29 and 629 differences?

[Buckingham]

I have a 629 which I purchased from my LGS (as new, after I took it home I realized it was a demo or used. Took me over an hour to clean it up some. But that's another story).
Anyway, my question is, what are the differences between the 29 and the 629? As usual, I find the S&W website less than informative.

 

[fishwishin]

The 629's are stainless and the 29's are blue. Outside of the various dash variations I do not think there is a difference when comparing one to the other of the same vintage.

 

[MJFlores]

The 6's are stainless. Depending on the dash number, the hammer and trigger on 629's had a stainless finish to match the gun. Later variants as well as today's version all wear the same blackened MIM hammer and trigger.

 

[Buckingham]

Thanks. Am I the only one to find S&W's nomenclature confusing?

 

[eveled]

No. You aren't alone.

 

[DR505]

29's also came in nickel, so they can look like a 629 at first glance.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

...As usual, I find the S&W website less than informative.

I know the feeling. I went to Fords Motor Company's web site today. I couldn't find a darn thing on the '68 Mercury Montego I use to own.

 

[drgbike]

Yes you start out with a simple system 10-17-14-25-29- then add a 6 for stainless then all hell broke loose they must have been dyslexic public school drop outs. Confusing NAAAAAAAA.

 

[g8rb8]

As a general rule S&W revolvers that have a 3 digit serial number starting with a 6 are made from stainless steel. There is a logic to the numbering:
610 (10 mm)
617 (.22 LR - like a model 17 in stainless steel)
624 (.44 special - like a model 24 in stainless steel)
625 (.45 ACP and .45 Colt - like a model 25 in stainless steel)
627 (.357 magnum - like a model 27 in stainless steel)
629 (.44 magnum - like a model 29 in stainless steel)
There are many other examples of a three digit stainless model starting with a 6 having a carbon steel (blue or nickel) equivalent in a two digit model with the same last two numbers of the stainless version.
There are some exceptions:
Models 64, 66, and 67 are stainless versions of carbon steel models 10, 19, and 15 respectively. Go figure.

Blue and nickel revolver are made with carbon steel, a significantly different and harder material than stainless steel.

Here's an interesting link to a post from a S&W Forum member regarding stainless versus carbon steel:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/115883-engineers-take-s-w.html

 

[Buckingham]

As a general rule S&W revolvers that have a 3 digit serial number starting with a 6 are made from stainless steel. There is a logic to the numbering:
610 (10 mm)
617 (.22 LR - like a model 17 in stainless steel)
624 (.44 special - like a model 24 in stainless steel)
625 (.45 ACP and .45 Colt - like a model 25 in stainless steel)
627 (.357 magnum - like a model 27 in stainless steel)
629 (.44 magnum - like a model 29 in stainless steel)
There are many other examples of a three digit stainless model starting with a 6 having a carbon steel (blue or nickel) equivalent in a two digit model with the same last two numbers of the stainless version.
There are some exceptions:
Models 64, 66, and 67 are stainless versions of carbon steel models 10, 19, and 15 respectively. Go figure.

Blue and nickel revolver are made with carbon steel, a significantly different and harder material than stainless steel.

Here's an interesting link to a post from a S&W Forum member regarding stainless versus carbon steel:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/115883-engineers-take-s-w.html

Yet, I have a model 15-6 in nickel plate. I still find their nomenclature less than understandable.

 

[Nemo288]

Since the 629's came out quite a bit later than the 29's, their dash meanings are not the same.
Get a copy of Standard Catalog Of Smith&Wesson.
Best collection of information on such things that exists.
The authors are now collecting suggestions for a new addition elsewhere on the forum.

===
Nemo

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

I still find their nomenclature less than understandable.

Unlike all the other gun manufacturers that have such well thought out, logical, and universally intuitive naming conventions.

 

[greenmachine]

Quote: You might find a pinned barrel and recessed cylinder charge holes on a 29, but not a 629.

I beg to differ.

 

[Sixty-six]

You are a gentleman.

 

[greenmachine]

Quote: "Is the 629 pinned and recessed?"

These two are.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

... you will never again be able to buy a NIB, never-before-sold-at-retail Model 29.

I'm sure you'll be thrilled to learn the Model 29 is in current production, and they crank them out like Oscar Mayer hot dogs. It's a -10 nowadays, with all the great safety features and metallurgy modern technology can provide.

Product: Model 29 - S&W Classics - 6 1/2" - Blue

Far as I can tell, the M29 has never gone out of production completely, though there was a few years in the early 2000's when ANY blue gun was rarer than hens teeth.

 

[swpc]

629 (S.S.) frame, or "GT" or "G" depending on target frame ,or not, factory name)
29 carbon frame, or "N" or "NT", factory name. The nickel frame is a carbon frame.

 

[tjpopkin]

The 629 - no-dash was pinned and recessed.