Custom 629 at Tucson gun shop

[madmikeb]

I was out for a bike ride Tuesday and hit some gun shops in Tucson. One 629 caught my eye, I didn't look at the dash number but it did have a lock. What caught my eye is that it had a 5" barrel without the full lug, it was a classic looking barrel. I had them pull it out of the case so I could look at it because I had never seen a 5" 629 without the lug. On closer inspection I could see it was custom not factory.

The barrel said .44 magnum on the left side with no roll marking on the right side. It had been bead blasted and the S&W insignia under the thumbpiece was pretty faint. The chambers were numbered and while smooth the action was not overly light, just the way I like them! It had a Hogue wood grip and overall looked like a quality build. They were asking $799, I was sorely tempted but not knowing who built it I was a little "gun shy"! It is worming it's way into my brain though.

 

[75Vette]

Were you counting on us to talk you into it or out of it? We're here for ya.

 

[M29since14]

Ha ha! Yeah, we're always here to enable.



If you're a good judge of revolvers, why worry about it? You know it's not a factory job so all that remains is whether it pleases you. The price seems fair if the work looks good. I would pay particular attention to the mounting of the front sight and the muzzle crown.

 

[madmikeb]

Ha ha! Yeah, we're always here to enable.



If you're a good judge of revolvers, why worry about it? You know it's not a factory job so all that remains is whether it pleases you. The price seems fair if the work looks good. I would pay particular attention to the mounting of the front sight and the muzzle crown.

The front sight looks factory and the .44 magnum roll mark on the left side of the barrel is centered. Which makes the fact that there is no Smith & Wesson on the right hand side a mystery!
I've got to go back to Tucson next week, if it's still there I'm going to take another closer look. May have to bring it home, it's pretty unique.

 

[Model29-26.5]

Pinned and recessed?

 

[murphydog]

Pinned and recessed?

Not with a lock. It is some variant of 629-6, perhaps a distributor special, but with the faint markings it may be modified.

 

[stansdds]

S&W's early attempt at laser markings were easy to remove with polishing, that may explain the lack of markings other than caliber on the barrel. A 5 inch standard lug barrel Model 629 for $800, if mechanically sound and within tolerances, built correctly, not shot to death, would be fast purchase for me. I might try... no, I would try to negotiate the price because I always do that, but I would not feel at all cheated at paying $800 for such a Model 629.