S&W 629 Classic DX

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WheelMan

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... or was it DX Classic?

I've been in the market for a .44 double action to go with my Vaquero and Marlin. My local dealer has a S&W 629 Classic DX with 6" tube. Any opinions on this shootin' iron? What makes it "Classic," what makes it "DX?" I noticed it has the firing pin on the hammer which, I understand, is where it belongs :)

Same dealer also has a Redhawk 5.5" for about the same money, which is also tempting. The action on the Smith is definately nicer but I wonder if the smith wouldn't tolerate the megaton loads that my vaquero and marlin absorb without complaint, the Redhawk certainly wouldn't have a problem with them.
 
I think that the Smith would be the better overall pistol. If I'm not mistaken, the Classic DX is the top shelf version of the 629. It should have a better trigger and outstanding accuracy compared to a regular 629. Sort of like a GT compared to an LX. Can't help you with the durability issues, though my gut tells me the Ruger can take more of a joke than the Smith.
 
The Classic is a limited run of full lug guns in both 29 and 629. The DX were the most accurate of the Classics, held to a higher standard. IIRC it was 1" or less at 25 yards to be a DX. Get the DX if it is in nice shape, you can find that Ruger anywhere anytime.
 
Smith also makes a Performance Center version of the 629. . . available through Davidson's online or most S&W dealers.

(Actually they make two but that green one is just so UGLY . . . looks like it should have wheels or something.)
 
I'm going from memory but I think there's a price tag of 550ish on it. How's that register on the deal-o-meter? It's slightly worn looking but, nothings specfic, just looks "used" a bit. It's tight based on the checkout procedure.
 
That is a good price for one in 97%+ condition, fair price for one in 95%, bad price if not 95% or better in my opinion.
 
The S&W PC 629DX is very nice. They used to come with a factory test target. Maybe they still do. I don't think they have the firing pin attached to the hammer. If I wasn't so lazy I would have a look at my DX. S&W calls all their 629s with full under lugs "classic".

You should have a look at the S&W PC 629 Stealth Hunter with the green/black Birdsong finish. It is really neat. I love the front sight. It's much brighter than the standard S&W red ramp. The only caution, it is comped (ported) so you likely wouldn't want to shoot non-jacked lead bullets. They don't look so ugly when they are sitting in your hands. I think it is a neat revolver. It's not your father's S&W. They are not just a 629. The crane locks up differently. It has a scope rail. It has better sights. It's ported. A guy on one of the other forums calles his Stealth Hunter "Green Piece". I think that's a great name for the Stealth Hunter. It was/iis also over $1k and I think it is worth it.

The Stealth Hunter, the Green Machine, is more interesting. If you would like a little lighter weight 629 consider the 629 Classic with a 5" barrel. It has outstanding balance.

Rich
 
The PC version is called a "Light Hunter", no test target and not full underlug (bought one a few months ago)

The orange sight is very nice, especially for us older dudes!

Barrel is an oddball 7 1/2" I think . . . . love the gun.

Tried looking for the link online but their website looks like it is going nuts.

Here is a picture from Davidsons: LINK

Here is the one you asked about (the classic) I think:
LINK
 
Ok, I got off my butt and opened the safe. My S&W 629 6.5" Classic DX is not from the PC. It came in the standard blue plastic box. It does not have the firing pin attachted to the hammer. My DX looks like any other 629 Classic except for the writing on the barrel. It came with two grips. One is a great looking wood grip and the other is a Houge rubber grip. The Houge rubber grip is more comfortable with hot loads.

Under the foam, in the top part of the DX's blue plastic box, is a factory test target. It has one ragged hole "L" shaped hole, 1" at 25 yards using 240 gr JHP Fedreal AE44A.

My S&W PC 629 7.5" Stealth Hunter .44 Mag is a very different animal. It has a different underlug. It has "built in" scope rail. It has a ball detent to help keep the cylinder crane locked tight. It has a Millet Red Ramp dovetail front sight. It's barrel is ported. It weight 56 oz. It has a glassbead Black-T, Birdsong NATO green / black coating. The frame and barrel have the NATO green. The cylinder is black. It has an aluminum Performance Center case. No test target.

I'll admit, the green Stealth Hunter has a beauty only a frog would recognize, but it's one interesting revolver and I'm glad I have one.

Rich
 
When was the last S&W .44Mag revolver made with a firing pin in the hammer? The late 1980s? Maybe S&W was selling DX versions of the 629 in the "80s? I think of the partial underlug as "classic" to the S&W line but that's not the way S&W uses the term "Classic".

Rich
 
It's handy if you need to punch another hole in your leather belt. :)

Maybe they think it is less likely to have a problem? I have S&W revolvers with both types of hammers/firing pins. Never had a problem with either design.

