S&W 629 Classic

[flattop]

Hello everyone!

Just have a couple of questions on a new 629-6.5" I purchased.  This is my first S&W and have heard many "opinions" on this gun.  I have a FA83 (.454) and a Taurus (.44Mag).  I have only dry-fired it so far and the trigger is much better than the Taurus.  If this is a shooter, I may sell the Taurus.  The FA will never be sold.

1.  I don't reload, but have read that it is not a good idea to shoot hot loads as this gun is not as strong as a Ruger/FA/Taurus RB.  Is this true?  Can I shoot Buffalo Bore?

2.  Why is the standard 6" barrel more expensive than the ported barrel?  I would think since more machining is involved with the porting that this would add to the cost.  I chose the standard model.

Thanks for your replies.

Flattop

[DWTim]

I do not know about the new Taurus models, since I have not shot them, and will probably never own one. However, a lot of gun writers I trust say they're great. I have a couple of S&Ws, and I think the N Frames in particular have great actions.

Depending on what your definition is of "hot", I have some observations: If by "hot", you mean fast-moving loads in the 180-240 gr. weights, the gun will handle them. Just keep 'em in the safe pressure range. If by "hot", you mean heavy bullets in the 300 gr. range, at intermediate velocities, I would say that you're abusing the gun and probably shortening its life. Others here will probably be able to better detail this, or disagree with me, since I'm more experienced with the former.

Some 629s shoot loose. My brother has one. So far, it's turned a barrel (even though it was pinned), the cylinder rotated after firing, the action got jammed, and the screw for the cylinder release got loose. Obviously S&W has corrected these problems, but it just goes to show. The cylinder turning problem is probably due to trigger bounce. Both of us use a "lazy hand" style of shooting, instead of gripping the gun white-knuckled and over-compensating for muzzle-flip, so that has a tendency to produce things like trigger bounce.

That said, his 629 has an 8 3/8" barrel, and it is very accurate.

If you bought a brand new one, all bets are off. I don't like the new Smiths.


EDIT: As an addendum, I just went out shooting with my brother on Friday, and he took along his 629. I brought a box of Winchester 240gr. whitebox, and he had some mild 200 grainer reloads. The front screw on the rear sight ramp backed itself out. On the other hand, I was shooting relatively mild loads out of my S&W 25-5 (.45 LC), and the cylinder release screw backed out. So I guess my advice is to always bring a set of screwdrivers along. No biggie.

[GutHook]

Yep... all bets are off.  I have one in the S&W shop right now (for the second time) because I could not get a scope base to sit straight on the gun.  They said they repaired a bent barrel the first time, but when I got it back, the base was still quite crooked when seated and screwed down.  I guess we'll see what the second time in their shop does for the gun (I sent it back to them with the base attached to it so they could see the crookedness of it).  Btw, I also had the Outdoors Package done to the gun, and I must say, the DA trigger pull was greatly improved.  It's hard to say if the single action trigger pull was improved or not (I would like to have seen it a bit lighter).  The glass bead finish was top notch.

[Broom Rider]

The power Port version of the gun doesn't have the extra machining done to the front sight base that allows the easy interchangability of sight blades. It's sight is merely pinned in. I would guess the difference in cost is that. The only other reason i can think of is that they do it just because they can. I have several 29/629 Classic's/Classic DX and the 629 Power Port is my favorite to shoot. All are accurate and have great triggers.

[ought6]

I have a 629 classic 6 1/2" barreled revolver that is about 10+ year old?  It's been so long ago that I bought it, I forget.  Anyway, 99% of all I shoot in it are hot loaded 240-250 grain loads.  The 240 grain loads are jacketed and the 250's are my hard cast lead.  Both chronograph at 1400 - 1405 fps.  I can't imagine how many rounds I've fired out of this revolver and it is still VERY accurate, very tight, and is still a delight to carry in the woods.

I hope you find yours as pleasing.

db

[flattop]

Thanks everyone for your great feedback. 

I'm sure I'll enjoy shooting it and hunting with it this coming season. 

I'm planning on leaving it with the original sights (front HIVIZ) and adjustable rear as my FA83 (.454 Casull) is scoped.

Thanks again!