629 confusion and price check

[dcxplant]

Hi folks, I've been on the hunt for a 629 to carry as four-legged pest management while camping in the AZ high country.

I saw one yesterday at a LGS that has MOD-629 stamped inside the crane on the frame.

The barrel is NOT pinned, but the cyclinders ARE recessed....I though no-dash guns would have both??

It has non-factory grips, no box or papers, and looks pretty dirty and well-fired, but I'm looking for a shooter not a collection piece.

Any help with the confusion and a price check would be greatly appreciated, thanks very much,
E

 

[dlbx2]

A no dash without a pinned barrel, 99% sure that it is a transition gun. A period in S&W history when a gun is changing, and some of the old style parts are used on the new gun. I have owned one. I kind of like the recessed cylinder as it encloses all but the primer side of the cartridge base. Also, there is slightly less space between the cylinder and recoil shield. I am not one to give price advice on guns with considerable use. If timing and lock up is good, and not too much forcing cone cutting, and if you can get a decent price, it will probably give you years of service. I am sure that one of the more learned experts on this buffet of knowledge, which has no peers by the way, will surely add to my limited answer. One thing for sure, you are asking in the best venue on the web! DLB

 

[Dennis The B]

It could be a transitional gun. There are guns from the era that can have pinned barrels, no recessed cylinders, and those with no pinned barrels and recessed cylinders. That could very well be the case here.

What's the asking price for the revolver?

 

[dcxplant]

$750

Are "transitional guns" collector's items? Because I want a carry-gun/shooter not a safe queen. The 629 I get will be shot regular, probably sent in for magna porting, and carried in all weather.

 

[Cpo1944]

$750 for the condition might be a bit high .I have gotten them in the last year for as little as $550 for a nice one, also you should reconsider magnaporting, it really does very little/if anything at all to ease recoil and greatly adds to the noise and is hard to clean.
What barrel length ?

 

[dcxplant]

4" barrel which is what I prefer.

I have an M29 with 6" barrel (bought last year new) that I am sick of lugging around. It sits in the safe and will be sold to fund a 4" 629.

Besides the 4" barrel I really prefer the recessed cylinders as well, pinned barrel I could take or leave, I like the looks of the recessed cylinders...the big gap bothers me for some reason on newer pistols and I bought my M29 before I knew the difference. Ready, fire, aim..... lesson learned.

Thanks for Magna Port feedback. I've heard that as well, but also that it does work... I'll have to find one to shoot.

 

[Kansasgunner]

I would agree with jack oconnor about Magnaporting. Very noisy and IMHO not much recoil reduction on the 4" barrel guns I have owned. Do try to find one to shoot before you spend the money.
As to the 4" 629 you will like it. I have a 629-3 Mountain Gun that I carry and shoot regularly.

 

[Sawfish]

The main purpose of Magnaporting is to reduce muzzle flip, which it does quite well. You do get some recoil reduction and noise from the process. You will get more recoil reduction and a lot more noise with a brake. I like Magnaporting on the guns that I shoot primarily with cast bullets, as I feel the porting design is more suited to lead slingers. Most of my big revolvers have been Magnaported.

 

[fyimo]

Transition guns do not get a preimum over one with both features because almost all buyers want those features on a no dash so in my opinion they have no added collector value and to me the are worth less than one that is P&R. As far as value if it's a 4 inch $750 is a very good price for a no dash 4 inch 629. Others will have to tell you how much the magna port hurts the value as I don't own any S&W revolvers that have that feature whether factory or added later.

A 4 inch 629 no dash is a fairly rare revolver and ones in good condition sell for well north of 1K. I know because I just sold one in excellent condition for $1275.

 

[k22fan]

It looks like you're getting all of the features you want at far less than you'd have to pay for a 4" P&R 629. The only reason to hold out would be to buy one that's already Magna Ported. That might not cost all that much more because Magna Porting would deflate a P&R 629's collector value, but it could be a very long hunt for one. Bearing in mind I don't like any kind of porting I'd buy the bird in the hand.

 

[dcxplant]

Great responses!

@flimo, thanks that is great info! Will the buyer of that rare 629 of yours shoot it or store it?

It seems I could get the most important feature to me (recessed cylinder) at a less expensive price without having to worry about shooting or putting wear on a a rare gun.

 

[snake803]

I would agree with jack oconnor about Magnaporting. Very noisy and IMHO not much recoil reduction on the 4" barrel guns I have owned. Do try to find one to shoot before you spend the money.
As to the 4" 629 you will like it. I have a 629-3 Mountain Gun that I carry and shoot regularly.

Lots of muzzle flash at night..Makes subsequent shot aiming a little difficult....JMHO..
JIM.............................

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Did not know a 629 like that existed! Yes I would try to buy it! I have several including a pinned recessed 6 inch. But a no pin recess cylinder model is a new one on me.

 

[fyimo]

Great responses!

@flimo, thanks that is great info! Will the buyer of that rare 629 of yours shoot it or store it?

It seems I could get the most important feature to me (recessed cylinder) at a less expensive price without having to worry about shooting or putting wear on a a rare gun.

I don't know the buyer who bought it because it sold it on GB but I would tend to think he wouldn't like I didn't because I'm pretty sure it was only fired at the factory and didn't even have a faint turn line.

 

[jcelect]

Transistion gun?

One thing you did not mention is the serial number! A transition model 629 would probably have a serial number that starts "Nxxxxxx". The 4" & 8 3/8" mod 629s were made about 1 year before they switched to the -1 and the "ABCxxxx" numbering system. These early guns have some collector interest which the prices reflect as stated by fyimo. If you are looking for a carry piece, try the mountain guns series, 4" tapered barrel. They will be a little lighter but the recoil will be a little harder, it all depends on the load you are shooting!
jcelect SWCA#LM723