.44 magnum question
 

Has Smith & Wesson ever produced an all steel, blued, .44 magnum with a 6" full lug barrel? If they have and it seems reasonable they have, is it a Model 29 or 629? Your help in my search is appreciated.

Yes in both 29 and 629 Classic series and maybe others. S&W has made at least one of just about every configuration possible.

Yup. 29 Classic, Classic DX, and Magna Classic.
Bbl. Length is actually 6.5" however, If I recall correctly.

I assumed they did, but I have been looking for a blued model and all I ever see for sell is stainless steel. Actually, one with a 5" full lug bbl. with blued finish would be like having a little piece of heaven. :) Thanks for your quick replies.

Until..
 

...you find one, here's a picture of mine, with a 5" barrel. It has Herrett's shooting Masters on in the picture, but I located a set of correct combat stocks for it, and that's what she wears now. (PS - The barrel was Magnaported by the original owner.):

http://i661.photobucket.com/albums/u...l29-5DXLFT.jpg

Just what I have been looking for. It's a beaut. How do you like the balance with the 5" barrel? If you ever get tired of playing with it, bring it over to my sand box. LOL I am looking for the model you have with the full lug. I have a Model 17 with a full lug barrel that I want to either have the bbl. cut back to 5" or get a new 5" barrel installed and keep the original. My project after that is to find a blued Model 586 full lug. "So many toys and so little time.

I have a 629 Light Weight Hunter with a 7.5 inch barrel. It's stainless steel. I am hanging up my antlers this year after 56 years of deer hunting and the last 15 or so hunting with a handgun. We have plenty of feral hogs to hunt so I going to continue to do that and calling up some coyotes.

I was really surprised about the overall balance. I own a Model 29-2 with a 4" barrel, and I think it has superb balance. I now have to change my mind. The 5" barrel probably has an edge, since it adds just enough front-end weight to help me keep the barrel down. I own several revolvers in different calibers with 6" barrels, and they're all front heavy. It wasn't until I got this Model 29 that I realized just how great the five inch barrel is.

I used to have a blue 6" SW 29 with the adjustable front sight. I did not think I would ever find a holster for it so I traded it for a like new 6" 629.

I also agree that of the 4", 5" and 6" models the 5" has the best balance to me. I am surprised that there were not more made and that they are relatively rare.

I got to do an all out search for one now. I had a Model 28 with a 5" inch barrel that I bought from a state patrol friend when he retired. That was the best balanced revolver I've ever had. It had the smooth grips like yours.

29-4 5"
It's one of 500 made for Hill Country Distributors in 1989


http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...icHunter-1.jpg


29-5 6"
made in 1991


http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...6inchCla-1.jpg


FWIW here are these too,


29-4 3"
2,532 made in 1989


http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...3inchPac-2.jpg


29-4 8 3/8"
2,500 made in 1989


http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...nch3-16--1.jpg

29-3 Classic Hunter.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51...P8150002-1.jpg

I had it hard chromed. :)

That 29-4 5" would be my ideal model 29. It just made it to the top of my list! Thanks for the great pictures and info LOBO

29DX 6.5 inch