Smith & Wesson S&W Model 629-6 Performance Center Unfluted Cylinder, Matte Stainless Steel 2 5/8” 6-Shot, Double Action Revolver, MFD 2013

LSB#: 151012RF01

Make: Smith & Wesson

Model: 629-6 Performance Center

Serial Number: CTV1035

Year of Manufacture: 2013 (S&W’s Customer Service Hotline)

Caliber: .44 Magnum & .44 Special

Action Type: 6-Shot, Double Action / Single Action (DA / SA), Unfluted Swing-Out Cylinder Revolver with Internal Frame Lock.

Markings: The left side of the barrel flat is marked “44 Magnum”, the right side is marked “Performance / Center”. The left side of the frame is marked “L” with an arrow to indicate lock direction and S&W’s logo flanked by laurels and “PERFORMANCE / CENTER”, the right side is marked with the four line Marcas Registradas. The yoke is marked “151”, the yoke cut is marked with the serial number and “629-6”. The left side of the grip frame is marked “L”, the butt is marked with the serial number, the right side is marked “151 / 24898 / X”. The grips have S&W’s trademark logo.

Barrel Length: 2 5/8” with slab sides and a windowed underlug

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a ramp blade that is dovetailed into a rise in the solid rib of the barrel and has a recessed portion with an orange insert. The rear sight is a flat top, square notched and white lined leaf in a base that is micro-click adjustable for windage and elevation; the base is slotted and screw-secured to the drilled and tapped top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is a Hogue Monogrip with pebbled flanks and finger grooves on the fore strap. The grip wraps around the fore strap, back strap and butt of the round butt grip frame, providing an ambidextrous swell. The grips have minor scuffs and handling marks. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition.

Type of Finish: Matte Stainless Steel

Finish Originality: Factory Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 95% of its metal finish. The cylinder has a distinct drag line of shallow depth with scuffs and light scratches present. The edges of the front and rear sight have some finish loss, corresponding with faint wear marks on the leading edges of the barrel and underlug, consistent with holster use. The frame has a small patch of patina just above the trigger guard and there is a scuff on the left side of the frame just above the cylinder. The rear of the frame by the hammer has two small patches of patina emerging. The screw heads are sharp; the grip screw has a sharp slot but there is some evidence of screwdriver tooling. The markings are crisp. Overall, this handgun rates in about Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This revolver features an internal frame lock (no key is provided; the action is NOT locked) located on the left side of the frame. The cylinder is unfluted, the barrel was milled to create flat flanks with a windowed underlug, exposing the ejector rod. This pistol was hand fit by the Performance Center team of Smith & Wesson. The cylinder has a ball detent lockup, the double and single action trigger pulls are fluid with a crisp break and there is only light movement side to side (none fore to aft) in each chamber during full lockup. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: From Smith & Wesson’s website: “Performance Center guns originate from standard designs or are created from the ground up. From hand-cutting and fitting to fine tuning for precision, these firearms are top performers. Products from the Performance Center are the ultimate expression of old-world craftsmanship blended with modern technology. “ This is an Excellent condition 2.5” masterpiece of a revolver that delivers six rounds of .44 Magnum with surprising fluidity. The metal has small cosmetic wear and scuff marks with three small patches of patina which do not appear to be spreading. The frame features an internal lock, but no key is provided; the action is not locked. Please see our pictures and consider this as an option for your next home protection candidate. From Wikipedia: “The accuracy of the .44 Magnum is very good, with models from Colt, Smith & Wesson, and Ruger producing bullet groups of 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 centimetres) at 50 yards, with most ammunition.[24][25] The limiting factor of the .44 Magnum cartridge is not terminal ballistics. When fired from a 6-inch revolver, a typically loaded .44 Magnum 240 gr bullet, will have more impact energy at 150 yards than a 246 gr .44 Special has at the muzzle, when fired from the same weapon.[citation needed] When loaded with a heavy, non-expanding bullet, the .44 Magnum will easily shoot through large game such as elk and even bison.[26] The limiting factor is the bullet’s trajectory; the best hunting bullets are heavy, thus, relatively slow, meaning a significant drop-out of trajectory at ranges beyond 100 yards (91 m); with a 50-yard zero, the point of which the “line of sight” and the “bullet trajectory” meet, drop-out at 100 yards is about 2 inches (5.1 centimetres), and drop-out at 150 yards (140 m) is more than 8 inches (20 centimetres); with a 100-yard zero, drop-out at 150 yards is more than 6 inches (15 centimetres).[27] Experts recommend limiting hunting ranges to 100 yards (91 m) when shooting .44 Magnum cartridges, less if practical accuracy requires it.[19][28]”