[Wingnut13]

Hi guys,

Did the revolver checkout on my 29-3, .44Mag 8 3/38" barrel..... she's loose, everywhere. Loose under full lockup, just a lot of slop everywhere. (I also had checked my Taurus tracker and that's tight.) I bought it a looong time ago before knowing what to look for, I'm not complaining I got a good deal. I love shooting the .44 but I'm looking for advice on what to do to make my 29-3 right again. Thanks guys.


(oh yea, BTW not gonna sell it ;) )

[msb45]

Sounds like a trip back to the factory under the lifetime warranty program is needed.

[rcmodel]

I doubt if it's covered.
S&W requires a copy of the original bill of sale with the owner's name on it in order to receive warranty service. But only for models made after Feb 1, 1989.

The 29-3 was made from 1982 - 1989.

Sounds like even if it is one of the last ones made, the OP is not the original owner.

rc

[Japle]

Send it to the S&W custom shop.
Tell them to do a full action job, install a 4" barrel with a pinned front sight and a smooth trigger.
When you get it back, install a fiber optic front sight and a target rear blade.
A hard chrome job and a set of Jerry Miculek grips and you'll have this:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/Japle/Guns/M29wstopredbackground.jpg

[rcmodel]

Thats just great!

Except for the glow-worm sights and smooth trigger.

Some of us still prefer black sights and the wide grooved target trigger that came on those old Smiths!

rc

[Wingnut13]

I like the way it's setup now, I do like that version japle has posted though. Anyways, anybody have a ballpark idea of what a freshen up would cost from S&W if it was not covered by the warranty. (I'm not the original owner) Thanks for the replies guys!

[parisite]

Call S&W and ask them. Great people and they will be happy to answer any and all your questions.

No need to take second hand advice on this forum.

[The Lone Haranguer]

You can certainly send it back to Smith & Wesson, just expect to pay for it.

[Wingnut13]

Rog, Will call Monday.

[Hutch]

That is of a type and from an era when IHMSA competition was very active. Shooting a lot of very VERY heavy loads at vast-y distances to knock over steel silhouettes. The effect was just what you're reporting, and why S&W adopted the 29-3E (thought to mean Endurance Package). 8 and 3/8's was the choice until S&W came out with a 10+ inch barreled model with a 4-position front sight specifically for this game as well.

[sgt127]

I sent an old Smith Model 10 that was in horrific shape to the factory. I bought it for 20 bucks. All I got was the frame, yoke, sideplate and barrel. I had enough spare parts laying around to make it a "functional" gun, but, the timing was really bad. I did not have a new uncut extractor star, so, It was beyond my abilities. Sent it to Smith with a nice letter, New extractor star, new hand, new cylinder new center pin and timed up perfect, $130 including return shipping. Money well spent. Your may need more or less work, but, I think getting the guys who built it to get it back in shape is worthwhile....