Smith & Wesson 629 Classic

Firepower! · April 20, 2010, 02:27 PM

Hi,
I have recently purchased a SW 629 Classic in 6" 44 Magnum. I was in seaarch for one SW revolver for my collection and after buying and selling many, I decided upon 629 in SS finish. What are your views on this revolver?

Now I am looking for a scope, so please advise me on how and what to mount on it. Since it does not have a rail per se like my SRH, I am having tough time figuring it out. Thank you.

Fishslayer · April 20, 2010, 02:50 PM

New S&Ws are pretty much out of my $$$ league but how can ya go wrong with a 6" 29?

Saw a used prelock 629 (full underlug) for $545 a couple weeks ago. Much lust. I went back to haggle & it was gone. Lasted about 2 days at that price.

stevieboy · April 20, 2010, 06:20 PM

I love .44 magnums but I don't own one. The reason: I'm not a reloader and that magnum ammo sure is pricey. I have friends with .44 magnums, however, and they graciously allow me to shoot them from time to time. In recent months I've fired my friends' 29-2 4", 629 4" (mountain gun), and 629 6". All of them are enormous fun to shoot and tack drivers to boot. The 6" 629 is a little easier on the hand and wrist due to its extra heft, but all of them are eminently shootable with the right grips. For the heavy stuff I prefer Hogue rubbers.

GeauxTide · April 21, 2010, 10:54 AM

You'll love the 629. As I've gotten older, the largest N frame I have is a 657. My 44 is a Ruger SBH, which is much more comfortable for my hands.

Doodlebugger45 · April 21, 2010, 12:05 PM

I have had a 629-2 for about 25 years now. It has the 8 3/8" barrel so it's not the handiest gun to lug around in the mountains, but it is one of my most accurate, rivaling my BFR single actions. I bought this one from a guy who used to be a gunsmith and he had done a trigger job and put in a different main spring to make the action even silkier I guess.

I'm not sure what to say about the scope. I recently put a scope on one of my BFRs and I'm still getting used to the whole idea. I just know that I have revolvers that are capable of shooting accurately out to 150 yards but my eyes are getting to the point that I can't see the details of a target that far. The scope takes care of that problem but I have problems finding the target quickly for the short shots. Practice will help I'm sure.

Webleymkv · April 21, 2010, 05:54 PM

The S&W 629 and is carbon-steel brother the M29 are excellent revolvers. My personal .44 Magnum is a 629-6 with a 4" barrel and I couldn't be happier with it.

Mounting a scope on a S&W usually requires removal of the rear sight assembly. Newer 629's come with holes already drilled and tapped for the scope mounts under the rear sight leaf, but older guns might require the services of a gunsmith in order to mount a scope.

.284 · April 21, 2010, 07:55 PM

I have 44 mag in stainless with a 8 3/8" barrel. I would say it's very reliable, sturdy, and darn accurate. As far as the scope rail, get a Weigand in stainless. As previously mentioned, the scope rail mounts where the rear sights are mounted. I went with an Eotech holographic for optics. I know the gun is capable of shooting farther than I can make out a target in the sight window, but I feel I can acquire my target much faster with the Eotech. I hunt with the gun and can shoot baseball sized groups at 100 yards. I also reload my ammo and can shoot all I want with the savings over factory ammo.

Enjoy your gun, you got a beauty as far as I'm concerned.

hexidismal · April 21, 2010, 08:06 PM

Love 'em, but I don't have one. I've been looking for the right pre-lock full underlug classic for years now.

Huntergirl · April 21, 2010, 08:40 PM

They're absolutely lovely. I've had 2 Classics, but something always made me trade them off. I think it was 2 1911's. Yeah prolly...

Slamfire · April 21, 2010, 09:05 PM

I believe my 629-4 is called a Classic DX.

It is an unusually accurate revolver. It may be due to undersized chamber mouths which have the negative effect of increasing pressure. This is not a problem as I cut my loads.

I found the recoil objectionable, and I have small hands. The Hogue X grips fit great and really cut the recoil pain.

laytonj1 · April 21, 2010, 11:58 PM

Quote:

I believe my 629-4 is called a Classic DX.

