Pin barrel 629

[G. Glock]

I have my 629 dragged out of the safe to shoot today. I haven't shot it too much; it's more or less like new.

My question is, should I be shooting this baby much? It's a 1980 model 629 with recessed chambers and pin barred. I don't care if it's worth a few bucks more than the later models when they quit pinning the barrels and recessing the chambers, but the fact that it's kind of a transition gun raises the question for me.

The serial # is N838XXX. I think I discovered a few years ago that it was manufactured in 1980, an early stainless gun. I don't think they made many of the 629s before they quit pinning the barrels and recessing the chambers.

Anybody know how many of these were made before the changes were made later that year? People usually do a double take on it because you just don't see many 629s with the in barrel and such.

Thanks,
Greg

 

[RCL]

Shoot that gun! Just use reasonable loads, factory level 240 grain, and enjoy. The older 629's won't take the punishment (hot rodding) the newer versions will with there improved innards, but that's not to say the older one's are any lesser of a fine gun. It's your gun, let whoever might own it in the future worry about it then. Shoot it, enjoy it, take care of it. They make a fine hunting arm also, shooting a 240 hp at about 1300-1400, all you need for whitetails.

 

[G. Glock]

Thanks. I agree - guns are for shooting. I have a pretty extensive collection and some old Colt SAAs that people think I'm crazy for shooting, but I don't buy guns I'm not going to shoot.

I was just curious about this gun because I don't think I've even seen another 629 with pin barrel.

I do have a little experience with the early Model 29s. I have an 8 3/8" Model 29 I bought new in October of 1974 that I've put right at 45,000 rounds through. It's still just as tight and accurate. Of course, I shoot what you mentioned, 240 gr. bullets with about 10 grains of Unique. Great load.

I don't hunt with it or else I'd have fired a lot more of the heavy loads. All I shoot are big heavy steel rams, turkeys, pigs, chickens, and buffalos on my range.

 

[NEon]

I have one of the same. 629 pinned and recessed and 4 inch. I had to send my back to the factory fo a rebuild. It is in perfect condition and I've relagated it to 240 cast swc at 800fps. I use hotter stuff in my 4 inch mountain gun during hunting season (just a side carry to my Ruger Deerfield). The pinned is a real keeper and shooter.