Smith And Wesson 629 Serial Number Lookup

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Smith & Wesson Model 29
Smith & Wesson.44 Magnum Model 629 with 838 inches (21 cm) barrel: a stainless steel version of the Model 29.
TypeRevolver
Place of originUnited States
Service history
Used bySee Users
Production history
ManufacturerSmith & Wesson
Produced1955–present
Specifications
Mass
  • 41.5 oz (1.177 kg) (4 in bbl)
  • 45 oz (1.276 kg) (6 in bbl)
  • Both of these weights are for the traditional S&W style without a barrel underlug.
Length
  • 9.3 inches (24 cm) (Barrel 4 inches (10 cm))
  • 12 inches (30 cm) (Barrel 612 inches (17 cm))
Barrel length
  • 3 inches (76 mm)
  • 4 inches (100 mm)
  • 5 inches (130 mm)
  • 6 inches (150 mm)
  • 612 inches (170 mm)
  • 838 inches (210 mm)
  • 1058 inches (270 mm)
Cartridge
Caliber.429 inches (10.9 mm)
ActionDouble-action
Feed systemSix roundcylinder
SightsOpen, adjustable rear

The Smith & Wesson Model 29 is a six-shot, double-actionrevolver chambered for the .44 Magnumcartridge and manufactured by the United States company Smith & Wesson.

The Model 29 was offered with 3, 4, 5, 6, 612, 838 and 1058 inches (76, 102, 127, 152, 165, 213 and 270 mm) barrels as standard models. Other barrel lengths were available either by special order from Smith & Wesson's Custom Shop or custom built by gunsmiths. The 5 inches (130 mm) barreled variant had a full length underlug. Finish options available included a highly polishedblued or nickel-plated surface.

At the time of its introduction the Model 29 was the most powerful production handgun, although it was later overtaken by handguns chambered for the even larger .454 Casull and .50 Action Express cartridges. It was made famous worldwide by association with the fictional character 'Dirty Harry' Callahan.

Design[edit]

The Model 29 will chamber and fire .44 Special cartridges, as the .44 Magnum was developed from the .44 Special. The Magnum case is slightly longer to prevent magnum rounds from being chambered and fired in handguns chambered for the .44 Special.

History[edit]

Smith & Wesson Model 29s, with 4-and-838-inch (100 and 210 mm) barrels

Elmer Keith's achievements in maximizing the power and performance of the .44 Special was the inspiration and driving force behind the introduction of the .44 Magnum by Smith & Wesson. His intention for the new round was for it to be used in sidearms for hunters of large, dangerous game, rather than for self-defense, though with today's specialty cartridges, it can be a good defensive round.[1]

S&w Dates Of Manufacture By Serial Number

S&W's production of a large N-frame revolver in .44 Magnum began in 1955; the Model 29 designation was applied in 1957.[2]

At the time of its introduction, the Model 29 was the most powerful production handgun. There were a number of custom calibers that were more powerful, as in the old Howdah pistols of the 19th century.

It remained primarily the province of handgun enthusiasts, some law enforcement personnel and hunters until 1971, when Clint Eastwood made it famous as 'the most powerful handgun in the world' in the movie Dirty Harry. After the release of the movie and its sequels, retailers had trouble keeping the Model 29 in stock.[3]

In the late 1990s, Smith & Wesson discontinued production of many models of revolvers, including the 'basic' Model 29; since then, at various times, the model, in limited or 'custom' configurations, has been manufactured in as many as 10 evolutions.[4]

Variants[edit]

Smith & Wesson Model 29-2

The original Model 29 was superseded by the Model 29-1 in 1960, with modifications made to the ejector-rod screw. The Model 29-2 replaced it the following year, with one screw that had secured the cylinder-stop spring being deleted. The barrel length was shortened from 612 to 6 inches (170 to 150 mm) in 1979. These two versions are known as 'pinned and recessed'. 'Pinned' means that the barrels are screwed in, and secured by a pin driven through the frame and a notch in the barrel. 'Recessed' denotes the rear of the bored cylinder holes being countersunk, so that, when loaded, the cartridge rims are fully enclosed by the cylinder. In 1982, the cost-cutting Model 29-3 dropped recessed cylinders and pinned barrels for crush-fit barrels.[2]

