S&W does not care if you shoot them or not, so they give little thought to the "shootability" of those "classics". They evidently figure that the majority of those guns will be safe queens, bought by amateur collectors who would not know the difference as long as the gun was shiny and expensive. They serve exactly the same purpose as the "instant collector's item" guns with gold bling and commemorative inscriptions that you see advertised in the gunrags. Namely, separating those who don't know any better from their money.

YOU CAN APPLY A PROPER SCREW DRIVER AND TOSS THEM AWAY. MINE WEAR BLUMAGNUM GRIPS NOW. THEY ALSO SHOOT VERY WELL. SMITH & WESSON HASN'T MADE A DECENT PAIR OF WOODEN GRIPS SINCE THE EARLY 90s. I CALLED THEM ON IT THEN AND THEY TRIED TO TELL ME THEY WERE STILL MADE THE SAME WAY. IN THE WORDS OF BIG JAKE:"NOT HARDLY"

they eliminate the Bill Clinton tribute lock on the side. If they wold make a 629 Classic 6.5" again without a lock I'd even break my rule and put one on a credit card just to show my support. Until then there is Ruger and the used gun market. I personally can't believe...oh never mind...nobody cares anyway. Getting off rant box now.

they are not forever and can be changed. No need to not have a fine sixgun because you don't like the factory grips.

the danged thing SHOOTS!