Smith & Wesson's 629: A Top-Selling Revolver

by
posted on August 5, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
629.jpg

The Smith & Wesson 629 comes from an enviable, purebred lineage. The revolver is a direct descendant of the N-Frame handguns the company began producing in 1955, shortly after famed gun writer Elmer Keith worked with manufacturers to alter the .44 Spl. cartridge into something more appropriate for large and dangerous game—the .44 Mag. In 1957, the company’s heavy-frame gun, then the world’s most powerful production handgun, was officially designated the Model 29. 

It was popular with enthusiasts, but 14 years later, the revolver went mainstream when Clint Eastwood wielded one on the silver screen as he played San Francisco detective “Dirty Harry” Callahan. Subsequent demand was so high that retailers ran out of stock, and Smith & Wesson couldn’t make enough.

A variety of versions have appeared through the years in slightly different configurations. That heavy N-Frame, though, has played a key role in keeping the gun popular.

Then in 1978, the company introduced a stainless-steel version known at the 629. In 2019, it was the fourth-best-selling revolver among retailers using the services of GunBroker.com. In the last five years its been a steady performer, remaining in either fourth or fifth place in the standings.

Today there a wide number of new models are available in .44 Mag., with various barrel lengths and configurations. The Model 629 Classic, for example, comes with a 6.5" barrel and it has an overall length of 12". Capacity is six cartridges and the revolver weighs 48.4 ozs. The frame, barrel and cylinder are all stainless steel and the gun comes with recoil-mitigating synthetic grips. MSRP is $989.

The 629 4" Barrel model has a commensurately shorter overall length and tips the scales at 41.5 ozs. MSRP also drops to $949. Smith & Wesson also offers a .44 Mag. Hunter variant, a competition model with weighted barrel, another fine-tuned from its Performance Center and more.

Latest

Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1
Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1

Rifleman Review: Taurus Expedition

Taurus entered the bolt-action rifle market with its Expedition, a Remington 700-pattern design that's built to be versatile and affordable.

New For 2025: Charter Arms Pathfinder II

Charter Arms updated one of the oldest models in its lineup with the new Pathfinder II, which features a lightweight 7075 aluminum frame, making it more well-balanced and easier to carry.

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Ruger Helps Families In Need Through The Kids & Clays Foundation

In the effort to help tens of thousands of critically ill children and their families across the nation through local Ronald McDonald Houses, Ruger is among some of the industry’s foremost Platinum-level sponsors of The Kids & Clays Foundation.

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.