Smith and Wesson Model 29 Concerns

[lucasfilmfan]

I have been looking at buying a Model 29 with a 6.5 inch barrel but I am concerned about the recoil with magnum loads. I have a Model 686 with a 6 inch barrel and rubber grips and full power .357 magnum loads in it do not bother me at all and I thoroughly enjoy them. I also have shot a .45 acp 1911 and the recoil wasnt much to worry about. Can anyone tell me how the Model 29s recoil compares to the other guns I have mentioned?

[Rule3]

Felt recoil is kind of subjective. But with full load 44 Mags it is indeed more that the guns you mentioned.

If you do not like the recoil with factory grips buy some Pachmyer Decelerator grips

[gmborkovic]

My only suggestion, go try it with full house loads. Its not that punishing.
Its the ultimate shooting experience.

[arjay]

You can adapt to it pretty quickly assuming your joints are still young.Wood grips that fit your hand and spread the load will help as will rubber.Its also a great reason to take up reloading.Save a ton of money on ammo and you can tailor the loads to whatever you like.

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

You will probably find most .44 magnum loads anywhere from moderate to intolerable, DEPENDING ON THE GRIPS. If your hand is small to medium-sized, it may be that Pachmayr Presentation Small (SN-S) grips will be the best. Hogue grips also stand some chance of being best. If your hand is larger, the potential selection of grips will be larger. This is probably because the N frame is a slightly large frame to start with.

Based on your stated experience with the 686 and 1911, and my experience with those guns and a 4" 29, I am pretty sure that you will not have a problem with the 29 and appropriate grips.

[lucasfilmfan]

I was planning on just keeping the factory grips on it just to keep the dirty harry look. If I change the grips I feel I might as well go with a 629.

[CScott]

If that wimp Callahan could shoot 5 rounds in a row (or was it six, I really don't remember myself ) you should have nothing but fun with it. I've been using the factory stocks on mine since 1972 with full power loads. "Light, special loads" are available too. Enjoy that great revolver!
Scott

[Rule3]

JMHO and I reload from mild to wild if need be. Full house 44 Mags are not a shoot all day at the range kinda fun. Maybe for younger folks.

But for shooting I take of the wood and use Pachs, Wood is for show and tell and looks purty, Especially down here. Another record breaking heat wave over 100 heat index so when sweating, I like rubber grips to hold on to. Plus wood grips (stocks) on the big guns are to wide for me.

A 45 auto bleeds off gas and recoil unlike a revolver so is not a good example.

Learn to reload, 44 Mag factory ammo will cost you a bundle!

[Engine49guy]

The longer 6.5" barrel aids in reducing recoil compared to a 4" or shorter versions but you are comparing 3 different guns and calibers.

AS stated rubber stocks that cover the backstrap will reduce fealt recoil as will firing lighter bullets at slower speeds, A Model 29 will also chamber and fire .44 Special which IMO is similar to the .45 ACP in recoil.

[Aticus]

Originally Posted by gmborkovic

My only suggestion, go try it with full house loads. Its not that punishing.
Its the ultimate shooting experience.

I had a 6" 29 last year and with full house loads and Pachmayr Grippers it HURT. My 20 YO Grandson "loved it." I made some 240 SWCs at about 800 fps and they were fun.

You want the ultimate shooting experience? Try an SW 500. Out of the box that gun kills at one end and maims at the other. It is loud, recoils like a cannon, and shakes everything within 20 feet with its concussion when fired. I should have NOT tried it a second time.

By the by, I've had four 44 mag guns: a Ruger Super Blackhawk, T/C Contender (10 inch octagon barrel). a Dan Wesson, and the afore mentioned 29. I won't have another. Yes that T/C was a real hand full. The pain started in the center of my palm and stopped at my elbow.

[Laketime]

If your shooting will be primarily for target shooting,or even self defense loads, you will never really need full house loads.

[Jack Flash]

Originally Posted by Rule3

... Full house 44 Mags are not a shoot all day at the range kinda fun. ...