Then it will say so on the barrel. The DX's were guaranteed to shoot less than .75" at 25 yards and came with the factory target.

Jim

Firepower! · April 23, 2010, 03:27 AM

What are some good websites where I can find a replacement front sights for the 629 classic that dont need gunsmithing?

jaybirdjtski · April 23, 2010, 01:51 PM

I have an unscoped 29-2, nickel, 8 3/8" bbl, Pachmeyer rubber grips. I've used it to kill a black bear and deer and assorted ground squirrels. Also, it knocks down metal silhouettes just fine.

I've had scoped Contenders and I never liked a handgun scope over 2x.
That said, Leupold scopes have lifetime guarantees regardless if you are the original owner or not. You can find them for $110 to $ 140 or so used. Can't go wrong with a Leupold or a Burris but it seems there are more Leupold's on the used market. Just did find a Leupold 2x to mount on a RSH 454 Casull. New toy and hunting rig!

CarbineCaleb · April 25, 2010, 07:17 AM

Brownells is a good place to start looking for sights - black, gold and ivory bead, fiber optic...

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/cid=2...n_Front_Sights

pendennis · April 25, 2010, 08:11 AM

I own a 629 made in 1981, with the pinned barrel and recessed chamber. It's an outstanding revolver.

I never load it up past reloading manual recommendations; and most of the time, I shoot .44 Special loads in the .44 mag brass.

It's a great revolver to own and use.

yellolab · April 25, 2010, 08:22 AM

My understanding of the Classic DX is that they were cherry picked off the line as the most accurate ones; if they passed the mopst stringent accuracy test, they were labeled DX, otherwise they were regualar Classics.
I think they came with multiple front sight color choices, along with 2 grips, wood and rubber.

Kevin

fishluv · April 25, 2010, 08:37 PM

Hey guys,

I've had a 629 dx for many years. Does anyone else have minor burring where the cylinder contacts the barrel? It seems like its a consequence of swinging out the cylinder...

I don't know if I should get it cleaned up or ignore it. I haven't shot it in 20 years but from what I remember it was very accurate.

riddleofsteel · April 25, 2010, 08:53 PM

Number one on the Wegand mount, best made in my experience.

Quote:

It is an unusually accurate revolver. It may be due to undersized chamber mouths which have the negative effect of increasing pressure. This is not a problem as I cut my loads

If the chamber mouths of the cylinder are undersized for the bore diameter of the barrel you will NOT see accuracy. Just ask any .45 Colt Ruger owner.

I owned a 629 Classic DX for many years. It wore a Wegand base and rings and a Leupold 2.5X scope. Many a deer and hog came to the BBQ thanks to that revolver. I sold it to my brother in a moment of weakness. One of the sales I still regret.

Hook686 · April 26, 2010, 01:20 AM

http://www.mcknightcutlery.com/_prod...m_Pistol_Scope

A fine scope made for .44 magnum handguns. As I recall, on my 629 Classic and 629 Light Hunter, I simply used a pretty basic weaver base (requires removal of rear sight) with medium profile rings (allows me to use the factory sights when I mount the scope on my Marlin 1894 SS).

Pride Fowler scope, rings and integral weaver style base mounted on 629 Light Hunter

weaver base mounted on 629 Classic

iron maiden · June 13, 2010, 11:31 AM

I have a new 629 6" stainless. It doesn't have the full underlug as I like the classic looks of the regular barrel.

I'm thinking about a Burris 2-7x with illuminated electro-dot reticle. I saw that Leupold makes a S&W dual dovetailed one piece base in stainless....I held this up to the revolver and it seems to be a close match to the gun's finish.

I didn't buy it at Cabela's since they didn't have any rings....

aarondhgraham · June 14, 2010, 09:08 AM

I can't compare it to other .44 Magnums,,,
But I like this gun very much.

A friend loads some lightweight target rounds for me,,,
It's a pleasure to shoot and is minute of paper plate at 100 yards.

Last year my nephew took a deer with it,,,
It dropped a feral mutt like a sledgehammer.

