[changeling]

 Is there a positive way to tell the 629's that have been factory changed to handle greater punishment (heavy rounds) by reading the "Serial numbers"?
 What is your favorite barrel length for this revolver and why?

 

[Alk8944]

Changeling

Since this has been asked several times in the past few days I had to look it up.

Per Supica & Nahas:"Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" and personal conversations with S&W customer service.  There is a group of changes which were made internally and externally which are collectively referred to the Endurance Package.  These are identified by the "dash" number, I.E. -2, -3, etc.

These first "dash" numbers identifying these changes are identified thus:

All of these changes occurred aprox. 1988

Blue guns;
Model 25-6 and following (-7, -8, etc.)
Model 27-4 and following
Model 29-2E and following
Model 57-2 and following

Stainless guns;
Model 624-1 and following
Model 625-2   "        "
Model 627- all
Model 629-2E "        "
Model 657-1   "        "
Model 681-1   "        "
Model 686-1   "        "

Hope this answers your question.

(Edited by Alk8944 at 7:40 pm on Jan. 4, 2002)

 

[changeling]

ALK8944, Thanks very much, this was no small effort! I think I have it straight, for instance the 629-2E that I am interested in started getting the modifications in 1988.
The dash in this instance (-2E) indicates the start of updates with more coming.Do you happen to know the latest update to this revolver? Is it like 3E, 4E, or what?
changeling

 

[Troy]

I have one with a 4 inch barrell and I like it, although it kicks like a mule.  I got it because I work in the woods, sometimes in pretty remote places.  With an Uncle Mike's shoulder holster it fits under my cruisers vest faily well.  It is very accurate and I don't mind shooting it, although my trigger finger is usually bleeding after about 50 rounds or so because the recoil causes the trigger guard to bang against my finger.

 

[Alk8944]

Changeling

The most recent I have a reference for is the 629-4 which was 1994.  The -4 indicates the new rear sight (rounded front of leaf), square extractor and drill+tap under the rear sight for a scope mount.

There may be more changes, but I havn't been too concerned with them