Model 629 classic

[Just Jim]

So I was in the gunshop tody looking at a 629 44 mag. It looked really good at first glance so I asked to pick it up. Gun was just like new and showed little signs of wear, or so I thought. Started looking at it real hard and someone had buffed off almost all of the "629 CLASSIC". Also the recoil sheild showed it had been buffed to hide how much the gun had been shot.

Geez it took some real study to figure out I didn't want this gun. With a blue gun you can see the honest wear on it but the guys with stainless can buff away tell tale marks as to how the gun was used or abused. Still that 629 Classic was $550 and no hole in the side. I just can't bring myself to buy it:banghead::banghead:

Am I looking at this the wrong way??

jj

 

[stevereno1]

i'd love a blue one!

 

[boomer1911a1]

Did you check the usual indicators? Cylinder lock-up? Drag ring? End-play? Forcing cone condition? Top-strap cutting? Not to be an apologist, but the shield may have been buffed just to get the carbon off it.

I know it's possible that someone could've abused that Classic, putting hot handloads throug it by the case, but is it likely? You actually handled the thing; you'd know best of all of us.

Good luck on your hunt!

 

[PzGren]

Some markings are very easy to rub off on S&W revolvers if you only lightly polish them, the marking on the left side of the barrel is one of them.

 

[Majic]

Rather than worrying about the cosmetics always first check to see if it's mechanically sound. I wouldn't worry about a tight gun that has been buffed. A lot of folks are buffing their guns to a high shine these days since they like bling.. You could still end up with a sweet shooter.

 

[pinkymingeo]

Laser etching rubs off pretty easily. Some guys do it intentionally, and I personally don't blame them. The gun looks better without. Stainless guns show a lot of crud that blued guns don't. Every now and then I use a Hoppe's cloth to clean the recoil shield area, and it removes other marks as well. With normal use the gun will last several lifetimes, so that's nothing to worry about. Even the heaviest use won't kill the gun, just accelerate maintenance. It may need an endshake adjustment or cylinder stop work sooner, but that's about it. Take a look at the cylinder notches. If they're beat up, the gun has fired some heavy loads. No big deal, but that's where it will show.

 

[cottonmouth]

629

Even if it's had the hell shot out of it it's still a good one, that is if the timing is good and it locks up like it should. I have one and wouldn't trade it for a new one because it's been shot enough that the action has slicked up real good.

J.B.

 

[Just Jim]

Looking in the bolt cut I notied it was diged a bit and really dirty compared to the rest of the gun. I think I am going to pass on it even though I want one. I don't trust people that try to hide honest wear.

jj