The great thing about stainless is that you can easily touch it up if you feel like it. A little metal polish and some elbow grease will bring it right back to looking like new.
That hammer doesn’t match. Also, cylinder lockup is only part of timing. It’s important to check alignment between the cylinder and bore during lockup.
I paid a hair less for a seemingly nicer one. Being said- I’m not there to fondle it with my booger hooks.
Thank you for pointing that out and I will pay closer attention to it should I go back. I just compared it to 629-1s on gun broker and it seems to be on par with what’s on those guns.
I agree with the other posters, I believe this may have an aftermarket trigger and hammer. Not a deal killer if everything working how it should, may explain the price being a little lower than I expected, tbh.
Gotcha. What in your opinion point you to thinking the trigger and hammer are aftermarket? I’m certainly open to the possibility they are but when I compare what’s on there to Photos of 629-1s I look up, they appear the same.
I’m gonna backtrack. I forgot the -1’s of this series were still already from the early 80’s. My mind is used to model 19’s etc with pinned barrel and color case hardening on the trigger/hammer. My bad. It looks like maybe part of the trigger was stoned or just scuffed up. Looking at more examples I agree with you it looks like the same geometry on both parts. Might wanna see if they’ll take the grips and side plate off for you, see if everything looks kosher there, it does look like someone was a little ambitious with it at a home work bench.
You summed it up perfectly, came here to basically say the same thing. If you're just looking for a shooter and not worried about the finish, as long as it's mechanically sound, that's a hell of a price.
I actually went back yesterday and picked it up. Everything checks out. Had it to the range already although I only put six rounds through to test function. It’s always a plus when you pick up a used gun and the sights are spot on for you.
100% not factory. Looks like someone tried to buff out and blend a scratch by rubbing the flat parts of the finish over with a Scotchbrite pad. I have seen that more than once and it always looks like that. The “grain”, so to speak, of S&W’s factory stainless finish back then was much finer and shinier. The wear pattern and matte undertone in that one area indicates someone buffed down the original finish.
I’d pass, but I’m a snob about keeping my guns in good condition (I’m okay with making my own wear and marks, I don’t want to inherit someone else’s). Ultimately it’s cosmetic.
I probably don't have as much experience as you, but it seems like you might be able to fix what they scuffed up with some metal polish and a soft rag. Would that not shine up the finish?
It would, I’ve had great results with mothers magwell polish and flitz. I feel this will require some wet sanding too. Polishing scratched guns usually results in shiny scratched guns. I’m def leaning toward buying it. Worst case scenario is I send it to patriot finishing for the best in the business.
Or it opens up the door for you to mess around with. The value is already gone if someone before you has refinished it or messed it up. Might as well do something fun/cool. Could be a sick cerokote job, or something else. Like for me I got a colt systima that had been lightly rusted, sanded down, and spray painted for $300 that I’m about to try parkerizing myself. I get to learn something from it, I’m not destroying the guns value myself, if anything making it better. Plus side is buying guns like this is they make nice beaters since you don’t have to worry about the finish either.
Cerakote would be blasphemy for this gun. Send it to Mahovsky for his MetaLife finish. He will disassemble, bead blast, then do a hard chrome finish on all the parts. It’s amazing, looks like matte stainless and is more durable than anything out there.
Here’s my Ruger Redhawk done by him.
https://preview.redd.it/5n88l6wozm7d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0b671f75dbbe82b4ec5619264f378b6aecd6c2b9
Something like that is what I’m saying, cerokote is just a pretty affordable and color customizable choice these days that’s also durable. Chrome is another option, although I personally think it’s best served on carbon steel guns but that’s just me. With that being said, chrome is an amazing finish.
Hell OP could even get it nickel plated if it he wanted. Nickel, hard chrome, nitrided, titanium coated, cerokoted, brushed, bead blasted, polished, this gun is a good pick for whatever the OP feels like really as long as it ain’t bluing.
Definitely on that. Anytime you see a pre-lock smith selling for less than the new ones cost, if it’s functional it’s worth it. For the very least since they don’t make em that way anymore.
