S&w 629

The Classic models had what they called the "endurance package" which was where they may have done some other stuff (I dunno) but they also added radius in areas where sharp corners previously had been (reduce stress).

Don't know when the reg 629's got the upgrade. Pretty sure the last of the all silver 629's (-3 I believe) do not have it.

Click to expand...

The upgrade started with the Magna Classic but they all got it after that.

The factory target grips in my reg 629 4" were not bad.
Not bad at all.

I'm no fan of the Mountain Gun in looks or feel, to each his own.

Must say I did shoot a 329PD with factory smooth wood fingergroove grips and the 265 gr loads were not full out, but not just warm either. Owner claimed them "medium hot".

I'd agree.

The gun whipped like it was rocket propelled, but the hand was comfy
Didn't know what to expect initially.

Pleasantly surprised.

Yet others on forums and in real life claim that gun, with those grips, and comparable loads (or lesser) is beyond nasty.

I dunno what to think of such.

I'm older now and my hands/bones have taken a beating at work.
Maybe the old style Smith grips wouldn't feel so good.
Did shoot the 329 not long ago and it wasn't bad.

Pops has a 629 8 3/8" and he got some decent looking wood target grips (factory) to put on it (hated the Hogues it came with).

IIRC those grips, used like new, are fetching $150 these days.

Yikes!

Back when I started shooting Smith 44's.............they were almost give-aways.

Yep, I've got a box full of those old checkered targets. Probably eventually use them for kindling.

You can sell them on eBay and make enough money to buy another Colt!!

rc

I replaced the factory grips on my Mountain Gun with some pachmayrs to cover the back strap. made it a lot easier to shoot full house magnums, but for that I still prefer the SBH.

You can sell them on eBay and make enough money to buy another Colt!!

Click to expand...

Probably so!

I have a 629-1 that is magna ported. Helps for target acquisition more than felt recoil. Used it in 48 round mag competitions. I've shot the snot out of it for 30+ years. Lots of specials too. Still locks up tight,

Probably so!

Click to expand...

No probably to it.

I found my 6.5" used on consignment and when I bought it the owner brought in the box for me. Said he hated to sell it but needed the money. I won't sell it, and if it's just for range use I'd try and find the longer barrel.

I just bought these N frame Altamont grips from another forum. Haven't tried them on, but they look nice.

They are sweet looking.

But they are also the small Magna style grips that only cover the steel grip frame.

Not at all what you want or need on a hard kicking .44 Magnum 629.

rc

Mine is much more fun to shoot with 44 spl and lighter handloaded 44 magnum. I do better with accuracy. I like my fleur de lis silver black grips I bought and they are a perfect fit for the gun and my hand.

I got those Altamonts to try on my 625; my 629 has Ahrends. I looked at the Ahrends website and they make grips w/o the finger notches and smaller grips too.

I love my 4" 629. Shoot everything from light plinking loads to max loads of H110. I also have a 7.5" SBH, that I also love. The 4" 629 is handier and gets carried more. That said I don't exceed max published load data in either. Just never felt the need to. Enjoy your new 629.