Picked up a 629-6 Classic - With DX Sights

[ScottN]

I picked up a 629-6 5" last week from my LGS. The owner said a Catholic priest traded it in recently. That kinda warmed my heart a bit! It shows some honest wear but seems to be in pretty good condition. Last week I cleaned and lubed her up, installed a 14 lb trigger rebound spring, centered the rear sight blade, and switched to the x frame Hogue grip that covers the back strap...and deemed her range ready.

The barrel states it is a 629 Classic but it has the DX style interchangeable front sight, which I thought only came with the Classic DX. What gives? Was it some sort of factory option?

Today I put 60 rounds through her using some 240 Gr 44 special, 240 Gr 44 magnum jacketed soft points, and 225 Gr 44 magnum hollow points. All shots were taken from 12 yards, standing, two handed. The specials were cream puffs to shoot, the 225 Gr magnums were comfortable to shoot as well, and the jsp magnums got my attention but were manageable.

I started shooting low but things got better and more consistent as I became more comfortable with the trigger and grip. I can say it was A LOT of FUN!

 

[AManWearingAHat]

What a find. Very nice shooting iron there Scott. Thank you for sharing!

 

[Seadragon]

If you check the S&W website, you will see that your gun (SKU 163636) is pictured with the interchangeable front sight. Interchangeable front sights are standard on many (certainly not all) of S&W's current offerings although they are not very good at making this clear.

 

[grip frame]

All the 629 Classic revolvers have the interchangeable front sight system.

 

[Benchrest1]

I have a new 5" 629, and it has the interchangeable front sight system.

 

[jaymoore]

About the only things you don't get with the "Post DX" production revolvers are the extra front sights, spare stocks, and factory target. The accuracy should be there! As far as i can tell, the DXs were just the first to incorporate the 0.429"-0.430" throats, versus the old standard 0.432"-0.433" dimension. To imagine that the fitters spent all sorts of extra time dialing in particular revolver and only charging a very modest increase in price is wishful thinking.
Having quite a few of both versions, the "regular" (and newer evil, MIM filled, lock having) revolvers get the lion's share of rounds downrange in competition, mostly because they shoot better than the DXs and PCs I have....

So enjoy your "new" Classic 629!

 

[Scrateshooter]

shoot em

About the only things you don't get with the "Post DX" production revolvers are the extra front sights, spare stocks, and factory target. The accuracy should be there! As far as i can tell, the DXs were just the first to incorporate the 0.429"-0.430" throats, versus the old standard 0.432"-0.433" dimension. To imagine that the fitters spent all sorts of extra time dialing in particular revolver and only charging a very modest increase in price is wishful thinking.
Having quite a few of both versions, the "regular" (and newer evil, MIM filled, lock having) revolvers get the lion's share of rounds downrange in competition, mostly because they shoot better than the DXs and PCs I have....

So enjoy your "new" Classic 629!

I shoot my mimmed and locked guns more than the ones everyone wants so they can pretend to be Travis Bickle.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

629 Classic, 5" bbl.

SKU# 163636 was re-introduced in 2002.

As far as I know they've always had the DX style front sight.

My 2013 model does. It now has a SDM red fiber front sight & an unfluted cylinder. It's a great shooter.

Glad you're liking your's too.

.

.

 

[ScottN]

Thanks everyone for setting me straight on the DX sights. I'm glad to have that option. I didn't even notice it was DX style at the LGS. I saw that red ramp front sight and figured it was pinned, which made for a nice surprise when cleaning it up. I may try swapping in the white dot partridge sight I took off of my R8 but will likely go with a fiber optic one eventually.

 

[ScottN]

As far as I know they've always had the DX style front sight.

My 2013 model does. It now has a SDM red fiber front sight & an unfluted cylinder. It's a great shooter.

What height did you install, .250 or .300?

Thanks!

 

[Lou_the_welder]

I use the .250 height. That's about the same stock height.

 

[Jul]

Mine is more accurate then I can shoot. I like the Dawson sight.

 

[Paul105]

The DX sight base should be standard on all S&W revolvers.

 

[ScottN]

Jul - I too like the Dawson Precision front sight. I have it on my 66-8 and plan to do the same on the the 629.

I did install the white dot sight from my R8. It's looks pretty good but the height of the sight was shorter than stock (.230 vs .250). I'm going to order up theDawson in .250x.110.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

What height did you install, .250 or .300?

Thanks!

I used a .250" tall SDM sight, same as the factory sight's height, as Lou_the_welder also stated.

I previously purchased a Dawson .250" tall DX style fiber sight (#019-145) but did not like the look. It is .125" wide but the length is only .60" long & aesthetically doesn't look right to me on the 5" barrel.

The SDM sight is 1.00" long & fills the sight's base better & looks more proportional. Nothing wrong with the Dawson's quality, just would look better on a shorter barrel, IMO.

.

 

[Jul]

I used a .250" tall SDM sight, same as the factory sight's height, as Lou_the_welder also stated.

I previously purchased a Dawson .250" tall DX style fiber sight (#019-145) but did not like the look. It is .125" wide but the length is only .60" long & aesthetically doesn't look right to me on the 5" barrel.

The SDM sight is 1.00" long & fills the sight's base better & looks more proportional. Nothing wrong with the Dawson's quality, just would look better on a shorter barrel, IMO.

.

I started with the SDM but they were not a drop in fit. I had to fit it to the slot. Did that twice and after I got it to fit I had trouble getting it out so I stopped using them.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I started with the SDM but they were not a drop in fit. I had to fit it to the slot. Did that twice and after I got it to fit I had trouble getting it out so I stopped using them.

I hear what you're saying. I've had that issue too, even on a new Hi-Viz front sight.

Comparing/measuring one that installs easily & one that's tight there isn't a sizable difference. A little touch-up filing has always fixed the tight ones for me.

On the opposite extreme, I had a gold bead DX front sight on my 460 Carry that flew off into the never-never land after a couple of hot loads & it cost me $55 for a replacement.

Maybe a little too tight is better than a little too loose?

.