629 or 629 Classic?

Ruger007

Ruger007

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After my experience with someones like new model. I have decided to buy a new one. I am a bit confused with the models. 629 and 629 classic. I can't really find much info to tell the difference. Looks to me just a full lug vs half lug.

I can find lots of info on the Model 19 classic. But not the 629 classic.

Any insight is appreciated.
Thanks
 
For new models (-6), half vs full lug is pretty much it. Half Lug will be 4.2 or 6" and full will be 5" or 6.5". Everything else will be the same. It really boils down to personal preference for aesthetics. I prefer the partial lug myself but seems many think the 5" full lug is the sweet spot.
 
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If you have big strong hands then short barrel with half lug is ok. Otherwise check out the 29-2 with 6.5" barrel.
 
I prefer the full lug but that is just for looks. Both of mine are older with the 6" barrel. They are both sweet shooters, my BIL has a 686 with the 4.5" barrel and it shoots just as nice.
 
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I find the 5" barrel to be the perfect balance for a .44magnum. The 4.2" is good for a .357, but the 629 is a mich bigger frame and the 5" balance very well in the hands. Look good too!
 
The 629-3 Classic was first made about 1992-93. The dash 3 was the endurance package because the Model 29 Silhouette had an occasional habit of slipping out of timing using heavy loads.
They came with a factory target at 20-25 yards using Federal Eagle 240 grain soft point. Also with extra front sights. I know mine has the round butt and rosewood grips. This extra attention of the DX Classic line at the S&W factory morphed into the Performance Center line. And I concur the 5 inch full lug seems to be an excellent match with the 44 Magnum.
 
FAQMAT said:
I find the 5" barrel to be the perfect balance for a .44magnum. The 4.2" is good for a .357, but the 629 is a mich bigger frame and the 5" balance very well in the hands. Look good too!
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I completely agree with this! I have a 4.2" 686 to go along with my 5" 629.
 
gdawg said:
For new models (-6), half vs full lug is pretty much it. Half Lug will be 4.2 or 6" and full will be 5" or 6.5". Everything else will be the same. It really boils down to personal preference for aesthetics. I prefer the partial lug myself but seems many think the 5" full lug is the sweet spot.
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The true sweet spot is a 5" half lug barrel, but you will likely have to have a longer one shortened to get it. When I bought this one, it had already been cut down:
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I generally prefer half lug barrels, but the 5" full fug and the 6" half lug 629s both weigh about the same and I prefer the shorter barrel in this case.

The 6-1/2" full lug barrel would be pretty front heavy. I would pick the 6" half lug over it if you want a longer barrel.
 
tjhaile said:
The true sweet spot is a 5" half lug barrel, but you will likely have to have a longer one shortened to get it. When I bought this one, it had already been cut down:
00RJYVZyRiNvIwQ2_UfAXDY7Y4AV84E1ClC7omZ_gVWlxLox-_JRhfmppJHgyeyb8jNc-ogfyuQ-VSOJVQ=w293-h220-rw


I generally prefer half lug barrels, but the 5" full fug and the 6" half lug 629s both weigh about the same and I prefer the shorter barrel in this case.

The 6-1/2" full lug barrel would be pretty front heavy. I would pick the 6" half lug over it if you want a longer barrel.
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I'm sure the 4.2" 629 half lug would be an excellent choice as well.
 
Seems like the 5" is the most well liked. Doesn't sound like there is any mechanical difference between the two. I like the looks of the short barrel and half lug like the my 4" 19-5 which i find perfect.

But this is a 44. The longer barrel and a bit extra weight can't hurt. It will probably spend most of its life digesting 44 special loads anyways. With the odd magnum just cause i can.
 
Ruger007 said:
Seems like the 5" is the most well liked. Doesn't sound like there is any mechanical difference between the two. I like the looks of the short barrel and half lug like the my 4" 19-5 which i find perfect.

But this is a 44. The longer barrel and a bit extra weight can't hurt. It will probably spend most of its life digesting 44 special loads anyways. With the odd magnum just cause i can.
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I just re-aquired a 4.2" 629 for the same reason. It is definitely a little spicy with the magnums but i'll probably shoot mainly specials. But I do an 8 3/8" and DE for magnums.

IMG_0377.jpg
 

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2tall2 said:
Was there ever a 6" with full lug?
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Yes a 629-2 Hunter

wm_1355751.jpg


And a 629-3 (and a 29-5) with the 4 position front sight
img_5295.jpg_thumbnail0.jpg


Both with unfluted cylinders as you can see. There is a current version in a 6.5 as mentioned above.
 
i have the 629 Classic with the 6-1/2" barrel and full lug. With maximum magnum loads it jumps a bit but so did the 29-10 with a 6-1/2" half lug barrel. I can't say that the difference is noticeable to me.
 
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