4" 629-3 Value?

[gcf]

For the record, this is NOT a WTS post. Just looking for opinions from the brain trust.

I was offered this 629-3 as trade for an immaculate (and accurate) Gradous Rifles Rem700 LTR / 308. I figure the LTR has a minimum value of $1250.

Haven't had a chance to check the 629 action, cylinder throats, crown, or bore yet, but from the pics, noticed a few things:



1. what appears to be corrosion on both sides in the grip area, from rubber grips

2. finish on both sides appears to have been scratched up, with a poor attempt to fix. Don't mind a small ding ot two, but...

3. rear sight is cranked hard right?

4. no original grips

5. main spring tension screw appears backed out

6. weird machining on side of grip frame



I take care of my equipment, & don't understand those who don't.

Honest wear from use / carry - or just in need of a clean up is one (two?) thing/s, but this one appears a bit past that.



Anyway, I know N frame value has increased in recent years, but in my mind at least, value should be contingent on condition.

So any thoughts from the group? Am I just nit pickin'? "Truck gun" fodder only? Honest opinions on value & condition appreciated. You won't hurt my feelings.

Thanks in advance!

[gcf]

Here's the LTR, listed without scope, rings, bases, or bipod.
Epoxy bedded, full cerecoat, re-cut crown, factory trigger adj..
It's a shooter.

[ideal]

The 629s value comes up short in comparison in your descriptions IMHO. As described I'm seeing a revolver that should probably be checked out by a competent gunsmith before you consider purchasing it. I had a 629-3 Mountain Revolver and wasn't impressed with its durability at all.

[bradshaw]

Feb 2, 2024 12:08:01 GMT -5 gcf said:

noticed a few things:



1. what appears to be corrosion on both sides in the grip area, from rubber grips. Corrosion from moisture, not grips. Probably acidic sweat of owner.

2. finish on both sides appears to have been scratched up, with a poor attempt to fix. Don't mind a small ding ot two, but...

3. rear sight is cranked hard right? Providing the last person to own this pistol is a creditable shot, barrel may point 9 o’clock to the frame.

4. no original grips Correct.

5. main spring tension screw appears backed out. Appears so.

6. weird machining on side of grip frame. Typical S&W.

*****

If the barrel is not straight on the frame, that’s a No Go.
David Bradshaw

[weiler]

I paid $1350 for a similar condition 629-3 a couple years ago, rear sight is cranked to the right but I tend to have to do that on several guns. The grips on the gun were junk which I replaced with some Pachmyer’s

I probably overpaid, but I really wanted a 4” 44 Smith so I don’t lose sleep over it

[paleroadster]

I know the way some people hold/shoot they end up with cranked sights, I would be concerned about a mechanical reason for the sight to be like that.

I'd call it a project gun, or if you were looking for this configuration/caliber for carry a good choice for summers when it will get sweat on.

I bought my 329 not too long ago for $650 due to a ding on one side with a little raised metal. I'd say that's a solid $500-$600 gun. There may be people willing to pay over that, just not at my house.

[hgunhtr]

keep looking for a better trade. nice shooting rifle done right vs a smith not so much. i would pass.

[wilecoyote]

again

Attachments:

[edk]

Feb 2, 2024 14:14:50 GMT -5 ideal said:

I had a 629-3 Mountain Revolver and wasn't impressed with its durability at all.

I didn't think you could do any better beside maybe a 629-4.

[ideal]

Feb 2, 2024 17:58:14 GMT -5 edk said:

Feb 2, 2024 14:14:50 GMT -5 ideal said:

I had a 629-3 Mountain Revolver and wasn't impressed with its durability at all.

I didn't think you could do any better beside maybe a 629-4.

Perhaps mine was one of those exceptions to a rule, but I felt that replacing the hand (pawl, whatever) and locking bolt at under 1K (800ish) rounds of commercial 240 gr ammo was disappointing. Endshake was corrected at that time too. I resold it after I got it back since it didn't seem to be the gun I really needed.

[bradshaw]

Feb 3, 2024 0:50:41 GMT -5 ideal said:

Feb 2, 2024 17:58:14 GMT -5 edk said:

I didn't think you could do any better beside maybe a 629-4.

Perhaps mine was one of those exceptions to a rule, but I felt that replacing the hand (pawl, whatever) and locking bolt at under 1K (800ish) rounds of commercial 240 gr ammo was disappointing. Endshake was corrected at that time too. I resold it after I got it back since it didn't seem to be the gun I really needed.

