I came down w/Model 29 fever....

[DHart]

I've been looking for a really fine early 29 for a long time and finally, I get one... er two! A 29-2 4" and a 29-3 4". Great finds as they are both like new, but without boxes. Didn't really plan to buy two, but it just turned out that way. So I'll probably shoot one a lot and keep the other as a safe queen.

On handling these revos it's apparent that these are essentially the equivalent of the Model 27, except chambered in .44 magnum... basically a "flagship" S&W. The finish is breathtaking in it's depth, richness, color and polish. Awesome action. Great feel and balance. I think these 29's are really S&W at it's big bore finest.

I should note that I held off from buying .44 magnum handguns for quite a while because I'm one who does not enjoy shooting full house .44 mag loads from a handgun (though in a lever rifle, it's another matter entirely!) But when I got into reloading, I realized what wonderful and enjoyable-to-shoot loads one can create in .44 mag.

I found a real .44 mag. "sweet spot" pushing a 200 grain Gold Dot JHP (or copper plated practice bullet) at around 1050-1075 fps. Superb defense load, very effective, quite controllable. Definitely magnum power, but still very easy on the gun as well as on the shooter and a real pleasure to shoot. That's the "lite .44 mag" loading I really like to be using with my .44 mag handguns, which include a 3" 629, 4" 629 Mtn Gun, 4" 29-2, and 4" 29-3.

Here are some pics from tonight of the 29-2. This gun was made in 1978.

 

[Dave P]

Very nice!

 

[Mossyrock]

Wow. That's MUCH cleaner than the 29-2 I offered you. I'm glad you didn't buy it! I'm sure there is an obscure law on the books here in Washington that makes it a crime for you to photograph an ugly gun!

What are you going to do about grips? The factory "hand rasps" aren't much fun....

 

[jed]

I agree with the comments about the Model 29.

This would be the gun I would want if it were the only
one I could afford, but could also afford reloading.

While not a 29, I have a 629 Classic that I really do
enjoy.

Congratulations on finding the guns for your discerning tastes!

 

[mec]

it is good to see a best-quality photographer getting interested in Smith&Wessons Ultimate Design. Your loads are extremely sensible and should go far toward keeping your revolvers in top condition.

I have a couple of 29-2s too- The 8/38" was new and I had the 4" restored by S&W. My absolute top loads are 10 Unique with the older Unique and 9 with the Newer, cleaner buring variety with standard weight lead swcs. Velocity averages 1000 from the short one and mid tens from the long one.

This was with 9 Unique and an RCBS 230 KT. I had to shoot more than once and all completely penetrated except the last which traveled end to end, spent a long dwell time in the heavy spinal column and shattered a back leg before stopping under the skin.

They are most versatile and enjoyable revolvers

 

[umc180gr]

Looks great

I spent years looking for a M29 with the 8 3/8" barrel. I finally broke down and bought off the Internet. I think M29's are some of the best looking revolvers ever made. Needless to say my M29-2 sits in the best seat in my safe. I got Ruger's for beating up.

 

[mec]

Yes. Unless he is totally immune to long barreled revolvers, DHart needs to get him an 8 3/8.

 

[bearmgc]

S&W 29 can be addicting. So you may have to sell some of your others to support your new habit. Got any .41mags laying around getting neglected?

 

[nico]

If bluing looked like that nowadays, my opinion of blued vs. stainless on revolvers might have to change. Beautiful gun! How much does a NIB model 29 like that cost?

 

[larryf1952]

Those guns are absolutely exquisite examples of the American gunmaker's artform. Although I prefer the 6" barrel lengths, those 29's are indeed some handsome specimens of a .44 Mag! As for the grips, I say keep the S&W target stocks...they are classic S&W, and they help make the gun...I love those big target woods. The ones on your gun are gorgeous.

Where do you find guns like that?

 

[DHart]

mec... that 29 of yours is surely gorgeous and a great shooter, but not being a hunter nor a long distance shooter, I am immune to the long barrels right now. Who knows, perhaps that will change someday. Right now my idea of a long barrel is 5" and I haven't been able to bring myself to pop for one of those! If my needs were different, I'm sure I'd be more into the long barrel revos!

bearmgc... interestingly, I'm totally satisfied with my 4" 29-2 and 4" 29-3. However, I don't have a 4" 25 yet, nor a 4" 625. And .45 Colt is one of my favorite calibers, so my next conquests will most likely be the 25 and 625, with, perhaps, a .45 Colt Mountain Gun as well. I don't have the hots for a .45 acp revo yet, but that could change as well... I shoot a LOT of .45 acp in my 1911s. Sorry, no .41's... I just don't see myself going to that caliber... I've already got too many calibers! (.22, .380, 9mm, .38 spl., .357 mag., .40 S&W, .44 spl., .44 magnum, .45 acp, and .45 Colt.) I think I'm pretty much maxed out on calibers at this point!

nico... mine didn't come with boxes, but they are pretty much like new. I got the one for high 400's and the other for low 500's. Bargains for what they are in my view... well worth every penny and probably a fair bit more.

Larry... I got them at my usual source, GoingBroker.com!

 

[mec]

"not being a hunter nor a long distance shooter, I am immune to the long barrels right now."

Lucky, It's nice to have some immunity to these things.

 

[DHart]

Thank God I have some immunity to things like long barrel revos and .22 cal S&W revos... otherwise I'd be in such deep financial trouble it wouldn't be funny! I can barely keep up with the guns I DO like!

 

[chaim]

Nice looking gun.

I'm starting to think about a .44mag. I love my S&W M57 in .41mag, but I don't always reload all my ammo (too lazy/busy I guess) and .41mag is expensive and not as available compared to .44mag. Also, I just don't have a .44mag and I'm a gun guy- .44mag is a basic enough caliber that once you have a few others you need a .44mag to be a real gun guy.

Please people, stop posting these .44mag threads, especially with photos. I can't afford one right now, and I'm already thinking about it. I don't need any more encouragement, this is just torture.

 

[DHart]

chaim... I understand.. the same thing happens to me when I see pics of some guns I don't have... dang it! We all encourage each other!

 

[middy]

Pretty!

Now I know how a magpie must feel when he sees a particularly shiny object...

 

[BusMaster007]

chaim:
A trade is in order. You can probably find another S&W collector/enthusiast that would be happy to trade with you. A mutually satisfying deal would ensue, ensuring the preservation of some fine S&W firearms...

DHart:
Excellent pair of .44's for you and more great photos.
... HEY! WAIT A MINUTE!
I didn't see ".41" listed in that caliber selection...

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

You two may have something to talk about!

 

[Ky Larry]

Sweeeet!

 

[chaim]

BusMaster007, the only problem with a trade is my M57 is never going anywhere, nor is my M65LS or my CZ 75B. Other than those, any handgun I have to trade would also need an outlay of cash from me for either an M29 or M629 (I might consider either my P&R 4" M19 or my 6" M586). The only other gun that I could trade that would net me enough money (plus some back to me) for an M29 is my AR, but if I sell that it will be to help finance a class (or some bills if it takes too long to get a new job).

 

[BusMaster007]

bummer...

Keep looking!