S&W 629-4, 44 magnum
- Bigfoot
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 208
- Joined: June 1st, 2018, 6:14 pm
- Reputation: 0
- Location: Avondale
S&W 629-4, 44 magnum
I just got an 8 3/8th's in barreled model from my aunt.
It was her husband's, but he passed away some time ago. This one has been sitting in her safe for the better part of 17 years. He bought it in early 1996. By the model number it was made some time between 1988 and 1990.
Is there anyway to find more info on this gun?
It was her husband's, but he passed away some time ago. This one has been sitting in her safe for the better part of 17 years. He bought it in early 1996. By the model number it was made some time between 1988 and 1990.
Is there anyway to find more info on this gun?
- cool arrow
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 1788
- Joined: June 23rd, 2018, 8:06 am
- Reputation: 11
- Location: Tucson
Re: S&W 629-4, 44 magnum
have you looked here yet?
https://www.smith-wesson.com/repaired_serials/index.php
S&W has databases by serial number that can give good info
https://www.smith-wesson.com/repaired_serials/index.php
S&W has databases by serial number that can give good info
- Bigfoot
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 208
- Joined: June 1st, 2018, 6:14 pm
- Reputation: 0
- Location: Avondale
Re: S&W 629-4, 44 magnum
It didn't like the number.cool arrow wrote: ↑June 25th, 2020, 2:47 pm have you looked here yet?
https://www.smith-wesson.com/repaired_serials/index.php
S&W has databases by serial number that can give good info
- cool arrow
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 1788
- Joined: June 23rd, 2018, 8:06 am
- Reputation: 11
- Location: Tucson
Re: S&W 629-4, 44 magnum
sorry, I used to know the right link to the database but have not used it in a few years.
- Bigfoot
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 208
- Joined: June 1st, 2018, 6:14 pm
- Reputation: 0
- Location: Avondale
Re: S&W 629-4, 44 magnum
Thanks. I joined and asked the question.
- Bigfoot
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 208
- Joined: June 1st, 2018, 6:14 pm
- Reputation: 0
- Location: Avondale
Re: S&W 629-4, 44 magnum
When I searched before asking here, that's the one that came up. So I'm not sure what's up with it.cool arrow wrote: ↑June 25th, 2020, 3:19 pm sorry, I used to know the right link to the database but have not used it in a few years.
- cool arrow
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 1788
- Joined: June 23rd, 2018, 8:06 am
- Reputation: 11
- Location: Tucson
Re: S&W 629-4, 44 magnum
I don't know.
I have used it a few times, look up every S&W I get, but haven't picked one up in quite awhile.
I have used it a few times, look up every S&W I get, but haven't picked one up in quite awhile.
- Bigfoot
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 208
- Joined: June 1st, 2018, 6:14 pm
- Reputation: 0
- Location: Avondale
Re: S&W 629-4, 44 magnum
From a guy on the S&W site.cool arrow wrote: ↑June 25th, 2020, 3:35 pm I don't know.
I have used it a few times, look up every S&W I get, but haven't picked one up in quite awhile.
"Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Because, for whatever reason, S&W didn't include those in the data they gave to Supica and Nahas who authored the book. Over the last few years, S&W has distanced itself from the collector community. They eliminated the historian position and cut off his access to company data. They dropped the authentication letters which forced the historian to move to the Historical Foundation for support. You can still get an historian's letter of authentication, but it comes from the Historical Foundation, not S&W. They mine the information they have but have no access to current S&W info."
- Boriqua
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 3424
- Joined: June 4th, 2018, 7:31 am
- Reputation: 16
- Location: East Mesa
Re: S&W 629-4, 44 magnum
- smithers599
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 4397
- Joined: June 29th, 2018, 6:58 am
- Reputation: 23
- Location: East side
Re: S&W 629-4, 44 magnum
https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearm-history-request
I also inherited an old gun -- a S&W Heavy Duty .38/40. I sent my money; they sent me a letter with lots of useful and interesting information.
Do it; you won't regret it.
Also, when you get the letter, please update this post and tell us what you learned.
I also inherited an old gun -- a S&W Heavy Duty .38/40. I sent my money; they sent me a letter with lots of useful and interesting information.
Do it; you won't regret it.
Also, when you get the letter, please update this post and tell us what you learned.
- brandyspaw
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 267
- Joined: May 18th, 2018, 8:50 pm
- Reputation: 0
- Location: East Valley
Re: S&W 629-4, 44 magnum
That Model 629-4 was a good variation to find. I believe the M629-4 was the S&W engineering change that started the so called "endurance package" that S&W incorporated due to the problems some shooters were having with heavy loads. Most shooters never noticed the problems.
However, the cylinders could sometimes pop open or sometimes even get double strikes on the primers. S&W beefed up bearing surfaces and changed heat treatments on parts to help alleviate it. It mostly occurred with 300 grain loads and/or heavy usage that the IHSMA silhouette shooters did back then.
I think the Model 629-4 also had all the frames drilled and tapped for scope mounting. The next engineering change with the M629-5 brought the use of MIM hammers and triggers instead of the flash chromed forged parts and the M629-6 started the dreaded internal lock so the M629-4 was still a good one to get.
However, the cylinders could sometimes pop open or sometimes even get double strikes on the primers. S&W beefed up bearing surfaces and changed heat treatments on parts to help alleviate it. It mostly occurred with 300 grain loads and/or heavy usage that the IHSMA silhouette shooters did back then.
I think the Model 629-4 also had all the frames drilled and tapped for scope mounting. The next engineering change with the M629-5 brought the use of MIM hammers and triggers instead of the flash chromed forged parts and the M629-6 started the dreaded internal lock so the M629-4 was still a good one to get.
- Bigfoot
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 208
- Joined: June 1st, 2018, 6:14 pm
- Reputation: 0
- Location: Avondale
Re: S&W 629-4, 44 magnum
My uncle bought it at a pawn shop in early 1996, so spending $75 for the history of a gun that was probably produced in 1995 isn't high on the priority list for me. Thanks for the info though.smithers599 wrote: ↑June 26th, 2020, 7:02 am https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearm-history-request
I also inherited an old gun -- a S&W Heavy Duty .38/40. I sent my money; they sent me a letter with lots of useful and interesting information.
Do it; you won't regret it.
Also, when you get the letter, please update this post and tell us what you learned.
- Bigfoot
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 208
- Joined: June 1st, 2018, 6:14 pm
- Reputation: 0
- Location: Avondale
Re: S&W 629-4, 44 magnum
Good info man. Thanksbrandyspaw wrote: ↑June 26th, 2020, 12:52 pm That Model 629-4 was a good variation to find. I believe the M629-4 was the S&W engineering change that started the so called "endurance package" that S&W incorporated due to the problems some shooters were having with heavy loads. Most shooters never noticed the problems.
However, the cylinders could sometimes pop open or sometimes even get double strikes on the primers. S&W beefed up bearing surfaces and changed heat treatments on parts to help alleviate it. It mostly occurred with 300 grain loads and/or heavy usage that the IHSMA silhouette shooters did back then.
I think the Model 629-4 also had all the frames drilled and tapped for scope mounting. The next engineering change with the M629-5 brought the use of MIM hammers and triggers instead of the flash chromed forged parts and the M629-6 started the dreaded internal lock so the M629-4 was still a good one to get.
I don't see any drilling/taping for scope mounts though.
- brandyspaw
- ArizonaShooting.org Member
- Posts: 267
- Joined: May 18th, 2018, 8:50 pm
- Reputation: 0
- Location: East Valley