Need a little help

[GunGirl]

Hi Guys,
I'm new to this forum and have some questions about a revolver I purchased awhile ago. I have attached some photos of it.
On the paperwork it says it is a model 629-5. It is also marked Special under the features on the Smith and Wesson end label.

Is this a Lew Horton gun? Is the nonfluted cylindar the part that makes it special?

It has a 3" barrel and Goncalo Alves combat finger groove combat grips.

It is in absolute mint condition with the box.

It has way too much kick for me. I'm not sure if I will keep it. Can anyone tell anything about it and the value?
Thanks,
Debbie

 

[shooter7]

I'm not familiar with that variant of that model, but have you tried shooting 44 specials in it? A 3inch 44 magnum, shooting magnum cartridges, will scare just about everyone, but the 44 special cartridge should make that gun enjoyable for most folks, I would think.

 

[Evil One]

Those pistols are a dream to shoot loaded with specials.


Jim

 

[peyton]

Welcome to the forum, I suggest 44 special ammo to calm the kick. I use ammo engine, this is what I came up with. The cowboy loads are mild. Keep the 629, it will grow on you. Another choice is keep the 629 and get a k frame revolver from our classified section. We would be glad to guide you through the process.

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[DonD]

Good to see another female shooter on the forum.

I think you've been given good advice. You can buy a wide range of ammo for that gun from mild .44 Specials to hot .44 Mags and everything in between. Better yet, learn reloading, cook up what you want and save money or shoot more ammo!. Good luck, Don.

 

[qballwill]

I have the same revolver except it is a -4 instead of -5. As everyone has said, try specials out of it. If you can manage to hang with the gun using specials, you will have the capability to shoot magnums if the situation ever arises that you need to. As far as value goes, I paid $650 with no box and no grips (I got a better deal because I didnt want the Crimson trace grips that were on it) for mine.

 

[deuterij]

That is a beautiful gun. I wish I had one like yours. Yes definitely try 44 Specials if you have not yet. I have an 8-3/8" bbled model 29. One day I decided to try 44 Magnum rounds after a friend's goading me about not being ballsy enough to shoot the design loads through it. I fired twice, then handed it to him. The gun hurt my hand and nearly flew completely out. He did not fare much better even though he is a big guy. Neither of us has any desire to shoot any more 44 magnums.

 

[bamabiker]

Welcome to the forum. Nice M29. Around here I think you are looking at least $800 to $900 for that gun, maybe more. Nice catch.

 

[kritter]

Hi, a product code of 170135 would indicate a Horton

 

[jj2am44]

Welcome to the forum Debbie. Load it with 44 Specials and shoot away.

 

[Nightowl]

You might consider changing the grips. I have a couple of guns with them and I do not like the fit or feel of them. They are very uncomfortable to me.

 

[2hawk]

Nothing wrong with that.....

in fact, I have one just like it:

Welcome to the forum! As has been mentioned, just find something a little milder to shoot. The Gold Dots pictured are pretty manageable in this gun, and are clocking about 1040fps. Great defensive round.

What kind of ammo were you shooting? If you can find some 44 specials, or 44 mag loaded to about 900 fps you will have a nice handling combination of gun and load. It's not the gun that's kicking, its the ammo ;D

I think that the NRA can point you to reloading classes in your area if you have any interest in that; if you like to shoot, it really opens up a lot of possibilities to roll your own. Shoot straight, and stay safe!

ETA And I would agree with Nightowl; I really never liked the Altamont grips much myself. On the other hand, the Ahrends work great for me. Grips that fit your hand make a world of difference! 2hawk

 

[VM]

Welcome to the Forum Debbie!
Posting pictures on your first Post..................and a cool gun to boot!
You're going to fit in just fine

 

[Lop]

Hi Debbie,
Welcome. All gun boards that I've seen have been painfully low on the Fairer sex, so please, stick around a bit. You said you were new to this board, but sounded like you were not new to guns. If this is your first hand gun, you picked a monster to learn with. I did the same thing. Bought a .44 mag lever action rifle, then a 6" 29. I must say, I was setting records for flinching there at first. But, if you hold the gun correctly, fire the right load, and can hit stuff with it, at some point when the gun goes BOOM you will be grinning and not flinching. I always have a little .380 in my pocket, I usually carry a snubbie or a 9mm with me, but I loves my .44 mag. You have a real pretty one there. You might try rubber gripps and cowboy loads for starters, but try to "look forward to" the day you can handle the big BOOM. It is great fun. Another route to practice it to use a .22 to refine your shooting style. At under 3 cents per round you can do a lot of valid training that does carry over to larger guns.
Enjoy and Welcome, Lop

 

[Dave T]

Welcome to the forum. Don't be in too big a hurry to sell that revolver. I doesn't have the dreaded lawyer lock so it is a premium acquisition and hard to find. Also, those grips are very dark to be GA. I would think some kind of rosewood unless they have been stained. They look good, what ever they are.

Dave

 

[tocohillsguy]

Debbie,

Apart from all of the welcomes, I'm not sure anyone has really answered your questions. I'm not an expert on these things, but I'm now armed with my newly acquired Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. It seems the 629 has manufactured in a dizzying array of variations. I don't think yours is a Performance Center gun for a number of reasons, including the absence of the Performance Center logo and the issuance of a standard blue plastic box. I also haven't seen anything in the book that suggests yours is a Lew Horton. As for the "special" designation I suspect that could refer to any number of features including the wood grips, the unfluted cylinder, and the pinned front sight.

Perhaps someone with more expertise will chime in...?

 

[M28]

You might consider changing the grips. I have a couple of guns with them and I do not like the fit or feel of them. They are very uncomfortable to me.

I second this thought. The current grips sure are pretty, but I prefer some kind of rubber when shooting the big bores.

Brian~

 

[GunGirl]

Thanks for all your info and help. I will try some spl's this weekend and see how it goes. I'll let everyone know

Debbie

 

[bmhiii]

Debbie,

Welcome first of all.

Also, the suggestion of getting some rubber grips for shooting hard kickers is good advice. I throw a set of Pachs on my 29 when I go to shoot factory .44 Magnum loads. It helps a bunch. Also you might consider a shooting glove with a padded palm.

Just my .02 worth.

Oh, keep the gun and have fun.....

 

[GunGirl]

Well I tried it with the 44 specials and have come to the conclusion that this gun is just not for me. I'm going back to my 686 3".
If anyone is interested I am going to post on the for sale section of the forum. Thanks for your advice guys & girl