There may be better .44 Magnums out there,,,
But better for what I can't imagine,,,
This handgun just rocks.

yellowf4 · July 23, 2010, 01:29 PM

These guns shoot so well it is unreal. I HIGHLY recommend the 629 classic if you are on the fence. I worked in a local shop for 15 years and never saw any come back with any problems other than "It ran out of ammo again..." They came with different front sites (they are a quick release design) and fairly decent factory trigger job. The classic series has the full underlug that also added extra recoil reducing weight and helped to balance.

I have a 629 classic in 6.5" that I bought new in 94. I have Millett rear site and hi-viz site up front, beautiful trigger job and had the forcing cone "trued" by gun smith that did trigger job. This gun will shoot one ragged hole all day long with a hard cast lead 215 gr Bear Creek bullet and 22.0gr of 4227.

My problem? Now I have the 500 and the 44 just isn't the same...ha ha ha. My 629 is for sale if anyone wants one.... No "Kalifornia safety" hole in the side either! drop me an email if anyone is interested. Lots of ammo and accessories, holsters, etc.

I hope the load gives anyone with recoil issues some help, it is easy to shoot.

John

6shot · July 23, 2010, 08:56 PM

good choice

Tommy Vercetti · August 10, 2011, 09:41 AM

my 629-4 Classic has the 8 3/8 inch barrel, it's a beautiful gun

aarondhgraham · August 10, 2011, 10:00 AM

Model 629 (No-Dash),,,

No matter what I plan on shooting,,,
I always take Jezebel and 6 rounds of ammo.

The last thing I do before I leave the range,,,
Is try and hit a random dirt clod at 100 yards off the bench.

There's some recoil,,,
But she does balance well,,,
So while it's punchy it's not painful.

Congrats on a great buy.

Aarond

April 20, 2010, 02:27 PM	#1
Firepower! Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2008 Posts: 2,109	Smith & Wesson 629 Classic Hi, I have recently purchased a SW 629 Classic in 6" 44 Magnum. I was in seaarch for one SW revolver for my collection and after buying and selling many, I decided upon 629 in SS finish. What are your views on this revolver? Now I am looking for a scope, so please advise me on how and what to mount on it. Since it does not have a rail per se like my SRH, I am having tough time figuring it out. Thank you.

April 20, 2010, 02:50 PM	#2
Fishslayer Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2010 Location: San Diego, PRK Posts: 182	New S&Ws are pretty much out of my $$$ league but how can ya go wrong with a 6" 29? Saw a used prelock 629 (full underlug) for $545 a couple weeks ago. Much lust. I went back to haggle & it was gone. Lasted about 2 days at that price. __________________ He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."

April 20, 2010, 06:20 PM	#3
stevieboy Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2008 Posts: 1,695	I love .44 magnums but I don't own one. The reason: I'm not a reloader and that magnum ammo sure is pricey. I have friends with .44 magnums, however, and they graciously allow me to shoot them from time to time. In recent months I've fired my friends' 29-2 4", 629 4" (mountain gun), and 629 6". All of them are enormous fun to shoot and tack drivers to boot. The 6" 629 is a little easier on the hand and wrist due to its extra heft, but all of them are eminently shootable with the right grips. For the heavy stuff I prefer Hogue rubbers. Last edited by stevieboy; April 20, 2010 at 06:34 PM.

April 21, 2010, 07:55 PM	#7
.284 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2009 Location: davison, michigan Posts: 665	I love my 629 I have 44 mag in stainless with a 8 3/8" barrel. I would say it's very reliable, sturdy, and darn accurate. As far as the scope rail, get a Weigand in stainless. As previously mentioned, the scope rail mounts where the rear sights are mounted. I went with an Eotech holographic for optics. I know the gun is capable of shooting farther than I can make out a target in the sight window, but I feel I can acquire my target much faster with the Eotech. I hunt with the gun and can shoot baseball sized groups at 100 yards. I also reload my ammo and can shoot all I want with the savings over factory ammo. Enjoy your gun, you got a beauty as far as I'm concerned. __________________ Guns have only two enemies, rust and politicians! Deer are amazing creatures....so please don't burn the sauteed onions and I'll pass on the steak sauce, thank you.

