Why did S&W change the Model 29 5" barrel from tapered barrel to full lug on 29-6 .
I have seen here that there were only 500 Model 29-1 and -2 with 5" made . How many 29-6 5" with full lug were made.
I own 2 Model 29 4" and carry them on horseback in Montana grizzly bear country. But think 5" would be the perfect length for accuracy. 6" is to long to holster for me.

Welcome! The very few half-lug 5” barrel model 29s were special order guns. The later full-lug 5” guns are more common but highly sought after too; careful shopping will find you one but it will be expensive.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Well you certainly will get people to click on the thread with a title like that!

I believe the Classic line started with the 29-4. If someone can answer why S&W started making full lug .44 Magnums and never made the half-lug 5" a factory barrel length, I'm sure that would be floating around the Internet by now. I'm one of many on here that believe the 5" is the perfect all-around barrel length for most K, L, and N frame chamberings --- a wonderful balance of weight, muzzle velocity, sight radius, and portability.

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Psalm 27:2

I see a model 29-6 5" full lug for sale on GUNBROKER for @$1,000

I want 29-2 in 5" with tapered barrel.

Expect to pay 2-3 times that amount for an original 5" half-lug model 29!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Last time I saw one for sale (only time, actually) asking price $4,900. If you have fairly deep pockets start looking for one.

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No life story has happy end.

Where would you look for one. I check GUNBROKER and GUNS INTERNATIONAL. I work 6 1/2 days a week so I don't get to many gun shows.

I believe the first full lug Model 29-4 was manufactured for Hill Country Distributors in 1989. The run consisted of 500 units that featured a 5-inch barrel, unfluted cylinder, Hogue rubber grips, smooth target trigger, and plain ramp front sight. Similar guns were also made in the 29-5 and 29-6 model variations. The Classic DX line was only cataloged for a year and featured a round butt with combat style grips.

Generally speaking, the last Model 29-2s with a 5-inch barrel were shipped in 1963. One of these in 95% or better condition will cost between $4,000 and $6,000. Approximately 300 of this configuration were shipped by S&W from 1957 to 1973, but the majority were shipped in 1958 (44 Magnum, Pre-model 29, 4-screw frame) and 1963 (Model 29-2).

In the photo below, the two Model 29-2s with a 5-inch barrel were shipped in March 1963. Click on the photo for a better look.

Bill

I got my first 5" model 27 in the 1970s. Been thinking ever since that a 5" 29 would be perfect. It is a shame so few were ever made.

I have a 29 Classic with a 5" bbl as well as an identical Classic DX. The DX is so scarce that I do not use it but the 5" 44 Magnum is, indeed, an excellent all around wheelgun. Huge fan.

He wants a tapered barrel too. I think it'll be a long search.

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Psalm 27:2

Just to mention, having a longer barrel shortened, the front sight and stampings redone and the associated gunsmithing will cost you a fraction of an original 5" gun.

A point about the barrel - model 29s came with an untapered barrel and wide rib, but as you know not the full underlug. I have seen tapered barrel model 27/28 .357s converted to .44 Special but don't know if the original barrel was bored out to the larger diameter. Good luck in your search.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

When I say tapered I mean NOT full lug. How much do you think it would cost to buy a 6" Model 29 and have good smithy shorten to 5'?

I do own a 5" Model 27 and that is why I know that 5" is the perfect length for a S&W Magnum.

Claymore

Also, Where do I get that beautiful S&W patch in the picture of the 2 5" 29s ?

Also, please confirm that S&W made NO Model 57s in 5"

A year or so back, I got the wild hair to buy a 6 1/2 inch barrel and have it shortened to 5 inches and installed on a model 29 4 inch I have. By the time I paid for the barrel, shipping, Wiegand front sight, barrel shortening, installation, rebluing, and shipping to gunsmith and return, I was looking in the neighborhood of $700. I decided I didn't need it that much. Now, if I could find an originally made 5 inch barrel, I would just have it installed on that 4 inch gun.

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

Wasn't trying to poke fun, just taking you literally

There are lots of 4" tapered barrel .44 Magnums, but they're all Mountain Guns and much newer than any 29-2. I'm a huge 5" barrel fan and would jump at a MG so configured, but S&W doesn't seem to be in any hurry. Any more than they seem to want to make the 17 no-lug 5" 10 shot pinto I emailed them about some time ago...

I'll just have to get by with my 4" Mountain Revolver, 5" Classic, and the 5" 27-2. I'd have to stumble into a 29 5", there's no way I'd pay market price.

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Psalm 27:2

S&W made one Model 57 with a 5-inch barrel and nickel finish. It was shipped in 1968. Click on the photo for a better look

Bill

Custom order for who?

Colonel Cunningham, a S&W enthusiast with friends at the S&W factory. This revolver was made in S&W's tool room and does not have a model number stamped in the yoke cut.

Bill

I have purchased the Model 29-6 5" full lug on GUNBROKER that I discussed earlier this week. Will send pictures as soon as I receive gun.