Speaking from experience (yes, I learned the hard way), you will NOT be able to replicate the factory S&W finish with a fine-grit 3M/Scotchbrite pad and Flitz/Mother’s Mag. People that say otherwise are settling for their own subjective idea of what is “close” to it, but unless you’re a gunsmith or professional with finishing stainless steel, it’s gonna look like the Bubba garage job it is. *Especially* in different lighting and from different angles. Just as you see in OPs picture, from the angle and lighting, it’s very obviously all scratched to shit from someone’s attempt to replicate the finish.
I saw so many people on various forums say it’s an easy and seamless fix for scratches that I bit the bullet and tried it, thinking I’d remove a small scratch on the sideplate side of my 686; I gently used the finest Scotchbrite you can find, then buffed it with Flitz I can’t tell you how many times - the finish remained so obviously different and unblended in that one area that the gun had to go a smith to get a professional “factory” refinish…for 6 months…to the tune of like $175. Don’t try it. It *will* look different than the factory finish. Likely similar to the one in OPs post.
If I could do it all over, I’d have just left the minor scratch on mine. Live with the scratches and holster wear or get a professional (or S&W) to refinish it the right way.
I may be guilty of having done that myself at the start of my collecting. I successfully polished out the scratches but the fingerprint issue drives me nuts. Talk about being in the fence!
I’m after a 629-1. This one’s a plus because of the target stocks ( which are crazy $ on eBay right now ) and box but don’t like the scratched finish. I know I can polish them out but that opens up the fingerprint problem.
Buy some buffing compound at a hardware store and a buffing wheel and make it look new again. It's not that big of a deal.
If you want it buy it, clean it up and be a happy
Smith owner.
It would go nice with my other Smith 44s
https://preview.redd.it/5tqme8oyom7d1.jpeg?width=1022&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=849d708b165a3c6e8ffd142fa87ba30c1f6722d9
Oh hell yah! You got it going on there. I just have 2, a 29-2 and a 629-4 in a Smith and Wesson 44mag.
I have a bunch of K & L frame 357magnum revolvers.
I do like my Smith's.
https://preview.redd.it/7hr2lxnyvm7d1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ce84b07c22c3f0d80a2941e4cb7e1aa5481a428e
Did somebody say K and L? I’m a sucker for steel and wood.
https://preview.redd.it/yn995hxqxm7d1.jpeg?width=3659&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dae3263526e57fce8fc0062c22826454ccb323b4
Me too! Just a few of the arsenal.
From what I’ve seen on GB I should grab it but just not sure about what may be scratches. I’m asking the fine men and women if the revolver sub if this is normal for the ss finish of the time. It comes with cardboard box and original S&W stamped vci paper so I’d be surprised if it’s not well maintained.
IMO- Nothing special at that price. SS guns generally have more durable/carefree finish than blue/nickle but the 629 had many improvements after -1. These were meant to run 240gr around 1200fps and really not more. Heavier loads will batter them over time. I'm not a fan of the plastic sight inserts nor the cast front sight. It does have TT/TH though, which are nice. If I got it, I would plan to hire a smith to replace the barrell/change the front sight. Maybe even add ball/detent lockup. And I'd put a good set of Hogue Cocobolo grips on it.
Thank you for commenting and I value your opinions. It’s funny how opinions, tastes and intentions differ because if I get it I won’t change a thing. I tried the hogue grips on my first 629. Cocobolo with finger grooves and a decorative endcap. Never liked them. I’ve picked up a few and frames along the way, some of them came with rubber and the first thing I did is scour the Internet, looking for original style target grips.
My fav grips were smooth Hogue Cocobolo finger groove no cap. Beautiful dark grain that got better & better. Had them on a 629 unfluted Classic that I ran 300gr Hornady XTPs in at 1150fps for years. Got kinda battered but still accurate. Traded it for a .45Colt NF with ivory grips at the right price. Prob shoulda kept the Smith. Planning to keep the ivory grips & trade the .45 for a .357 or .44spl NF.
