A newbie asks (629-3)

[Steve71]

Hello everybody.

I'm Steve from Germany and I'm totally new in revolvers.

Here, where I live, it's quite difficult to buy a gun in general. To buy a handgun (pistol, revolver) is even more difficult than to buy a bolt action rifle for instance.

Now I'm allowed from the authorities to get a .44 revolver. At the beginning I thought about a Taurus Raging Bull. Relatively well rated. Relatively cheap. And it's a new gun.

But. I can't look at a beautiful classic S&W and buy a Taurus then.

So I decided to buy a used 629-3 DX 6.5'' from a well known dealer some 100 miles away.

The whole process here to buy a gun and maybe to sell it, when I'm not pleased with it is rather complicated and long term. That's why my decision for the 629-3 has to 'hit'. I couldn't sell it the next day and try another one.

So here's my question. Do you have any issues against a 629-3 DX 6.5'' as my first revolver. Can you recommend it or are there any weaknesses?

The serial number begins with 'BNP'. Maybe you can tell me something about the building period.

Thank you a lot in advance!
Steve

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Welcome Steve, people a lot more knowledgeable then me will likely soon (if they don't before I hit "submit reply") add their wisdom, but for now I refer to page 307 of the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson (4th Edition). The 629-3 DX was introduced in 1991. It has a lot of nice features. I could not find BNP serial number listing (could be my eyes), but BHP would suggest 1992. The similar blued Model 29 is the sentimental favorite 44 Magnum in the US as it was made popular in the Dirty Harry movies. Gutes Gluck!

 

[Protocall_Design]

I have been shooting S&W revos in competition since 1979. I shoot a 629 with 8-3/8 barrel for Met. Sil. (IHMSA). Also have other 629s. To me they are the best .44 revolver out there in terms of looks and ergonomics. They are not as heavy and bulky as some, much better quality than most, including Taurus, and can have a better double action trigger pull than any of them. I think you will get a lot of enjoyment out of that one.

 

[bigggbbruce]

The Classic and DX have the full underlug barrel. They both were offered as better accuracy than the standard barreled offering.

The DX was top of the line in the accuracy. If the gun checks out I would not hesitate in picking one up.

I had a -4 Classic for years..

 

[75Vette]

Welcome to the forum. You'll be making a very wise decision buying the S&W over the Taurus. My first 44 mag was the 6 1/2" 629-3 Classic. No complaints from me what-so-ever. The factory was putting out exceptional firearms at that time and I wouldn't expect you to have any regrets. Good luck!!

 

[grip frame]

IMO you can't go wrong with any 629-3 let alone the desirable Classic DX model. With the 6.5" barrel it will be a good range gun as that full lug barrel dampens muzzle rise. Also plenty of sight radius for accurate shooting.

If the one you are looking at comes with original box,both grips, all five front sights and test target/papers you will have a nice shooter/collector. If it comes sans the items listed then be careful not to pay too much for it over a standard non DX 629 Classic of same vintage.

The 629-3 has the full endurance package as well as forged internals and no lock feature. The 629-4 does as well but I prefer the 629-3's for the flash chrome plated hammers and triggers that wont rust.

Also, in my experience after owning dozens of 629-3's and 629-4's in many different configurations as well as 29-5's and 29-6 revolvers I have found that the quality control was far better on the 629-3 and 29-5 revolvers.

 

[jdlii]

I don't have a -3 but, do have a -5 Model 629 Classic DX. It is my hunting companion and superbly accurate. My favorite load includes a Hornady XTP bullet.

It is also a pleasure to shoot at the range. I hope you are successfull with your purchase!

 

[Steve71]

Thank you!

I thank all of you very much for your replies!

You wrote, what I wanted to read!

Great! The 629-3 is already ordered and I'm looking forward to get it in my hands.

Thanks again.
Steve

 

[OLDSTER]

Hello from North Dakota

 

[S&WsRsweet]

I have hunted since the 1980s with my 629-1 .It doesn't have the endurance package and full lug but I don't shoot heavy loads .That revolver was sweet when I bought it lightly used from a friend but over the years it has just gotten better and better.Plus the stainless is very durable and out in the sticks for from a day to a couple of weeks that makes a difference . You will not be disappointed if the gun checks out good .mine is a long tube (8 3/8 ) if I were looking to buy now though I would probably go with the shorter barely as I have shot friends 6 1/2 half and the difference with open sights is marginal as far as accuracy goes. If you can reload there and get components I would suggest investing in a Lee hand press and dies .I use my hand press these days for most of my revolvers especially my 44 mag it has paid for itself many times over plus back when ammo got hard to find I was set as I had plenty of brass and components. Either way you will love that revolver and probably come to love the 44 mag as I have found it to be very very versatile .Make sure the gun is tight and right as they say but it is a very well made revolver and they aren't making them like that anymore so it if taken care of will hold its value and may increase in value slightly through the years.

 

[HamHands]

I don't have a -3 but, do have a -5 Model 629 Classic DX. It is my hunting companion and superbly accurate. My favorite includes the a Hornady XTP bullet.

It is also a pleasure to shoot at the range. I hope you are successfully with your purchase!

If you haven't tried Hornady's ".44Mag LeverEvolution" factory loaded ammo... then buy a box, just one box... and take it to the range with your DX next time. Even though it's advertised pitched for Lever Action Carbines... it runs really well in my M629-5 3" and just the same in a 6.5" 629-3 DX... the factory Hornady LeverEvolution, 225 grain ballistic tipped (FTX bullet) cartridge is the most accurate, predictable, clean burning, and is as perfect as humanly possible made .44Magnum load I've ever tried. And I've tried a lot of the premium factory and the nice boutique loads from Buffalo Bore, Underwood, etc! I'm trying to mimic this exact load down to the exact sizing of the case, powder grains, type, etc currently with my brother is how much I respect this factory loaded pill...

