Fixed sight, 4" model 29

[drpete826]

Now that the factory is making a fixed sight "N" frame in the Texas Ranger commemorative, why not use the same frame to make a 4" 44 mag? With all the interest in "bear protection" guns, I think they would sell more than a few. I ran the idea by Davidsons at the last SHOT Show and got blank stares. No one there had enough product knowledge to even debate the topic.
Do I remember that S&W made such gun , supposedly for issue to the "tunnel rats" in Vietnam?

 

[Bullet Bob]

I saw a commercial 3" 629 with fixed sights around the turn of the century. In fact one of my earliest posts on this forum was why would anyone want one. Shows you how much I know.

 

[prescobd]

So, basically a Model 58 in .44 Magnum!

 

[WCCPHD]

There were a small number of 3 (or so) inch revolvers built on Model 58 frames. If I remember correctly there was some controversy surrounding these guns. I believe a member here has at least one of them.

S&W has build several "runs" of fixed sight 629's for various distributors over the years.

This one was built for Lew Horton and there were 495 made. It is a 3 inch barrel with an integral compensator. It was called the "Carry Comp" and also the "Mag Comp." (The Hogue grips are not "factory.")



S&W did two runs for Camfour Distributors. The first a 629-5 and the second a 629-6. If memory serves there were 300 in each run. They are 2.5 inch full underlug. (They were originally shipped with "rubber" grips)

 

[drpete826]

Thank you Sir! I wonder if the current emphasis on bear protection would motivate a current distributor to resurrect that 3” 629? I’d prefer a 4” with fixed sights for every day ranch carry ( I have two model 58s, but the snake shot choices are limited) but the shorter barrel is no disadvantage when Old Three Toes is at breath-smelling range.