629-1 5" project

[D1911]

A while back I picked up a lightly used 629-1 with an 8 3/8" barrel. I've never been a fan of the longer barrel because I didn't like the balance, but the price was right. I've always wanted a 5" 629 but I could never find one in my area (Northern California). So, I took the long boy to my local smith and had him cut the barrel to 5" and remount a blued front sight and base. Unfortunately, I forgot to ask for a front sight insert but I guess I could have that done later. His work is excellent and the gun is so much better balanced now. Of course while this was sitting at the smith's shop, I picked up another 1911 project so now I may have to let this one go to fund the other. Maybe I'll take her out and shoot a few rounds just for kicks...

 

[S&W Fan]

Wow, that came out great! Yes, you deserve to run some rounds through it before you let it go.

 

[Boxhead]

Very nice. I am a big fan of the 5" N-Frame and had a 44 Mag and 45 Colt built as such. Just perfect balance and look IMO.

 

[arjay]

I really like that.Had a 5 inch classic at one time,but the full underlug made it too nose heavy.You nailed it.

 

[Jeroenw114]

Looks very nice!
I have had the same done to my 6" 686 but than cut to 4". The 6" is to heavy for me.
I asked for a pinned front sight in a base pinned with two pins to the barrel.
The gunsmith decided different but still I am happy with the result.

 

[jack the toad]

nice looking work and I agree, the longer tubes (especially full-lugged) are unbalanced to me.

 

[D1911]

Took it out yesterday and ran 25 rounds of PMC 180 grain Magnum JHPs through it. Recoil was, uh, noticeable but the gun was very accurate. Forget about selling this one. It'll go back to the smith for some type of front sight treatment as my old eyes can't handle the black sight blade.

 

[D1911]

Looks very nice!
I have had the same done to my 6" 686 but than cut to 4". The 6" is to heavy for me.
I asked for a pinned front sight in a base pinned with two pins to the barrel.
The gunsmith decided different but still I am happy with the result.

Looks great. I asked my smith to double pin the ramp/base also. He decided that it was easier to solder the sight in place and gauranteed it would stay put. So far, so good!

 

[jack the toad]

Took it out yesterday and ran 25 rounds of PMC 180 grain Magnum JHPs through it. Recoil was, uh, noticeable but the gun was very accurate. Forget about selling this one. It'll go back to the smith for some type of front sight treatment as my old eyes can't handle the black sight blade.

Glad it's a shooter and congrats on your decision to keep it.
Just my opinion but rather than colored inserts, etc, I'd prefer gold bead front sights, but to each their own.

 

[ddixie884]

Great looking revolver, just the right length.....

 

[D1911]

Glad it's a shooter and congrats on your decision to keep it.
Just my opinion but rather than colored inserts, etc, I'd prefer gold bead front sights, but to each their own.

I'm actually considering a gold bead front sight. As I recall, my smith a had few on hand.

 

[TAROMAN]

That sight looks so much better than the screw-on variety.
A LGS had a 629 no dash that had been cut to 5".
The original sight base was re-installed perfectly (can't imagine how it was done).
But then, they milled a dovetail in it and added a Marbles front sight like you would see on a .22 rifle. Still there 2 years later, AFAIK.