New To Me S&W Model 629-1

[carlson1]

I finally found me a 3" S&W 629-1. It is ported already and is in great shape. I sure would like it if someone could take the serial number and tell me something about the gun. It is a round butt and serial number is#AWF6673.

 

[Pizza Bob]

The AWF serial prefix dates the gun to 1987. I believe that this gun is part of a run of 5000 Lew Horton Distributor Specials - Product Code 103610 (SCSW IV says that Prod Code was used for many variations). There is no mention of those revolvers being ported, so chances are that the porting, which appears to be Magnaporting, was done after the gun left the factory.

The guns as originally equipped came with smooth Goncalo Alves combat stock and a white outline rear sight - both of these have been changed on your revolver - the stocks to rubber Hogue's and the rear sight to, what appears to be a Millett.

You may be able to remove the marks, from the porting, left on the barrel and the front sight with a lead-away cloth.

Good luck with your new acquisition.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[carlson1]

Pizza Bob thanks for all the information.

 

[carlson1]

I found the grips you mentioned. It took a while and was pretty expensive. I am okay with the sights.

 

[75Vette]

Yours would've looked more like this when it left the factory. Mine's not a Lew Horton but makes no difference to me. You'll probably get more enjoyment out of that shooting 44 spl. I like the porting. I've entertained the idea of doing that to my 629-6 3"er. Congrats on your latest!

 

[carlson1]

I found the grips you mentioned. It took a while and was pretty expensive. I am okay with the sights.

What is extra about the "Lee Horton?" I have The Standard Catalog S&W Second Edition book and I see nothing extra about the "Lew Horton." Did they polish the trigger, change the hammers,etc...?

Edit: those are the exact grips I bought for a lot of money.

 

[carlson1]

I am in search for an original rear sight of anyone hears of one. From reading Brownells theirs only fit "modern" 629's. I may be looking for something that will not be easy to find.

Thanks

 

[Pine_Worker]

I am in search for an original rear sight of anyone hears of one. From reading Brownells theirs only fit "modern" 629's. I may be looking for something that will not be easy to find.

Thanks

Check with Numrich. I needed one for my 27-2, they did not have a complete one but had all the parts, which I assembled. A phone call might lead to one which is not catalogued. I did that for a Colt Commander slide once. You might also try Jack First for parts, I have found many there. Call and talk to the nice lady there, very helpful. Also, I have no connection with either.

 

[carlson1]

Thanks Pine. I will jump on it tomorrow.

 

[Tom Kent]

Several years ago I found a 3" 629-1 in a used gun rack and bought it. It came with rubber grips which I replaced with a pair of combat grips from the S&W store. My limited research showed that this revolver was apparently an overrun from the Lew Horton order and was made available for public sale. It is a fine shooting revolver and totally reliable. It has become my everglades walking gun. By all means, shoot yours.

 

[75Vette]

What is extra about the "Lee Horton?" I have The Standard Catalog S&W Second Edition book and I see nothing extra about the "Lew Horton." Did they polish the trigger, change the hammers,etc...?

Edit: those are the exact grips I bought for a lot of money.

There's no difference in the Lew Horton editions except for the name. There are however, many that will pay much more for the fancy name.

 

[Pizza Bob]

Carlson:
With regard to your search for a rear sight, I refer you to this thread, my post #12. All that is said there about the square tang, also applies to your 629.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...sh-rear-sight-availability.html#post141119224

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[Nemo288]

Some folks don't like the ports at all but for the short barrel magnums they help a lot a lot with muzzle rise.
Just make sure you wear both earplugs and earmuffs especially shooting indoors.
Those ports are loud and close to your head.

I have a ported 4" 629-2 that slowly builds up a little lead on the sides of the front sight.
I just leave it as I don't want to fool with the finish on the rest of the gun.
(It's a glass bead blast matte finish Mountain Revolver).
Using gas-checked cast bullets can help minimize throwing lead out the ports but of course is more expensive.

I ended up with a set of Herrett's custom fit grips and also use the S&W 500 grips if doing a bunch of testing at the range.

Neither my 6" 629-1 or the -2 have shown any signs of wearing out so the fact they don't
have the later endurance package(s) bothers me not.
Maybe I just don't shoot them enough.

In the late 80's I got enamored of the 445 supermag and the big 444 and have spent a majority of my time
developing loads for those and the 44 special in N and L frame models.
I'll admit those magnums have kind of languished some since then.

 

[75Vette]

Some folks don't like the ports at all but for the short barrel magnums they help a lot a lot with muzzle rise.
Just make sure you wear both earplugs and earmuffs especially shooting indoors.
Those ports are loud and close to your head.

I have a ported 4" 629-2 that slowly builds up a little lead on the sides of the front sight.
I just leave it as I don't want to fool with the finish on the rest of the gun.
(It's a glass bead blast matte finish Mountain Revolver).
Using gas-checked cast bullets can help minimize throwing lead out the ports but of course is more expensive.

I ended up with a set of Herrett's custom fit grips and also use the S&W 500 grips if doing a bunch of testing at the range.

Neither my 6" 629-1 or the -2 have shown any signs of wearing out so the fact they don't
have the later endurance package(s) bothers me not.
Maybe I just don't shoot them enough.

In the late 80's I got enamored of the 445 supermag and the big 444 and have spent a majority of my time
developing loads for those and the 44 special in N and L frame models.
I'll admit those magnums have kind of languished some since then.

I've had good luck using Ballistol and a wire brush on my bead blasted finish guns. I kinda gritted my teeth the first time I tried it but worked out really well. My 3" 629/29s have all been designated as 44 spl guns. I'm not the recoil junky I once was.

 

[carlson1]

Is hoot a lot of 44 special, but I carry 44 magnums. It was the same when I first started in LE. It was shoot 38 and carry .357.