Mounting a scope on a S&W 29

[scubadown]

How do you mount a scope on a S&W Model 29-3?

 

[Oro]

Remove the rear sight leaf/assembly, and then drill and tap the top strap for your desired scope base and rings.

Or get a 29-6 or 629-4 or later; they already have that done. You can tell the difference right away looking at the rear sight leaf. If it has a rounded front tip, it is a later-style type and the top frame is already drilled and tapped. Non drilled/tap models have a square front tip on their leaf (e.g, all adjustable sight models prior to 1993).

 

[scubadown]

Something better left to a gunsmith? Or could a reasonably mechanically inclined individual attempt this?

 

[madcratebuilder]

If you have a drill press, know how to use a tap without breaking it off in the work piece, go for it. When you get down to it, guns are no different than other mechanical devises.
Check out the Wiegand scope mounts, nice stuff.

 

[scubadown]

The top strap is so thin. When you drill and tap it, do you drill all the way through the top strap or is it a blind hole?

 

[kanook]

i got one for sale. Leupold base and rings. I paid 39.95. send me 30.00 and i willl ship them to ya. PM me if interested (they are blued, never mounted)

 

[Oro]

Normally it is all the way through. It will not appreciably weaken the top strap, though I see your concern. As MCB said, if you have a drill press and are competent, you can do it yourself. Just don't place a hole too close to the existing sight hole (the factory relocated it for this reason when the started making the d/t top strap standard in the 90's).