Some folks like to go to the range with hi-cap 9mms and blaze away at a target then look to see if they hit anything. Don't try this with full power .44 Magnum loads.

[model70hunter]

I've owned 3 or 4 29-2s, a 629 no dash and a 29-3. All in 6 or 6.5. full house was ok for me. I did sell all of them and bought a 629 MIM with a lock in 4", it does what I want in a 44 Mag, carries easy, sort of weather proof and has managable recoil. For target shooting light loads I might consider a 44 special. A Ruger even......

[Art Doc]

The last time I shot full power loads through a 29 I stopped after 12 rounds. This was a 4" gun and at an indoor range. All the other shooters hated me.

[grover99]

You have to try it. I was shooting a M29 and the fellow I was with could not deal with it. His younger sister came out and wanted to try it. She had a great time shooting it. Every person deals with recoil different.

[lucasfilmfan]

I only plan on shooting a cylinder of .44 magnums out of it per trip to the range. I know it wont be something I will want to shoot all day. I just want to know if I can handle a cylinder.

[Mblhopo]

You might try a shooting glove, I have had one for years and they take all the bite out of the .44 it has a padded palm and the trigger finger is omitted so it doesn't get in the way of the trigger. I have not worn mine in a long time. must have gotten use to the recoil and so will you after a time.....................M*

[arjay]

I found that shooting +p loads out of a model 60 was worse than a model 29,it isn't a sharp recoil,more of a thud like 45 acp or 45 Colt

[RKmesa]

Take away my man card if you like, but the older I get, the less I like punishing myself. When I stuff a cylinder with full-house 44 Mag's, I shoot one shot well... the 1st shot. All other shots are typically sprayed all over the target as I am anticipating that punishing recoil. I hear that the 500's and 460's about rip you shoulders out of their sockets.

So, when I shoot my 44's I treat them "special" and shoot much lighter loads that seem to punch the same size holes in my paper targets.

I have even gotten to the point that my 357's are on a "low cal" diet of almost exclusively 38 specials (once again - same size holes as the 357's).

[Snapping Twig]

Originally Posted by lucasfilmfan

I only plan on shooting a cylinder of .44 magnums out of it per trip to the range. I know it wont be something I will want to shoot all day. I just want to know if I can handle a cylinder.

Seriously?!

Only YOU can possibly know this.

Rent one if you don't want to commit to buying one. Only way you'll know.

I will say this, I am one of many that bought a 29-2 6.5" Dirty Harry special back in the early 80's. Mine came with a 50 round box with 44 left in the box.

Recoil is subjective, 44 recoils - of this there is no doubt. You may or may not like it.

Grip fit, wood or rubber, is imperative! I like Hogue smooth wood with finger profile for all my magnums, they fit me right.

Wrong grip makes it painful.

[arjay]

Originally Posted by lucasfilmfan

I only plan on shooting a cylinder of .44 magnums out of it per trip to the range. I know it wont be something I will want to shoot all day. I just want to know if I can handle a cylinder.

Bet you can't stop at just one

[sturtyboy]

I have a nice plethora of 29's and enjoy them all. I shoot them for the full .44 Magnum experience. I expect recoil and I load my .44's from the middle to the upper range. It's my purpose to learn how to manage recoil and not the recoil manage me. So far it's a tie! Sure it's easier to shoot soft loads for target practice...but why not shoot a .22 instead if you don't want to deal with recoil?

If I don't want to mess with recoil, I go down in caliber and hang around .38 and .22 a lot. I don't get the idea of loading a large caliber for soft loads, wasting all that powder and bullets, to watch the bullet fall out the barrel. I just get a K frame Smith in .22 cal.

The same for my .500 Mag. I load them up for the experience of the .500. .500 rounds cost to much, even to load, just to pop the bullet out the barrel. I make it zing and get the whole enchilada...then I go back to .38's and .22's.

Have fun! 29's are my favorite.