 

[wellthought1]

+1 on the Hornady ammunition. I use Hornady 240 grain JHP/XTP for everything from hunting to self defense. It pushes 1,350 fps out of a 6" barrel. Very hard hitting and VERY accurate. I might try some Hornady LeverEvolution ammo however like HamHands recommended.

 

[HamHands]

+1 on the Hornady ammunition. I use Hornady 240 grain JHP/XTP for everything from hunting to self defense. It pushes 1,350 fps out of a 6" barrel. Very hard hitting and VERY accurate. I might try some Hornady LeverEvolution ammo however like HamHands recommended.

You have to try the LeverEvolution 225 grain loads for sure! It's eye opening performance and accuracy. And the 225 grain FTX is rated for 1479fps out of a 5" barrel I believe is their claim. It's certainly Hot out of my 3" Barreled M629-5 Mountain Back Packer but far-far from unpleasant. And ohhh it hits hard! It hit the silhouette so hard that it split the Birchwood Casey 3" bullseye pasters with a 5 star pattern around each bullet hole. I'll try and dig up the pic of the very first range outing with this load in a new to me M29-3 with a 3" barrel at about 20 yards...

I only wished Hornady made a 225 grain FTX heater in .44Special!

I found the pic... notice the star patterns. No other handgun silhouette holes have ever done that before. And no... the hole pops above my silhouette/target in the cardboard hanger are NOT mine I assure you before anyone comments!

 

[Texas Star]

Why did you choose a hard kicking, big, heavy revolver for your first?
Also, doesn't .44 Magnum ammunition cost a lot more there than .38 Special or .357 Magnum?

If you can hunt wild game animals with a handgun in Germany, the choice makes more sense. But I doubt that's legal. ??

I think the Manurhin MR-73 .357 with 5.25 inch barrel, the S&W M-686, or Ruger GP-100 would probably be a wiser choice. But I think that if you don't mind the weight, the recoil, and cost of ammo, it's a good gun.

Congratulations on your excellent English, BTW. I hope that you'll tell us how you like the gun after shooting it. And post pictures!

 

[Tom S.]

Steve, congratulations on navigating the complicated gun laws of Germany to procure an excellent firearm. Now that you picked our collective brains, you owe us pictures and a range report after you take possession of your 629.

Should you ever find yourself on this side of the Atlantic, you could no doubt find many of us who would be willing to let you shoot, fondle and ogle a cornucopia of firearms to make your next purchase even more confusing!

 

[Steve71]

Why did you choose a hard kicking, big, heavy revolver for your first?
Also, doesn't .44 Magnum ammunition cost a lot more there than .38 Special or .357 Magnum?

If you can hunt wild game animals with a handgun in Germany, the choice makes more sense. But I doubt that's legal. ??

I think the Manurhin MR-73 .357 with 5.25 inch barrel, the S&W M-686, or Ruger GP-100 would probably be a wiser choice. But I think that if you don't mind the weight, the recoil, and cost of ammo, it's a good gun.

Congratulations on your excellent English, BTW. I hope that you'll tell us how you like the gun after shooting it. And post pictures!

Dear Texas Star.
To get a permission to go hunting in Germany is very, very difficult as well. It's a hard education with a lot of legal provisions. Well, I have the permission. As you mentioned, yes. It's not allowed in Germany to hunt with handguns.

I decided for a .44 because I wanted the 'real stuff'. Don't get my joking wrong, please.

.357 is a really nice cartridge! I shot a 686 and was very pleased. But when you are mostly a 'pistol guy' like me and you can have only one revolver, then for me, it has to be a S&W in that great caliber.

Yes. The cost, the costs. Hope to reload soon.

Thanks a lot for praising my English. I'm glad that it's fair enough for nice conversations like these!

 

[Steve71]

What a beauty!

 

[Steve71]

If the one you are looking at comes with original box,both grips, all five front sights and test target/papers you will have a nice shooter/collector. If it comes sans the items listed then be careful not to pay too much for it over a standard non DX 629 Classic of same vintage.

You're right. But we really haven't the kind of market here where you can pick this way. I wanted to buy an older one. Not only because of the money. I read about the key lock in the latest models and I don't want to go this way. As pistols I shoot Glocks - you know...

And if you come across a good one for a reasonable price, you should pick it up and dont' mind the box.

 

[Steve71]

Steve, congratulations on navigating the complicated gun laws of Germany to procure an excellent firearm. Now that you picked our collective brains, you owe us pictures and a range report after you take possession of your 629.

Should you ever find yourself on this side of the Atlantic, you could no doubt find many of us who would be willing to let you shoot, fondle and ogle a cornucopia of firearms to make your next purchase even more confusing!

Thank you, Tom!
Thank you!

I know, that I'm in your debt!

It'll take approx. 2 weeks to get the 629 home and maybe one day longer to post the pics.

 

[Steve71]

If you can reload there and get components I would suggest investing in a Lee hand press and dies .I use my hand press these days for most of my revolvers especially my 44 mag it has paid for itself many times over plus back when ammo got hard to find I was set as I had plenty of brass and components.

Yeah. You're right.
In the near future I might be allowed to reload. I already have the education-certificate. Now I need the permission.

I mostly shoot Geco-Ammunition. If I buy larger amounts, a shot of .44 will cost approx. 50 cents. The Geco-Brass is highly recommended here. So I will buy some boxes, collect the brass and reload.