Just ordered a new 629!

[Deep Six]

I've been contemplating my next gun for a long time. I was pretty sure it was going to be a 44 as that's my favorite bore size lately. After 4 Rugers, I wanted to try a Smith. I was also looking for a shorter barreled double action so I could practice my speed revolver skills.

Being my first Smith I had to make a choice as to new or pre-lock/MIM. I was originally thinking 44 special to complement my flattop and because I don't see much use for hot stuff in a double action. So I looked at lots of 24s and 624. The 1950s models are getting too pricey to shoot. Even the 24-3s and original 624s from the 80s are getting pricey and the examples I looked at really didn't appear to be anything special in terms of fit, finish, and feel (apparently the 80s were a low point for S&W fit and finish...?). The 24 Classics they released back in the 2007 time frame appear to have excellent fit and finish but they are scarce and were selling for more than a new 29/629. Even the new 29/629 are difficult to find but are available on Gunbroker. I finally decided it wouldn't hurt a thing to have the deeper chambers and bull barrel that separates the 29 from the 24. I was hemming and hawing between the 4" 29 Classic and the 4" 629. In the end, practicality of the stainless and round butt grip frame on the 629 won out over the classic look and panache of the 29 Classic with its polished blue finish and square butt grip frame. For my intended use as a woods/plinker gun I think I made the right choice. As a shooter, the lock/MIM won't bother me and I won't have to feel bad about shooting up an old collectable Smith.

Anyways, should be at my FFL next week. Can't wait to meet her!

[scrappletaco]

Congrats any chance you wanna send one my way too hahaha:D

[osteodoc08]

Good choice on a fine firearm. My LGS has a classic nickle plated 4" that's been calling to me for some time but I don't need another caliber to shoot and load and cast for.

[enfieldphile]

Congrats on your incoming Smith!

I have Smiths dating from the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's and I have MIM lock guns.

Smith really didn't have a low point per se. There was a period in the late 70' to early 80' when they were in transition from manual machines to CNC. They also went through a blitz of changes on their centerfire line of semi-autos. A smith revolver from that era may, or may not have had a smooth trigger. But really, that was the only thing I recall.

By the mid 80's, Smith was back! They really had to, because Ruger was giving Smith some serious competition in the double action revolver market. By then, Colt had slowly been backing out of the revolver genre, though they did have the King Cobra and the Anaconda was being developed.

When time & finances allow, revisit the .44 Special. I have 2, a rare 4" stainless 624 adjustable-sight from the late 80's and a recent, blue, MIM/lock fix-sight 4" Thunder Ranch gun. Both are perfect!

[bobthenailer]

I also have a 5" 629 and i have come to like S&W revolvers with 5 " barrels the best, i currently have 4 examples

[snowwolfe]

Congrats on a nice choice. I own two different 629's and never had a problem with either and they both have the new lock. My 6 inch model has accounted for more Blacktail deer on Kodiak Island than I can remember. It never failed me, wet, freezing weather, etc. They are very well built double action revolvers.

[Larry in MT]

Nice choice. I've had one 29/629 or another since the mid 70s --- enjoyed every one. I've migrated to the 5" Classic, but your 4" would suit me very well, also. Mine have all liked cast boolits, although my "new" one -- shipped in '93 -- does have tighter cylinder throats than the older ones. They have ALL been very accurate with hardcasts at full throttle. Enjoy.

[enfieldphile]

Bobthenailer,

I have a Classic 29 5". There were not that many made in Blue.

I agree, the 5" barrel is the best! I also have a stainless "MODEL OF 1989" 5" .45acp and a 38/44 HD 5" (1964 production for Austin PD).

The US 1917 and Brazilian 1937 are 5.5"


I also have a 5" 629 and i have come to like S&W revolvers with 5 " barrels the best, i currently have 4 examples

[Deep Six]

When time & finances allow, revisit the .44 Special. I have 2, a rare 4" stainless 624 adjustable-sight from the late 80's and a recent, blue, MIM/lock fix-sight 4" Thunder Ranch gun. Both are perfect!

Yeah I saw a couple of the 24-6 Classic 3" guns come up on gun broker. I foolishly let a NIB blued model slip by last summer. There was recently a NIB nickel model on there but they wanted too much for it. Someday though.

