Question about S&W model 29's....

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RDCL

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Are the cylinders inter-changable between a model 29-2 & 29-3?

As you know, S&W stopped counter-boring the cylinders on guns designated 29-3 to present. It was never a real big issue with me as a 29 fan....although it did kind of spoil the guns classic good-looking profile just a little bit.

I've just always wondered if you COULD mount a counter-bored cylinder into a -3 and later gun. Why?...you may ask. Well....why not. IF it could be done but the biggest question would be where one could obtain an early model cylinder....as I seriously doubt S&W still has them as stocked parts.

Again, I'm simply curious.

Russ
 
I think this is a very interesting question and will be looking forward to some of the more expert replies. However my training makes me think logically, so therefore with several givens that exist is that S&W did not change the N frame size from the 29-2 to the 29-3, models, so therefore the cylinder length would not change. Given those two facts, I would assume that both series cylinders would interchange with possibly a little hand fitting. I will await other comments. :)
 
Yes, you could change it. But the cost/reward ratio is very unfavorable. You will have to track down a cylinder on GunBroker or such ($100), pay to have it hand-fit ($100), and then suffer an additional $100 to $200 drop in value on the gun. So about $300 to $400 to achieve a tiny cosmetic change. It's certainly possible, but not terribly rational.
 
It's certainly possible, but not terribly rational.

Definitely. It would be best to simply sell the -3 Smith and buy a -2. The P&R versions are fairly plentiful.
 
FWIW, the "hand-fitting" thing is somewhat overblown.

I've swapped out a fair number of S&W cylinders in my time (one got an extra for a model 63 and reamed it out to .22 mag; wish I still had that one!) and many worked fine without a lick of work.

Still, the advice given here is sound; get another gun rather than bubba up a nice one.
 
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