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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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  #1  
Old 12-23-2013, 06:35 PM
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Smile Long Barrel 44 Magnums, 1958-1976

I have always been fascinated by 44 Magnums with the long, 8 3/8-inch barrel. They are not fun to carry, but shoot extremely well. I have quite a few in my collection, and thought I would share these five that cover 18 years of this model. The first was shipped in December 1958 and is one of the first made with this barrel length (it is one of six "Persona Non Grata" 44 Magnums and was made for General Curtis Le May), the last was shipped in 1976 and is a great shooter.

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Last edited by Doc44; 12-23-2013 at 06:44 PM. Reason: Photos added
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Old 12-23-2013, 06:51 PM
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Pretty nice, Doc.
Those have ramp front sights. I always thought the 8 3/8" normally had a Patridge front sight. Are those uncommon?
Jim
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Old 12-23-2013, 07:35 PM
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Originally Posted by P&R Fan View Post
Pretty nice, Doc.
Those have ramp front sights. I always thought the 8 3/8" normally had a Patridge front sight. Are those uncommon?
Jim
The 44 magnum came standard with the ramp front sight with red insert. A Patridge front sight on one would either be special order or a replacement.
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Old 12-23-2013, 07:50 PM
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Absolutely beautiful, and a great collection of this iconic model.Thanks for sharing.
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Old 12-23-2013, 08:53 PM
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I agree with you Bill. I have a set of three shooter 29-2s in 4", 6 1/2" and 8 3/8" barrels. I enjoy taking all three to the range to test a new load. The 4" can be a bear with full house magnum loads, the 6 1/2" much easier to shoot and the long tube is almost a pussycat. I prefer to shoot with the Target stocks, BUT I have learned to buy cheap baseball batting gloves to protect my hands from checkering "rash".
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Old 12-23-2013, 09:02 PM
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Default 29 8/38

Doc was there 8 & 3/8 in the first or second year of prod ? thanks Old Seabee
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Old 12-23-2013, 09:29 PM
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I carried the 7 1/2" ruger SBH and redhawks in 44mag for decades. I just purchased 10 1/2" sbh and I found a new shoulder holster and hip holster on clearance. I have my eye on a s&w m29 w/ 10 5/8" barrel. I'd like to ccw it too. Between the long barrel and the hole in the barrel it would depress any bad guy. Carrying these cannons could be why my back is bad today but I like strapping on these cannons.
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Old 12-23-2013, 10:17 PM
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Doc, great pics of rare and high condition revolvers, as always.

I have one of the long magnums, a little later example ...
29-2


... and in my favorite finish for 44's.

GF
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Old 12-23-2013, 10:23 PM
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Nickel 44 I'm gonna get one someday. Just when my world was feeling ok with my purchases lately a nickel long barrel gets posted thanks GF.
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Old 12-23-2013, 10:32 PM
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Doc I'm glad to see your post it makes me reach for my Pre 29 8 3/8 and take it out of the safe. Its ser # S 17765x 4 screw has a re-work stamp of 11 27 66. Has a Diamond stamp with the letter B. I can tell it probably has been re-blued as the trademark is faint but still there the screw holes haven't been dished out and the edges are still sharp. There are no serial number in the extractor rod channel. I think it was a shorter barrel in its first life. But its a real sharp gun and shoots great. I know I could letter it but I like the mystery of it all and I know the purist would turn their nose up at it. As with a lot of my revolvers their not collector quality but their special to me. Thanks for stimulating me to remove the gun sock and bring it out in the light. I'll clean it now and put it away. Merry happy
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Old 12-23-2013, 10:37 PM
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I wanna be Doc44 when I grow up! You have an amazing collection, and I really want to be able to take the gorgeous pics you always put up. Thanks for sharing!
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Old 12-23-2013, 10:41 PM
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Beautiful photos of some very fine .44s. Always a treat.

I am wondering about the "Persona Non Grata" description and the context
in which it is used.
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Old 12-23-2013, 10:50 PM
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I absolutely love the 8 3/8" barrel, there is just something about the way it looks. Have 3 myself, a 617, 686 and 629. I can well remember the magazines from 20-30 years ago, every time they would feature say a 6" or 6 1/2" S & W in story or a test, they would put an 8 3/8" on the cover even though it (the 8 3/8") was not mentioned at all in the feature story. Must be a reason...sex sells everything, magazines especially and 8 3/8" barrels are sexy.
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Old 12-23-2013, 11:40 PM
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This gun is just an old shooter grade 29-2, but at least it is an S prefix gun with some nice rosewood presentation grips-

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Old 12-23-2013, 11:53 PM
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Quote:
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I wanna be Doc44 when I grow up! You have an amazing collection, and I really want to be able to take the gorgeous pics you always put up. Thanks for sharing!
You are well on the way Cholo. I know you have the fire burning and that is what drives this desire to collect. See you soon.
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Old 12-23-2013, 11:59 PM
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I want to be Doc44's only child.
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Old 12-24-2013, 12:29 AM
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I want to be Doc44's only child.
Too late for that I'm afraid.
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Old 12-24-2013, 01:13 AM
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Quote:
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...I am wondering about the "Persona Non Grata" description and the context
in which it is used.
I am curious about this also.
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Old 12-24-2013, 10:01 AM
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Go to my (Doc44) expert commentary in order to read a brief article and see additional photos of the PNG revolvers of General Le May and the possible origins of the PNG Club. The 22 Magnum (Jet) was shipped in June 1961.

Bill




Last edited by Doc44; 12-24-2013 at 10:06 AM.
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Old 12-24-2013, 11:30 AM
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Bill,
Beautiful guns! What I noticed missing is a 29-1; we're any made in 8 3/8?
Merry Christmas!
Bill
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Old 12-24-2013, 12:34 PM
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Bill...Yes, the 8 3/8-inch length is most common after the 6 1/2-inch (not to say either is common).

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!

Bill
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Old 12-24-2013, 12:59 PM
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Bill:

As usual, the fine examples of the 8 3/8 Model 29 are only exceeded by the excellent photography.

A nice Christmas present for the forum to be able to view these excellent revolvers.

Thank you!

Shawn
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Old 12-24-2013, 09:36 PM
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Doc

Thank you for leading us to your interesting and well written commentary.

I tickles me that Andy Devine was part of this very exclusive club,
especially considering the "bloodthirsty" General LeMay was also a member.

Always a gift
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