[Petrol & Powder]

Deep Six, I share your logic.
Over the years my big bores got sold & traded until I no longer had a 44 on hand. I didn't really notice the loss at first but I recently re-developed that itch for a 44 caliber DA revolver. I much prefer the 44 Special over the 44 magnum. That's not to say that the 44mag is in anyway a bad thing, I just like the 44 Special guns better. However, as you have pointed out, the 44 Special has become a cult gun with prices to match. The 44 magnums are far more common and don't command the "collector's prices" of the 44 Specials. The closest thing to the old S&W 44 Special that I can find in the 44 magnum line is the Mountain Gun, and those aren't cheap. I wish I would have seen this coming because there was a time when everyone and their brother only wanted the 44 Magnum and you could barely give away a 44 Special.

Oh well, once again my crystal ball has failed me.

[djgoings]

I prefer the "pre-lock" smiths. I know a S&W employee that has worked on smith revolvers for 25+ years. The early models, 60's 70's and 80's all received some custom hand fitting. As time went by, this became less and less. He says that only revolvers that come from the performance center today, will be hand fitted. Everything else is just assembled by a lower level technician. That being said I have a model 686, 2007 lock vintage that received some hand work after being purchased that is comparable to the older smith's.

[GLL]

Get one of each ! :)

624
http://www.fototime.com/C2327F6F5598F67/orig.jpg

629
http://www.fototime.com/F44A9F49A60A979/orig.jpg

Jerry

[AnthonyB]

enfieldphile; I too have a rare 4 inch 624. Mine is more rare that most - it is chambered in 44 Magnum!
Tony

[Petrol & Powder]

GLL - You're killing me! That 624 is exactly what my heart desires. 4" Tapered barrel, short cylinder, stainless steel.

[enfieldphile]

Petrol & Powder,

That was a 5000 piece run. I'm sure I speak for GLL as well as myself when I say "Taint fer sale."

You have 4,998 chances left to get one. ;) sometimes it's just being in the right place, right time.

An much older guy walked into the gunshow last year. He approached a few dealers. They offered him the loose change in their pockets for an almost mint 624 4" gun. He knew exactly what retail and fair wholesale was on it.

I saw him walking w/ 2 pistol rugs. We started a conversation. The other gun was a equally rare stainless .45 Colt caliber 4" Mountain Gun.

He wanted $800.00 a piece. I jumped right on the 624! I already have one of the .45 Colt Mountain Guns :)

[Hickok]

I have a 4" 629 along with an older Model 29 with a 6" barrel. My newer 629 has tight throats in the cylinder. They run .4285"-429". I size a Lyman 429421 to .430" and it shoots very good in the 629. My older Model 29 has .432" cylinder throats. So I shoot the same boolit in both, cast of ACWW, sized .430", 20 gr./2400. Shoots great in both, a little leading in the m29, but not enough to worry about. Both are veteran deer killers!

[dubber123]

Occasionally you stumble into a good deal. I bought a NIB 6" 624 last year for $400 and change. I also bought a 625 Classic 5" .45 Colt, (1,500 made), also NIB for under $500 from the same shop. Deals do pop up, be ready.

[MtGun44]

Good for you !

You might guess that I like them.. . . . . . :bigsmyl2:

Bill

[Petrol & Powder]

Yes, enfieldphile, I have no doubt that GLL will hold onto that 624 and even if it was for sale, I couldn't afford it. But I can dream a little in between shoveling snow today :)

The trick is being in the right place, at the right time, with money in your pocket. I've been lucky a few times but only a few.

[Deep Six]

GLL - You're killing me! That 624 is exactly what my heart desires. 4" Tapered barrel, short cylinder, stainless steel.

I passed on one of those 85-ish 4" 624s in the local gun store for $700 last year. It had obviously been carried as the stainless was kinda marred up in places. The S&W target grips were poorly fitted and the glossy finish on the wood had not worn well through the years. It had enough endshake that it probably needed correction. I knew it was a rare model but I was not at all impressed with that particular example.

