Urgent question re 629's

M

mpthole

New member
I'm looking at ads and auctions on 629's with a 5" barrel. Some of them say 629-4 5" and others say 629-5 5"... while some don't have the "-x" after the 629 at all. What gives? Is this the number of rounds that can fit in the cylinder?

Ad 1
Ad 2
Ad 3 (new)
 
The dash numbers are indicators of engineering changes during production of the gun. Have nothing to do with barrel length or number of rounds.

Sam
 
the "-x" after the model number (629) is the current model being manufactured. Right now, it is -6 as in 629-6. Usually the newer models have new features (i.e. internal lock feature) added hence the update in numbering...

Hope that helps.
 
Greeting's mpthole,

I own a Smith & Wesson 629-5, 5" barrel .44 magnum
and dearly love it!:) The double-action trigger is as
slick as a baby's butt; much better than on some older
model 29's that I've seen. The -5 model is equipped
with the frame mounted (or floating) firing pin, flat
faced hammer, and does not have the intergal
lock. MIM parts are used in production of the hammer
and trigger; and some say this is a negative! I must
say, I have never experienced a problem with this
weapon that I purchased NIB in July of 2000. Last
but not least, you will find the "new model" thumb
latch on the S&W 629-5. :cool: :D

All in all, I would rate it as a first class handgun; and
under normal useage, it should last the consumer
a lifetime.:)

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
I'm so torn right now... should I go new or used? :confused: If I go for the used 629-4 model, I'd probably save about $100 or so...

... of course, I just found out the new one is a 629-5 and the seller will hold it for me (if it doesn't sell in the auction) until the weekend.

Aaaaarrrrrrrr!!!!!! Decisions, decisions. :)
 
Hello Again mpthole,

FYI, I forgot to mention that the Smith & Wesson 629-5
also came with "beefed up" internals; in order to with
stand heavy usage of "full house" magnum rounds.:cool:

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
Thanks Dan! I think I'm leaning towards the 629-5... especially since its New-In-Box, doens't have the new-fangled internal lock, has "beefed up internals" (I LIKE that), and is still cheaper than anywhere around here by quite a bit.

...now just have to wait until Friday when I find out how much that Christmas bonus is going to be. :)
 
The -4 and (perhaps the -3) should have beefed up internals, too. These two have the hammer mounted firing pin. Some people maintain that the earlier ones have a finer fitted action. Supposedly, (this is based on Taffin over at www.sixguns.com) the durability package is indicated by the longer bolt locking notches in the cylinder compared to the early models.
 
mpthole,

I just checked the book, regarding the change to the
Smith & Wesson 629's lockwork; with the change
occurring in 1998 with the -5 model's.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
I have an old Guns & Ammo from 1990 that describes all the endurance package upgrades that were incorporated in the S&W 44 Magnums at that time. So , apparently Smith performed another upgrade in 98?
 
And the book say's of the 1998 (-5) changes:

a) change frame design to eliminate cylinder stop stud
b) eliminate serrated tangs
c) change to MIM hammer with floating firing pin
d) change to MIM trigger
e) change internal lockwork


Hope this helps resolve some of the questions you
guy's may have?

*FootNote: source = Standard Catalog Of Smith & Wesson
2nd edition, by Supica & Nahas

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
According to the 1990 article the endurance package consisted of 3 main improvemnets:

1- a different heat treating process for the cylinder yoke - now has greater resistance to deforming under the stress of firing.

2- Elongating the the cylinder stop notches.

3 - A bolt block was added to the lockwork. (maybe Smith improved upon this in 98)

A more precisely manufactured cylinder was also mentioned as an accuracy upgrade.
 
Thanks for the information there, 629 shooter. I'm
sure with the upgrade's from both, 1990 and 1998
the consumer is definitely getting one very fine
shoot'in iron. I know, I can say without any type
reservations that I most certainly like my 629-5,
5" barrel "Classic". Hope you guy's have a very
happy and safe holiday season; and as always
I've enjoyed discussing the wonderful Smith &
Wesson 629's!:D :cool: :)

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
629 44 magnum

Ala Dan:
(1) What would you consider normal usage?
For example, I shoot ~ 100 rounds of 44 magnum per week consisting of a Carroll or Rainier 240 gr bullet sitting on top of 22.8 gr of Winchester 296 powder. The gun is well cleaned after each shooting session
(2) ?Full house loads.
I consider a20 gr bullet on top of 22.8 gr of Winchester 296 powder a "full house load"
I would like your opinion. Thanks in advance.
Herb Leventhal
 
Just My Opinion-

Greeting's Herb,

Sorry for the delay, but I'm just in from work!:eek:

Let me clarify, what I would consider abnormal usage
would be a steady diet of 300 grain .44 magnum hunting
load's. While the Ruger Redhawk and Super Blackhawk
might be able to withstand these loads with constant use;
I don't believe any Smith & Wesson 29 and/or 629 could
hold up to the stress factor as presented by this ammo.
The endurance package from 1989-90 and 1998 would
help the S&W 29 and 629 in the long haul with "hot
magnum" 240 grain loading's; but I strongly believe that
the 300 grainer's would beat this weapon to death; and
could cause problems with alignment and/or lockwork of
the weapon. You should be O.K. with your loads; provided
you did not exceed the loading data of a reloading hand-
book.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
Quick update... the gun sold 30 minutes before I called on it yesterday. :( Oh well, the search is on for another one.
 
Att: ATTICUS

IF the Smith & Wesson model 29-3 .44 magnum
is a 98 percenter in LNIB condition with the box, tools,
and paper's; then $350 is not a bad price.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
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