[TexasRifleman]

OK, was out today browsing. I've been shopping for a .44 mag revolver for a while.

Finally settled on an S&W 629.

Found an interesting one, the price was in line with every other 629 I've seen lately so I grabbed it.

What is it?

It's a Stainless 629, 4" barrel. Non-fluted cylinder with wood grips. Laser engraved on the right side of the barrel:

"Ranger"
"1 of 300" with the outline of a Texas Ranger badge, sort of...

Not the prettiest 629 I ever saw, but I have a weakness for unusual stuff, so I grabbed it.

What the heck is it? And why would an Oshmans in Ft Worth TX have 1 of 300?

Anyone know what I have?

Thanks in advance!

[Jim K]

For years, S&W has made up special runs of its products for LE agencies. These are not usually intended as issue or carry guns, but are sold through the agency to its members and friends with the profits going to a police benevolent fund, widows & orphans fund or some similar good cause. They usually stay in the area where they are sold and it is in that area they usually have the highest value.

A Texas Ranger gun might be an exception because of the romance associated with that organization, but others, say the Hootchikootchi Police Department Model 19, would have even less value than an unmarked gun outside of the Hootchikootchi city limits.

Jim

[TexasRifleman]

Don't know what it is, but I'm gonna shoot it tomorrow :D

http://www.employees.org/~jayc/SW629.jpg
http://www.employees.org/~jayc/SW629a.jpg

[Gordon]

I think the gun is really nice, and aren't Texas Rangers heros and legends down there and else where? I think the grips are really nice. And it looks like you got a real firing pin in the hammer too. I think 4" 629's rule! The unfluted cylinder is cool too. 25 years from now it will be worth lots.

[Kahr carrier]

Congrats on your new 629 .I like the wood grips also and especially the unfluted cylinder.:)

[stephen_g22]

I just bought one of these 629s myself today. I bought mine at Oshman's in Katy, Texas. The sales clerk (very knowledgable believe it or not) told me that Oshman's bought all 300 of these 629s.

What that tells me is that they ordered 300 629's with unfluted cylinders and Ranger 1 of 300 etched on them. Maybe it was a special run for Oshman's

I chose this particular 629 because I liked the wood grips and thought the unfluted cylinder. I shot about 30 rounds through it this afternoon and loved it.

I am going after Bambi soon.

[Hawk]

And it looks like you got a real firing pin in the hammer too

Revolver newbie here.

OK, I give. How in the he!! can you tell where the firing pin is given those pics?

[P95Carry]

HANDSOME piece .... you are one lucky dude IMO. It matters not really what is written on it .. that is just a dandy piece of hardware. Lovely grips .. beaut' proportions . what more could a revo lover ask for (OK ... 500 rnds of .44 mag . paid for!!).

That is for sure a keeper ... has to be. Pleased for you TexasSIGman

[stephen_g22]

The firing pin is not on the hammer, this is a new production 629 with the stupid lock and everything.

I still love it though!

[BluesBear]

Hawk,

The S&W revolvers with the hammer mounted firing pin have a small hole in the hammer where the retaining pin is located.