Arthury
Member
Can someone more knowledgeable please respond?
What is difference between 629 CLASSIC and CLASSIC DX?
- Thread starter skeete
- Start date
dx
Glad to see this thread on the dx smiths.Ive been collecting them for about ten years and really enjoy shooting these fine revolvers. Im in dyer need of a 5" 29 so if any of you all know of one for sale have them get in touch with me. This the only one I need to complete my collection. Ill be watching this thread for any info about the dx line of smiths.
Glad to see this thread on the dx smiths.Ive been collecting them for about ten years and really enjoy shooting these fine revolvers. Im in dyer need of a 5" 29 so if any of you all know of one for sale have them get in touch with me. This the only one I need to complete my collection. Ill be watching this thread for any info about the dx line of smiths.
44wheelman
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Clearly, "deluxe" and DX are not related. Deluxe seems to be a new marketing ploy for TALO. No bbl stamps (or etching) of "Deluxe". Deluxe must refer to the special bbl length and wood grips. These are pinned front sight guns.
The term DX was dropped with the advent of Performance Center models.
The term DX was dropped with the advent of Performance Center models.
bigggbbruce
Member
I had a 629-4 Classic 6 1/2".. The claim was the DX, as mentioned earlier in this thread, were hand picked for better accuracy.
Today you can drop big coin and buy a Stealth Hunter. I had a 629-5 that was a well balanced tack driver out to 100 yards.
Today you can drop big coin and buy a Stealth Hunter. I had a 629-5 that was a well balanced tack driver out to 100 yards.
Arthury
Member
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l tried to answer this very question a couple years ago..
l took my 629DX, 629PowerPort,629PC Magnum Hunter, 629PC Light Hunter, 29 P&R all to the range one day...Shot 2 each 5 shot groups with the SAME ammo with a KNOWN accuracy load. 7gr Unique, 240gr swaged Speer SWC.... Guess what. The DX didn't win, Neither of the PCs won,
lt was a kinda tie between the 29 and PowerPort....
l took my 629DX, 629PowerPort,629PC Magnum Hunter, 629PC Light Hunter, 29 P&R all to the range one day...Shot 2 each 5 shot groups with the SAME ammo with a KNOWN accuracy load. 7gr Unique, 240gr swaged Speer SWC.... Guess what. The DX didn't win, Neither of the PCs won,
lt was a kinda tie between the 29 and PowerPort....
Arthury
Member
I have not thought of Unique as a magnum powder. What kind of velocity are you getting? Do you like this powder for your magnum cartridges?
75Vette
Member
Was that the 6 1/2" 629 classic PowerPort?
bigggbbruce
Member
Unique is a good mid power powder. At max load it barely cycled my Ruger 44 Carbine.
AveragEd
Member
I own one of the 5" 629-3 Classic DX revolvers. It is true that the 5" version was only made for one year, 1994 I believe. Mine is my main hunting handgun.
And in fact test-firing DID qualify a Classic for "DX" status. If you look closely at the laser lettering on the right side of the barrel of a DX, you will see the lettering "629 Classic" is centered on the barrel while adding the "DX" later resulted in making the entire lettering off-center toward the muzzle. Also, the "DX" portion of the lettering on most I've seen does not match the "629 Classic" in darkness, again indicating the "DX" was added post-production.
I've been told by several S&W collectors with more knowledge of them than I possess that the DX guns had their actions massaged but I cannot confirm that. But I also own a 6.5" 629-4 Classic and a 6" 629-1 with the usual half-lug barrel and the DX is the most accurate and has the best trigger. I just wish it had a square butt.
I don't know how many 5" 629 Classic DXs were made but a single year's production of the most accurate guns with one barrel length that was less popular (at that time) than its shorter and longer brethren cannot be a very high number.
Ed
And in fact test-firing DID qualify a Classic for "DX" status. If you look closely at the laser lettering on the right side of the barrel of a DX, you will see the lettering "629 Classic" is centered on the barrel while adding the "DX" later resulted in making the entire lettering off-center toward the muzzle. Also, the "DX" portion of the lettering on most I've seen does not match the "629 Classic" in darkness, again indicating the "DX" was added post-production.
I've been told by several S&W collectors with more knowledge of them than I possess that the DX guns had their actions massaged but I cannot confirm that. But I also own a 6.5" 629-4 Classic and a 6" 629-1 with the usual half-lug barrel and the DX is the most accurate and has the best trigger. I just wish it had a square butt.
I don't know how many 5" 629 Classic DXs were made but a single year's production of the most accurate guns with one barrel length that was less popular (at that time) than its shorter and longer brethren cannot be a very high number.
Ed
A run of the mill Classic 629-4 topped with a JPoint, my whitetail gun.
625-7
Member
Bought used some 20 yrs. ago 6 1/2 in. 29-5 rb Classic not DX. Full lug, interchangeable front sight but no extra ones supplied.Original Houge medallion grips split apart after hundreds of rounds shot one weekend. No kidding, tennis elbow for a year afterwards More accurate than me, still tight after all these years and a great shooter
grip frame
Member
I have owned 7 or 8 of the 629 Classic DX revolvers over the last 5 or so years. Hand picked three to keep (one of each barrel length). Most of mine were 629-3 models.
