Good score - not a concealed carry piece, but I bet it will shoot extremely well for you.
I recall when they were available new, they brought serious coin as a limited PC run. I think they actually came with a slightly different Hogue grip from S&W.
What's the value on one of these? I found one online that sold for over $3000. That seems grossly over priced to me.
If you find one mint in the box, unfired with all accessories and original grips, I'd guess it would bring $2k or better. Performance Center Guns are usually very, very well made, and might even be a sleeper for future collectors.
The gun by itself, used, is worth what people are willing to pay for a highly accurate, easily scoped, and somewhat collectible 629. I'd guess $1200 to $1500 if you placed it up for auction on GB. I notice yours has a lock on it, which is a negative for many collectors.
I have a couple of the 629 Classics, and they are fine shooters in either 5" or 6½" full lug barrels. I'm wanting to find a Classic DX myself, with all the accessories. They were factory selected for accuracy, and were furnished with test targets and extra accessories
Certainly is an interesting looking .44.
I remember when those came out. They had an OD green version that a co-worker picked up. Cool looking gun, and shot well.
Smith offered these in both 44 Magnum & 45 Colt, 2 versions of each. I considered purchase but didn't really see the need. The weights are adjustable, obviously, for off hand shooting as well as recoil arrest.
I bought a 460 XVR instead.
I considered an xvr, but they are huge. I wanted something I could hunt with, and toss in a holster and not feel like I had a giant lead weight hanging off of me. Got a decent deal on this, so figured it would fit the bill. I'm retiring my Anaconda. It's turning into too much of a collection piece. I'd hate myself if I somehow marked it up when I had it out hunting.
Got a 629 like that, but 6 inch... Also a .41 mag "light" hunter without the weight system; both ate great guns. Also have a 629Classic DX 8 3/8". …it's a short rifle.
Another good choice if you like revolvers like this (as I do) is the 629 Stealth Hunter. Barrel is similar as it is designed to mount a scope on it. I picked one up before we left Alaska for $900 but haven't really tested it yet. Original intent was to take it on a fall sheep hunt after installing a small scope on it.