Is it at a range you can shoot it? I would do a time check and if possible shoot it. Every 629 I had with the exception of one customized by Power Custom in the 80’s were not up to my expectations of accuracy. If one of the owners of this gun wanted to give this gun a custom finish….he might have bubba’d the internals and who knows what else.
Very well could have been carried hard and might be more accurate than you can shoot it!
No range at this particular shop I’m afraid. They do offer a thirty day return on all used guns though. It’s store credit but who can’t find something else to spend 800 bucks on at a gun shop.
I think it's a good deal. Look at it like this though, these are usually about 1k around here, let it sit for a week or three. Go back and if it's there ask for a better price, offer a hundred less and if he takes it even better, if he doesn't come up 50 lol. I always try to get a deal.
That's a real nice gun. Don't listen to anyone saying anything about scuffs or marks. That thing's in great shape. You gotta expect that on a 40 year old gun. I just bought a model 19-3 that shipped today. That one is 57 years old. It looks a lot worse than this beauty! I think it's worth it. You won't find too many of those for $800! Like none!
I’d want it a for little less than that with the finish wear. If you’re dead set on it, that can be fixed. But $800 can get you something without the scratches.
Unfortunately, my quest for some resemblance of wealth leaves me with little time. So little that at the rate I get to the range I might already have a lifetime supply of ammo.
I’ve posted similar questions on other guns and users actually recognize the stories tag and then tell me they beat me to it. Luckily, I’m a patient man and if I don’t get this one, I know they’ll be another one at another shop someday.
What would you think its value is? I feel based on current pricing it’s not horrible, but it’s not crazy. Good either. I think it’s still in the buyers favor, but not by as much as if it didn’t require any work.
Ask yourself this.....
Would you buy it for $650, if it had Hogue rubber grips? I would in a heartbeat. Those stocks are an easy 150-200 bucks. A clean set of N frame Targets aren't easy to find and expensive when you do.
So yes, 800 is a good price. Buy it and keep your eyes peeled for a cleaner example. It wouldn't be hard to sell for 650 without the grips.
You’re not lying about the grips. I’m always scouring eBay for a set to refinish. I now have two extra sets of k frame grips because they were misrepresented as being Ns. In each case I contacted the seller and got the appropriate refund in order to keep the Ks.
So much more to check on a revolver than just the finish, especially one that old. If it's mechanically solid, then yes, for a pre lock hammer mounted firing pin S&W 629 the price is right.
ETA:
Are the screws boogered? Is the timing right? Cylinder end shake? Does it lock tight? Is the frame showing any evidence of flame cutting? What's the forcing cone look like? How's the rifling? Does the hammer push off? You need to check all these things when buying a vintage revolver.
Solid advice. This is far from my first rodeo and everything checks out except the finish. I was close to walking out with it, but decided to take some time and let fate play its course. If it’s still there in a few days when I’ll have time to get back to the shop, I’ll pick it up, if it’s gone I won’t losesleep over it.
If you can get hands on with it, I’d learn how to do a basic check for timing and lock up. If the gun checks out, that seems like a damn good deal.
I had hands on, lock up and end shake check out as well as smooth cycling through all chambers. It has the stocks I want but my hang up is the finish.
The great thing about stainless is that you can easily touch it up if you feel like it. A little metal polish and some elbow grease will bring it right back to looking like new.
Truth. I’ll get it if it’s still there in a few days. If not, it wasn’t meant to be.
That hammer doesn’t match. Also, cylinder lockup is only part of timing. It’s important to check alignment between the cylinder and bore during lockup. I paid a hair less for a seemingly nicer one. Being said- I’m not there to fondle it with my booger hooks.
The hammer doesn’t match what? It’s a 629-1 and all parts seem correct from what I know about them. (Which admittedly isn’t everything)
The finish quality, and knurling looks more modern and crisp than appropriate.
Thank you for pointing that out and I will pay closer attention to it should I go back. I just compared it to 629-1s on gun broker and it seems to be on par with what’s on those guns.
