Found a 3" 629-2

[jeffrefrig]

If you shoot .44 Specials in that you'll love it. If you shoot .44 Magnum rounds in it you'll barely shoot it, just like the last guy.

What did it cost, if you don't mind my asking? I sold a fluted cylinder 3" M629 years ago and I'm curious if they've gone up much in value. He shoots .44 Specials in it, BTW, just as I did. It was my bedroom gun for a long time.

I was out today with my 629 6"; only the 2nd time shooting it since I bought it. Kinda cold here so I cut the trigger finger out of my right glove, and the padding didn't hurt any either! Amazing what a difference the Specials feel compared to the Magnums! Those magnums feel like trying to stop a night stick with my hand! (Don't ask, but I know!) Not sure I'm ready for a 3" yet! I also had my new (inexpensive) little Heritage Barkeep to try out. Ya know, I'm pretty impressed with it! I hit pretty close to the part of the target I was aiming at. I didn't have the magnum cylinder with me, but next time I'll give it a go.
I really like the 629; I'd like to give a shorter barrel a shot (pun) if I can find a decent price. No hurry. My gun purchases are on hold for a little while. I need to go back up the posts & see what OP paid for that revolver. Mine's a -6, but the lock doesn't bother me.

 

[Pine_Worker]

$1k for that? I’d say you made out very well! Well done.

 

[PatriotX]

Very nice! I love the Combats. I can see myself scaring up a set.
I have some on a 2.5" model 19. Have the square butt version on my 629-1 and a model 66-1.

The combats and 3-inch N-frames are a great match.

You did well on the gun, welcome to the forum.

 

[swage]

You did well on it as many have stated. I have a three inch -1, -2E, -4 Backpacker, and a -5 full underlug w/non-fluted cylinder as well as a 3" 625. All wear combats and I shoot full house .44 Mag in them. The -4 is my favorite as it had a trigger job at some point in it's lifetime. I also have a 29 -3 blue three inch. Still on the hunt for a 657 three inch and then I'm done.....maybe.

 

[dsf]

Just guessing a bit, but I'd think the 3" lugged barrel and no cylinder flutes might make this gun heavier than the regular 4" version. I have the same and use round butt N frame standard stocks with the BK grip adapter. Not exactly my most shot revolver.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Glashaus's gun is basically the same gun I sold to my friend 10 years ago for a tad over $900.00 so if you paid $1400 it sounds completely fair for 2021.

 

[Endshake]

Thank you again for the welcome and encouragement, everyone.
I wondered that same thing about the weight with the full lug and unfluted cylinder. Be glad when I can get out and try it. Hoping it shoots fairly well, but I've never had a Smith that didn't shoot pretty darn good. I think the single action trigger is a tad better than my 6" 629-1, but I'm under no illusions.
I can see a set of those combats in my future. Of course, I doubt I will get them for 10 bucks, like the square butt combats on my 6" gun.

 

[greenmachine]

Looks a lot like mine.

 

[cometpx4]

629 3"

Definitely a cool really nice looking revolver !

 

[Narragansett]

$1k for that? I’d say you made out very well! Well done.

I think what the OP was saying was 1K north of 399, or 1400.00 if I read it right.
I am a fan of the 44 mag, but I have resisted a short bbl models. I have a 29-5 5" Classic DX, that I am not real fond of shooting. It came with 2 sets of grips, rubber and the Morado combats. I fired 12 rounds almost 30 years ago with the wood combats, and that round butt with with wood combats really pushes the recoil back into your wrist. I have toyed with the idea of selling it, but I believe it to be scarce. I have never seen another 5" DX.

Recently I got a 629-1 4", and i am sure that will be noticeable when I touch that off. I have a full box of ammo that I loaded 10 years ago. Not sure what they are, but i bet they are a stiff load of 2400 powder. That is all I used for reloading. I think I need a set of rubber grips.

That is a beauty OP, and I would not worry about the money. I do agree though, shoot some lighter loads in it. You will know it when you touch that off with a full house load:

 

[Endshake]

Thank you again, all. The more I handle it, the more I like it. It does have some weight for it's size, so I'm hoping I can use a load with around 900fps without it beating me too badly. Even my magnum loads aren't too hot. I usually use 23gr of 4227 behind a 240gr XTP. This may be a little warm in the 3", and will definitely be a flamer.
Have to find a holster too. I'm looking at examples from Simply Rugged, and Craft. Any experience will certainly be appreciated.