The earlier ones (629-3 and early to mid 629-4 production and 29-5) had to keep 5 shots under 2" at 50 yards. The later production ones were tested to keep 5 shots in 1.5" at 25 yards. Its safe to say the earlier ones were held to a higher standard.
They came with test targets, 5 front sights and two sets of grips, morado wood finger groove combat and hogue rubber round to square conversion with silver emblems on earlier models and non silver emblem same hogue rubber on later models. The later model wood combats were also missing the silver emblems.
Had one early 629-4 with a .6" 5 shot group at 50 yards. My others range from 1-1.5" with 5 shots at 50 yards.
I have no doubt that they were hand selected for best accuracy. They also seem to have extra care in fit and lockup.
The 5" barrel length 29 Classic DX and 629 Classic DX revolvers were only made for one year. 1992. And yes they also came with test targets.
29 Classic DX models were only made under the -5 variation. Far fewer 29 Classic DX models were produced than 629 Classic DX models and the 5" 29 Classic DX had the lowest production numbers of all the DX models.
629 Classic DX models were offered in -3,-4 , -5 and early -6 model variants..
The earlier ones (629-3 and early to mid 629-4 production and 29-5) had to keep 5 shots under 2" at 50 yards. The later production ones were tested to keep 5 shots in 1.5" at 25 yards. Its safe to say the earlier ones were held to a higher standard.
They came with test targets, 5 front sights and two sets of grips, morado wood finger groove combat and hogue rubber round to square conversion with silver emblems on earlier models and non silver emblem same hogue rubber on later models. The later model wood combats were also missing the silver emblems.
Had one early 629-4 with a .6" 5 shot group at 50 yards. My others range from 1-1.5" with 5 shots at 50 yards.
I have no doubt that they were hand selected for best accuracy. They also seem to have extra care in fit and lockup.
The 5" barrel length 29 Classic DX and 629 Classic DX revolvers were only made for one year. 1992. And yes they also came with test targets.
29 Classic DX models were only made under the -5 variation. Far fewer 29 Classic DX models were produced than 629 Classic DX models and the 5" 29 Classic DX had the lowest production numbers of all the DX models.
629 Classic DX models were offered in -3,-4 , -5 and early -6 model variants..
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I have a 629-2 that isn't labelled as a Classic or a DX. It shoots great out to 175 yards. That's the distance I could shoot a center mass size group with the only rest a post I was leaning the gun against. Actually it was a gallon jug I was shooting. It's plenty good enough for bear defense duty which is why I carry it sometimes in certain areas. My farm is over run with bears these days. Heck they're all around my house too. But they aren't aggressive or haven't been so far. I carry it "just in case". You never know.
I always understood the DX to be a model picked because of it's accuracy. I've also heard it said that the testing was quick and simple and wasn't really a good indication of which guns would ultimately shoot better. I got that info from this board several years ago right after I bought that handgun.
I always understood the DX to be a model picked because of it's accuracy. I've also heard it said that the testing was quick and simple and wasn't really a good indication of which guns would ultimately shoot better. I got that info from this board several years ago right after I bought that handgun.
grip frame
Member
As advertised by Smith&Wesson with the introduction of the Classic line of revolvers and as well as the catalogs at the time it was stated that the Classic full lug series as a whole were designed with increased accuracy over the standard non full lugged models of .44 mags.
The accuracy testing of the DX models was with only 5 cylinders and with only one factory load so it is possible to have non DX models that are/were just as accurate with loads tailored to the individual revolver. It would be interesting but if testing were performed I believe overall that the DX models would still on average come out ahead.
The 29 and 629 Classic revolvers as a whole are known for their accuracy.
CJ- is your 629-2 full lugged/non fluted cylinder? It could be a first run "classic Hunter" which pre dated the classic and classic dx models by a year or so.
The accuracy testing of the DX models was with only 5 cylinders and with only one factory load so it is possible to have non DX models that are/were just as accurate with loads tailored to the individual revolver. It would be interesting but if testing were performed I believe overall that the DX models would still on average come out ahead.
The 29 and 629 Classic revolvers as a whole are known for their accuracy.
CJ- is your 629-2 full lugged/non fluted cylinder? It could be a first run "classic Hunter" which pre dated the classic and classic dx models by a year or so.
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Of the numerous DX targets l have seen, ALL were shot with
Federal 44Mag ammo..Federal 240gr JHP is the GOLD STANDARD
for 44 magnum..Obviously Smith & Wesson thinks so too...
btw ...Federal 44 Mag 240 JHP and American Eagle 44 mag
are NOT the same
Federal 44Mag ammo..Federal 240gr JHP is the GOLD STANDARD
for 44 magnum..Obviously Smith & Wesson thinks so too...
btw ...Federal 44 Mag 240 JHP and American Eagle 44 mag
are NOT the same
The early guns were 50yds at 1.5", the later guns were 25 yds at 1". Those early 29 DX's are gorgeous guns, fit and finish are as good as anything you will look at. The 29s gave way to the 629's and I believe they produced the 629 DX to a later date than the 29 DX??
This thread is now 5 years old and this stuff is not as fresh in my memory. As I recall during the 1990s S&W discontinued all blued revolvers for a while so it is correct to write most any stainless model was made longer than its blued equivalent in that time period. They also discontinued square butts on all revolvers. Of course blued revolvers and square butts were both reintroduced.
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