Early 629 Question

[CT Smith Fan]

I checked out a 6" NIB 629 today, S/N 774xxx, Is this the first year of general production?
S&W customer service says it dates to 1980.Can anyone give me any info, it has the .400 target trigger.
Thanks!
CT

 

[Laketime]

Serial number should date it to 1980.I believe the 629 came out in 1979

 

[CT Smith Fan]

Thanks for the info, these early 629's are getting pretty rare around here.
CT

 

[Laketime]

Not just there my friend LOL.

 

[Tom_R]

Thanks for the info, these early 629's are getting pretty rare around here.
CT

I got this one at the Newington Gun Exchange:

 

[murphydog]

The 4" is the least common of the early (pinned/erecessed) 629s and were produced for a short period of time, several months to less than a year if reports here are correct.

TomR, yours is a nice example but those mismatched stocks in the photos have to go .

 

[Doc44]

CT...Your Model 629 dates to 1980 and is a first year of production revolver. I have one in the N777000 range that was shipped in September 1980. The Model 629 was announced by S&W in December 1978 and the first article about it appeared in the March 1979 issue of Shooting Times. However, 629s did not start shipping until 1980. The Model 629 was fitted with a .400 inch smooth target trigger and a .500 inch checkered target hammer.

Bill

 

[CT Smith Fan]

Hi Tom,
You must have been at NGX a day before I was. Nice score!!!
CT

 

[CT Smith Fan]

Hi Bill,
Had a chance to check out your commentary. Excellent information, this 629 does have the .400 smooth trigger. Thanks again for the fine work.
Regards,
CT

 

[Tom_R]

Hi Tom,
You must have been at NGX a day before I was. Nice score!!!
CT

Make it a point to go there often, as they typically have a good turnover of good Smith and Wesson revolvers, and a ton of 1911s as well.