The -4 and -5, produced from 1988 and 1990 respectively had changes to improve durability for heavy use. In 1994 the 29-6 began production, now fitted as standard with rubber Monogrips from Hogue to replace the previous wooden items, standard tapped holes also being provided for attaching scope mounts. The 29-7 started production in 1998 with changes to the locking mechanism, the firing pin's attachment, and a hammer and trigger produced with a metal injection molding process.[2]

ModelYearBarrel LengthsModifications
291957612 inches (170 mm)
29-11960612 inches (170 mm)ejector rod screw
29-21961612 inches (170 mm), changed to 6 inches (150 mm) in 1979one screw that had secured the cylinder stop spring dropped
29-31982dropped recessed cylinders and pinned barrels for crush-fit barrels
29-41988retention system on the yoke or cylinder crane strengthened, studs in frame were radiused; 8 3/8' version offered with integral scope mts.
29-51990longer cylinder notches to prevent bolt jump, bolt and inner mechanism changed to reduce battering under recoil
29-61994standard with rubber Monogrips from Hogue
29-71998changes to the locking mechanism, the firing pin's attachment, and a hammer and trigger produced with a metal injection molding process.
29-82001new frame design with internal lock
29-9
29-10
Starting NumberYears
N11969-1972
N1000001973
N2000001974-1977
N3000001975-1976
N4000001977-1978
N5000001978-1980
N6000001979-1980
N7000001980
N8000001980-1983
N9000001982-1986

Model 629[edit]

Introduced in 1978, the Smith & Wesson Model 629 is a stainless steel version of the Model 29.

The 629 model designation derives from Smith & Wesson's practice of denoting a stainless steel version of one of their already existing designs by placing a 6 in front of the model number of the original weapon. The 629 Classic variant features a full-length barrel underlug, other variants include the 629 Stealth Hunter.

.44 Magnum S&W Model 629-6 Deluxe Talo Edition
ModelStart YearBarrel LengthsModifications
6291979
629-11982dropped recessed cylinders and pinned barrels
629-21988changed yoke retention, radius studs, floating hand
629-31989hardened yoke and frame, longer stop notch, bolt block, fixed hand
629-41993changed rear sight leaf and extractor
629-51997Eliminate cylinder stop stud and serrated tang, MIM trigger and hammer, floating firing pin
629-62001Internal lock added
629-72005Two piece barrel
629-82006Slab sided barrel

Quiet Special Purpose Revolver[edit]

Some S&W model 29s were rebuilt by the AAI Corporation to make the Quiet Special Purpose Revolvers (QSPR). These had new, short, smoothbore barrels 35 millimetres (138 in), with 10 millimetres (0.39 in) bore, with cylinder chambers reamed to accept special QSPR ammunition which externally resembled metal-cased .410-bore shotgun shells but internally worked as a piston to trap the gases. This special ammunition was made by AAI.[5]

This pistol was developed from 1967 to 1971 to be used by tunnel rats in the Vietnam War. The QSPR was tested on the battlefield in 1969, and an improvement and testing program ran from 1970 until 1971. At least officially it never entered service. The US withdrawal from Vietnam reduced interest in the QSPR weapon, and the program ended in about 1972,[5] although unsubstantiated rumors claim the QSPR may have been used by CIA assassins during the Cold War, and continues to be used by so-called 'Black Book teams'.

A Russian handgun introduced in 2002, the OTs-38 Stechkin silent revolver, is described as using a system virtually identical to the QSPR.

