School me on the S&W 629 Please

[Infidel4life11]

There is a S&W 629 4" barrel in my shop SN: BSSXXXX, Stainless excellent condition.

I'd like to know what year it was made and what are some ways I can tell if its an older model vs newer.

If you own one what ammo does it like the best accuracy wise.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Well I'm sure we could yammer on and all. How much is it and does it have a keylock hole in the frame? I'd probably buy it.

 

[dickydalton]

Open the cylinder and see if it's a 629 or 629- 1,2,3,4,5,...........
if you want to know the appx. year of mfg.

 

[Infidel4life11]

629-5 I believe. I'll check tomorrow. No key hole BTW. Hogue grips working on getting wood ones. $900 on the tag but there is room to bargain. I sold a 1972 model 29 with a 10" barrel in the original wood box for $1300.

 

[MrBorland]

Without The Catalogue in front of me, I'm gonna guess late 90s.

Some might prefer earlier guns with hammer-mounted firing pins, but the 686-5 and 66-5 are my preferred variants because they are the only pre-lock guns with a frame-mounted firing pin, new style cylinder release and pinned front sight. The 629-5s, I believe, share these features, too.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Any S&W model that starts with a 6 is a Stainless model. The 629 is the stainless version of the classic Model 29. The 629-5 came out in 1997. Frame was changed to eliminate the cylinder stop stud, eliminate serrated tangs, change to a MIM hammer with a floating firing pin, MIM trigger, and some changes to the internal lockwork.

The 629-6 came out in 2001 with the internal lock.

There are lots of three letter prefix-four digit serial numbers listed as starting with B, but I do not see a BSS listed.

And yes, I do prefer the earlier guns with the frame mounted firing pins and without the MIM parts. I like the five screws best of all.

 

[Fishslayer]

My SCSW puts BSS at 1994-2003.

If it is a -5 then it is pre lock but has the MIM hammer & trigger with the frame mounted firing pin.

 

[Infidel4life11]

Thank you guys, I'll post pictures tomorrow when I get back to the shop. Thanks again for the knowledge.

 

[Infidel4life11]

Picture up and my fault it is a 629-4. Firing pin on the hammer.

 

[Boxhead]

Most would consider that gun (-4) the pinnacle of stainless Smith 44's. It will have the Endurance Package (fully) yet retain some of the earlier M29/629 features. The price is fair IMO as it is less than what a new one would cost and the 4" barrel will bring a premium. So, buy it, you will never be out money if you decide to sell.

 

[highpower]

Most would consider that gun (-4) the pinnacle of stainless Smith 44's. It will have the Endurance Package (fully) yet retain some of the earlier M29/629 features. The price is fair IMO as it is less than what a new one would cost and the 4" barrel will bring a premium. So, buy it, you will never be out money if you decide to sell.

^^^^^^^^^
This

I have a 629-4 Classic DX and it is one of the most accurate and tough handguns I own. Serial number starts with BUF and the box it came in says it was made on the 251st day of 1995

 

[Infidel4life11]

^^^^^^ that is amazing

 

[Infidel4life11]

Will those wood grips fit on the 629-4?

 

[highpower]

My 629 is a -4 version. The set pictured on my gun are factory stocks made around 1985 or so. Originally made for a square butt frame, I modified them to fit the round butt that now is standard on all N frame guns.

I understand that S&W now makes a set that does the same thing.

 

[ClemY]

From the photo it appears to be a 629 Mountain Gun which may increase the value of the gun due to the rarity. Those compact Pachmayr grips may be great for carry, but they may not be the grip of choice for shooting serious loads. I put the Hogue grip they make for the .500 Smiths on mine and that works well for me.

 

[bluekouki86]

I've got a 6" 629-4 Classic with full underlug. I really enjoy shooting it, and it is a very accurate gun. I prefer prelock and preMIM part guns. The full underlug will help keep recoil down. My 6" has a ported barrel, not sure if shorter barrels/other years have this feature. All in all it is my favorite wheel gun.