I have a 629-1, like the tar out of it! If I were to buy NIB, I'm afraid I have to get the Ruger RedHawk in 6" bbl. My reasoning, the 629 I have doesn't have the beefed up top strap the Ruger does, the frame is heavier on the Ruger, cylinder is beefier too. The newer S&W's have, what is referred to as having heavier recoil components in the cylinder, crane and frame. I'd loaded some 300 gr. Hornady's to shoot in my 629, I wrote S&W and ask about shooting them, "NO, Don't shoot them, not a lot of them anyway!!" Endurance Package is what I was thinking about earlier, mine won't handle the heavier loads, the 240 gr. bullets yes. Hope this helps you.