Any Info on the new S&W M29 "Bounty Hunter"?

[HMMurdock]

I've seen the new S&W M29 "Bounty hunter" .44 Magnum. Carbon Steel frame, if I'm not mistaken, and a short 3" barrel... anyone know anything about these? I'm looking for a small .44 magnum for a backup/ "manimal" defense when I'm in the boonies. Any advice regarding this model?

 

[Sniper X]

They kick.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Funny you mention it. I JUST put a down payment on one of these on Saturday.

They're not listed on the S&W website, so they're not in current production. They were a limited run. Prettymuch the same as a 629 Backpacker, but in carbon steel.

-3" full underlug barrel
-Adjustable sights
-Pinned front sight
-Fluted cylinder
-Pachmayr grips
-NO PORTING
-Matte blue finish

Here's an example of one for sale: LINK

 

[Stainz]

I saw one locally - seems it was more $ than the left-over new 629MG in the case, which weighs about the same, with it's tapered partial-lugged barrel. Of course, the MG has an additional inch of barrel. Either revolver, with the recoil-tamer Hogue X-frame .500 Magnum grips installed, will be a better handling .44 Magnum. I'd go for the MG...

Stainz

 

[HMMurdock]

Aside from the felt recoil, can the Carbon Steel handle the same hot l.44 Magnum oads as the regular steel N-frames?

 

[steveracer]

Same frame, brother.

They are the same. (Carbon steel= "regular" steel)
They are plenty strong, and will last a very long time with very heavy loads. John Ross (who I love citing here, evidently) mentions that his Redhawks shot loose much faster than his 29s.
Steve

 

[454c]

Really???? That's odd. I recall a writing from Ross dated 2004 that said the Ruger was stronger but, he poo pooed the triggers. Now that I think about it, he poo pooed every DA revolver but a S&W and a Bowen custom.

 

[Nightcrawler]

The Rugers are very strong, but you have a weight penalty. A four-inch Redhawk weighs more than a 5" 629 Classic with a full underlug. The Ruger guns are just BIG.

 

[HMMurdock]

Especially citing their limited run, why are the "bounty hunter" .44's cheaper than a regular 2" M29? (about $600 vs. $900)

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

A model 29 will shoot loose faster than a ruger with full house factory loads. That's the way it was and the way it will always be. The 29 is easier to carry as are all smith revolvers. I've got an older 29 that I bought new in 1972. I shoot mostly 240 gr. at about 1,000 fps. Very accurate and smoother than the ruger, but for brute strenght the ruger wins, hands down.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Especially citing their limited run, why are the "bounty hunter" .44's cheaper than a regular 2" M29?

Those 2" 629s are, I believe, Performance Center guns.