 

[mrstang01]

I've got a 6" Classic Hunter, love it, but I'd like one of these. What's my 6 incher worth approx?

 

[dsf]

Thank you again, all. The more I handle it, the more I like it. It does have some weight for it's size, so I'm hoping I can use a load with around 900fps without it beating me too badly. Even my magnum loads aren't too hot. I usually use 23gr of 4227 behind a 240gr XTP. This may be a little warm in the 3", and will definitely be a flamer.
Have to find a holster too. I'm looking at examples from Simply Rugged, and Craft. Any experience will certainly be appreciated.

At 900 fps I think you'll be fine.

I'll do my best to not run afoul of the rules, but there's a fellow on the big bad auction site who can be found under h.c leather and he makes solid conventional holsters primarily for 3" N frames and Ruger SA types. The leather is clean and IIRC the trigger guard welt is about 1" thick. I think the holster would stop a bullet. He doesn't have a lot of stuff listed, but I've bought at least 3 holsters from him. Simple, top quality.

 

[SweetMK]

My short barrel came with a note in the manual to thoroughly test ANY load before trusting the load in a "situation".

Apparently, the gun is so light, that it can easily pull the lead out of remaining rounds, locking up the rotating action of the gun.

I was firing some "HOT" 44 Magnum loads that I had made for my nephew, he shoots them in a Desert Eagle.
I was shooting the rounds in a 4" 629. Well, the crimp was not heavy enough,, the 265 grain jacketed bullets pulled, jamming the gun.
The Desert Eagle did not have any issue with the identical ammo.

 

[American1776]

Nice gun!!!

I like short barrel magnums, especially N frames.

I’ve got the 3 inch 629 deluxe. I carry it in a Galco high ride leather, and it carries better than a government 1911, despite being the same weight.

The 3 inch barrel makes a huge difference from the 4 inch for carry.

A perfect reduced magnum load is the Winchester Silvertip 210 gr. @ 1250. It’s not as vicious as a 240 gr. Full power magnum, but has more energy than a typical 44 spl. I put it as equivalent to the very top end 10mm loads, which will stop anything on two legs or four in the lower 48 without being abusive on the gun.

 

[67ray]

I'd say you did great. Check this out $2300 with combats and fluted cyl:

S&W 629 Lew Horton 3" 44 Magnum LNIB & Mint! From 1989! Like 29! Stunning! - Revolvers at GunBroker.com : 893097789

 

[Endshake]

Thank you again, everyone! I appreciate all the info.
I carry a 1911 of one flavor or another all the time. I swear, this thing feels heavier than a steel full size 1911. I'm kind of glad, as it will help recoil and bullet jump.
I will no doubt go with leather. I can see this gun doing double duty as a woods / barbecue gun.
I pulled the sideplate and crane this evening to have a peek and lube it. It had most likely never been apart. It was dry as a bone.

 

[jc2721]

Nice gun, congratulations!

Don't worry about what you paid for it--you know the minute you put it down the guy behind you would have snapped it up in an instant and then you'd be THAT GUY that let a good one get away, don't you? Just imagine how you would have felt.

We've all seen it and probably experienced it at any number of gun shows or shops--put it down and figure you'll come back later and haggle some more---poof! it's gone.

Trust me--you done good. Enjoy it!

 

[Endshake]

Nice gun, congratulations!

Don't worry about what you paid for it--you know the minute you put it down the guy behind you would have snapped it up in an instant and then you'd be THAT GUY that let a good one get away, don't you? Just imagine how you would have felt.

We've all seen it and probably experienced it at any number of gun shows or shops--put it down and figure you'll come back later and haggle some more---poof! it's gone.

Trust me--you done good. Enjoy it!

Oh yes! If you'll indulge me, this reminds me of a story about a much younger and stupid Endshake.....
I have an 1894 with a 3xxx serial number in 38-55. Many years ago, I had a chance for it's twin in 32-40 with a number in the 2300 range. I asked the guy what he wanted for it as it would make a nice pair with my 38-55. He said he wanted $650. I replied that we'd never see the day a 94 will bring 650. I'd give him 600, only because I had it's mate. Otherwise, I wouldn't pay that!
I can actually still hear those words coming out of my face on dark nights.

 

[tops]

I have a 3 in., M29-4. I load a 240 gr. SWC with 9 gr. of Unique for 944 FPS. I've got fragile in my old age. Larry