[BC38]

Originally Posted by lucasfilmfan

I only plan on shooting a cylinder of .44 magnums out of it per trip to the range. I know it wont be something I will want to shoot all day. I just want to know if I can handle a cylinder.

You can handle a half dozen full-boat magnums - unless you're a "girlie-man" (remember the SNL skit?).

BUT, as others have said, some nice target loads a little "warmer" than 44 specials are what will make it fun to shoot all day.

I load 200gr RNFP lead and plated bullets over 5.1-5.2 gr of AA#2 in 44 special cases for my 1950 Model HE 44 Special. My load data says for the 44 specials the charge range is 5.1-5.6 gr. So I load the same bullet over 5.8-5.9 gr of AA #2 in the 44 magnum cases for shooting in my 6" barreled M29-3 Classic Hunter. They have a little more roar and kick to them than the specials - but they still aren't full-boat fire-breathing magnums either.

The real beauty of it all is that I can load either of those loads for about 15 cents a round - and that's assuming I only get 4 reloads out of each piece of my brass. If I get more, then the cost per round goes down a penny or two. Compare 15 cents per round to 50 cents a round for the absolute cheapest 44 mag cowboy loads you can find.

Even if you get a Lee hand-loader setup and reload them one at a time, reloading to suit your own taste is the only way to go.

[Waveform]

Perceived recoil really is subjective. 44 Mag is one of my favorites and I have a half dozen revolvers in 44 Mag. I've shot as many as 150 rounds of factory WWB ammo in a single range session and felt no worse for the wear. But I don't want to tangle with another one of those lightweight scandium J frames in 357! I shot one cylinder full and gave it back to the owner vowing never again. I've had a couple of rifles in 44 Mag and sold the Ruger 77/44 as it hurt my shoulder after about 20 rounds and made me flinchy. Oddly enough the revolvers in 44 Mag I've tried have been fine. Just my own personal experience with the recoil in a Ruger Alaskan, Super Blackhawk and 3 different length 629s. I haven't tried out the new-to-me 29-3 yet. Hardly a broad sample but I've had opportunities to shoot a few others too. All good.

Age can be a factor too. I will probably find less enjoyment in 44 Mag in another 15 or 20 years as the joints will no doubt complain.

I agree with the idea of seeing if you can rent one before you buy if you're really unsure.

[lucasfilmfan]

Unfortunately where I live renting one isn't really an option.

[jmace57]

I have 2 .44 Magnums. I have shot a total of about 18 rounds of .44 Mag ammo. I shoot 44 special through them all the time and it is pleasant. When I start reloading, I will make up light loads in .44 Mag cases.

[S42N8]

IMHO, it depends - but go for it. As a rule, the M29 will have more recoil than the 686 or .45 - if you're using roughly equivalent ammo in all three. I shoot more than my share of .45 ACP, .357 and .44 Mag. 44 Mag (for me) varies from moderate to more than enough. If you're target shooting, a box or two of .44 Mag will either be painful, a learning experience, or a .357 scaled up a bit. But in candor, the heavy .44 Mag ammo is a hunting load, not a target load. I'd go for the 6.5 M29...at worst, you'll wind up selling it on and finding something more to your liking. Given that you shoot the 686, my guess is that you'll find the M29 to be scaled up a bit. With moderate .44 Mag ammo (Silvertips come to mind) it'll be a friskier 686. With .44 Special, it'll be a wee bit heavier 686/ on par with the .45 ACP. For me, the pain starts in the .454 Linebaugh/.460 Magnum/.500 Magnum range - but your recoil tolerance is the relevant point. As others note, grips which fit your hand help reduce felt recoil...Hogues work for me, but the factory combat grips are as effective. If you're willing to risk it, I think you'll like the M29 just fine. FWIW. Good luck!

[Rule3]

The "worst" gun I have for recoil and "concussion" or blast radius is the 5" SW 460 Mag.!! It is brutal! I find it worse than the 500 Mag.

65,000 psi, more than a 30-06.

It is absolutely no fun to shoot!.