April 23, 2010, 03:27 AM	#12
Firepower! Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2008 Posts: 2,109	What are some good websites where I can find a replacement front sights for the 629 classic that dont need gunsmithing? Last edited by Firepower!; April 25, 2010 at 07:53 AM.

April 21, 2010, 10:54 AM	#4
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,425	You'll love the 629. As I've gotten older, the largest N frame I have is a 657. My 44 is a Ruger SBH, which is much more comfortable for my hands.

April 21, 2010, 12:05 PM	#5
Doodlebugger45 Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,717	I have had a 629-2 for about 25 years now. It has the 8 3/8" barrel so it's not the handiest gun to lug around in the mountains, but it is one of my most accurate, rivaling my BFR single actions. I bought this one from a guy who used to be a gunsmith and he had done a trigger job and put in a different main spring to make the action even silkier I guess. I'm not sure what to say about the scope. I recently put a scope on one of my BFRs and I'm still getting used to the whole idea. I just know that I have revolvers that are capable of shooting accurately out to 150 yards but my eyes are getting to the point that I can't see the details of a target that far. The scope takes care of that problem but I have problems finding the target quickly for the short shots. Practice will help I'm sure.

April 21, 2010, 05:54 PM	#6
Webleymkv Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 10,446	The S&W 629 and is carbon-steel brother the M29 are excellent revolvers. My personal .44 Magnum is a 629-6 with a 4" barrel and I couldn't be happier with it. Mounting a scope on a S&W usually requires removal of the rear sight assembly. Newer 629's come with holes already drilled and tapped for the scope mounts under the rear sight leaf, but older guns might require the services of a gunsmith in order to mount a scope.

April 21, 2010, 08:06 PM	#8
hexidismal Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2006 Location: Ulster County, NY Posts: 146	Love 'em, but I don't have one. I've been looking for the right pre-lock full underlug classic for years now.

April 21, 2010, 08:40 PM	#9
Huntergirl Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2005 Location: Wyoming Posts: 907	They're absolutely lovely. I've had 2 Classics, but something always made me trade them off. I think it was 2 1911's. Yeah prolly...

April 21, 2010, 09:05 PM	#10
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	I believe my 629-4 is called a Classic DX. It is an unusually accurate revolver. It may be due to undersized chamber mouths which have the negative effect of increasing pressure. This is not a problem as I cut my loads. I found the recoil objectionable, and I have small hands. The Hogue X grips fit great and really cut the recoil pain.

April 23, 2010, 01:51 PM	#13
jaybirdjtski Member Join Date: December 2, 2009 Location: Northern California, Sierra Mtn reg Posts: 49	I have an unscoped 29-2, nickel, 8 3/8" bbl, Pachmeyer rubber grips. I've used it to kill a black bear and deer and assorted ground squirrels. Also, it knocks down metal silhouettes just fine. I've had scoped Contenders and I never liked a handgun scope over 2x. That said, Leupold scopes have lifetime guarantees regardless if you are the original owner or not. You can find them for $110 to $ 140 or so used. Can't go wrong with a Leupold or a Burris but it seems there are more Leupold's on the used market. Just did find a Leupold 2x to mount on a RSH 454 Casull. New toy and hunting rig!

April 25, 2010, 07:17 AM	#14
CarbineCaleb Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2004 Posts: 2,745	Re: Front Sights Brownells is a good place to start looking for sights - black, gold and ivory bead, fiber optic... http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/cid=2...n_Front_Sights __________________ “Never express yourself more clearly than you are able to think.” Niels Bohr

April 25, 2010, 08:11 AM	#15
pendennis Junior member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Posts: 572	I own a 629 made in 1981, with the pinned barrel and recessed chamber. It's an outstanding revolver. I never load it up past reloading manual recommendations; and most of the time, I shoot .44 Special loads in the .44 mag brass. It's a great revolver to own and use.