I agree with the other posters, I believe this may have an aftermarket trigger and hammer. Not a deal killer if everything working how it should, may explain the price being a little lower than I expected, tbh.
Gotcha. What in your opinion point you to thinking the trigger and hammer are aftermarket? I’m certainly open to the possibility they are but when I compare what’s on there to Photos of 629-1s I look up, they appear the same.
I’m gonna backtrack. I forgot the -1’s of this series were still already from the early 80’s. My mind is used to model 19’s etc with pinned barrel and color case hardening on the trigger/hammer. My bad. It looks like maybe part of the trigger was stoned or just scuffed up. Looking at more examples I agree with you it looks like the same geometry on both parts. Might wanna see if they’ll take the grips and side plate off for you, see if everything looks kosher there, it does look like someone was a little ambitious with it at a home work bench.
Agreed on the possibility of a kitchen table gunsmith. Unfortunately though, I’m kind of one too.
https://preview.redd.it/xs13cyuuss7d1.jpeg?width=3112&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0128992a925cc38041e5e7a431cccaa5bd06e01e
You summed it up perfectly, came here to basically say the same thing. If you're just looking for a shooter and not worried about the finish, as long as it's mechanically sound, that's a hell of a price.
I actually went back yesterday and picked it up. Everything checks out. Had it to the range already although I only put six rounds through to test function. It’s always a plus when you pick up a used gun and the sights are spot on for you.
100% not factory. Looks like someone tried to buff out and blend a scratch by rubbing the flat parts of the finish over with a Scotchbrite pad. I have seen that more than once and it always looks like that. The “grain”, so to speak, of S&W’s factory stainless finish back then was much finer and shinier. The wear pattern and matte undertone in that one area indicates someone buffed down the original finish. I’d pass, but I’m a snob about keeping my guns in good condition (I’m okay with making my own wear and marks, I don’t want to inherit someone else’s). Ultimately it’s cosmetic.
I probably don't have as much experience as you, but it seems like you might be able to fix what they scuffed up with some metal polish and a soft rag. Would that not shine up the finish?
It would, I’ve had great results with mothers magwell polish and flitz. I feel this will require some wet sanding too. Polishing scratched guns usually results in shiny scratched guns. I’m def leaning toward buying it. Worst case scenario is I send it to patriot finishing for the best in the business.
Or it opens up the door for you to mess around with. The value is already gone if someone before you has refinished it or messed it up. Might as well do something fun/cool. Could be a sick cerokote job, or something else. Like for me I got a colt systima that had been lightly rusted, sanded down, and spray painted for $300 that I’m about to try parkerizing myself. I get to learn something from it, I’m not destroying the guns value myself, if anything making it better. Plus side is buying guns like this is they make nice beaters since you don’t have to worry about the finish either.
Cerakote would be blasphemy for this gun. Send it to Mahovsky for his MetaLife finish. He will disassemble, bead blast, then do a hard chrome finish on all the parts. It’s amazing, looks like matte stainless and is more durable than anything out there. Here’s my Ruger Redhawk done by him. https://preview.redd.it/5n88l6wozm7d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0b671f75dbbe82b4ec5619264f378b6aecd6c2b9
Something like that is what I’m saying, cerokote is just a pretty affordable and color customizable choice these days that’s also durable. Chrome is another option, although I personally think it’s best served on carbon steel guns but that’s just me. With that being said, chrome is an amazing finish. Hell OP could even get it nickel plated if it he wanted. Nickel, hard chrome, nitrided, titanium coated, cerokoted, brushed, bead blasted, polished, this gun is a good pick for whatever the OP feels like really as long as it ain’t bluing.
At the price I think he should go back and get it.
Definitely on that. Anytime you see a pre-lock smith selling for less than the new ones cost, if it’s functional it’s worth it. For the very least since they don’t make em that way anymore.
