629-3 Hunter new to the collection :)

[YouveHadYour6]

Just got home with this one I very happily traded into - a 629-3 that looks to be the Hunter edition with *correct grips and unfluted cylinder; the previous owner admitted they installed the front fiber optic for long-range but as a revolver I intend to use often while not perfectly done, it's not an issue that 'ruins' the gun for me, at least.

After a cleaning this evening I'm hoping to take it out one afternoon this week, but the balance and sight picture is beautiful with a spotless bore. Functionality w/snap caps seems perfect.

No lock, no MIM, just six inches of full underlug .44 mag stainless steel goodness.

Any info or opinions from those more versed in these is appreciated! S/N: BFA89xx

*Edit: To note; I know some disagree on the Hogues that lack the S&W emblem but having seen several posted as original here and on other forums, as well as one as-NIB version not long ago in-person, I do believe the previous owner's statement these are original to the gun - note the proper cut-out for the S&W logo on the left side frame.

 

[series guy]

Very nice. I see years of shooting pleasure in your future.

 

[M29since14]

I kind of doubt the grips are OE, but really, it wouldn't matter to me because I would be putting on whatever grips I like, and the Hogues shown are definitely not my cup of tea. The cutout you refer to appears to be "standard Hogue," to me, but again - picking nits.

It's a great revolver and looks to be in very nice condition. Congratulations on your new .44 Magnum.

 

[Nightowl]

Smith put a variety of stocks on their guns after they quit making their own wood stocks. However, I checked my two 629-3s, and they both had Hogue stocks with the speed loader cut out on both sides and silver medallions. I put Hogue rubber stocks on all my shooting guns and have for as long as they have been making them. My hands are less than average and the rubber Hogues fit best, although I have tried many other grips. When you are shooting your gun, use whatever works best for you!

 

[RT44nut]

Great looking revolver. Congratulations! I have a 29-3 with the nonfluted cylinder, 6" barrel, and silhouette sights that came with the same grips as yours. Patiently waiting on a 629-1 with a 3" barrel to arrive that says out for delivery. Not really patient!

 

[RoyM52]

I walked into the store back in 1990 and bought a new 629-3 with an un-fluted cylinder and a 6 inch barrel. Square butt and not drilled and tapped. It had the non-medallion Hogue grips.

This gun is all original.

 

[YouveHadYour6]

I walked into the store back in 1990 and bought a new 629-3 with an un-fluted cylinder and a 6 inch barrel. Square butt and not drilled and tapped. It had the non-medallion Hogue grips.

This gun is all original.

Thanks very kindly for the pic! I'm reasonably certain the stocks are correct on this one. After all, the previous (supposedly original) owner admitted the sight change and losing the box so I can't think why they'd want to 'save face' there.

I may get some Altamonts or such down the line, but find the Hogues to balance the weight out fairly well.

 

[AveragEd]

The use of non-S&W-marked Hogue MonoGrips on certain models, the Classic Hunters being one of them, was a real problem for me several years ago. I have both 629-3 and 686-3 Classic Hunters; both box labels show "TS" for the stock type which translates to Checkered Target stock per the SCoSW. I also could not believe that S&W would use a grip the obscured their logo, which those standard Hogues do on some guns.

But I was proven wrong by many members of this Forum strictly due to the number of persons stating that those guns came that way; no one, even S&W customer service, could provide a reason for their use. The only reason I have been able to come up with on my own is that I have never seen (I'm ducking as I type this) an S&W-branded Hogue MonoGrip for square-butt guns. Round-butt, yes, and I have a few of those with and without silver S&W logos. But no square-butts.

Just one of those S&W abnormalities I guess...

And here's another. Why would they use a black ramp front sight on a model designated "Classic Hunter?" Wouldn't a red ramp be more advantageous for a hunting revolver? That's another question that has gone unanswered by S&W customer service because, I suppose, none of the folks working there these days were around when those guns were manufactured 30-odd years ago.

Ed

 

[Rich Richardson]

Nice feature of the Classic is the front sight comes right out to change.

 

[grip frame]

The standard Hogue monogrip for square butt N frames did come standard on the 629 Classic Hunter.

The Classic Hunter was unique among the full lug .44 magnums as having a square butt. Also Unique was the six inch barrel length and as stated the non fluted cylinder and black ramp front sight. It also has the older style square front rear sight assembly and was not drilled and tapped for scope mounting.

During this time period (629-3, 29-5) Hogue was making the silver medallion round to square conversion with double speed loader cuts. On later revolvers (629-4, 29-5) the grips lost the silver medallions and the Smith Wesson emblem was molded in.

There is a very rare Hogue square butt monogrip that Smith Wesson used on non full lug/standard 629-4 and 29-6 models with square butts that did have the speed loader cut out on both sides. Also with molded in Smith Wesson emblems. I have picked up a few over the years. Have one left.

 

[grip frame]

Nice feature of the Classic is the front sight comes right out to change.

Classic series yes but not the Classic Hunter as they are pinned in.

 

[YouveHadYour6]

Classic series yes but not the Classic Hunter as they are pinned in.

Excellent point - that's where the original owner dinged mine - but I can live with that much of an 'issue'.