Smith and Wesson 629-2, fluted cylinder and 3" barrel

[boomstik45]

Friend of mine found one, but he likes the bigger revolvers, especially in .44 magnum. He's willing to trade me my Taurus Raging Bull (with some cash) for the Smith, which actually comes in it's original box. It doesn't seem to have seen many rounds. Good deal? I've kind of been wanting to grab a smaller, handier .44 magnum anyway, although the "Bull" is fun to shoot (and 8 and 3/8 " barrel is no joke, though, it's anything but handy), but I don't handgun hunt as much as I thought I would.

Do I stand much chance of losing a lot of accuracy and velocity with a 3" barrel? If anybody has any info, advice, etc on this type of revolver, I'm all ears. Big ears. Like "Dumbo."

 

[Oro]

Compared to a 8 3/8" barrel, you are going to loose a few hundred fps amount of muzzle speed. Compard to a 4", though, you loose not much at all, maybe 50fps +/- depending upon the powder characteristics, primarily. You will loose accuracy out a fur piece; this is a defensive gun and has no pretensions on being for hunting (indeed would be illegal to hunt with it in most places I know of because of the barrel length).

Personally, I'd do the trade in a heart beat. If I need to reach out and kill something at a distance, I got a rifle for that. I have had a 3" 629-1 for several years now and I still am smitten with it. .44 specials make it a deadly "around town" gun, and real hard-hitters make me feel better in big bear country. It carries easily and handles well. Some of the -2's I think were kitted with nice Combat Grips similar to the ones like in the photo below. They add a touch of class (even if they don't dampen much recoil ).

 

[batmann]

Will he throw in some Ray-Bans??? LOL Good trade, I would do it in a heart beat.

 

[Buckshot Bill]

I'm voting with Oro and batmann. The chance to pick up a nice [if indeed it IS a nice one] 3'' Smith and cash to boot doesn't come along every day. I'll bet you'll both be happy. If it were me, I would've already "pulled the trigger" on this deal! Good luck, Buckshot Bill

 

[alde]

My 3" 629 is probably my favorite revolver. It is plenty accurate and carries great. I would trade the Taurus for it in a flash. If you don't like it you can get your money back with little problem. You will like it though.

 

[wgp]

I think you may have found one of the Lew Horton S&W revolvers with an N-frame but a K-frame round butt. I used to have one in .41 Mag and regret selling it. They were a limited production revolver and I wonder whether they now have some collector interest and higher value? Worth checking out.

 

[Oro]

wgp, the "Lew Horton" guns had genuine "N-round" grips. They were the first round-butt factory N's made I believe. They came in .44spec., magnum, and also .41magnum like you had. They do get a premium price over others.

Prior to that, there were some wildcat guns that had a more K-size grip frame. They were made by John Jovino in NYC. Cut down to 2.5", and the grip frame altered to take k-round grips. These were called "Enforcers" and were strictly a wildcat proposition, not factory, hence the grip frame was not standard.

 

[bluetopper]

That 3" 629 is about double the value of any Taurus ever made. You would do well by trading.

 

[boomstik45]

Guys, thanks for the info so far, as well as the encouragement. I took a look at the gun. Original box (serial numbers match and all). Hardly a scratch on her (and I had to look very hard for the one I did find). I doubt if she's seen a full two boxes of ammunition. Action locks up TIGHT.

The Taurus was a hoot to shoot, and had a few dings near the muzzle (almost like pitting), as it was before I got it. I liked this S&W so much that I gave up a bit more cash than I first planned on doing, but I do NOT regret it one bit, and I haven't even shot one like this before. My friend is more into Colt revolvers, so he didn't care too much to keep this one. For once I was glad he was a self-proclaimed Colt snob. Now I can't wait to shoot this puppy. It came with Pachmayr grips, which are probably not originals, but then I wouldn't know that for sure. I would like to get a nice set of wood grips for it, but we'll see.

 

[bhp9mm]

u made a very good trade the 3 inch smith and wesson its worth alot more then the taurus i would say its worth at least $750

 

[Sport45]

I was about to say the fairness depended on how much cash you were talking about. But I see you've made the deal and are happy, so everything's good. Enjoy your new 629!