April 25, 2010, 08:22 AM	#16
yellolab Member Join Date: August 22, 2007 Location: Vermont Posts: 38	My understanding of the Classic DX is that they were cherry picked off the line as the most accurate ones; if they passed the mopst stringent accuracy test, they were labeled DX, otherwise they were regualar Classics. I think they came with multiple front sight color choices, along with 2 grips, wood and rubber. Kevin

April 25, 2010, 08:37 PM	#17
fishluv Member Join Date: March 31, 2010 Posts: 74	Hey guys, I've had a 629 dx for many years. Does anyone else have minor burring where the cylinder contacts the barrel? It seems like its a consequence of swinging out the cylinder... I don't know if I should get it cleaned up or ignore it. I haven't shot it in 20 years but from what I remember it was very accurate. __________________ NRA Life Member

April 26, 2010, 01:20 AM	#19
Hook686 Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2005 Location: USA The Great State of California Posts: 2,090	http://www.mcknightcutlery.com/_prod...m_Pistol_Scope A fine scope made for .44 magnum handguns. As I recall, on my 629 Classic and 629 Light Hunter, I simply used a pretty basic weaver base (requires removal of rear sight) with medium profile rings (allows me to use the factory sights when I mount the scope on my Marlin 1894 SS). Pride Fowler scope, rings and integral weaver style base mounted on 629 Light Hunter weaver base mounted on 629 Classic __________________ Hook686 When the number of people in institutions reaches 51%, we change sides. Last edited by Hook686; April 26, 2010 at 01:39 AM.

June 13, 2010, 11:31 AM	#20
iron maiden Junior Member Join Date: June 13, 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 5	I have a new 629 6" stainless. It doesn't have the full underlug as I like the classic looks of the regular barrel. I'm thinking about a Burris 2-7x with illuminated electro-dot reticle. I saw that Leupold makes a S&W dual dovetailed one piece base in stainless....I held this up to the revolver and it seems to be a close match to the gun's finish. I didn't buy it at Cabela's since they didn't have any rings....

June 14, 2010, 09:08 AM	#21
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	I have a 629 no dash,,, I can't compare it to other .44 Magnums,,, But I like this gun very much. A friend loads some lightweight target rounds for me,,, It's a pleasure to shoot and is minute of paper plate at 100 yards. Last year my nephew took a deer with it,,, It dropped a feral mutt like a sledgehammer. There may be better .44 Magnums out there,,, But better for what I can't imagine,,, This handgun just rocks. __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

July 23, 2010, 01:29 PM	#22
yellowf4 Junior Member Join Date: November 30, 2004 Location: Reno,NV Posts: 4	These guns shoot so well it is unreal. I HIGHLY recommend the 629 classic if you are on the fence. I worked in a local shop for 15 years and never saw any come back with any problems other than "It ran out of ammo again..." They came with different front sites (they are a quick release design) and fairly decent factory trigger job. The classic series has the full underlug that also added extra recoil reducing weight and helped to balance. I have a 629 classic in 6.5" that I bought new in 94. I have Millett rear site and hi-viz site up front, beautiful trigger job and had the forcing cone "trued" by gun smith that did trigger job. This gun will shoot one ragged hole all day long with a hard cast lead 215 gr Bear Creek bullet and 22.0gr of 4227. My problem? Now I have the 500 and the 44 just isn't the same...ha ha ha. My 629 is for sale if anyone wants one.... No "Kalifornia safety" hole in the side either! drop me an email if anyone is interested. Lots of ammo and accessories, holsters, etc. I hope the load gives anyone with recoil issues some help, it is easy to shoot. John

July 23, 2010, 08:56 PM	#23
6shot Member Join Date: June 1, 2009 Posts: 39	good choice __________________ WE MAY RISE AND FALL, BUT IN THE END WE MEET OUR FATE TOGETHER.

August 10, 2011, 09:41 AM	#24
Tommy Vercetti Senior Member Join Date: June 26, 2004 Location: Fairhope, Alabama Posts: 1,119	my 629-4 Classic has the 8 3/8 inch barrel, it's a beautiful gun __________________ "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." Sinclair Lewis, (It Can't Happen Here, 1935) "Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero

August 10, 2011, 10:00 AM	#25
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	This is Jezebel,,, Model 629 (No-Dash),,, No matter what I plan on shooting,,, I always take Jezebel and 6 rounds of ammo. The last thing I do before I leave the range,,, Is try and hit a random dirt clod at 100 yards off the bench. There's some recoil,,, But she does balance well,,, So while it's punchy it's not painful. Congrats on a great buy. Aarond __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)