Mountain Gun Variation[edit]

Mountain Gun engraved by John K. Pease and Wayne Di'Angelo through the Smith & Wesson Custom Engraving Shop.

The Mountain Gun was introduced in 1989 as a lightweight version of the Model 29 designed to be 'carried often and shot little'.[6] The barrel profile is a reprise of the original design. Early version 29-4 backpacker with 2.5' barrel, (Very rare).

A Smith & Wesson Model 629 with a 3' barrel called the 'Trail Boss' was produced for the distributor, RSR.[7]

Other variants[edit]

Smith & Wesson Model 629 Performance Center, a competition-oriented variant with a weighted barrel for reducing recoil
  • On January 26, 2006, Smith & Wesson announced the 50th Anniversary Model 29.[8] Identical to the previous models except for the gold inlaid trademark on the side cover, the new internal lock mechanism, and a non-fluted cylinder.
  • On January 1, 2007, Smith & Wesson announced the reissue of the Model 29 as an engraved model in S&W's Classics line.[9]
  • The Smith & Wesson Model 629 Stealth Hunter has a 712 inches (190 mm) ported barrel with a full-length under lug for increased stability and recoil reduction.The barrel-cylinder gap is 0.006 inches (0.15 mm), with a ball-detent lockup between the frame and cylinder crane that provides increased strength. The entire revolver is made of a stainless steel, with a glare-reducing matte black finish. It comes with slip-resistant synthetic grips.[10]
  • The 329NG is a scandium-framed revolver with PVD-coated cylinder and tritium sights. It is part of the NightGuard line.[11]

Users[edit]

Smith And Wesson 629 Serial Number Lookup
  • United States: Used by the Washington Police Department

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^Campbell, R. K. (December 2011). 'General Purpose Handguns'. The Complete Illustrated Manual of Handgun Skills. Zenith Imprint. p. 90. ISBN978-1-61059-745-6. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  2. ^ abcJohn Taffin. Gun Digest Book of the .44. pp. 147–150. ISBN0-89689-416-9.
  3. ^Hornaday, Ann (Jan 17, 1999) 'Guns on film: a loaded issue', Baltimore Sun
  4. ^Smith, Clint (2007). 'The do-all death-ray: SDM's custom .44 Magnum'. American Handgunner. 24 (4).
  5. ^ abPopenker, Max R. 'Smith & Wesson/ AAI Quiet Special Purpose Revolver/ QSPR/ Tunnel Revolver Archived 2010-04-18 at the Wayback Machine', world.guns.ru. Retrieved 2010-04-05.
  6. ^Egusa, Alan (April 2010). Martial Art of the Gun: The Turnipseed Technique. Dog Ear Publishing. p. 55. ISBN978-1-60844-226-3.
  7. ^Shideler, Dan (10 May 2011). The Gun Digest Book of Guns & Prices 2011. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 918. ISBN1-4402-1890-0.
  8. ^Smith & Wesson press release announcing the Model 29 Anniversary EditionArchived 2006-11-13 at the Wayback Machine.
  9. ^'Smith & Wesson Classics: Model 29 Engraved'(PDF). Smith & Wesson. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2007-09-27.
  10. ^Shideler, Dan. The Official Gun Digest Book of Guns & Prices. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 918. ISBN9781440218903. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
  11. ^Mann, Richard Allen; Lee, Jerry (20 November 2013). The Gun Digest Book of Modern Gun Values: The Shooter's Guide to Guns 1900-Present. Iola, Wisconsin: F+W Media. p. 220. ISBN978-1-4402-3752-2.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Smith & Wesson Model 29.
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Smith_%26_Wesson_Model_29&oldid=987411157'
Smith and wesson 629 price

A Brief Overview of the History of Smith & Wesson

For starters, the Smith & Wesson company has been around for OVER 150 YEARS! In addition to being one of the oldest firearm companies, Smith & Wesson is also known as the largest gun manufacturer in the world. S&W is well known the world round for their revolvers and handguns. The company has gone through it's fair share of ups and downs over the past 150 years, but in the end it has both survived and thrived. The founders of S&W were Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson. Horace gained his firearms experience while working in the National Armory, while Daniel gained his valuable firearms experience while working with his brother Edwin Wesson, a well known gun maker at the time. Horace and Daniel joined forces to start Smith and Wesson in 1852. Listed below are some of the highlights and popular weapons that Smith and Wesson has produced over the years.


