629-3 questions

[automan71]

I picked up a super nice 629-3 Classic DX with 6.5" barrel for a very reasonable price.

Were these pre-MIM parts? What years were the -3 made?

I also read these came with wood and rubber grips. Any idea what the wood grips would have looked like? The grips on it look to be Hogue laminate, which are pretty nice, but I wouldn't mind having some originals for it...if the price on the originals aren't in the stratosphere. Lol

Any info is much appreciated! Thanks

 

[bigggbbruce]

I would think it came with Hogue Rubber. If you want wood N frame Targets.

 

[AveragEd]

629 DXs came with a Hogue MonoGrip and a set of wood combat stocks. They also came with interchangeable front sight blades (five, I think) and one barrel length came with a test target (6.5"?).

I have a 5" 629-3 Classic DX, a variant that was only offered for one year in the mid-1990s. I bought mine as the gun alone in like-new condition for $800 about ten years ago. They are very nice-shooting guns and can only increase in value as time passes.

Ed

 

[Nightowl]

I bought mine in 1992. The gun came with both rubber Hogue and a squared type of combat grip. It is pretty much horrible to shoot with, but looks fairly nice.

Unless you just want a set to be original, I wouldn't waste the $200-350 bucks for a set.

PS: There is a nice looking set that look more rounded and better finished than mine for sale here in the Classified section for $240 if you are interested.

 

[75Vette]

What you're looking for are called flatside combats. They replaced the older rounded style combats. Here's a set on my 629-3 5" Classic.

 

[grip frame]

All 29 DX and 629 DX models came with test targets regardless of the barrel length. FYI.

I don't know where the rumor came from that only certain barrel lengths came with test targets but I keep seeing it mentioned.

The -3 variant of the 629 Classic Dx would have come with a set of the flat sided wood combat grips shown above and a set of Hogue square butt conversion finger groove rubber grips with the silver S&W emblems (also getting scarce).

629-3 models and their 29-5 counterparts were made from 1990 to around 1994 ( not sure on exact ending date) or so.

They are indeed pre MIM and have the full endurance package. IMO the best 29's and 629's ever produced.

 

[625smith]

Here is what your DX would have shipped with



Here is everything including the box & test target

 

[jay72]

I bought a new old stock 629-4 Classic DX, 6 1/2 inch barrel still in its box with all the goodies that it came with. These are very cool revolvers that (at least up to the 629-4 and 29-5) had to shoot 1 1/2 inch groups at 50 yards! I believe they are the only firearms in Smith and Wesson's history that had to pass that kind of accuracy. You will hear people say that the non DX's can do the same, it was all marketing, yada yada yada, but the bottom line is the DX's could and did perform. They have a cult like following.

 

[grip frame]

Early DX's were tested at 50 yards and had to stay under 2".

Later ones were tested at 25 yards and had to stay under 1.5".

So it appears the early ones were held to a higher standard.

 

[grip frame]

Here is a picture of a 629-5 Classic DX, notice the 25 yard test target and the flat sided combats with no medallions. The last combat grips made did not have the medallions.

Just some DX info for ya all.

Most 629-4 DX revolvers were tested at 25 yards also.

 

[jay72]

My 629-4 DX was tested at 50 yards

 

[jdlii]

My 629-5 Classic DX was an orphan from a Shot Show many years ago. A LGS had an agreement with S&W to buy all of the floor samples and this was one of them.

I traded a well used and worn Browning Citori 20 gauge and two portraits of Ben Franklin for this one and never regretted that deal. It came with the box, sight inserts, no targets and no wooden combat grips but, I didn't care.

This one is has taken one 5 point buck and is a companion on many deer hunts, carried in a Bianchi shoulder holster. The accuracy is very impressive and it is a wonderful example of S&W craftsmanship of that era.

If you can acquire one at a decent price, you will never be disappointed.