629 Classic DX- Worth the $?

e'ville · February 23, 2000, 10:44 AM

I have a 29 Classic which is great. I want to get a longer barrelled 44 mag. What do you get extra for the higher cost of the S&W 629 DX? Is it a tighter gun? To me the extra sights don't matter so should I get the Classic instead? Thanks.

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Mark

bk40 · February 23, 2000, 12:26 PM

Its my understanding (and I may be wrong) that the DX models are designated as such because they are the most accurate of the standard 629's.

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BKs Pistol Pages

Kernel · February 23, 2000, 03:24 PM

629 Classic DX

Classic DX vs. Classic

1)The DX is suppose to be hand selected from the general N-Frame production line as those guns with the most potential for accuracy. 2) The DX comes with a factory target showing the accuracy at 25 yds. 3) DX comes with two sets of grips: rubber Hogues (with a square butt contour), and round butt S&W wood finger groove grips. 4) the DX comes with a nice wood presentation case.

I bought a plain 5" 629 Classic not long ago. The one thing I did like about the DX is the wood grips. But I got the S&W grips at Brownells for $40, so I still came out over $200 ahead. Don't see how my Classic could be any more accurate, 1" groups at 25 yds are no problem with my pinking load of 5.8gr of AA No.2 and a 240gr Hornady LSWC/HP.

With fullhouse Magnums shooting the 629 is like having a cherry bomb go off in you hand, yeow! I've been shooting Super Blackhawks and Contenders for years. Now I understand the beauty of the S/A plow handle grip and the way "rolls" under recoil. The Smith recoils straight back into the web of my hand. Even with gloves, after two cylinders I was ready to go back to the plinking ammo. Probably shouldn't shoot my Contender/SBH hunting loads in the Smith much anyway.

So.... bottom line: I really like my 629 Classic, but to me the extra coin for the DX wasn't worth it (plus the DX isn't available with a 5" barrel). -- Kernel

Kernel · February 24, 2000, 03:30 PM

Remembered somethin' else.... the DX has a hard chromed trigger and hammer (though picture above from S&W web site doesn't show it). The Classic has case hardened hammer & trigger. -- Kernel

February 23, 2000, 10:44 AM	#1
e'ville Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2000 Posts: 112	I have a 29 Classic which is great. I want to get a longer barrelled 44 mag. What do you get extra for the higher cost of the S&W 629 DX? Is it a tighter gun? To me the extra sights don't matter so should I get the Classic instead? Thanks. ------------------ Mark

February 23, 2000, 12:26 PM	#2
bk40 Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 1999 Location: Mississippi Posts: 1,004	Its my understanding (and I may be wrong) that the DX models are designated as such because they are the most accurate of the standard 629's. ------------------ BKs Pistol Pages

February 23, 2000, 03:24 PM	#3
Kernel Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 1999 Location: Madison, WI.... "78 Square Miles Surrounded by Reality" Posts: 923	629 Classic DX Classic DX vs. Classic 1)The DX is suppose to be hand selected from the general N-Frame production line as those guns with the most potential for accuracy. 2) The DX comes with a factory target showing the accuracy at 25 yds. 3) DX comes with two sets of grips: rubber Hogues (with a square butt contour), and round butt S&W wood finger groove grips. 4) the DX comes with a nice wood presentation case. I bought a plain 5" 629 Classic not long ago. The one thing I did like about the DX is the wood grips. But I got the S&W grips at Brownells for $40, so I still came out over $200 ahead. Don't see how my Classic could be any more accurate, 1" groups at 25 yds are no problem with my pinking load of 5.8gr of AA No.2 and a 240gr Hornady LSWC/HP. With fullhouse Magnums shooting the 629 is like having a cherry bomb go off in you hand, yeow! I've been shooting Super Blackhawks and Contenders for years. Now I understand the beauty of the S/A plow handle grip and the way "rolls" under recoil. The Smith recoils straight back into the web of my hand. Even with gloves, after two cylinders I was ready to go back to the plinking ammo. Probably shouldn't shoot my Contender/SBH hunting loads in the Smith much anyway. So.... bottom line: I really like my 629 Classic, but to me the extra coin for the DX wasn't worth it (plus the DX isn't available with a 5" barrel). -- Kernel

February 24, 2000, 03:30 PM	#4
Kernel Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 1999 Location: Madison, WI.... "78 Square Miles Surrounded by Reality" Posts: 923	Remembered somethin' else.... the DX has a hard chromed trigger and hammer (though picture above from S&W web site doesn't show it). The Classic has case hardened hammer & trigger. -- Kernel