OVERVIEW OF SMITH & WESSON GUN HISTORY

And

1852 - Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson produce a lever action Volcanic pistol.

1854 - Due to financial difficulties, Volcanic Repeating Arms company sold to Winchester.

1856 - Smith & Wesson join again to create a new rimfire revolver known as the Model 1.

1870 - Model 3 revolver is released - famous .44 & .45 caliber revolvers.

1880 - S&W releases a .38 double action revolver.

1899 - The famous Model 10 revolver (aka .38 Military & Police) released.

1935 - Legendary .357 Magnum revolver released - first magnum pistol.

1955 - Model 20 .44 Magnum revolver raises the bar further on magnum pistols.

1955 - Model 39 is the 1st American made double action semi-auto pistol.

And

1965 - Model 60 is the 1st stainless steel revolver.

1979 - Model 629 combines the famous .44 Magnum with stainless steel.

1981 - Model 681 medium sized L frame .357 Magnum revolver.

1990 - Model 4006 semi-automatic pistol released.

1994 - Economically priced Sigma series of semi-auto pistols released.

1999 - Airlite Titanium lightweight revolvers introduced.

1999 - S&W and Walther produce semi-auto SW99 (based on Walther P99).

2000 - S&W signs a controversial gun control agreement with the US Government.

2003 - SW1911 released - S&W variation on the famous M1911 semi-auto .45 pistol.

2005 - Releases M&P (Military & Police) line of semi-auto pistols for law enforcement.

Smith And Wesson Firearm Serial Number Lookup

There you have it.. a brief Smith & Wesson gun history listed in chronological format. Over it's extensive 150 year history, there have been MANY other models of guns released, but this listing shows some of the most famous Smith and Wesson firearms. Smith and Wesson now offers many different handguns including both revolvers and semi-automatic pistols. In addition, S&W also offers tactical rifles for use by both law enforcement and consumers. Furthermore, Smith & Wesson offers other items such as knives, handcuffs, and security related products. The security products include barrier systems for preventing vehicles from passing into restricted areas. These barriers are designed to protect military, government, and other sensitive areas from being breached by a vehicle. Some of these barricade systems are designed to withstand the ramming force of a large commercial truck crashing into the barrier at high speed. Uninstall google chrome portable. These are just a sample of the many products that are now offered by S&W. What started out as a couple of guys with an idea for an innovative new pistol, grew into the largest gun manufacturer in the world, and further branched out into other areas of security and law enforcement products.

Smith And Wesson 38 Special Revolver Serial Number Lookup


Smith Wesson Serial Numbers Manufacture Date

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THE STAINLESS STEEL 44 MAGNUM THEMODEL 629

BY JOHN TAFFIN

Thenumber one variation on the Model 29 theme is the Model 629, a stainless steel.44 Magnum introduced in 1978 with serial numbers N629062 to N629200 for aspecial run of 'pre-production' guns followed by the first productiongun, serial number N748564 all with 6” barrels. In 1980 both 4” and 8 3/8”barrels were added to the catalog. A very few 5” barrels have been offered.

In 1982, the 629-1 joined the 29-3in dropping the pinned barrel and counter bored cylinder features. The 629-1lasted until 1988 with 8,000 also offered with three-inch barrels and roundbutts.In 1988, the Model 629-2 arrivedwith the same internal changes as the Model 29-4. Transitional changes weremade in 1989 along with the cylinder crane being hardened and these 629s werestamped 629-2E.