Question #1 In doing research this week I see a Model 29 with 5 1/2" half lug barrel that traded in 2014 for $18,500. In all of my research i have never heard of a 5 1/2" barrel. Is it mis measured or special order?

Question #2 I have researched the Model 29 DX guns . I am led to believe that only the guns that shoot 1 1/2" groups get the DX lettering . Does that mean that the others that are 5" full lugs with out enclosed target are sold without DX on barrel.
I think that might be what I just purchased.

NO offense taken. What is proper term for traditional barrel without full lug?

S&W manufactured fifteen Model 29s (4-screw frame) and one Model 29-2 with a 5 1/2-inch barrel. S&W also shipped one Model 29-2 with a 4 1/2-inch barrel and one with a 7 1/2-inch barrel. Two 44 Magnums with a 3 1/2-inch barrel are known as are two with a 3 1/4-inch barrel. There is one known with a six inch barrel that was shipped in 1964 (fifteen years before S&W standardized the barrel length of the model at 4,6, and 8 3/8 inches).

I don't know all that much about full lug 44 Magnums, but the Classic Model 29-5 has a full lug barrel that was manufactured in lengths of 5, 6 1/2, and 8 3/8 inches. The Classic DX Model 29-5 revolvers are a refined version of the Classic line. Each revolver was shipped with a factory test target, two sets of grips, and five interchangeable front sight blades. This model was cataloged with a barrel of 5, 6 1/2, or 8 3/8 inches. The Classic DX revolvers were cataloged for only one year and are scarce to rare.

If a 44 Magnum does not have a full lug barrel, it is assumed it has a heavy barrel with the extractor rod shroud that was used from the beginning in 1956.

Bill

So I should just call it half lug?

You can, but it isn't necessary.

Bill

Bill, are you referring to a book with all the detailed knowledge you have shared with us on the Model 29 issue ? If so where can I procure that book?

Claymore
(Navy callsign)

Claymore33...I sent you a private message about the book on the 44 Magnum.

Bill

Thank you , I have sent order for both.
Where can I get S&W patch in the picture of the 2 M29 5" ?

The patch in the photo dates to the 1950s. I don't know where one could be purchased today. Ebay may list some patches that are similar.

Bill

I understand S&W standardizing barrels at 4" and 6" although for magnums , I believe 5" is optimum. However I have never understood the length of 8 3/8". Why the extra 3/8" ???

Claymore33

At a time in the distant past there was a target shooting discipline with a maximum sight radius of 10”, and the 8 3/8” barrel made it to the rules limit.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Hopefully this isn't too much off of the original subject.
A couple of years ago, I was at a gun show on the last day and last afternoon and saw this gun which caught my interest. It was a model 57 with a satin nickel like finish with a 5" barrel. After talking a bit with the seller, he had obtained this gun from an estate sale, and was glad to make a sale to me for under $600. It turns out that this had a cut down barrel and one of the hard chrome finishes. Unfortunately, it had a set of the goodyear grips, which are ugly but great for shooting. This has become my most favorite 'shooting' gun, and the finish is also good because it doesn't show any turn line on the cylinder. Yes, I like a 5" barrel on an N-Frame and the 41 mag caliber.

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John
SWCA #3401 SWHF #737

If I could afford them all , I would have a Model 57 in blue.
I decided years ago to focus on Calibers that are readily available , 44, 45, 357, 9mm .308 and 5.56mm. Now with the panic buying
of ammo I see that .41 and 6.5 Creedmore are some of the only calibers available.

Claymore33

I was in Cabela's 2 weeks ago looking for 9mm for a friend. They had 3 boxes of 41 magnum, and that was the sum total of all the handgun ammo in Cabella's.

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Charlie

That is my experience at multiple ammo stores . .41 mag and 6.5 creedmore only Calibers available.

claymore 33

In my neck of the woods it isn't as tragic as in some areas. Many stores have .40S&W, .357SIG, big bore revolver calibers, even .45ACP.

Even the ones that had 9mm earlier this year have socked it away for those purchasing a 9mm handgun. There is one shop in my area I'm aware of that has pretty much everything for sale except 9mm and .223.

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Psalm 27:2

Thank you for all the great information! I would love to know the name of that M29 book, sounds great.
Picked this 29-4 up recently not knowing at the time what it is, turns out to be the 1 of 500 Hill Country Dist. guns, I just thought it was a beautiful 29 that I didn't recall seeing too many of.

Attached Images

IMG_29-4.jpg (227.8 KB, 32 views)

Try looking for a M544 barrel. The M544 was chambered in .44-40 and had a 5" barrel. Some folks have had a M29-3 cylinder fitted to their M544s (the M29-3 cylinders were not recessed nor were the M544 cylinders.)

Now, the M544 doesn't have a heat treated frame, so it isn't advisable to shoot full bore .44 Magnums in a M544 fitted with a .44 Magnum cylinder.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Thanks for the suggestion . I think I will wait for a stock 29-2 5" to come along . I have been advised of one available for over $5,000. That is a steep hill to climb right now but Christmas is just 2 months away !

Claymore