The real tangible difference between a 29/629 Classic and a 29/629 Classic DX

[SFLYNN]

Classic and Classic DX's look very similar to me besides the addition of the DX on the barrel.

Not very much difference in the guns themselves as far as I can tell- just some extras that came with DX's.

I've seen pics of DX 50yd factory test targets with @2" groups which probably some standard Classics could do better- but both models were very well made revolvers with excellent fit and finish in my opinion.

Out of curiosity, does anyone know if the standard Classics came with test targets from factory like the DX's?

 

[AveragEd]

Out of curiosity, does anyone know if the standard Classics came with test targets from factory like the DX's?

To my knowledge, they did not.

Ed

 

[tomthbomb]

About what is the date range for a 6 1/2" 629-3 Classic? I have one new in the shop worn box going to a gun show soon.

 

[mrussell]

If it helps you with dates, I bought my 629-3 new in October, 1993. One of the most accurate revolvers I own.

 

[skywag]

Sorry for the "necro-posting," but my 29-6 cost $409 in 1992.

 

[northslope]

I'm glad to see this "necropost" haha! I went back and looked, and I paid $580 for mine, with the box, back in 2009, from the last gun store in San Francisco - High Bridge Arms. Who knows what it's go for now (the gun or the store).

 

[Cotis]

I sold the exact same model 29 Classic 6.5" for $1100+ last week. Shouldn't have let it go for that as it was accurate as &*$# but just too nice for me to bang it up in a backpack deer hunting.

 

[gnappi]

When I sold my minty 8 3/8" 29 for $500 the new owner thought I ripped him of a YEAR after he bought it and wanted a $50 refund!

PS, this was in the late 80's or thereabouts.

 

[JohnHL]

When I sold my minty 8 3/8" 29 for $500 the new owner thought I ripped him of a YEAR after he bought it and wanted a $50 refund!

PS, this was in the late 80's or thereabouts.

I would never accuse a fellow Forum member of ripping anyone off...

But as I bought my very good condition 6" 629-1 (with box) for $250.00 in 1988 (and thought it was a fair price), I can see why your buyer might have thought he paid too much.

John

 

[357 shooter]

I would be willing to bet one American dollar that most of the Classic line of that time would have met the standard. It was good advertising though, and the extras included with the DX are nice.

But I've been wrong many times before.

I'd even bet a couple dollars! I owned a 6.5" 29 Classic and currently a 6.5" 629-5 Classic and accuracy tested both with scopes from a rest and did not find it hard to get groups like those that I have seen on DX test targets that others have posted.

As to the exceptionally accurate Classics pulled from the production line to become DXs ,how would they know what guns were going to be the most accurate while they were still on the production line?

I don't feel like I have a lesser gun with the standard Classic in any way , either Classic or Classic DX will likely be exceptionally accurate revolvers.

 

[Inspector-Callahan]

I'd even bet a couple dollars! I owned a 6.5" 29 Classic and currently a 6.5" 629-5 Classic and accuracy tested both with scopes from a rest and did not find it hard to get groups like those that I have seen on DX test targets that others have posted.

As to the exceptionally accurate Classics pulled from the production line to become DXs ,how would they know what guns were going to be the most accurate while they were still on the production line?

I don't feel like I have a lesser gun with the standard Classic in any way , either Classic or Classic DX will likely be exceptionally accurate revolvers.

I've said this for a long time. These were "deluxe" guns, not accurized, not culled from the herd as the MOST accurate of all the other guns (this isn't even feasible on a production line). The reason they were DX guns is because they started life as a regular 29/629, were specially lasered as DX, test fired by hand including the test target, included Morado wood combat grips and an assortment of alternate sight blades. That was it.

You can look at it from an economic angle as well, PRICE! Look at the price differences between the standard Model 29/629 at the time and the DX model. As I recall, these were only about 100-150 higher. For that miniscule of a price difference, it further supports the notion this was only to absorb the added cost of $70 wood grips, $35 sights, and extra time/labor to test fire each and package with a target.

There's a tremendous amount of mis-information about the DX's, mostly coming from sellers trying to fool people who don't know any better. That said, Are they collectible? YES! Are they limited production: YES! Are they worth more to collectors due to the limited production: YES. But they are not accurized, performance center, or "the most accurate guns" by any means.

IC

 

[grip frame]

Everything stated about the DX series being hand picked for accuracy or not remains as nothing but opinion, speculation and conjecture until a valid authority on the subject speaks up.

This question needs to be answered once and for all. Is there not a former or current Smith employee that can comment on this question? Please?

 

[jaymoore]

My observation amongst the various Classics and and DXs is that the DX revolvers were early adopters of the "modern" 0.428"-0.4295" throats. Similar "non-DX's" kept the 0.430"-0.433" throats for some time. It's possible that there may be some forcing cone differences. But considering the last thing that generally gets done before boxing up is test firing, it's hard to imagine that S&W didn't mark the barrels until after the usual three round test fire. And what would a 3 round group prove, anyway? (The Classic and Classic DX marks aren't placed in the same exact stating location on my examples, which indicates the DX wasn't an "add on".)
So, yah, A DX will likely outshoot a larger throated Classic with jacketed bullet ammo- until the small throat was accepted for all .44s. I can't tell a difference between a good 629-6 and a DX. In fact, none of my DX's have as good a trigger as my -6 competition guns. Or shoot any better from 25yds to 200m.

ETA: BTW, the four different height Patridge front sight set included with the DX does work fairly well for IHMSA Big Bore use, at least with the 8 3/8" barrel, but still needs some fine tuning with the rear, depending on ammo, lighting conditions, etc. I like the four position front sight better, even though it only came on "big throat" revolvers.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

About time for some singing.
Hit it Jerry Jeff!
https://youtu.be/6QgNzTN-STA?si=URtch5xbomlmM42P