*****

Nomenclature, names of parts:

Part which locks cylinder
* BOLT----Colt, sometimes Ruger.
* STOP or CYLINDER STOP----Smith & Wesson.
* CYLINDER LATCH----Ruger.

Part which rotates cylinder
* PAWL----Colt; Ruger.
* HAND----Smith & Wesson.

.44 Magnum S&W's experienced a condition which caused the cylinder to unlock under recoil. The condition affected some Model 29’s and 629’s. The condition was described as CYLINDER FLOAT to S&W management by this shooter, around 1979, with suggestions to beef up the .44 Mag for sustained fire in IHMSA handgun silhouette matches. Top management under ownership of Bangor-Punta denied any problem. I have described the condition numerous times over the years. It was one to two years before S&W admitted the problem, then providing a solution labeled as “enhancements.”

Without going into the mechanics here, CYLINDER FLOAT involves the cylinder unlocking under recoil, the hammer bouncing, torque of the right hand twist rotating revolver counter-clockwise, and the firing pin striking left of the FIRING INDENT----anywhere from 9 o’clock on the fired primer, case head, between chambers, or the case on the left. Should fall occur on the primer of a loaded round the gun doubles: two shots on one pull of the trigger. I have witnessed this on the firing line from shooters in standing and prone.
David Bradshaw

[edk]

The "enhancements" fully implemented in the 629-3 & 629-4 (hardened yoke and frame, longer stop notch, bolt block, fixed hand) followed by the introduction of the MIM trigger/hammer and floating firing pin with the 629-5.

[ideal]

Feb 3, 2024 9:16:31 GMT -5 bradshaw said:

Feb 3, 2024 0:50:41 GMT -5 ideal said:

Perhaps mine was one of those exceptions to a rule, but I felt that replacing the hand (pawl, whatever) and locking bolt at under 1K (800ish) rounds of commercial 240 gr ammo was disappointing. Endshake was corrected at that time too. I resold it after I got it back since it didn't seem to be the gun I really needed.

*****

Nomenclature, names of parts:

Part which locks cylinder
* BOLT----Colt, sometimes Ruger.
* STOP or CYLINDER STOP----Smith & Wesson.
* CYLINDER LATCH----Ruger.

Part which rotates cylinder
* PAWL----Colt; Ruger.
* HAND----Smith & Wesson.

.44 Magnum S&W's experienced a condition which caused the cylinder to unlock under recoil. The condition affected some Model 29’s and 629’s. The condition was described as CYLINDER FLOAT to S&W management by this shooter, around 1979, with suggestions to beef up the .44 Mag for sustained fire in IHMSA handgun silhouette matches. Top management under ownership of Bangor-Punta denied any problem. I have described the condition numerous times over the years. It was one to two years before S&W admitted the problem, then providing a solution labeled as “enhancements.”

Without going into the mechanics here, CYLINDER FLOAT involves the cylinder unlocking under recoil, the hammer bouncing, torque of the right hand twist rotating revolver counter-clockwise, and the firing pin striking left of the FIRING INDENT----anywhere from 9 o’clock on the fired primer, case head, between chambers, or the case on the left. Should fall occur on the primer of a loaded round the gun doubles: two shots on one pull of the trigger. I have witnessed this on the firing line from shooters in standing and prone.
David Bradshaw

Thank you for clarifying this David. I appreciate it, as will others.

[bradshaw]

ideal.... fairly common for a firearms manufacturer to apply its own name for a part. One manufacturer may call the flipper which cocks the hammer for double action fire the FLY, or DA FLY, while another calls it the SEAR, or DA SEAR. And, long before any of us were born....

Swingout cylinder hinge
* CRANE----Colt, Ruger.
* YOKE----Smith & Wesson.
David Bradshaw

[rjm52]

Those are REALLY accurate rifles... I had both the .308 and .223 and both were .25 moa shooters... Made the mistake of selling both...should have changed out the trigger and put them is a better stock but at the time AI was the only chassy option and they were EXPENSIVE...

Been out of S&W .44s for a while but last summer picked up a NIB, as in with just the three test fire smudges, 629-5 Classic 5". Where it has been hiding for the last 25 years I have no clue...hope to shoot it next week...

Bob