[John Allen]

I really like the round butt 629's. I have three of them in different barrel lengths. The 5 happens to be my favorite

[enfieldphile]

Some eye candy...

625, MODEL OF 1989 .45ACP, 5"
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q228/ultramag44/525%20dash%203%20SW/625-3a.jpg
The Brownells tool on the right is way better then the hook type on the left to remove brass from the clips
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q228/ultramag44/100_0044.jpg

Bought this 29 Classic 5" NIB
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q228/ultramag44/000_0005.jpg

624 4"
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q228/ultramag44/624%20SW/624SampWa_zpse7d7a85d.jpg


Bought this 625 Mountain Gun .45 Colt NIB
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q228/ultramag44/MountaingunR.jpg

21-4 Thunder Ranch
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q228/ultramag44/100_1464.jpg
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q228/ultramag44/100_1460.jpg
Above target was shot w/ Saeco Boolit on the left @ 20 yards
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q228/ultramag44/100_1453.jpg

[John Allen]

That thunder ranch one is pretty slick. I have a mountain gun coming this week from another member in 44 mag. I can not wait.

[enfieldphile]

That thunder ranch one is pretty slick. I have a mountain gun coming this week from another member in 44 mag. I can not wait.

John Allen, Good on ya getting the Mountain Gun, you're gonna like it!

5 or so years ago, a gun store in PA had a flock of the 21-4 Thunder Ranch guns NIB. Even w/ the transfer fee and shipping, it still cost me a little less then $600.00 delivered into my hand!

[John Allen]

I always wanted a mountain gun. Now I just need to find one in 45 colt too.

[Hickok]

"Petrol & Powder;2631614

The trick is being in the right place, at the right time, with money in your pocket. I've been lucky a few times but only a few."

I learned that the hard way. At a gunshow a fella had an older Model 27 SMITH with the pinned barrel, never fired, no line around the cylinder from use, for a fair price. Didn't have enough cash, just a credit card. "No deal." Wish I could have sold a kidney.

Once I did find a cop trade-in Model 19 4" at a pawn shop, for $200, like new, probably wore in the office! I still have it and am still smiling! Love those S&W revolvers!

[JesterGrin_1]

I think mine is odd but it is the original S&W all stainless (which means the trigger and hammer are stainless) 629 Classic. It was literately thrown at me by my Father for my Birthday in the early 80's. Yea we are a bit odd lol. But it is a heck of a shooter. But a bit big for carrying around. The .44 Magnum is my FAVORITE pistol cartridge.

For carry in the field I now use a Ruger Super Blackhawk Bisley Stainless by Lipsy's with the 3 3/4 barrel in .44 Magnum.

[enfieldphile]

IIRC, S&W tried to make the trigger and hammer from stainless, but they had issues w/ retaining the correct trigger weight-of-pull. What they actually did was to make those parts from carbon steel, then plate them w/ a form of electros nickel that matched the frame. Sorry, didn't mean to be a fact-checker/or correction Nazi, just I recall reading this back about...1982? Mama (rest her soul) always said my head was a storehouse for weird facts/information.


I think mine is odd but it is the original S&W all stainless (which means the trigger and hammer are stainless) 629 Classic. It was literately thrown at me by my Father for my Birthday in the early 80's. Yea we are a bit odd lol. But it is a heck of a shooter. But a bit big for carrying around. The .44 Magnum is my FAVORITE pistol cartridge.

For carry in the field I now use a Ruger Super Blackhawk Bisley Stainless by Lipsy's with the 3 3/4 barrel in .44 Magnum.

[Clay M]

I have an older pinned and recessed 629 4" It is a nice belt gun. I don't shoot heavy loads in it cause I have other guns for that. .44 specials or something around 1000 fps will do for with I use it for. It doesn't have the enhanced frame so no need in pushing it.

[JesterGrin_1]

IIRC, S&W tried to make the trigger and hammer from stainless, but they had issues w/ retaining the correct trigger weight-of-pull. What they actually did was to make those parts from carbon steel, then plate them w/ a form of electros nickel that matched the frame. Sorry, didn't mean to be a fact-checker/or correction Nazi, just I recall reading this back about...1982? Mama (rest her soul) always said my head was a storehouse for weird facts/information.

