629 no lock vs. current

gnappi

gnappi

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I have an opportunity to buy a no lock square butt but at nearly twice the cost of a current model I have to wonder if I should just get one with a lock?

Egads, for all I know S&W would 86 the lock in revolvers the day after I bought lock model :-)


So, lock? No lock?
 
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It depends if you're ok with the lock. Many, me included, would pay the extra for one sans lock. Don't worry, the lock isn't going anywhere. In addition to the lock, many folks don't care for the two-piece barrel found on many current production guns.
 
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CH4 said:
It depends if you're ok with the lock. Many, me included, would pay the extra for one sans lock. Don't worry, the lock isn't going anywhere. In addition to the lock, may folks don't care for the two-piece barrel found on many current production guns.
Click to expand...

Isn't it odd that guns 20 or more years old without a "feature" are selling USED for TWICE (sometimes more) the cost of a new model and S&W STILL clings to the advice of their legal team and political correctness?

Sheesh! Thanks for your comment and I agree.
 
Aesthetically, I personally like the looks of the older guns without the lock or two piece barrels. That being said, the only two Smiths left in my stable are newer guns. Deleted the locks on both revolvers, easy to do and gives me piece of mind. My 69 with a two piece barrel is very accurate and in a frame size I've always loved (L).
 
well, it all depends...

What dash number is the used 629 you are looking at?
what is your purpose with the 629?
If you are looking for a shooter, you will want one with the endurance package. that would be 629-2E and up.
if you are looking more for a safe queen/collectable, get a pre-lock
The current "lock" 629's are fantastic shooters. I have one with a round count of 9,200.

If you want the best of both worlds, most of us consider the 629-4 to be the epitome of the .44 world. all endurance package features and no lock, forged parts and hammer nose firing pin.
 
gnappi said:
Isn't it odd that guns 20 or more years old without a "feature" are selling USED for TWICE (sometimes more) the cost of a new model and S&W STILL clings to the advice of their legal team and political correctness?

Sheesh! Thanks for your comment and I agree.
Click to expand...

The S&W marketing guy at the SWCA symposium, mentioned that there is some lobbying in house to eliminate the lock. Not sure when or if ever.
 
raljr1 said:
The S&W marketing guy at the SWCA symposium, mentioned that there is some lobbying in house to eliminate the lock. Not sure when or if ever.
Click to expand...

Hey, it's S&W's bottom line not mine :-) I think they'd do themselves a favor but who am I to say? I worked for a 67 BILLION dollar per year company and if something like this came up I thing the person suggesting it would be censured :-0

Anyway, it is a -4.
 
I owned a 638 w/the lock many years ago, it shot great and the lock was never a problem. It was eventually traded b/c the lock was so ugly.
 
gnappi said:
Isn't it odd that guns 20 or more years old without a "feature" are selling USED for TWICE (sometimes more) the cost of a new model and S&W STILL clings to the advice of their legal team and political correctness?

Sheesh! Thanks for your comment and I agree.
Click to expand...


Conversely, although sometimes the old guns are going for twice as much as the new ones, especially the rare and desirable models, e.g., the 610s, most of the time the older guns are priced similarly or less than the new guns. Some of us grab the old, while others prefer to spend more on the new.
 
A 629-4, unless it's some really rare variation, shouldn't cost twice as much as a brand new one. This isn't pointing at quality or lack of an IL --- there are lots of nice -4s out there for $1200 or less. Most basic new 629-6s seem to go for just north of $1k.
 
hkcavalier said:
A 629-4, unless it's some really rare variation, shouldn't cost twice as much as a brand new one. This isn't pointing at quality or lack of an IL --- there are lots of nice -4s out there for $1200 or less. Most basic new 629-6s seem to go for just north of $1k.
Click to expand...

The only -4s I've seen in that range are the ANIB -4 Mountain Guns with box and goodies.
 
I'll echo a bit of daveyc's comments. MSRP for a new 629 is $1079 according to the S&W web site. Which used 629 are you looking at that costs twice that much? Even if the new price is discounted to $900 or so there aren't many used 629s that can command an $1800 price. The most desirable and most expensive and hardest to find is probably a 4 inch P&R 629 and I'm yet to see one sell for $1800+. Should be plenty of non-IL used 629s in the $1000-$1200 range.

If you want one to shoot, the 629-6s are hard to beat. My 3 inch has perhaps the best DA trigger of any of my S&Ws and the IL doesn't bother me at all. Good luck.

Jeff
 
Like has been said before, it seems the used one is priced quite high. In my LGS there is a 629 no dash, engraved 8 3/8" with a presentation box and tools. The advertised price? $2,000.Slightly less than double what I paid for my 629-6 5" Classic brand new. Shop around, don't let yourself get locked into one deal. There are a lot of 629s out there. Get the one you want at the best price.
As far as the lock goes, I have no problem with it. Is it unattractive? Yes. Does it hinder function? No. But that's JMHO. The thing is, you can get a lock delete kit fairly cheap. Definitely less than the purchase price of the gun. It's your money and your decision, but if money is the most important factor, shop around, find a used one at a better price and then decide whether the lock is an issue.
 
lihpster said:
Like has been said before, it seems the used one is priced quite high. In my LGS there is a 629 no dash, engraved 8 3/8" with a presentation box and tools. The advertised price? $2,000.Slightly less than double what I paid for my 629-6 5" Classic brand new. Shop around, don't let yourself get locked into one deal. There are a lot of 629s out there. Get the one you want at the best price.
As far as the lock goes, I have no problem with it. Is it unattractive? Yes. Does it hinder function? No. But that's JMHO. The thing is, you can get a lock delete kit fairly cheap. Definitely less than the purchase price of the gun. It's your money and your decision, but if money is the most important factor, shop around, find a used one at a better price and then decide whether the lock is an issue.
Click to expand...

The new 629s shoot well and should hold up to full powered loads better than the early models.

I don't like the lock either but the new 629s have some advantages as far as "working" guns go.
 
I think the 2 piece barrel is more off putting than the lock. You can plug hole and it’s hardly noticeable. But more importantly the hole is a reminder of S&W caving in.
 
Bald1 said:
I think the 2 piece barrel is more off putting than the lock. You can plug hole and it’s hardly noticeable. But more importantly the hole is a reminder of S&W caving in.
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Looking at the Mothership's site, I don't see any 629's with 2 piece barrels currently being offered. Except for maybe the 2 Performance Center offerings.
 
I had a Performance Center 629 with an early sleeved barrel. The thing shot like a rifle. It was a very accurate revolver.

A two piece barrel is not intrinsically bad.

More bothersome to me are the canted barrels and other signs of haphazard assembly and QA.

A hand injury caused me to walk away from the 44mag for a few years but if I wanted a 44mag today to use as a woods gun in the Rockies or for hunting, I'd probably buy a new one but check it out throughly first.
 
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