629-1 Questions

[Smathersfish]

I am looking at a 629-1. Were any of them full underlug? The one I am looking at is not. Were they drilled and taped for scope mounts? Is there anything to look for as far as wear areas or recall items. I will come with box. What is the going price range for this gun. Thanks.

Moderators please move thread to appropriate section.

 

[AveragEd]

In order, the answers to your questions are not to my knowledge, no, not really and probably $700. The early -1s were found to suffer some maladies from a steady diet of really hot loads so an Endurance Package was released for them that (as I recall without checking) was included in the -2 revision. I believe -1s could be upfitted and if so, had an "E" stamped near the serial number. Or maybe it was -2s that could be upfitted and the Package was included in the -3 revision...

I have a six-inch 629-1 that I use primarily for target shooting and with those lighter loads, I have no fear of it being suspect in any way. As far as price, as you probably know, that's something that varies from day to day and from one geographic area to another. But as a possible yardstick, I paid $615 for this 629-1 about four years ago.

I know that like every older S&W revolver in nice condition, they have appreciated somewhat over the passing years so that's how I arrived at my estimated value.

Ed

 

[Shark Bait]

The endurance package started with the -2 and those that had it were marked as -2E. The -3 was the first model to fully incorporate it. The -1 was not drilled and tapped. It seems that N frames in good condition are going for $800+, typically.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

OP, don't worry too much over the lack of the Endurance Package. Sure, it's nice to have. But remember, the Model 29 was introduced in 1955, and the -2E came about sometime around 1989. So for 30 years S&W was making a .44 Magnum N-frame "the most powerful handgun in the world" and it worked just fine.

 

[Smathersfish]

Picked it up today. $700.00. I'm happy with it. Did not realize it is an 8 3/8 barrel. SN BAE2739. Can someone give me an approximate date? I am out of town and away from my SCSW. Thanks

 

[Nemo288]

The 629-1 was introduced in 1982 and was followed by the 629-2 in 1988.
BAE puts it somewhere between January and July of 1988 so that's a very late 629-1.

 

[RobO]

Not to hijack this thread, but I also have a question about a 629-1. A "classic Hunter" with a 6" full under lugged bbl, and non fluted cylinder. Anybody got information about this version?

Edit to add sn prefix is BBB.

 

[Screwball]

The 629-1 was introduced in 1982 and was followed by the 629-2 in 1988.

BAE puts it somewhere between January and July of 1988 so that's a very late 629-1.

That's funny... my 629-1 also has a BAE prefix, but is about 2000 higher than Smathersfish. Wonder what S&W revolver production was like in 1988.

Mine is also a 6"

 

[Nemo288]

SCSW (Supica et al) admit the serial number vs. year/month data base is a little sketchy in areas.
Some interpolation is required in parts leaving questions about some of the unknown details such as you bring up.
Hopefully the new edition being worked on as we speak will have more, better, data.

Here's my 629-1 with the factory target grips:

 

[Screwball]

I hear you.

Firearm production always interested me, especially ones coming from a company the size of S&W.

Now, they stamp the date on the side of the box. Not as fun to figure out. [emoji6]

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Firearm production always interested me...

There's a government agency (BATF?) that tracks all the firearms manufactures. Publishes a big long report every year with details like, number sold, caliber, rifle/pistol/shotgun, semi or revolver.

General stuff like that. Not specific model numbers. But enough to learn a lot, if you extrapolate, especially if you already have a good idea of the company's product mix.

I suspect these reports go back many decades (like to the 1968 Gun Control Act). Perhaps you could find them archived online somewhere.

 

[AveragEd]

I was told by an S&W employee that they stamp the serial numbers into frames when they are made but then don't use them in sequential order so you can't do much more than estimate production dates using serial numbers as some frames sat in inventory for long periods of time before being pulled for production. Today, with cost controls being what they are, that probably doesn't happen nearly as much as they don't make that many frames in advance of production.

Ed

 

[Retired LTC USAR]

Not to hijack this thread, but I also have a question about a 629-1. A "classic Hunter" with a 6" full under lugged bbl, and non fluted cylinder. Anybody got information about this version?

Edit to add sn prefix is BBB.

I believe that is a 629-2.

I have one of those.

 

[Beachblaster]

I can answer one question the OP asked. I have never seen a 629-1 that was factory drilled and tapped for a scope. My 629-1 has an 8-3/8'' barrel and has factory broaching to allow for scope rings. These were made by Millet and came with the gun when it was new. Of course my are long gone and I have not found anything that will fit so far. My 629 also has combat grips, but again I have no idea whether they are original to the gun. It is a terrific gun to shoot.

 

[smithman]

Not to hijack this thread, but I also have a question about a 629-1. A "classic Hunter" with a 6" full under lugged bbl, and non fluted cylinder. Anybody got information about this version?

Edit to add sn prefix is BBB.

I've got one of the 629-1 Classic Hunters. What would you like to know?

 

[RobO]

I've got one of the 629-1 Classic Hunters. What would you like to know?

Well, there is one for sale locally, and I'm having difficulty finding a reasonably priced 5" 629 classic. I don't own a .44mag, and want one for hunting. How do they shoot and how is the balance? Are they more of a collector's gun? Would $700 be a good price, box, no docs.

 

[smithman]

$700 is a good price. Mine balances okay. It is a bit nose heavy. Mine shoots very nicely. I think it is one of my better shooters.