[deyomatic]

I can't offer any info on the recoil, but I will add that you will probably get your money back on an M29 if you decide you don't like it.

[Geo. T.]

I really enjoyed the full house loads in yester year! I have a 6 1/2 629 Classic Hunter that came with Hogue grips and it was a life saver years later. The only loads tat I had to back off on were 300 grain Nosler's with the published max load of H110.

Loaded 15 shot 4 and then killed a large hog and gave the other ten to my son! They don't kick as hard for him at 40.

[roscoepc]

Originally Posted by lucasfilmfan

I only plan on shooting a cylinder of .44 magnums out of it per trip to the range. I know it wont be something I will want to shoot all day. I just want to know if I can handle a cylinder.

It depends on the load, the grip you use, and your concentration on the basics of shooting. I had a Model 29, 8-3/8" barrel that was an absolute JOY to shoot with the over the counter 240gr Remington loads! Dead on accurate also with no adjustment to the factory sight setting!! Minimal barrel rise and a smooth, not sharp, kick... I don't see where less than 2" in barrel length would make that much of a difference in the recoil!

This gun is a CLASSIC in every sense of the word and I just wish I still had mine!!

In short, if you can handle a .357 Magnum, you'll Love the Model 29!!!!

And in the interest's of Full Disclosure, I presently own a model 500 X-Frame 8-3/8" barrel. I must apologize to any who say it's an "arm breaker".... I've shot up to a 500gr Hornady XTP load in her and while you gotta make sure you've got a good grip on her,, She's not really that bad IMHO!! And she's a real Sweetheart with the 350gr loads I hand roll!!!!

[Tom_R]

I am enough of a man, that I don't need to come off as macho to a bunch of strangers.

.44 Magnums loaded medium and higher are wrist twisters. You can shoot 10-20 of those before your hands and joints will want to call it quits.

I have a 4" 629-1 that I put magnums through and it is fun, and it is loud, but last time out I shot 30 rounds, and that was 10-15 too many.

But, if you put 44 special through it, it is just like shooting 45acp through a 1911. You can shoot several hundred, and then paint a portrait later.

So a 29 or a 629 is still an excellent revolver to own because of its versatility. If you handload, it is a great revolver to have as you can load hot specials/light magnums, and get a nice boom and manageable recoil.

Funny story with my 629-1.

I took 4 or 5 guns to an indoor range. The guy next to me was shooting a Glock, and he was standing further back in his stall, and his brass kept ejecting on to me as I was trying to shoot some .38 special. I asked him to move up, the range officer asked him to move up. His next mag, he is standing back again, hits me with several spent cases.

OK, two can play this game. I take the 629 out of the gun rug load p some federal magnums. I wait for him to put a mag in and take position. Before he can shoot his mag, I unleash 5 magnums right next to him. That got his attention. He looks over at me to see what I am firing.

He moves up into the stall and not a single piece of brass came in my direction after that.

[S42N8]

Originally Posted by Tom_R

Funny story with my 629-1.

OK, two can play this game. I take the 629 out of the gun rug load p some federal magnums. I wait for him to put a mag in and take position. Before he can shoot his mag, I unleash 5 magnums right next to him. That got his attention. He looks over at me to see what I am firing.

He moves up into the stall and not a single piece of brass came in my direction after that.

. Ain't nothing like a little overpressure to encourage the neighbors...

[daddy bear]

When I was a young stud of about 35, I considered that I had conquered the 4" 29 with full house 240s when I could keep 5 shots timed fire (20 seconds) one handed in the black at 25 yards.

At 78, I load both my .44 Special and Magnum - both are Ruger flat tops -to an estimated 1000 fps with cast 240s. Plenty lethal for man or beast and plenty of recoil without hurting old joints.

Jack

[Abflyboy]

Only you (OP) will be able to determine your tolerance level.

It is a bit more important to properly execute the fundamentals while shooting heavy magnums.

