S&W Wheelgun Discussion -- 629 and others

[shoot4fun]

What kind of lock are you talking about?

I have been fooling around with Smith &Wesson handguns since the ‘60’s.

I have a 44 Smith with the locking key, bought it at a gun show several years ago for $500.

As far as I can tell, it functions and shoots exactly the same as my pristine “S” serial number 1969 vintage Model 29 .

But then, I’m not much a “purist”.

Well, I heard many excuses from "Purists" who wouldn't have a Smith revolver with it on there. Maybe the dumbest was that they heard a friend of a friend of a friend's brother-in-law knew some guy that knew some other guy that read about a lock that broke. In all my time working with nothing but safety lock S&W's and S&W CS guys daily I can say it never happened. Not even on the most vicious recoiling of the models (500, 460, 329, etc).
Not even when a new reloader did this:

 

[lazyMlazyK]

A "lightly used" 629 from a reloader could be an oxymoron. Just sayin'.

Is the original box & tool kit etc. included at $900?

Not when that reloader has 2+other 44 mag revolvers he prefers to shoot Yes, everything else included as well.

 

[LAH]

You probably need to buy at that price if it's a pre lock gun. Not priced the ones with locks lately so no help there.

 

[Dub]

Pre lock vs lock matters little unless you are more of a collector than a shooter

 

[howl]

I can't tell from the post which 629 it is. The ones with fixed ss front sights were a challenge for me. Had to scope them. Not really a fan of the fixed blued ramp neither. I think the made them for interchangeable front sights, too but I never had one.

Maybe you could shoot it before buying.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I have a friend looking for a 4-5” 629. Only requirement is a full underlug barrel. Anybody has one they may sell please let me know

 

[Forum Boss]

The gun I own that has shot more rounds than any other is a 4" barrel S&W model 617 10-shot. I'm guess 5000+ rounds by now... still going strong. You just need to keep the cylinder and forcing cone area clean.



A girl I dated years ago, who had been a winter biathlon competitor, could put all ten shots in about a dime at 10 yards in an indoor range, shooting SA slow-fire. (She was a better shot than me). All the tactical wannabees with their Glocks were humbled every time we went pistol shooting. A lot to be said for a fixed revolver barrel for a .22 LR.

 

[tominboise]

Around here, if that 629 was in good shape, $900 would be a good deal. They run $1k - 1500 around here.

 

[GSPatton]

What is the barrel length? I turned down $1000 for my 5" as they are hard to come by.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The dash number is important when talking price. You ask him to look on the frame and tell you what number it is. 629-? -5 and under $900 could be fair to a good deal depending on condition. -6 is current production I believe and $900 would be high. The 629 is one of my favorites. Not a big pistol shooter but I do like revolvers. The older smiths really are something, they can get addicting!

 

[Alguapo]

Got one and love it. Buy t. I bought two from a guy that needed money. Sold the 4 inch and kept the 5.5-6 inch. Not as bad a recoil as Clint ( Harry) made it out to be.

 

[243winxb]

Newer guns have updates. Was called an "endurance package" years ago. Keeps the cylinder from unlocking & rotating backwards on the 44 mags.

The dash number is important

Yes it is.

 

[Dave Zander]

I bought 2 N frame Smiths in the late 90's for $450. A 45acp and a 10mm.
Still have them but they sit in the safe, The prices aren't going to go down. If you want it buy it. If it doesn't have the Lock all the better.

 

[243winxb]

The good news is S&W still fixes the older pinned guns. Even sends the owner a shipping label.
My 29-2 had parts up graded & barrel set back 2 years ago.
Sold my early 629 after S& W repaired it. Around 1979-82? It was pinned.

 

[XTR]

If you’ve been watching GB sales pretty much any S&W will close north of $1000 these days. I’ve been shopping for a 45 (colt or acp) for a while now and prices have done nothing but go up for the last yr or two that I’ve been watching.

 

[miles johnston]

Go For It . I have a 629 classic DX. Really accurate but haven't shot it much. Love It I do not care much for the newer Hilary hole production. Don not think it was really needed.