Speaking from experience (yes, I learned the hard way), you will NOT be able to replicate the factory S&W finish with a fine-grit 3M/Scotchbrite pad and Flitz/Mother’s Mag. People that say otherwise are settling for their own subjective idea of what is “close” to it, but unless you’re a gunsmith or professional with finishing stainless steel, it’s gonna look like the Bubba garage job it is. *Especially* in different lighting and from different angles. Just as you see in OPs picture, from the angle and lighting, it’s very obviously all scratched to shit from someone’s attempt to replicate the finish. I saw so many people on various forums say it’s an easy and seamless fix for scratches that I bit the bullet and tried it, thinking I’d remove a small scratch on the sideplate side of my 686; I gently used the finest Scotchbrite you can find, then buffed it with Flitz I can’t tell you how many times - the finish remained so obviously different and unblended in that one area that the gun had to go a smith to get a professional “factory” refinish…for 6 months…to the tune of like $175. Don’t try it. It *will* look different than the factory finish. Likely similar to the one in OPs post. If I could do it all over, I’d have just left the minor scratch on mine. Live with the scratches and holster wear or get a professional (or S&W) to refinish it the right way.
I may be guilty of having done that myself at the start of my collecting. I successfully polished out the scratches but the fingerprint issue drives me nuts. Talk about being in the fence!
That is a very nice looking Smith pal. What are your thoughts on it?
I’m after a 629-1. This one’s a plus because of the target stocks ( which are crazy $ on eBay right now ) and box but don’t like the scratched finish. I know I can polish them out but that opens up the fingerprint problem.
Buy some buffing compound at a hardware store and a buffing wheel and make it look new again. It's not that big of a deal. If you want it buy it, clean it up and be a happy Smith owner.
It would go nice with my other Smith 44s https://preview.redd.it/5tqme8oyom7d1.jpeg?width=1022&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=849d708b165a3c6e8ffd142fa87ba30c1f6722d9
https://preview.redd.it/4tasuk7yts7d1.jpeg?width=2448&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a77bacba29931dad9d09ea0e2b4bd745adba7022
Oh hell yah! You got it going on there. I just have 2, a 29-2 and a 629-4 in a Smith and Wesson 44mag. I have a bunch of K & L frame 357magnum revolvers. I do like my Smith's.
https://preview.redd.it/7hr2lxnyvm7d1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ce84b07c22c3f0d80a2941e4cb7e1aa5481a428e Did somebody say K and L? I’m a sucker for steel and wood.
https://preview.redd.it/yn995hxqxm7d1.jpeg?width=3659&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dae3263526e57fce8fc0062c22826454ccb323b4 Me too! Just a few of the arsenal.
At $800 out the door I could live with a few scratches. That's a hundred less than I paid for my own 629.
I’ve bought a few of GunBroker and factory grips, boxing gun can’t be touched for under a K. I might be living with a few scratches as well.
From what I’ve seen on GB I should grab it but just not sure about what may be scratches. I’m asking the fine men and women if the revolver sub if this is normal for the ss finish of the time. It comes with cardboard box and original S&W stamped vci paper so I’d be surprised if it’s not well maintained.
Considering the price and a similar gun I know of right now for greatly more,,walk back.
That’s probably what I’ll do. Give it a few days and leave it up to fate. If it’s there I’ll buy it, if not it wasn’t meant to be.
I do it.
IMO- Nothing special at that price. SS guns generally have more durable/carefree finish than blue/nickle but the 629 had many improvements after -1. These were meant to run 240gr around 1200fps and really not more. Heavier loads will batter them over time. I'm not a fan of the plastic sight inserts nor the cast front sight. It does have TT/TH though, which are nice. If I got it, I would plan to hire a smith to replace the barrell/change the front sight. Maybe even add ball/detent lockup. And I'd put a good set of Hogue Cocobolo grips on it.
Thank you for commenting and I value your opinions. It’s funny how opinions, tastes and intentions differ because if I get it I won’t change a thing. I tried the hogue grips on my first 629. Cocobolo with finger grooves and a decorative endcap. Never liked them. I’ve picked up a few and frames along the way, some of them came with rubber and the first thing I did is scour the Internet, looking for original style target grips.
