S&W M-29 3" "Bounty Hunter"

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Hi MrBill

S & W had made dozens of variations on the 29/629, this is just one more. You certainly COULD shoot full-power 44's out of it on a limited basis, but I think 44 Specials or moderate hadloads would be a lot easier on the gun, the brass, and especially you. I had a similar gun in 41 Magnum, and with full-power loads I once set a B-27 target on fire at nine FEET. No kidding. My R/O thought it was hysterical.

A compact N-frame isn't exactly a hideout gun unless you're over six-foot-six and 325 pounds or so. It'd make a dandy belt gun, or a nice house gun, or a fun plinker. Just be aware of what's it's NOT. If nothing else, it's a nice conversation piece!

Papajohn
 
Mr Bill,

It's kinda like how I view people in Ohio who don't have to carry on their person against dangerous game - why? I'm guessing the Virginian (albeit in the midwest) has never had to carry against bears and protect their livestock. I recall I was an easterner most of my life and took such a high-minded approach to handguns from my co-op in SOHO in NYC. Fortunately I never tried to go public and ridicule others like he or she; I waited until I knew more and could be helpful. To wit:

To get a real view about these guns, check out this thread just a few away from yours:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=359911

There is a serious cult around the 3" S&W 44mag. It started in 1984 with the 24-3 Lew Horton Special. These are wonderful guns and loved by their owners. Below is a pic of my 1985 629 stainless model.

First, no, the 3" does not kick much more than the 4" model. It is very controllable, especially with the original (1980s Lew Horton) grips, or similar. Just take a proper Weaver hold on it and have a ball. I have about 12 S&W revolvers, .38 special, .357, .44mag and .45LC, and this is by far my favorite, regardless of caliber or barrel length - this is the favorite. With .44 special level loads, it is a total pussycat, like shooting target .45acp out of 1911. Keep in mind, even in 3", this gun is as heavy as a full size 1911 (both are exactly 41 ounces). Even in 3", this is a big gun, not a pocket rocket. In regards to Papajohns comments about setting targets on fire - well, I've shot this gun in the dark with 310gr. Hornady XTP's at a chrono'd 1200fps. The flame front extended about 6" - not 9 feet! Sure, I could indeed cook up a home brew with some slow, overcharged powder under a heavy bullet to do that. But not with any factory load or sensible and prudent home load. Either buy factory loads or re-load sensibly. That comment is just laughable.

The fact these guns command a $200 to $300 premium over their 4" or similar guns should tell you how highly regarded they are. I haven't seen a 29-3 or 629-1 3" under $800 lately, and I can get a square butt 4" for about $500. The 3" model you see from Bud's is at a decent price, but trades at a steep discount to used guns because 1) it's got a lock that fails built into it and 2) it has $10 rubber grips on it. If you want to grind off the defective "safety" and buy some quality grips, that could be a good value.

IMGP2536.jpg
 
I have one of the early 3" 29-3.

About the time I got it, I discovered the M25-2 so I have not shot it much.

As I recall, it recoils about the same or less than my 6" M29-2 did.

A buddy shot his over a chronograph and was disappointed with the numbers.

I think that a 43 caliber bullet at any speed is a good thing anad does not need to expand.

Here's my -3

Firearms011Small.gif
 
I would echo kamerer's comments. I have one of those original Lew Horton 29-3's and have thoroughly enjoyed it for a long time. The Alves Goncalo grips it is quite comfortable with full power loads. The 3" barrel give the large revolver good balance and "pointability."

While there is a large variety of commercial ammo that can be shot in the M29, I think hand loading is the way to get the most enjoyment out of it, especially if you want to shoot it a lot. I have developed some great loads (240 gr JHP @~1200 fps) for it that allow me to shoot it DA very effectively and accurately.

While a 3" N frame is not easily used as a CCW, I open carry mine a good deal in the woods as a hunting companion handgun or a camping gun in black bear country.

I would snap up that Bounty Hunter, as it is a little buck for the bang. :D
 
Thanks for the input guys!

We shall see what the next few weeks bring. 3 pay checks in May as well as a tax rebate coming... ;)

I've had a couple of items on my want list... a 357, a 1911...and then I saw this! :banghead: So many wants....just not enough resources!

MrBill
 
I was not ridiculing anyone, or trying to act superior. I still do not have bears to worry about, but I have heard some version of "why". I am not sure I agree with the trade off of ballistics for 1" less of barrel length, or that 1" less barrel is that much easier to carry, but I am certainly willing to concede the points to those with personal experience with the specific weapon. Judging appearance is strictly a subjective issue as far as I am concerned, so I will not comment. If you guys like it, more power to you.
 
I love my 3" 629 Backpacker. It is my fishing companion and carries very well in a Simply Rugged Sourdough Pancake holster. It is very accurate and fun to shoot. If the recoil is a problem try the Hogue S&W X-Frame grips. They make it easy to shoot with full power loads.
 
virginian said:
It's one of those things I look at and think... Why?
Click to expand...
I ask, "Why not?" :)

Seems like a decent woods gun or emergency gun. Considering the huge SRH .44 I fired was not the most pleasant, I'll probably pass on a 3". Still cool tho!
 