In 1990, the 629-3 ushered in thesame changes as found on the blued 29-5. Four years later, the addition ofHogue Monogrips, frame drilled and tapped for scope mounting, and a change inthe extractor brought forth the Model 629-4. This model wasproduced with barrel lengths of 4”, 6”, and 83/8” Hogue grips, target hammer and trigger, and red ramp front and whiteoutline rear sight.

As with the blued 29, the stainless629 received the Classic treatment with full underlug barrels first beingoffered in 1990. These were produced as 629-4s with 5”, 6”, and 8 3/8”barrellengths. One year later, the Classic DX 629 arrived in the latter two barrellengths with interchangeable front sights. By 1998, the 629-5 had an MIM hammerand trigger and frame mounted firing pin.

As with the Model 29, severalspecial variations of the Model 629 have been offered over the years since itsintroduction. One most notable ones is the 629-3 Magna-Classic. These werehighly polished, heavy-underlugged, 7 1/2” barreled .44 Magnums withinterchangeable front sights and marked on the barrel '1 of 3000'.All Magna Classics I know of have been superbly accurate sixguns. Mine issighted in for 100 yards using the gold bead front sight insert and 300 graincast bullets over 21.5 grains of WW296 or H110; more on this sixgun shortly.

As with the blued Model 29-3, thestainless 629-1 was offered by Lew Horton in a 3” Combat Magnum version with5,000 of these manufactured in 1985. The 629 also received the Classic Huntertreatment with 5,000 6” guns brought forth in 1988, 2,500 being offered with 83/8” barrels in 1989, 3,200 3” barreled models in 1989, and 2,000 8 3/8”barreled 629-3s in 1991.

The most famous, and probably themost sought after, Model 629 is the Mountain Gun. There were three runs ofMountain Guns in .44 Magnum all with round butts and 4” .44 Special type slimtapered barrels. The first run consisted of special group of blued Model 29sfor the Smith & Wesson Collector's Association's 25th Anniversary. Theregular factory production of the Mountain Gun consisted of 629-2MountainRevolvers in 1989 followed by a second run in 1993.

The 629 has also been offered innumerous 3” barrel lengths such as the 629-3 Carry Comp and Carry Comp IIStainless sixguns from the PerformanceCenter through LewHorton, a run of 5,000 standard 629s with 3” barrels, semi-target hammer,smooth trigger, standard 29/629 sights, and wooden stocks. In 1994, the samebasic sixgun as the latter was offered as the BackPacker. All productionfigures and model variation information comes from the excellent book thatevery Smith & Wesson devotee must have, The Standard Catalog of Smith &Wesson by Richard Nahas and Jim Supica, (Krause, 2001).

In 1989 S&W began to add theEndurance Package to both the 29 and 629. Using high-speed photos, Smith &Wesson engineers studied the .44 Magnum under recoil and concluded thatproblems arose as various parts moved under recoil. The frame recoiledbackwards and the cylinder pin did not. The result was the cylinder was free torotate. Heavy recoil was causing the trigger to kick back and the hammer wasbouncing and hitting the primer a second time resulting in two indents on theprimer. The engineers went to work. Longer notches were machined in thecylinder so the cylinder stop could not bounce out under heavy recoil. A boltblock was added that keeps the bolt from transmitting movement to thetrigger.All mounting studs for reboundslide, trigger, hammer, etc., were radiused where they attach to the frame asround corners are less likely to 'tear' then sharp corners; allreceiving holes were also radiused for the same reason. To help increasestrength, the bearing surface on the cylinder yoke was increased and the yokealso received a new heat treatment. All of these improvements were phased intothe S&W .44 Magnums in the late 1980s and those with the complete packagehave a noticeable longer bolt slot cut into the cylinder.

The first .44 Magnum to have all ofthese improvements was the semi-custom sixgun, the MagnaClassic. Three thousandof these were made and mine has '008' hand inscribed inside thecrane. Smith & Wesson described this gun as 'the most beautiful gun you'llprobably never shoot' referring to the fact that many would purchase thegun and put it away for a future investment. The best investment is in shootingpleasure and I have shot it and shot it hard.

