S&W Model 629-5

[Hazcat]

Today (Saturday) was my sons 14th birthday so I took him out for a new gun. He said he would like a 44 to go with his Puma lever 44. I told him keep it under 500.00.

1st place we went he looked at a Blackhawk and at a Taurus PT1911 and was leaning toward the 1911 .  I was afraid he was leaning that way because I have talked so much about wanting one so I told him we should look some more before we buy and anyway we could get it for less at another store.

So we went to my regular shop and he started looking around and spotted a used 629-5 with a 6.5 barrel.  He was in lust!

Long story (kinda) short.  Bought it and off to the range we went.  At 25 yards from a rest he started peppering the bull so he stood up and off hand was keeping them in.  He LOVES it.

I had heard that the early 629s could be shot loose, anyone know about the 629-5?  Good, Bad ??

Thanks,

Hazcat

[texcaliber]

A great gun. And give your son an "ATTABOY" for picking it out man. The only downside to the 629 over say the Ruger is the cylinder length. Rugers can be hand loaded with Bigger bullets than Smith. For me thats not a big deal. As for shooting lose. IF and I mean IF you can with honest shooting then the Factory willl fix it. At the most you will pay for shipping&parts. I have a huge round count through my 629PP and its still very tight, Great groups  and LOVES destroying bowling pins. And now that i think about it I may just bring it to the match tomorrow. 


Tex

[m25operator]

Haz, don't believe that myth, can it be shot loose, Yes, How many rounds of .44 mag will it take, 2-3000 rounds. How many rounds of the hot stuff will you shoot on a regular basis? And if you do, how bad will the loss be? Not much. No doubt I'm an S&W fan. Try the .300 grain XTP'S FROM HORNADAY. Does not beat the pistol up as much, and wow what a thumper. Truly I don't have a thousand rounds through my 29., but it is a special purpose pistol, I use it for hunting and it is up to the task. You can't expect a race car not to wear out tires. Ruger super bees are great, but the slow lock time has always messed with me. You bought it, now enjoy it.

[Hazcat]

Tex, m25,

We (actually he) will not be shooting any hot loads.  Target shooting and as a back up for hogs until he gets better then maybe main gun for the hogs but I think a standard 240grn should do a hog just fine at the 50 yard max range that we would shoot. (most likely 35 and under)

I guess I'm just one of those 'worry' types and always wonder why anyone would sell off a good gun. 

In any case thanks for the reassurance! 

[HBMan]

Sounds like you need to find a good midrange load using 240 cast bullets that can shoot close to same point of aim as the loads that might be used for hunting and let him shoot away without worry. I would like to know if anyone has actually shot a Smith loose with reasonable loads. I have a 29-2 that I used alot for hunting-shooting loads that had no problem doing the job and that gun is problem free and as accurate as it ever was(can't guess how many fullhouse loads were used in practice).Right now I am  working on wearing out a couple 629s myself and they only seem to get better. Maybe a silhouette shooter could hammer one into submission.


HBMan

[Sponsor]

[storm1911]

What a great birthday gift !!  Sounds like a great son with a great father.

[Hazcat]

Another question for y'all.

Other than paying the $30 to S&W can anyone help me with the production date of this gun?

S/N # CEY3XXX

I'd post the complete serial number but I've heard that you shouldn't do that. (don't know why)

Thanks

BTW Thanks, Storm!  He is a good son.

[ponyexpress]

Hazcat,

Has Smith and Wesson changed their policy? A couple of years ago I called their customer service line to find out when my 686 was made and they told me over the phone at no charge. If you're looking for documentation on a historical gun I could see them charging for that.

[texcaliber]

Another question for y'all.

Other than paying the $30 to S&W can anyone help me with the production date of this gun?

S/N # CEY3XXX

I'd post the complete serial number but I've heard that you shouldn't do that. (don't know why)

Thanks

BTW Thanks, Storm!  He is a good son.

All you need to do Hazcat is give the 1-800-331-0852 a call and stay on the line. DO NOT push any buttons, and you will talk to someone who will put you in the right hands.

Tex

[Hazcat]

Tex, Pony,

Thanks!