629-4

[Bob A Yaga]

I'm new to the forum and trying to find info about a revolver that the widow of a co-worker friend of mine who died before his time has. I have half a dozen Smiths but they're all shooters. I know very little about the nuances of Smith revolver models and I know there are many.

The model I'm looking for info on is a model 629-4. This is my first time on this site but if i understand it correctly i can post attachments. if so I will post a pic of the box with serial # and info. Jeff (my work buddy) advised that he got this for his 18th birthday and died the day before his 50th birthday recently. I assume the gun is a little over 30 years old. I would swear he said this was a performance center gun but all P/C guns that I've seen (not many) have 'Performance Center' etched in the side. This one does not. I don't see any markings on the box that indicate this is a P/C piece but the boxes may not be marked as such. Left side of the barrel is marked 'Smith and Wesson' and '44 Magnum'. The right side of the barrel is marked '629 Classic'.

Any info / value / anecdotes that you might be able to share about this piece that I can pass along would be appreciated by me and by his widow. Thanks.

 

[grip frame]

That is a standard production 629 Classic.

The model was produced with 5", 6.5" and 8 3/8" barrels.

 

[huthike]

Serial number and special order code suggest 1997 manufacture.

 

[MikeR90S]

Good idea to remove the rubber grips (single screw on the bottom and they slide off, a little harder to get them to slide on again) and clean underneath- the rubber holds gunk and moisture. Be gentle polishing the laser marked barrel as the logos are easily thinned or removed. That model has easily changed front sights, see if there are any extras in the box. Great gun, probably the best era for S&W quality but the long full lug barrel makes it heavy.

 

[65Whelen]

The -4 if you're familiar with S&W dash system to designate design changes. Some of the changes were cost cutting, some were product quality improvements, some change were considered a step back in quality. Matter of opinion. In my opinion the -4 is arguably one of best pistols S&W put out, when looking a durabity and shootablity. for the 44 mag.

Prices, condition is king. I checked one of the online sights and they're going for $600 - $900. I looked at auctions that were completed and sold price, not asking price.
You might want to check out one of the online auction suite to get a better feel of the market.

I have a 629-4 w/5" barrel. My favorite shooter. Just added the reddot.