It's kinda like how I view people in Ohio who don't have to carry on their person against dangerous game - why? I'm guessing the Virginian (albeit in the midwest) has never had to carry against bears and protect their livestock. I recall I was an easterner most of my life and took such a high-minded approach to handguns from my co-op in SOHO in NYC. Fortunately I never tried to go public and ridicule others like he or she; I waited until I knew more and could be helpful. To wit:
Click to expand...
No call to get "uppity" and personal....everyone has a right to express an opinion here without being singled out in such a "puny" way.

Fortunately I never tried to go public and ridicule others like he or she
Click to expand...
...and the kettle calls the pot black !

- regards
 
if you have never handled one or fired a cylinder full

downrange you'll never understand. There is nothing I know of in the world of revolvers that carries, balances or handles better than one of those guns with the possible exception of a Model 13 in a round butt with the same 3" barrel. The Brits' recognized this back in the 19th century and produced a number of similar designs they called "bulldogs". My favorite load in the .44 mag 3" is the Remington mid range load with a 240 gr. flatpoint lead inside lubed at about 900fps. Basically it duplicates the .44 special in a .44 mag case and it is wonderfully accurate and controllable.
 
coelacanth sayeth:
There is nothing I know of in the world of revolvers that carries, balances or handles better than one of those guns with the possible exception of a
Click to expand...
:D
L Frame 686 CS-1 3 inch in .357.;)

That is a good price Bud's has going on. It got my attention for a moment.
 
Quote from kamerer regarding my setting a target on fire at nine FEET with a snubby 41 Magnum....."That comment is just laughable."

Ya know, I'm getting tired of people who weren't there telling me that what we all saw happen didn't. It was three shots rapid-fire with a Remington factory 170-grain load, in front of several police officers, including two range instructors. You wanna call them liars, too? I'm sure they'd take umbrage to that, as I have.

Opinions are fine. But just because you've never seen something doesn't mean no one else has. You might want to consider that before you go calling BS on somebody you don't know..........it's not very High Road.

Papajohn
 
Virginian - don't forget that there are mid-range .44 Magnum loads and well-developed .44 Special loads which make a 3" 629 come into its own.

An attenuated .44 Magnum taking up a skosh less space is still strong medicine, especially since N-frame .44 Specials were hard to come by before Clint Smith kick started the rennaissance.
 
I carry a 6 inch 29-3 backed up with new 29 3 inch when I'm feeling old school (or the "mission" calls for it )and the weather permits enough clothes to hide those two beasts. The main carry load is the Speer short barrel 44 mag and it is comfortable and controllable in the long and the short gun. That's important as I have to qualify with the guns I carry. When I can only carry one revolver, it's a four inch 29-2 to get the best of both worlds.

This subject seems to have produced a lot of passion, but then I find that the 44 magnum always does seem to get the party started.
 
Nice!

The S&W 3"bar .44mag looks sweeeet! :D
If it had Hogue grips(tamer) or CT lasergrips, was DA only/no spur, ported barrel and plated with Black T or Robar NP3 it would be real nice!!! ;)

Rusty
PS: Not a big fan of the S&W security lock either, :barf:. Guess I'll get a Ruger .44mag AK snub :D
 
OP..how many OZ is it?

My 629 4" is ~42 oz and I can deal with the standard Win. white box soft points just fine. No big deal at all.

**OKAY....NM! I looked at the link and saw it was 41.9oz. Same as the 629 4 inch pretty much. Sounds good!
 
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coelacanth sayeth:
Quote:
There is nothing I know of in the world of revolvers that carries, balances or handles better than one of those guns with the possible exception of a

L Frame 686 CS-1 3 inch in .357.

That is a good price Bud's has going on. It got my attention for a moment.
Click to expand...

...586PC, baby! I'm taking mine for round II tomorrow, and I'm excited! :D I still need to write a range report here.

For 3-inch .44's, what about this one:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson/upload/images/firearms/170279_thumb.jpg
 
Mr. Bill-bought one of the Bounty Hunters when they came out. Very nice non-reflective finish that looks like a matt black. The Bounty Hunter label is very subdued. It actully seems to kick less than a 4 in Mt. Gun owned, perhaps due to the full lug barrel. Am liking the utilitarian finish, which seems easier to clean than gloss blue, and doesn't catch the light in low light like stainless and polished blue.

Up here got it for less money than buying a used stainless or blured version. Kinda Tough to find a used 3 incher up here.

Will likely shorten the hammer and round over the upper sharper edges of the trigger. Still can't figure out why S&W went to target hammers and triggers on their new 3 inchers ?

And no am not putting full bore loads through it, but mid range 180 and 200 jhp's.
 
I ordered the M-29 Bounty Hunter last night. I received authorization from the Mrs...this will be my b-day present! :D

I called a couple of local shops to see if they could locate one...one place even called S&W. No one here could get it.
I found out this is a "Sports South" *Exclusive*. So I ask, who is Sports South? And how "Exclusive" is this M-29?
 
I picked up mine last night. I bought it through TGS because Bud's won't ship to my part of New York State....(no I don't live in NYC either). Any inquiry I made to TGS was replied to very quickly....kudos!

I like the way it balances. :)
I called S&W and they told me only 505 were made from 12/06-9/07. Mine was from Dec 06.

Hopefully I can get to a range this weekend....

kamerer - any suggestions on holsters???
 
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