Rich
 
The frame mounted pin should protect you better from eventual primer piercing and should be more durable (less prone to breakage) than hammer mounted pin. However, most likely that newer frame mounted pin revolvers have so called MIM (metal injection molding) parts like hammer, trigger, etc. to reduce production cost. Some folks complained that MIM parts are far more prone to breakage than forged ones on earlier models and wouldn’t touch newer revolvers. Today, I was watching on TV Dodge’s history and they mentioned how Dodge made jump in front of everybody introducing Hemy engines in 50-s. Well, somebody decided that they could save $45 per vehicle if they switch to another engine design. Sawing was none, market loss was significant. Typical story how to cripple, or even destroy, perfectly healthy company when short sighted greed for fast buck attacks upper management brains. Personally, I would spend couple dozen bucks more any time for older model with firing pin on hammer (I dont think that present owners/managers have anything to do with this decision regarding MIM parts). Regards, Onty.
 
by Chuck Perry:

"if I'm not mistaken, I think the DX model is the top shelf version of the 629"
Click to expand...

Great statement Chuck, close but NO cigar my friend!

I will put my 5" barrel non DX model 629-5 "Classic"
up against any DX model out there. This weapon is
simply an out-standing handgun in every respect; from fit
N' finish, to top flight accuracy straight from the box!

As a general rule, I don't run too many HOT factory loads
through this weapon; only when I have to buy a box or
two of the factory stuff to obtain the brass for reloading
purposes. I then download to .44 Special stats for simple
target shooting; and thus far my loadings have proved a
bit superior to stuff I've seen other folk's shoot from their
.44 magnums!

I would not under estimate the quality of S&W "Classic"
.44 magnums; that don't contain the letters "DX". You
(and others) certainly may be surprised!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
My 5" 629 Classic shoots very good groups but I've not shot groups off the bench, side by side with my DX. It wouldn't surprise me if they shot the same size groups from the bench or from a machine rest.

Rich
 
The DX models were shipped with several different front sights (ramps, posts w/ beads, and Patridge for differing ranges).
The S&W will not handle the loads the Ruger can tolerate, so consider that as you may have to segregate your ammo.
$550 is on the high side unless all the originals are there (all 5 sights and both stocks) and the revolver is in excellent condition. It would be a very good price for a PC model.
 
...what Majic said...they came with two grips and extra sights. I vaguely recall the DX's were supposed to be more accurate, but I'm not sure about it.

I have a 6.5" "Classic" version, and it is spectacularly accurate. I have seen scoped Redhawks that I could outshoot, with just the iron sights on my S&W.

There were stainless AND Blue Classics, in 5", 6.5", and 8&3/8". I think I once saw a limited edition blue in 7.5", but don't recall for sure.

I want to say the DX's were also available in blue, but they would have to be very rare. If you find one, grab it, the blue Classics alone are pretty uncommon.

edit to add:

my recollection was right, I did find a 7.5 blue Classic on Gunbroker, which is a limited edition.
 

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The DX was shipped with factory test targets. I don't know how much better. if at all, they were than the average 629. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the test target that came with my DX was a single "L" shaped hole, 1" ctc at 25 yards.

The font sight on my DX is made to be easily removable, but S&W seemed to forget to add a bag of different sights. At least they remembered the two grips.

Rich
 
It's been a while since I read about it, but wasn't the DX created to handle stouter loads?
 
Shootcraps, it my understanding that the S&W 629
DX model was suppose to achieve a little bit better
accuracy; and with the longer barrel, I guess this
might be true? But one certainly could not argue with
the accuracy that I get from my 5" barrel S&W
629-5 "Classic"!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
I wasn't talking specifically accuracy Ala Dan. The DX was developed because of some silouhette shooters. They were using stout loads to reach out to the farthest targets. Every so often, the cylinder on the model 29 would unlock and back up one notch. Sometimes the cylinder would just unlatch and come open. S&W investigated it and came up with the DX.
 
Sometimes the cylinder would just unlatch and come open. S&W investigated it and came up with the DX.
Click to expand...
I thought that was addressed in the "Endurance Package" they designed for the heavy caliber N-frames?
 
The Classic I posted a photo of was the first one I saw. I believe I have the writeup on it in that month's Shooting Times, where Metcalf discussed the gun and the durability package. Note that mine has the hardchrome trigger & hammer.

IIRC, heat treatment was improved to allow greater durability. The Classic and Classic DX's just happened to be the first .44's with this improvement, it was shortly thereafter added to all .44 Smiths. At one point I was thinking of having my 6.5" shortened to the 5" barrel, and I wrote Smith about it - they confirmed that mine does have the durability package.

Mine has been shot about 90% with hot light bullet loads, which are said to be just about the worst for flame cutting and forcing cone erosion. You can see just how accurate mine remains. It's probably had close to 2000 hot loads through it.

They are special guns, in any case...I will buy a 5", one of these days.:cool:
 
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