1st Revolver on order - Model 629

[luckybaer]

All,

After doing a lot of research, I settled on a Model 629 (SKU 163636) with 5" barrel and satin stainless steel finish. I'm really excited, as this is my first revolver. However, with it being my first, I also have some nervousness.

First, is there anything specific I should look for on the handgun prior to completing my purchase? I am very comfortable looking for issues with AR-type weapons and semi-auto handguns, but I am a complete n00b with revolvers.

Second, are there any tips you can provide related to cleaning and/or maintenance?

Third, is there a "break-in" period? I'll only be firing commercially available rounds, if that makes a difference.

I can't wait to get it. Thanks for helping a n00b out.

 

[M3Stuart]

Let me be the first to say; WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!!

You've come to the right place.

There are several (tons actually) of threads about inspecting for a canted barrel on a new S&W. I suggest reading those.

Caveat: don't read too many. Take them with a grain of salt if you believe that vocal complainers will typically outnumber silent happy people. But if it's a new gun, do be aware and inspect carefully.

Again, Welcome to the Forum!

 

[luckybaer]

Dealer just e-mailed to inform me that the 629 has arrived. I will pick it up tomorrow morning. Yee-hah!

 

[CWH44300]

Good for you, the 629's are great handguns and the 5" is a well balanced rig, like what was said before, look it over good before you take it home and I'm sure it'll be fine and should make you a great shooter for years to come.

 

[luckybaer]

What comes in the box with a new S&W 629 Classic?

 

[Rocket3]

Dealer just e-mailed to inform me that the 629 has arrived. I will pick it up tomorrow morning. Yee-hah!

No sleeping for you tonight LB

 

[luckybaer]

Inside the box (blue plastic, semi-useful, better than the ones my Beretta PX4 and my Ruger SR9c came in, slightly inferior to the one my FNX-9 came in):

- Model 629 Classic (duh)
- Instruction manual
- NRA Membership stuff (already a member)
- Red Lock (need to learn how to do this for a revolver...)
- 2 Keys for the trigger lock (that I'll most likely never use)
- Shell casing with signature verification and other info
- Registration card (registered online)

Saw a Model 686 w/6" barrel start crying when his big brother was leaving the store. I may need to go back tomorrow and adopt him. I sure would hate to break up the family.

 

[luckybaer]

Took the 629 to the range today a few short hours after purchase. Only had a chance to fire 50 rounds, but I have to say... I love shooting this thing more than any of my semi-automatic 9mm handguns.

I am waaaaaay more consistent with this beast of a revolver than I am with my semis. Now, I can probably put 6 rounds from a semi into a target faster than I could put 6 rounds of .44 mag from this baby into a target, but my initial groupings today were better than my early groupings of my semis, and on par if not better than how I shoot my semis today.

I used to wonder why revolvers still remained popular these days with LE and military toting semis almost exclusively (at least that's the way it looks). Now I TOTALLY understand why. The revolver experience is quite different from the semi experience (which I love, too).

I let my 14-year old fire a few rounds, and after the first shot, he realized it wasn't going to kick back and hit him in the head. He got this huge grin on his face.

As we updated our shooting log (date, shooter, firearm, ammo used, range location, notes of any failures, etc.) my son said, "I don't think we will need to worry about failures to eject or failures to feed. This thing is the boss!"

 

[luckybaer]

I loved the Model 629 so much that I picked up a Model 686 Plus w/6" barrel a few weeks ago. Since it isn't truly "real" until a photo is posted in a forum, here's a few shots of the two big fellas in our safe.


Smith & Wesson Model 629 CLASSIC


Smith & Wesson Model 686 PLUS


Smith & Wesson Model 629 Classic


Smith & Wesson Model 686 Plus


Smith & Wesson Model 629 Classic

I am very, VERY happy with both purchases. Each works like a charm and each is so very accurate. The .44 magnum isn't a horrible beast like some would like you to believe. Does it kick? Sure, but it isn't like it will go flying out of one's hand - provided it is gripped properly. The .357 doesn't kick much at all (especially w/ .38 special, lol), but it does make a distinctive noise when that .357 round is fired.

These handguns look great, but they are definitely weapons of destruction. Reliable, smooth, accurate, easy to maintain, etc. All that is left is the possibility of replacing the front sight with something a bit easier for my aging eyes to pick up (saw a gold bead the other day, and thought it was pretty cool).

 

[dhtwalden]

'629 Classic' on the barrel. Any idea on the connotation? Has the five inch been around awhile? Possibly more desirable?

 

[Kilibreaux]

The ONLY thing worth "looking for" is to chronograph your loads and compare them with what other M29 owners are getting with similar loads.

I think S&W has a problem with barrel-cylinder gaps. Going WAY back S&W revolvers tend to have excessive BC gaps and this will matter with a 4" revolver.

I have a 4" M500 and an 6.5" M500 and the 4" (which is really 3" of rifled tube) shoots on average 100 fps FASTER than the barrel that is 3.5" longer!

If your numbers look right then don't worry about it.