At first glance the MagnaClassicappears to be a nickel-plated Model 29 but is instead a highly polishedstainless Model 629 and is one of the most beautiful sixguns to ever come outof the Smith & Wesson factory. The lettering on the side of the barrel, isquite attractive and has a classic look with the right side of the heavy 7 1/2”barrelmarked in two lines with'629 MagnaClassic' over '1 of3000', and on the left side of the barrel we find 'Smith &Wesson' above '44 Magnum'. This is probably the nicest letteringI have ever seen on a factory revolver.

The .44 MagnaClassic was probablyone of the first S&Ws with the rear sight leaf not squared off at the frontof the leaf but rounded and dovetailed into the top of the frame. The frontsight was a radical departure for Smith & Wesson being of theinterchangeable style, easily removed and replaced by pushing rearward on thefront sight and lifting out. A sight package was offered consisting of eightfront sights in a special box, four black patridge styles in heights of.187', .208', .227', and .250' marked on the bottom side asto height; two more .250' patridge style sights were included, one with awhite dot and the other with a gold bead; and rounding out the package were tworamp front sights, both of .250' height, one with a red insert and theother plain black.

Interchangeable front sight bladesare one of the best features of the .44 MagnaClassic and should be offered onall adjustable sighted sixguns. Smith and Wesson provided a detailed chartshowing the trajectory data for different sights heights. This is fine onpaper. The problem is that each of us holds guns differently and sees sightsdifferently and none of this enters into the mathematical equations. It is amatter of finding what works best for each individual. For example, I normallyshoot lower than most other shooters do with the same gun, load and sightsetting. The MagnaClassic sight system allowed each shooter to choose the bestpossible front sight combination of height and configuration. My shootingchores with the MagnaClassic are being well-handled by the gold bead frontsight.

Hammer and trigger on theMagnaClassic are the standard checkered and serrated target style, which isloved by many and also destined to be reshaped and made smaller by many others.The grip frame is the by then standard round-butt style and fitted with fingergroove grips. This is the one feature I do not particularly care for on theMagnaClassic. The grip is certainly much more comfortable to use with heavyloads than the former standard target grips, however the improved recoilhandling qualities of the round butt notwithstanding, I do not have a realfeeling of security, as the long heavy barrel of the MagnaClassic seems to meto be incompatible with the stubby round-butt design which would be betterappreciated by this sixgunner on a short barreled revolver. If, however, I wasforced to choose between using the blocky 'target' grips longprovided on the .44 Magnum Smith & Wesson, and these smaller round-buttgrips, I would opt for the improvement.

A better solution is the use ofcustom grips. The MagnaClassic now wears Herrett’s Jordan Stocks as does thecompanion Model 629-3 with the standard finish, heavy underlugged 8 3/8”barrel, and this also one wears a special set of long range sights consistingof an undercut front post and a Bo-Mar rear sight. TheMagna Classic performsexceptionally well with some of my favorite hunting loads. Garrett Cartridges’load of 320 grain cast bullet at 1315 fps puts six shots into one-inch at 25yards while my handloads consisting of BRP's NEI 295 grain Keith bullet over21.5 grains of WW296 for 1,290 fps, andNEI's #260.429 Keith bullet over 25.0 grains of WW296 for 1,473 fpsboth go into 1 1/4”

The real test of a sixgun, as theold-time sixgunners would say, is what she'll do at long range. Using mylong-time favorite silhouette load consisting of Hornady's 240 grain full metaljacket bullet over 23.0 grains of WW296 for right at 1300 fps, and guessing atthe sight setting I set up a 200 meter ram bolted down, and put five shots onthe ram’s body the first time I shot this excellent sixgun at long range. I nowhave it sighted in for 100 yards putting me about three inches high at 50yards.

