JWP,
If there is anyone here who would know about such things, you would be one. I appreciate your comments. Didn’t the Smiths become more durable with the changes made in the late eighties? Late 629-3’s and 629-4’s? Sorry, I’m not familiar enough with blued 29’s to know which dash numbers correspond with the enhancement changes.
All -4 and above guns have all the necessary enhancements. Some -3's may have everything you need, but you'd have to look at serial numbers and look for the specific improvements on individual guns. IOW, even the serial number method may not work. Stay with -4 and up and you'll be good to go.
