Information needed on S&W 629

[joeman123]

Wondering if someone had info in terms of year of manufacture and value of my 629 the serial number starts with AFA 25XX

Thanks,
Joe

[normanvin]

http://www.sixguns.com/BookOfThe44/bot44c22.htm

THE STAINLESS STEEL 44 MAGNUM THE MODEL 629

BY JOHN TAFFIN

The number 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 a special run of "pre-production" guns followed by the first production gun, 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 29-3 in dropping the pinned barrel and counter bored cylinder features. The 629-1 lasted until 1988 with 8,000 also offered with three-inch barrels and round butts. In 1988, the Model 629-2 arrived with the same internal changes as the Model 29-4. Transitional changes were made in 1989 along with the cylinder crane being hardened and these 629s were stamped 629-2E.

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

[bripro]

What's the dash number? For example 629-3

[gghbi]

To even begin we would need a more thorough description, including model variation 629-?, bbl length, conditiion, if box and papers etc. are included. Then some good pictures !

Value is very subjective, so any estimate one can give without actually holding the gun and checking it will be a guess. If you check completed auctions on Gun Broker (need to be signed in) you can compare those with what you have.

[JenniferG]

What's the dash number? For example 629-3

The dash number is the model version number. With each major revision they changed the dash number so you can better identify the exact version you have. Example: starting with the 629-6 you get the Hillary hole drilled into the once beautiful frame. I believe they began MIM parts in them too. Look through Gunbroker sold items to see what they selling for. A new 629-10 sells for about $850. The 629 even with pinned barrel and recessed cylinder sells for far less than a blued model 29. I've been watching for the right deal on a blue model 29 that's why I'm up to date on this model. The 4"barrel seems to be the most sought after.

[bripro]

Thanks JenniferG^^ great information, however I was asking the OP so we could get a better idea of what he has. Hopefully he will get us some more info.

[Gunsnwater]

The dash number is the model version number. With each major revision they changed the dash number so you can better identify the exact version you have. Example: starting with the 629-6 you get the Hillary hole drilled into the once beautiful frame. I believe they began MIM parts in them too. Look through Gunbroker sold items to see what they selling for. A new 629-10 sells for about $850. The 629 even with pinned barrel and recessed cylinder sells for far less than a blued model 29. I've been watching for the right deal on a blue model 29 that's why I'm up to date on this model. The 4"barrel seems to be the most sought after.

The I.L. (integral lock) or Hillery hole as you called it, (wasn't her, but why not. ) was not just a hole, but the frame was changed to hide the hammer deeper when at rest. It's a small change, but on the ugly side, and when combined with moving the firing pin off the hammer into the frame, makes down graded aesthetics. Some have locked up because of the I.L.

[Gunsnwater]

O.P. join here http://smith-wessonforum.com/

[Pizza Bob]

By extrapolation, that serial number prefix would most likely be from the fourth quarter of 1984, which would make it a 629-1 (the -1 engineering change did away with the pinned barrel and counterbored charge holes in the cylinder).

Adios,

Pizza Bob

[Shuressw]

[B]I have a 629-3 ...[B]
But i am having trouble reading the first 3 characters of the serial number. Looks to be maybe 8??4474. Does 8 sound right? The next two i have no idea.