Model 629 dillema

[bobcat3388]

I am new to this forum and to the 29/629s. I recently purchased a model 66 4inch, no dash, P&R mainly because it was like the first pistol I purchased and carried as a police officer in the early 80s. I had sold that pistol, well, because of the advent of the semi-automatic popularity in law enforcement, and at the time, I had young kids and couldn't afford to keep it. Now, being older and nostalgic, I am drawn to the older "quality of manufacture" pistols.
That being said, I am wanting to purchase a model 629, not for collectability only, but to shoot occasionally. I have read some of the threads about S&W enhancing the durability of the 629s around the dash 3 to 4 era, with the release of the full lug classic series.
I currently have my eyes on a 629 no dash, P&R, 6 inch barrel, that is selling for $950. From the pictures it is solid and appears to have been fired very little. I also have been watching a 629-4, Classic with a 6.5" barrel, selling for $865. A little advice from those who have experience would be greatly appreciated.
I really would like a 629-3 or -4 with a 5" barrel, but apparently, those are rare, because I cannot seem to find one.

Thanks in advance for all of your assistance and opinions.

 

[75Vette]

Welcome to the forum.
I would start out by buying one of each barrel length, in stainless and blued finishes. Then one each of the full lug Classics, and then start buying a few PC guns. Somewhere in that pile you'll find one you like. Guaranteed!

 

[bobcat3388]

Thanks for the input 75vette, I think I will go for the 629 no dash as soon as i log off of here. I am also bidding on a 29-6 Classic with a 5" barrel. Again, I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

 

[bobcat3388]

Thanks, also, Trout. You made some good points. I am more than likely not going to throw 300-500 rounds per weekend downrange. I have plenty of semi-autos to mess around with as well. Just wanted to finally have a .44 mag in my collection, and from what I see from other forum members, I will more than likely end up with more than one.

 

[Charlie Foxtrott]

Trout hit the nail on the head.

The much touted endurance package was and is somewhat blown out of proportion. They are all good guns. I have a bunch of early ones and very much doubt that I will ever wear any of them out.

 

[Nightowl]

Ionce had a 629 no dash that I bought when they first shipped. I had already had a 29 for 10 or 12 years and didn't need it. Surel wish I had it back. I still have the 29 though and will never sell it.
While I think the endurance package certainly makes for a better, stronger gun, the old ones hold up quite well for standard loads. I would not hesitate to buy the 629 because it does not have the updates.

 

[jaymoore]

I have a couple of the P&R no dash 629s and a "too pretty" -1, but do 90%+ of my shooting with the later versions, mostly -6s because they have produced the best results downrange. One thing I find particularly vulnerable about the early versions is the interface between the front sideplate screw/ yoke retainer and the yoke itself. The groove in the yoke seems to wear rather readily. Have repaired several with excessive wear. Most folk won't notice the wear until it's bad enough that the cylinder will crash the rear end of the barrel when closing it. Doesn't seem to be a big issue with the blued revolvers, though.

Funnily enough, the eventual factory "fix" gets more criticism than the original drama! (I.e., the front sideplate screw with spring loaded plunger. Seems some ham-fisted louts wring the head off the hollow screw from time to time. Never mind the folk that lose the plunger.)

 

[cowboy4evr]

We need to correct some thoughts here . There was more to the " endurance pkg " than what you are being told . Brian Pearce wrote a very good article on it . Google , " Rifle Handloader Magazine 241 , S&W 44 Magnum 50 years " , you should come up with an article at the top of the page explaining all the improvements in detail and not just getting someones " opinions " . You would have to scroll down in that page to find the article . Good Luck

 

[bobcat3388]

Thanks cowboy, I will look for that article.

 

[75Vette]

We need to correct some thoughts here . There was more to the " endurance pkg " than what you are being told . Brian Pearce wrote a very good article on it . Google , " Rifle Handloader Magazine 241 , S&W 44 Magnum 50 years " , you should come up with an article at the top of the page explaining all the improvements in detail and not just getting someones " opinions " . You would have to scroll down in that page to find the article . Good Luck

Great article. Thanks for sharing.

 

[jaymoore]

We need to correct some thoughts here . There was more to the " endurance pkg " than what you are being told . Brian Pearce wrote a very good article on it . Google , " Rifle Handloader Magazine 241 , S&W 44 Magnum 50 years " , you should come up with an article at the top of the page explaining all the improvements in detail and not just getting someones " opinions " . You would have to scroll down in that page to find the article . Good Luck

Good article with a few errors. Have had a copy for a number of years, but here's a link so you don't have to go a-searching:

https://www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/PDF/HL 241 Partial (LO) 2.pdf

One minor error caught my eye immediately: It would be "ECM" rifling process rather than "EDM".

And since that article was written (or maybe even before) the rifling contours have been sharpened/squared off more so it looks very much like cut rifling and performs for me as well or better with bare lead projectiles.

 

[Engineer1911]

For any given barrel length, a full lugged barrel (M629) has less felt recoil than standard barrel. The 8-3/8" full lug barrel is 'muzzle' heavy, but really tames recoil on magnum loads.

My 4" M29 with standard barrel shoots mid-range loads because that is what my hand likes -- arthritis changes your opinion of "sufficient powder" and "heavy bullet".