[S&WsRsweet]

Buy the gun ,shoot the gun and when you are at the range and some guy asks ( and they will ask) is that a 44 you can proudly say well yes it is it is a S&W m29 44 magnum .If you don't like it you can always sell it but I will bet you will love it .I love my 629-1 as a matter of fact I am going to the range today and now I know which gun I will take .

[jmclfrsh]

I shoot my .41 magnum a lot on the farm, and I have found the best way for me is to use golf gloves - they are very thin, made of leather, and still give you great feel.

Also, concentrate on a proper sight picture and a nice, smooth trigger squeeze all the way back. The gun is going to recoil, but instead of fighting it, I hold mine firm enough so it does not get knocked out of my hand upon firing, but I let it rotate up and to the right and just go with it.

I can target shoot 80-100 rounds on one session this way without any ill effects. I find using rubber grips also helps quite a bit when I am shooting a lot in one session, too. I use Pachmyrs but am trying some new Hogues the next time I go shooting.

The 29 is a great gun, and a true classic. If you get it, you will probably never be sad that you did!

[U.S.SFC_RET]

Felt recoil is subjective. My first pistol was a M29, I lacked the experience of shooting any pistol back then. Might I suggest for the benefit of inexperienced shooters of this forum to try 44 Special loads for a while and then move on to 44 Magnum loads? This way you get used to the gun. I learned every bad habit shooting that M29 44 Magnum.

[jringo8769]

Well i can tell u as a child around 10 or 11 my Dad and his best friend both bought one each and i personally shot both guns with 44 mag factory loads and they even made some custom hot loads and i was able to shot them and even be quite accurate with them....over the years and going to local lgs every week.thru out most of my life up till my late teens....i have seen many model 29's traded in with a partial box of 44 mag ammo as most people did not like the recoil.....i own both a model 29-2 4" and a model 24-3 lew horton and i have found that the 44 mag loads are fine...but i really enjoy reloading my 44mag to 44 spec loads and it makes the gun so much more pleasurable to shoot....for me...being ableto shoot the hottest load is not always the most fun...it all depends on why you want a model 29....for me with huge hands...it is so comfortable...
God Bless,John

Sent from my LGL41C using Tapatalk

[gfors]

I bought one of the new 29-10 Classics, 6.5". It came with very thin factory grips, from Altamont. I have large hands, and those grips were plenty painful. I was wondering why I ever bought such a beast. Then, I found a set of smooth presentation grips, that fill my hand much better, and that gun has become my favorite shooter, even with 240 grain bullets, at 1200 fps. Love the flash, bang and thud of shooting that thing indoors.

[Mike C2]

I also love my .41's, my go to caliber usually. Pachmayer Decelerators have the covered backstrap, but I prefer the more "Coke-ish" Hogues. My .41 with 210 grain HTP's chronoed at 1280 fps. But the Winchester 240gr white box registered 1400 fps form my 29! This is a big difference in felt recoil. Gloves have been the way I can get 8 cylinders full of practice at the range and I use some padded palm work gloves I got at Sams.All the difference in the world.

No one has mentioned the model 25-2. But if you can have only one and want to shoot a bunch, the .45 ACP is the cheapest way to but big holes in the paper target. And Buffalo Bore sells some HOT .45 AR loads that are equal to the .41 if not the .44 and would be excellent for stopping of 4 legged creatures.

Originally Posted by jmclfrsh

I shoot my .41 magnum a lot on the farm, and I have found the best way for me is to use golf gloves - they are very thin, made of leather, and still give you great feel.

Also, concentrate on a proper sight picture and a nice, smooth trigger squeeze all the way back. The gun is going to recoil, but instead of fighting it, I hold mine firm enough so it does not get knocked out of my hand upon firing, but I let it rotate up and to the right and just go with it.

I can target shoot 80-100 rounds on one session this way without any ill effects. I find using rubber grips also helps quite a bit when I am shooting a lot in one session, too. I use Pachmyrs but am trying some new Hogues the next time I go shooting.

The 29 is a great gun, and a true classic. If you get it, you will probably never be sad that you did!