years ago and when I talked to him yesterday, he said he didn't have one. He said he had a model 29-4. He called me back today and said he had a brain fart and he indeed did have a 629.

If it's in mint condition, what would you say is a fair offering?

Tony.
 
If you want "pretty" then the older 629s seem to be tops. But I have found the newer 629s better shooters, especially at long range. Quite frankly, my 629-6s get the bulk of the usage over and beyond the supposedly superior PC 629s (including a -4) and the 629-3DX. If you don't shoot much over 25 yards then it doesn't much matter.

(I have a 629-1 6" barrel that was purchased just because it looked so good! It gets very little range time, yet I can't bring myself to swap it for something more practical....)

BTW, thanks for all you've done for the M14/M1A community! Long time fan.

And a final note: S&Ws are about as quirky and need about the same level of pre-purchase inspection as your basic M1A!
 
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