RDCL
Member
It seems there is not much discussion on this 10 5/8" barreled monster!
I bought one back in '84, but I ended up selling it in '92 and used the funds to buy a 629 classic. I have to say I miss it and am STILL kicking myself.
My guess is that guys silhouette shooting in those days already had their guns of choice before S&W tried to get into that market and mostly preferred the Thompson Center contender for that sport. I've also heard over the years that the model 29 silhouette was a failure (in sales) for Smith & Wesson because the model 29 market just hated the idea of such a long barrel on this model.
Even back then I remember guys at the range with their own model 29's saying to me: "Why on EARTH did you get such a long barrel?"
Well.....I do not consider the model 29 a "carry gun"....in ANY barrel length. The .44 mag round IMHO is much too difficult to control in a self defense situation under extreme stress. Yes, one could use a lighter load for self defense.....but then at that point....why even carry a model 29 at all and not a 1911 .45 instead?
I guess what I'm getting at.....is that I never understood the unpopularity of long barreled model 29's. Are their any owners or former owners like myself that loved the 10 5/8" silhouette?
Also...does anyone have a rough guess on how many were produced?
Russ
I bought one back in '84, but I ended up selling it in '92 and used the funds to buy a 629 classic. I have to say I miss it and am STILL kicking myself.
My guess is that guys silhouette shooting in those days already had their guns of choice before S&W tried to get into that market and mostly preferred the Thompson Center contender for that sport. I've also heard over the years that the model 29 silhouette was a failure (in sales) for Smith & Wesson because the model 29 market just hated the idea of such a long barrel on this model.
Even back then I remember guys at the range with their own model 29's saying to me: "Why on EARTH did you get such a long barrel?"
Well.....I do not consider the model 29 a "carry gun"....in ANY barrel length. The .44 mag round IMHO is much too difficult to control in a self defense situation under extreme stress. Yes, one could use a lighter load for self defense.....but then at that point....why even carry a model 29 at all and not a 1911 .45 instead?
I guess what I'm getting at.....is that I never understood the unpopularity of long barreled model 29's. Are their any owners or former owners like myself that loved the 10 5/8" silhouette?
Also...does anyone have a rough guess on how many were produced?
Russ