Forty years after the advent of theoriginal .44 Magnum, the Model 629 Classic Deluxe with PowerPort arrived and itdiffers from the 1956 significantly. The 629 Classic is weather resistantstainless steel rather than the blue carbon steel of the original, the lockworkis the improved style to prevent as much stress wear as possible and still maintainthe original size and feel, the barrel of the 629 Classic is of the heavierfull underlug style, 6” in length rather than the original 6 1/2”, and thesights are greatly improved being black instead of a red ramp insert matched upwith a white outline rear sight. The front sight is also a black post, orPatridge style, which for me at least is much easier to see. The front sightdoes not extend all the way to the end of the barrel, but rather sets backabout one half-inch.

The 629 Classic is also scope ready.That is, removal of the rear sight reveals three holes drilled and tapped toaccept a scope base, the wide trigger is of the much preferred smooth stylerather than the finger annoying serrated trigger of the 1956 .44 Magnum, thegrip frame is the standard round-butted style allowing a greater latitude infitting custom grips, stocks provided are the highly functional Hogue pebblegrained finger groove rubber grips, and to further reduce felt recoil, the 629Classic .44 Magnum carries a slot cut longitudinally through the barrel infront of the front sight. This Smith & Wesson answer to reduce felt recoilis known as PowerPort.

The original .44 Magnum carried full target stocks that on the plus sidefilled in behind the trigger and were shaped so there were no hot spots.Unfortunately they were checkered to eat into the palm under recoil and asmooth grip was soon offered to counteract this problem. Over the years, theSmith & Wesson stocks somehow became blockier and filled in less behind thetrigger guard accentuating recoil even more.

The rubber finger groove grips byHogue are a great improvement over the late issue Smith & Wesson woodstocks. However, I still prefer wood and this Classic 629 now wears a beautifulpair of Hogue's Tulipwood finger groove grips. Hogue's grips are onepiece-style that slide up and over the grip frame and fasten with a stirrup andscrew entering the bottom of the grip. They are easy to install and lock uptight with no wobble. They also look great matched up with the stainless finishof the 629 Classic. Normally I prefer grips without finger grooves for everydayuse and especially for fast work from a holster. However I find them veryuseful, almost mandatory on a heavy, hard kickin' handgun or a sixgun with a scopeand heavy underlugged barrel. Hogue's grips fill the bill nicely for theseapplications. With all these changes it is easy to see this 629 which arrivedin 1996 is far removed from the .44 Magnum of 1956. The latter looks a wholelot better to my biased eyes; but I have to admit, the Classic PowerPort notonly shoots easier, it also shoots better.

With the 629 Classic .44 being scopeready, it only seemed natural to scope it for test-firing. Weigand's CombatHandguns one piece scope mount mates up with the pre-drilled and tapped holesin the 629 Classic under the rear sight and three Weaver rings were used tomount a bright finished Leupold 4X EER pistol scope. I've always found Leupoldscopes to be rugged and also easy to focus. If I recall correctly, my firstLeupold scope was mounted on a hard kickin' Contender in 1981, and I've neverhad a scope problem under normal circumstances. The combination of heavyunderlug barrel, Hogue finger groove grips, Weigand scope base, rings, andLeupold scope, all combined with PowerPort made this the most pleasant Smith& Wesson I have fired in forty years. Four decades have not dulled thememory of my first experience with a 4” Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum withfull-house loads!

As noted several times, Keith's originalload worked out for the .44 Magnum was 22.0 grains of #2400 under a 250 grainplain based bullet of his design. About the same time, Ray Thompson designed a.44 bullet for Lyman with Keith's basic semi-wadcutter design incorporating agas check. This is Lyman's #431244GC and is a superb performer in most .44Magnum sixguns. The 629 Classic is no exception. Loaded over Keith'srecommended 22.0 grains of #2400 iginited by a CCI #350 Magnum pistol primer,the Thompson .44 clocks out at 1,460 fps and puts five shots in 1 1/8”at 50yards. It can't get much better than this!