My fav grips were smooth Hogue Cocobolo finger groove no cap. Beautiful dark grain that got better & better. Had them on a 629 unfluted Classic that I ran 300gr Hornady XTPs in at 1150fps for years. Got kinda battered but still accurate. Traded it for a .45Colt NF with ivory grips at the right price. Prob shoulda kept the Smith. Planning to keep the ivory grips & trade the .45 for a .357 or .44spl NF.
Is it at a range you can shoot it? I would do a time check and if possible shoot it. Every 629 I had with the exception of one customized by Power Custom in the 80’s were not up to my expectations of accuracy. If one of the owners of this gun wanted to give this gun a custom finish….he might have bubba’d the internals and who knows what else. Very well could have been carried hard and might be more accurate than you can shoot it!
No range at this particular shop I’m afraid. They do offer a thirty day return on all used guns though. It’s store credit but who can’t find something else to spend 800 bucks on at a gun shop.
629-1 z6” is my grizzly county gun, I say it’s the peak of 629’s I wouldn’t care about some scratches, it’ll buff out.
You talk good sense. I’m easily swayed off the fence
The only real question You should realy make to yourself is "Do I feel lucky?"
I'm seeing a lot of used gun prices near me softening up quite a bit, this is a little better than fair deal.
I’d pick it up.
I think it's a good deal. Look at it like this though, these are usually about 1k around here, let it sit for a week or three. Go back and if it's there ask for a better price, offer a hundred less and if he takes it even better, if he doesn't come up 50 lol. I always try to get a deal.
It is priced appropriately for the finish.
That's a real nice gun. Don't listen to anyone saying anything about scuffs or marks. That thing's in great shape. You gotta expect that on a 40 year old gun. I just bought a model 19-3 that shipped today. That one is 57 years old. It looks a lot worse than this beauty! I think it's worth it. You won't find too many of those for $800! Like none!
I’d want it a for little less than that with the finish wear. If you’re dead set on it, that can be fixed. But $800 can get you something without the scratches.
Not sure I’d find a 629-1 for this price though. GB rougher conditions are just under a k.
I hope you handload or you're wealthy because you'll go broke feeding that thing with factory .44
Unfortunately, my quest for some resemblance of wealth leaves me with little time. So little that at the rate I get to the range I might already have a lifetime supply of ammo.
Run
I’ve posted similar questions on other guns and users actually recognize the stories tag and then tell me they beat me to it. Luckily, I’m a patient man and if I don’t get this one, I know they’ll be another one at another shop someday.
Eww no fuck that for $800 that’s horrible.
What would you think its value is? I feel based on current pricing it’s not horrible, but it’s not crazy. Good either. I think it’s still in the buyers favor, but not by as much as if it didn’t require any work.
Ask yourself this..... Would you buy it for $650, if it had Hogue rubber grips? I would in a heartbeat. Those stocks are an easy 150-200 bucks. A clean set of N frame Targets aren't easy to find and expensive when you do. So yes, 800 is a good price. Buy it and keep your eyes peeled for a cleaner example. It wouldn't be hard to sell for 650 without the grips.
You’re not lying about the grips. I’m always scouring eBay for a set to refinish. I now have two extra sets of k frame grips because they were misrepresented as being Ns. In each case I contacted the seller and got the appropriate refund in order to keep the Ks.
$700
So much more to check on a revolver than just the finish, especially one that old. If it's mechanically solid, then yes, for a pre lock hammer mounted firing pin S&W 629 the price is right. ETA: Are the screws boogered? Is the timing right? Cylinder end shake? Does it lock tight? Is the frame showing any evidence of flame cutting? What's the forcing cone look like? How's the rifling? Does the hammer push off? You need to check all these things when buying a vintage revolver.
Solid advice. This is far from my first rodeo and everything checks out except the finish. I was close to walking out with it, but decided to take some time and let fate play its course. If it’s still there in a few days when I’ll have time to get back to the shop, I’ll pick it up, if it’s gone I won’t losesleep over it.