wellthought1
Member
Would you want a 629-3 or a 629-4 given like guns? Why?
629-3 or 629-4
- Thread starter wellthought1
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I like the -4 because of the color case hardened trigger and hammer. They are flash chromed on the -3.
The sight on the -4 gun will be more easily replaced if it should be damaged or lost. Another thing to consider is the frame shape. A lot of -4 guns with standard barrels have round butt frames. Those are two of the more important considerations, in my view. I rather like the flash chromed hammer and trigger on stainless guns, but I can get along with either flavor.
I'd buy the particular gun I wanted, and for me, round butt versus square butt would be the deciding factor. If identical, I’d have a hard time deciding, but I think I’d go with the -4 (square butt) version.
I'd buy the particular gun I wanted, and for me, round butt versus square butt would be the deciding factor. If identical, I’d have a hard time deciding, but I think I’d go with the -4 (square butt) version.
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75Vette
Member
Dash 4 for me. For some of the reasons above but also because the top strap has been drilled and tapped and the cylinder throats are a tighter .429 making for a more accurate gun.
muddocktor
Member
It's easy to solve that problem. Just buy one of each and you got all bases covered.
With the 629-3 Classic series, the top strap is drilled and tapped for a rail. But like others have said, the rear sight is unique to the 629-3 and 29-5 guns. IIRC, they were the first guns to come with the rear sight having the rounded front instead of the squared off front but it is longer than the ones used in the 629-4 and 29-6 and later guns.
I think that they must have shortened the rear sight due to something I have noticed on my 629-3 Classic. The hole for the front screw that mounts the rear sight on the gun is very close to the barrel/cylinder gap and I get a very noticeable buildup of carbon deposits on the cylinder due to the hole reflecting back blast straight on the cylinder side flats. I have not noticed the same thing on the 29-6 Classic I own, which has the shorter rear sight and doesn't have the tapped hole for the rear sight right by the cylinder/barrel gap.
Good point about the cylinder exit bores! - something I overlooked. The -3 guns have 0.433” (or thereabouts) exit bores. It’s not a big problem, especially if you shoot cast and size your bullets correctly, but it’s certainly not preferred, IMO. A good reason to buy the -4.
muddocktor
Member
I checked my -3 Classic and pin gauged at .430-.4305 on all 6 holes. So not all -3 guns have oversized exit bores on the cylinder.
Dieseltech56
Member
My dash -3 gun has tight thoats. Even the new cylinder I replaced the original with is tight
75Vette
Member
I think they probably paid a little more attention the the Classic model. It was the new "Cadillac" 44 magnum from the factory, thus the new rear sight and tighter cylinder throats. My 6 1/2" dash 3 Classic was my first 44 and has an "oh so sweet' trigger.
muddocktor
Member
Yeah, mine has the same type of trigger too. Oh, sooooo sweet. I went with the gold bead patridge front sight on mine instead of the red ramp and Culina round to square conversion targets. I find that and my 5" 29 Classic are nice to shoot with the Culina's even with full bore ammo.
Muddocktor, my 6-1/2” 629-3 Classic and my standard 6” barrel 629-3 both have the larger diameter exit bores. I’ve seen -3s both ways. Don’t know for sure which is more common, but “it seems” I’ve seen more of them with the larger throats typical of the earlier .44 Magnums. Never recall anyone saying which is more common, one way or the other.
On a similar topic, I do recall when S&W changed to the smaller diameter some of the guns were really smallish - as much as 0.428”. In spite of that, I gather the guns shot OK, at least with jacketed ammunition.
grip frame
Member
My advice from what I have owned (around 20) of the 29-5/629-3 and 29-6/629-4 revolvers is to seek out the 629-3 or 29-5 in blue.
You are more likely to get a mechanically perfect (cylinder throats aside) version in the 29-5 and 629-3.
I have noticed a valid trend after owning so many of both variants (shooter/collector). The .44 mags built during the 29-5 and 629-3 runs were just put together better.
I don't know why.
I would advise to personally inspect either before purchase if possible.
On the topic of cosmetics I also prefer the flash chrome hammers and triggers on the SS revolvers to avoid rust problems. I also prefer the Square butt on the 29-5 and 629-3 standard (non classic) models.
You are more likely to get a mechanically perfect (cylinder throats aside) version in the 29-5 and 629-3.
I have noticed a valid trend after owning so many of both variants (shooter/collector). The .44 mags built during the 29-5 and 629-3 runs were just put together better.
I don't know why.
I would advise to personally inspect either before purchase if possible.
On the topic of cosmetics I also prefer the flash chrome hammers and triggers on the SS revolvers to avoid rust problems. I also prefer the Square butt on the 29-5 and 629-3 standard (non classic) models.
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Texas Star
US Veteran
I don't want my handguns drilled for a scope mount,so prefer M-629-3.
cowboy4evr
Member
I have a 629-4 , 4" half lug barrel , square butt frame . My cylinder throats are a tight .429 , checked with a pin gauge . Regards, Paul
OP
wellthought1
Member
Thanks for the replies!
Was the full endurance package implemented in the -3, with the the top strap treatment being the only engineering difference with the -4?
muddocktor
Member
I think that is the main difference but there might be a few others too. Remembering back, maybe they also changed the extractor from the old model extractor to the new model extractor too. I'm away from the house right now, so I can't check this out on my 629-3 and my 29-6 (contemporary to the 629-4). The -3 does have the full Endurance Package, including the longer cylinder stop cuts in the cylinder. Also, the -3 guns come with flash chromed hammers and triggers and the -4 guns come with the case hardened versions.
some dash 3's had the top strap drilled for scope mount. some dash 3's had all the changes for a dash 4 as far as can be seen looking at them.
can't just go by dash 3 to know what attributes it has....many changes happened and then it seemed ...oh by the way, maybe we should change the dash number.
can't just go by dash 3 to know what attributes it has....many changes happened and then it seemed ...oh by the way, maybe we should change the dash number.