For a heavy bullet handload, RCBS's#44-300GC is an excellent performer. Loaded over 21.5 grains of H110, muzzlevelocity is 1,330 fps from the 6” barreled 629 and shoots well within twoinches at fifty yards. This is a heavy load and I only use it sparingly in the629. When factory loads are employedfor deer sized game I reach for Black Hills240 grain XTP loaded .44 Magnum ammunition. This is not a heavy load clockingout at an easy shooting 1,228 fps. However, the combination of the performanceof the Hornady XTP Bullet and the accuracy of Black Hillsammunition does the job as I have used it to take several whitetail deer and acougar cleanly. In the 629 Classic, Black Hills'240 .44 Magnum load groups five shots into a most satisfying 1 1/8”.

The 629 Classic really tames thefelt recoil of the .44 Magnum especially when compared to the first firing ofthe 4” Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum a half-century ago. Could any S&W .44ever be worse than that original short-barreled Magnum? We find out next.

22-1) The Smith & Wesson 629 Classic carrieseasily for hunting in this #44

shoulder holster by Idaho Leather.

22-2) One of the finest shooting sixguns evermanufactured by Smith & Wesson

was the 629 MagnaClassic in high polish stainless andlimited to 3000 pieces.

22-3) Both of these 629 Classic .44 Magnums areexceptionally suited for long-range shooting.

The top Classic has long-range sights while theMagnaClassic has Smith & Wesson's

interchangeable sight system. Both wear stocks byHerrett’s.

22-4) Great shooting .44s by Smith & Wesson: 61/2” Model 29, 6” Model 629,

S&w 629 1 Serial Numbers

5” Model 629 all with BearHug Skeeter Skelton Stylestocks;

and a 6” Classic 629 with Herrett’s stocks.

22-5) The special edition 629 MagnaClassic featured aninterchangeable front

sight system with all these options.

22-6) Four examples of629s and custom stocks: 5” with Eagle Grips, 6” with

BearHug grips, and apair of 629 Classics stocked by Herrett’s.

Wesson

22-7) BearHug Skeeter Skelton stocks grace this pairof 629 Classic .44 Magnums.

22-8) Taffin considers the 629 Classic to be one ofthe finest long-range

shooting .44 Magnums he has ever experienced.

22-9) Five shots on the 200-meter silhouette ram usinga 629 Classic.

22-10) What Smith & Wesson did not do, a customsixgunsmith can; a 5” 629

with ivory micarta stocks by BearHug.

S W Serial Numbers Chart

22-11) It came along too late for silhouetting,however this 629 Classic .44

Magnum is an excellent long-range sixgun.

22-13) These 629 .44 Magnum sixguns cover mostsixgunning situations: a

7 1/2” for long-range shooting, a 6” for hunting, anda 5” for every day carry.

Smith And Wesson 629 Serial Number Lookup

22-14 The gold beadfront sight on the 629 MagnaClassic is excellent for

long-range shooting.

22-15) Four ways to shoot Smith & Wesson .44Magnums: an 8 3/8” Model 29,

an 8 3/8” Model 629, a 6” 629 Classic, all stocked byBearHug; and the 7 1/2”

629 MagnaClassic with factory stocks.

22-16) Smith and Wesson has never seen fit to issue a5” 629; Jim Stroh tuned,

tightened, and shortened this 629.

22-17) The 4” 629 and 4” Model 29 both make excellentevery day

Perfect Packin’ Pistols. Photo courtesy of TedMcIntyre.

22-18) This Model 629 with PowerPort and a scope is anexceptionally easy

shooting and accurate .44 Magnum.

22-19) One man’s Perfect Packin’ Pistol, the S&WModel 629 Classic 5”

Photo courtesyof Glen Fryxell.

Chapter 21Chapter 23

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