Classic DX ??

[Waddy]

I recently acquired a very nice Mod 629-4, 6 1/2" barrel, Ser. CBR3###. It has "Smith & Wesson" printed on the left side of the barrel with what looks like laser lettering, and "44 Magnum" on the left side of the barrel lug. It has "629 Classic DX" on the right side of the barrel in the same type lettering. It has an interchangeable front site with 4 extra sight blades. It was purchased new in July, 1997.

Would someone be kind enough to enlighten me on the significance of the "Classic DX" designation. Also, if there is a place on this forum (or elsewhere) that I should have looked, I would appreciate that information also. Thanks in advance.

 

[44wheelman]

Classic = full underlug.
DX = 2" groups at 50 yards, sorta of a pre-performance center gun if you will.

I have an 8 3/8, and it shoots like a rifle.

 

[Waddy]

Many thanks 44wheelman! That is exactly the type information I was looking for. It will darn sure shoot! Haven't tried any groups on paper yet, but it will undoubtedly outshoot me. Thanks again.

 

[snowman]

Sir,

I too have one with an 8-3/8" barrel. As mentioned the DX model is so marked because it's accuracy can be expected to be superior to the regular production models. Mine groups 1-1/2" at 50yd., and I'm sure it would print holes that touch if my old eyes cooperated. I remember taking it out for the first time and I was astounded at its accuracy.

The Classic series(not the new models) had several features, namely the full lug barrel, interchangeable front sight(5 different ones on the DX), a chamfered cylinder, and drilled and tapped top strap for use with a scope.

Others will be have additional information and/or corrections.

Regards,
Andy

 

[KLYDE]

If we were to equate the DX to automobiles.... it would be the SE (Special Edition) of that model. Not quite a Performance Center gun but a lot of extras not found on the regular offerings.
629-3

 

[handgunner356]

Beside the accuracy guarantee and the extra sights they also came with both rubber and wood grips, 6.5" and 8.375" barrel lengths.

 

[k22fan]

IMO, DX = the opposite of a Colt Python. In the Python, as compared to Colt’s less expensive Officers Model or Trooper, you got higher polish, a racy shotgun ventilated rib, and no expectation of better accuracy. In contrast, 629 DXs were standard production Classics separated from the rest only by tighter 50 yd. test groups. To help justify their approximately $250 price premium S&W threw in extra front sight blades and wood Combat Stocks. I could make the same comparison to 27s versus 28s but this is the S&Wforum and being tarred and feathered hurts.

While DXs were on the market I never heard a sales person pitch them based on accuracy. Sales people had difficulty justifying the price difference based on the extras which could be purchased separately for less. Used DXs still don’t sell for any more than standard 629 Classics plus the value of a pair of Combat Stocks.

Speaking of those stocks, anyone having information that could lead to an arrest and conviction for “harvesting” original DX Combats should make a full report to the federal bureau of most serious crimes, their neighborhood crime watch captain, or somebody.

Edit to add: Nobody else has mentioned them, but 629 Classic DXs were offered for only one year in 5".

 

[Candrews86]

Here's my 29-5, I'm not sure if it's the DX model? 6.5" barrel and on the barrel it is laser marked "classic"

 

[gkitch]

I do not think most sales people KNEW why the DX was so marked and priced at the time. When they were available, I went through all the info S&W put out on them and nothing was mentioned about accuracy...just the two sets of stocks and the extra set of front sights. I finally met a S&W rep and he let me in on the secret. I soon afterward aquired a 6.5" 29 Classic DX and mounted a 2X Leupold. Have taken many whitetails with it.

 

[k22fan]

The 29 Classic DXs were marked “DX” on the barrel the same as 629s.

 

[AveragEd]

Nobody else has mentioned them, but 629 Classic DXs were offered for only one year in 5".

Yep - 1994 as -3s. Here's mine with its 629 cousins.

Based upon what I have seen on GunBroker, DXs are bringing more than non-DXs. It may not be as much of a difference as you expect but a lot of that is because so few still have and come with all the DX goodies - target, sight inserts and extra stocks.

Ed

 

[Shuz]

Beside the accuracy guarantee and the extra sights they also came with both rubber and wood grips, 6.5" and 8.375" barrel lengths.

They also came in 5" bbl length, and mine are both 629-3's.

 

[Paul105]

I have a 6.5" Classic DX (mine is a -5 I think, it has the lock) and a 7 1/2" Performance Center Stealth Hunter -- the DX is consitantly more accurate than the PC Stealth Hunter.

I'm sure others have experienced the exact opposite however.

Paul

 

[Inspector-Callahan]

Based upon what I have seen on GunBroker, DXs are bringing more than non-DXs. It may not be as much of a difference as you expect but a lot of that is because so few still have and come with all the DX goodies - target, sight inserts and extra stocks.

Ed

Nice guns Ed! The difference in price nowadays is mostly due to their collectability. These were limited production and anything in any sort of limited run commands a premium simply based on scarcity.

Also, the DX designation means deluxe because it included "extra's" such as a factory test target, premium Morado wood grips and extra front sights. There is nothing that was done to these guns to make them any more accurate than a standard 29/629 Classic. These are often confused with performance center guns.