Why is it that the newer 629's have natural carbon steel triggers and hammers while the older 629's had stainless or looked to be stainless? And how can you tell if they just look stainless or are for a fact stainless?

[Clay M]

All the newer S&W's have injection molded triggers and parts. The older gun parts machined steel.As far as SS triggers on the older guns I think it is some kind of plating. That is what it looks like . Many of the older triggers were case colored.

[JesterGrin_1]

All the newer S&W's have injection molded triggers and parts. The older gun parts machined steel.As far as SS triggers on the older guns I think it is some kind of plating. That is what it looks like . Many of the older triggers were case colored.

Well now I have no idea lol. I did once call S&W about this and was told some came with Stainless and others came coated and later they were natural carbon steel. The reason I was told was that there stainless hammer and trigger shear seemed to wear faster and not be as smooth as carbon steel. The original question to S&W was if this is the case if they would update my 629 Classic with the natural carbon steel parts. And they said yes for a fee that was not cheap. So I figured since it works just fine as is I left it alone.

[Clay M]

I talked with S&W customer service last week about triggers and the tech told me that the newer MIM triggers weren't as good as the old ones. He said he use to hand fit the old guns back in the day. He also gave me a list of numbers where I might find older parts.

[JesterGrin_1]

Ok I give lol. :)

[enfieldphile]

Let's clear up all the rubbish about "I used to hand-fit the lock works".

Back in the old days, S&W used to pay piece-meal wages. The more parts a person turned out (on a manual machine) in an hour, the more he $$ made. Guns had to be hand-fitted; because, parts were shipped to the fitter with a wider latitude on the + / - tolerances. I have seen a picture of the fitter @ a fitting station. Boxes of all the parts were sitting there and this guy would try parts in combinations until the feeling of the action and trigger were acceptable. In the late 70's & early 80's, S&W had a combination of old, worn-out machines and labor issues. Some guns in that period left Springfield w/ scabby triggers.

By the mid 80's, S&W upgraded the plant. Advanced MIM and CNC machines produces a part near closer to 0.0 tolerence, so, yes, a gun can pretty much be assembled, vs "hand fitting" w/o all parts swapping to make it acceptable to ship. I have both old & new S&W guns. Both are good!


I talked with S&W customer service last week about triggers and the tech told me that the newer MIM triggers weren't as good as the old ones. He said he use to hand fit the old guns back in the day. He also gave me a list of numbers where I might find older parts.

[Clay M]

All I can tell you is what the S&W customer service guy told me. Here are the phone #'s he gave me if you want older parts.

413-732-9938
845-679-4867
605-343-9544

[enfieldphile]

I believe you Clay.

Things were a lot worse @ Colt! Colt's required much more hand fitting then S&W! Colt's machines were much older then S&W's. That's one of the reasons why Colt guns were more expensive then S&W. The old-time master fitters were sorry to see the day of MIM / CNC arrive. Their vaulted jobs were really not required anymore. Now quickly trained assembler could do their job. Kind of like how digital equipment made the phone operator's job into a drastically smaller force.


All I can tell you is what the S&W customer service guy told me.

[Petrol & Powder]

IIRC the plating process was called "Flash Chrome" (some type of hard chrome) and it was used to make carbon steel triggers & Hammers look like stainless. I got a bobbed hammer for a stainless K-frame one time and asked how it could be bobbed without exposing the underlying carbon steel. I was told that they selected the all stainless ones for that modification so that it would be the same metal all the way through.

[Larry in MT]

I believe my -4 629 was the last model without MIM parts. Mine shipped in 1993, IIRC.

[Silver Jack Hammer]

Now that you've purchased I'm gunna come along and tell you that Smith has cataloged an L frame 5 shot .44 mag with a 4.25 inch bbl. A 5 shot L frame cylinder with holes drilled off the cylinder stop notches can handle the pressure of pert near an artillery shell, but as I examine the L frame forcing cone it was my opinion it won't hold up if drilled to a .44 diameter. So I called Smith and told them I think they're going to gun that's going to crack forcing cones. Nice gun to fit in the hand tho. The guy at Smith told their test guns held up to 10,000 rounds without failure. Hum. This gun would be perfect loaded with RCBS 44-250-K over 7.0 to 7.5 gr of Unique. Weighs in at about 37 oz. Smith calls it their Model 69 and is on their website.

