Help with 29-3 and 620

[Hawg Rider]

My son asked me about a couple of revolvers that he's looking at, but I wasn't much help since I'm more of a vintage S&W revolver guy. I'm hoping that some of you Forum gurus can help us out. I haven't been able to find any current values for these (GB, etc.), either.

The first is a blued Model 29-3 3" bbl. with RB combat stocks. The SCSW 4th Ed. notes this is a 29-3 Lew Horton Combat Magnum Special from 1984. The s/n is ALA9453 (101224), so I believe it's a Lew Horton and worth a few bucks. Thoughts?

The second is a Model 620 L-frame 7-shot .357 Magnum. I've actually never seen one of these (or its Model 619 cousin) and know nothing about them. SCSW 4th Ed. says that these were produced from 2005-2009. Were these popular or not? Are they collectable and/or valuable?

Thanks for any information that you can provide.

 

[Doug M.]

I doubt the 619/620 were especially valuable or collectible. I have a vague recollection that they had some flaws that resulted in litigation, which is consistent with a short period of production. The other revolver? Probably. Not my cup of tea, but valuable to the right market.

 

[SLT223]

I don’t think you have to worry too much about the 620/619/520’s. That was S&W’s first shot at the two piece barrel. Allegedly, some 620’s barrel liners were over torqued resulting in the breakage at the muzzle end flange. In the past 15 years I’ve seen exactly one example of this on this website, so I did happen, but not nearly enough for me to care. I don’t recall hearing about this issue with the 619, 520, or the 64’s that were built with the same two piece set up. I own two 620’s. They are remarkably accurate. I use one as tool for testing consistency of my hand loads and the other is a spare since these were practically given away on gunbroker for less than $500 years back. Weak pricing was consistent for used IL guns back then. I have at least 4000 rounds down the pipe on mine. No issues to report. Very smooth trigger, and very accurate.

 

[stansdds]

I'd say the 29-3, being a factory made 3 inch round butt, with correct box, would bring well north of $1000 these days, likely in the neighborhood of $2000.

 

[S&W Fan]

I would argue that there are much better .357s than the 620-a 686 no dash through -4 for example.

The 29 is quite a beast with magnum loads but is a very cool "little" snub, much more pleasant with .44spl ammo.

What is your son's reason to get these? Are they just to have/hold or to enjoy shooting at the range. The 29 is definitely more desireable over the 620. They seem to sell starting around $1200 and going way up depending on the buyer's pocket depth.

 

[Hawg Rider]

I finally found a couple of the 29-3 3" Combat Magnum Specials (Lew Horton) on GB, sellers are asking $2500-$2600. Seems a little steep to me, but who knows what some folks will pay these days. I also found a 620 on GB for $850, but then again, that's a GB price. I agree that the 29-3 is much more desirable, but the prices seem out of line for both the 29-3 and the 620. I doubt my son will take either of these revolvers home.