IC

 

[71firebird400]

I would love if the PC had an "accuracy guaranteed" model like the DX; that alone would be a major selling point to me.

 

[jaymoore]

...Also, the DX designation means deluxe because it included "extra's" such as a factory test target, premium Morado wood grips and extra front sights. There is nothing that was done to these guns to make them any more accurate than a standard 29/629 Classic....

Near as i can tell from the few I've owned is that the cylinder throats run smaller than usual for the time. 0.428"-0.429" seems about normal for these. Versus the usual 0.432"-0.433". The "Post DX" .44s have the small throats as standard. Otherwise, I haven't found any "magic" to the DX line. Easy way to ease into a product change without the potential risks to the entire run of .44 revolver offerings...Let the customers do the long term testing. And make 'em feel special whilst doing it! Fortunately it all worked out. (I just picked up a "Post DX" Classic 8 3/8" 629-6 that shoots every bit as well as my 1990s DXs. And for a lot less pocket change...)

 

[k22fan]

I believe .44 throats were reduced shortly after Thompkins PLC purchased S&W in 1988 and were fully transitioned into 629s before the first DXs were sold. Along with the endurance package and smaller forcing cones reducing .44 throats was part of Thompkins effort to repair failings revealed by 220 meter silhouette competition. More frequent machine rest testing was part of that effort. Separating out 629 Classics that produced smaller groups for sale at a premium followed.

Often members post that their non-DX 29 or 629 groups just as tight. It’s questionable whether the single 5 shot factory test group was significant. Multiple groups fired with the same ammo in one gun usually vary so maybe the 629 DXs were just lucky that their first group was small. Also trying different loads might have changed the result. DXs were at least separated out by an accuracy test which you cannot say about Pythons or 27s.

 

[CWH44300]

I believe .44 throats were reduced shortly after Thompkins PLC purchased S&W in 1988 and were fully transitioned into 629s before the first DXs were sold. Along with the endurance package and smaller forcing cones reducing .44 throats was part of Thompkins effort to repair failings revealed by 220 meter silhouette competition. More frequent machine rest testing was part of that effort. Separating out 629 Classics that produced smaller groups for sale at a premium followed.

Often members post that their non-DX 29 or 629 groups just as tight. It’s questionable whether the single 5 shot factory test group was significant. Multiple groups fired with the same ammo in one gun usually vary so maybe the 629 DXs were just lucky that their first group was small. Also trying different loads might have changed the result. DXs were at least separated out by an accuracy test which you cannot say about Pythons or 27s.

That's very interesting, I've never heard that(not doubting you at all). I was under the impression that accuracy was one of the selling points of the classic series. I have a shooters bible from the early 90's that describes the classics as having tighter tolerances and full lug barrels for enhanced accuracy. I'm quoting from memory here, so could be off on the time frame. But this makes sense because the first DX's showed up late in dash three production. Has was stated earlier, they pulled ones that shot really good during factory test firing and marked them DX after the fact. Threw in a few extras and charged a premium.

 

[jaymoore]

Could be, but I've seen some "loosey-goosey" 1990's 629s. At least the DXs I've observed had basically acceptable timing, decent endshake and cylinder "wobble". Hard to get more specific as only those revolvers that passed inspection were purchased and then possibly subjected to more rigorous dimensional inspections. The culls are numerous...no matter the time period!

ETA: One of the best fit and best shooting N-frames I have is a 625PP from 1999 (I think). Imperceptible endshake (0.001" or less), excellent crane to cylinder fit, super trigger (MIM no less!), and even cylinder gap. All that and it has the worse short timing of any modern S&W I've ever seen. Uniform at any rate. Won't lock up on a single cylinder when slow cocked. Barrel's "clocked" past 12:00.
The point being that it's hard to isolate just exactly which factors are most important to make for a precise revolver. And what, if any, measures did S&W employ besides just doing an "after the fact" accuracy test.

 

[CWH44300]

Could be, but I've seen some "loosey-goosey" 1990's 629s. At least the DXs I've observed had basically acceptable timing, decent endshake and cylinder "wobble". Hard to get more specific as only those revolvers that passed inspection were purchased and then possibly subjected to more rigorous dimensional inspections. The culls are numerous...no matter the time period!

ETA: One of the best fit and best shooting N-frames I have is a 625PP from 1999 (I think). Imperceptible endshake (0.001" or less), excellent crane to cylinder fit, super trigger (MIM no less!), and even cylinder gap. All that and it has the worse short timing of any modern S&W I've ever seen. Uniform at any rate. Won't lock up on a single cylinder when slow cocked. Barrel's "clocked" past 12:00.
The point being that it's hard to isolate just exactly which factors are most important to make for a precise revolver. And what, if any, measures did S&W employ besides just doing an "after the fact" accuracy test.

I hear you...lol
Some of the most " loosey- goosey" 629's I own in unfired- nib condition are the much bragged about dash fours. Closely followed by the threes. For a pure long range toy I'll take a dash 5 or 6, any day over all the rest. Check out the factory test target on this dash six DX.