[Deep Six]

Now that you've purchased I'm gunna come along and tell you that Smith has cataloged an L frame 5 shot .44 mag with a 4.25 inch bbl. A 5 shot L frame cylinder with holes drilled off the cylinder stop notches can handle the pressure of pert near an artillery shell, but as I examine the L frame forcing cone it was my opinion it won't hold up if drilled to a .44 diameter. So I called Smith and told them I think they're going to gun that's going to crack forcing cones. Nice gun to fit in the hand tho. The guy at Smith told their test guns held up to 10,000 rounds without failure. Hum. This gun would be perfect loaded with RCBS 44-250-K over 7.0 to 7.5 gr of Unique. Weighs in at about 37 oz. Smith calls it their Model 69 and is on their website.

Yeah I knew about the 69. Taurus has been making something similar in their Tracker series for years. I wanted the full 6 shots and the classic N-frame size and feel. I'm happy I went with the 629.

[RKJ]

Deep Six, Does your new 629 have a 1 piece barrel or the new 2 piece ones? It's a nice looking one either way.

[Deep Six]

I don't have it yet - hopefully by this weekend. I'll let you know then. In the meantime I'll go look up 2 piece barrels on newer Smiths as I'm not sure what that is.

[Changeling]

WOW, what an amazing post/thread, I had just been posting regarding the exact same subject starting a week or so ago on the Smith and Wesson web site, who would have thought the same questions and responses would show up, absolutely amazing!!

[Deep Six]

I went and looked up two piece barrels. As a mechanical engineer, I believe that the idea has merit - if done right. It will be interesting to see if mine has it or not. Really I am fine with it either way. Looks like an intriguing idea that could really help accuracy. Then again my crush-fit Rugers have always been good too. Either way S&W will back it up. That's the benefit of going with new for a shooter.

[detox]

I like shooting pistols at longer ranges from a sandbag rest. This gun is next on my list. Gun in picture is actually the 686 version, but the 629 version looks about the same

[Zim]

Model 69, huh ?

That was a rotten thing to tell me about. Just got the last do-all gun that i would ever need and then I find out smith is making a 44 on a K frame. A very cute 5" barrelled K frame. Now I need to find some one who hates it and convince me I don't want one. Any takers?

[RKJ]

I went and looked up two piece barrels. As a mechanical engineer, I believe that the idea has merit - if done right. It will be interesting to see if mine has it or not. Really I am fine with it either way. Looks like an intriguing idea that could really help accuracy. Then again my crush-fit Rugers have always been good too. Either way S&W will back it up. That's the benefit of going with new for a shooter.

I've only seen them in pics and read an article in AH about them, (I don't recall the name of dates of the article) but Alex Hamilton (their gunsmithing Editor found they needed a special tool to change barrels and at that time (when they first started using them) on S&W had them. That's no big deal as I don't do barrel changes but it got me thinking about them. From the pictures I've seen (granted it's only a picture) I liked it from the side view but not the end view (looking toward the barrel) but then who does like that view? :) I'd like to see one in person as I want a model 25 in 45 colt. I'm sure they are fine, just the looks kinda throw me off.

[TXGunNut]

IIRC, S&W tried to make the trigger and hammer from stainless, but they had issues w/ retaining the correct trigger weight-of-pull. What they actually did was to make those parts from carbon steel, then plate them w/ a form of electros nickel that matched the frame. Sorry, didn't mean to be a fact-checker/or correction Nazi, just I recall reading this back about...1982? Mama (rest her soul) always said my head was a storehouse for weird facts/information.

I've heard a few were produced in stainless, seems to me it was for the early Model 60 but may have been for other models as well. I can't recall ever actually seeing but one, my early 60 has the e-NI finish.

[TXGunNut]

Tough choice between the 29 and 629, OP, the 29 is one pretty revolver. I'd have gone with the 629 as well, only dilemna would have been barrel length. I'd like something a little longer but the 4" is a handy package.
Did it come in yet?