I was at one of Floridas online gun sale sites, and came across this odd duck. Now I know they made a M686 like this, but I have never seen or heard of a M29 Silhouette. I looked it up in the Bible, but I couldn't find it. It comes with a 10 5/8 barrel, according to the ad. I emailed and asked for more pics and info, and I hope he sends them, so I can post them. Anyone knows anything, please chime in. He also has a pretty M29-2 with a 4in barrel, so I am thinking he's legit. Thanks

The 29-3 Silhouette isn't exactly rare. I was actually more aware of these than the 686 model. There are 5 on GunBroker right now if you're wanting to put your eyes on one. Two have scopes mounted which, to me anyways, defeats the point of the adj front sight and loooong tube. This is one that's still on the gotta have list for me.
Two fellow shooters in IHMSA use a 29-3 and the 586 Silhouette guns and do very well BTW.

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Here's a pic of mine, a 29-3 with Hogues. I've had it for a while but haven't shot it much. The rear sight notch is really fine and lends itself to long range shooting.

The 29-3 Silhouette model was announced in the 1983 catalog, and appeared again in the 1984 catalog.
This was the first time they used that 4 position front sight.
Coincidentally, the same catalog also listed the model 24 44 Special, and the new 586 & 686. Smith & Wesson was under new ownership and was really moving to respond to customer demand for these new models.
Personally, I really liked the sights on the Silhouette 29. While the extra sight radius was nice for long range shooting, I'm not convinced the extra barrel length was inherently more accurate.
Also, the Silhouette model didn't address the maintenance issues that arose from an intense diet of full power loads. To be fair, the silhouette guys were beating the hell out of all the 44 magnums available at the time... Dan Wessons, Rugers, Virginian Dragoons, etc.
Still, the Silhouette 29 is pretty slick in my book!

I've attached a picture from the 1984 catalog that shows the Silhouette 29 next to the model 24.

Enjoy!
Jim

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I'd like to make one addendum to my previous post.
I just found another 1984 S&W catalog, this one marked as "revised 5/84".
The model 24 in 44 Special is dropped (sold out? ) and better photos and artwork are given.

Attached is the nice picture showing the 29 Silhouette, the front sight, and an artistic depiction of a match in progress.

Enjoy!
Jim

Attached Images

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The 10-5/8 inch barrel was intended to do several things. It gave a longer sight radius than the 8-3/8 inch barrel, gave a little more weight up front and should have slightly increased muzzle velocity over anything shorter. It was the longest barrel allowed in production class of the IHMSA rules. Others also made longer barrels. Ruger offered their Super Blackhawk with a 10 inch barrel, for one.

S&W also put the 4 position front sight on another Model 29, the Classic Hunter. It had a 6 inch barrel with full length underlug and an unfluted cylinder. Shipped with Hogue Monogrips, and Target hammer and trigger. There were supposed to be 5,000 of them, mine is AZC9907. I bought it new July, 1988.

I think the only reason S&W opted for the 10 5/8" barrel was to conform to IHMSA rules for Production Revolver (10 3/4" max barrel length). You can make up the rest of the rationale to please yourself.

I shoot two of 'em in IHMSA still. Multi thousands of rounds and just as good as ever. You do have to address the big throats in one way or another or you will get "mystery misses", especially past 50 yards. Very much so past 100m!

Durability issues aside, the competitive history indicates that the S&W .44s weren't as accurate in Big Bore Revolver class as the Dan Wessons, and certainly not as good as the Freedom Arms revolvers that came along later. Now that S&W has modernized it's chamber/throat dimensions away from the 19th century origins, it's possible that a new edition would be as good as anything else out there, except for the $2000+ Freedom Arms.
For Field Pistol, I think it makes for a better standing position "platform" than the various single action "Plowshare Grip" revolvers, regardless of price.

The Classic Hunters with the AFS showed up first as -3s. S&W did some more as -5s, apparently mostly for export (complete with European type proof marks) the second time. I actually like the sight picture better on the 6" variant.

Have always wished they did an 8 3/8" AFS version!

Thanks for all the info. I looked on GB, and these are going for + or - $1500, which is what he's asking, no box. He lives in the Villages, so I am thinking he's retired and cleaning out his .44 magnums. If I can't get him down, I think I will go for the 4in barreled M29. Again, thanks guys!