Model 29-3 Silhouette Opinions Needed

[husky390]

I have a chance to pickup a 29-3 Silhouette. Anyone own one? Gripes, likes, dislikes? How is it to carry for hunting? It looks like a fun revo which is why I'm interested.

[sonny]

It was introduced in 1983. . The early Silhouette models from 1983 retained all of the mechanical problems of the earlier guns. John Taffin, p81 of his Big Bore Sixguns, said it was a beautiful sixgun, but the cylinder unlocked and rotated backwards on a regular basis. He traded his off for a 4-inch standard model 29.
In 1987, the 29-3E was brought out with changes known as the Endurance package, which sought to make the gun stronger and to rid the model of the previous structural and mechanical problems.
I am just letting you know. I would want someone to point this out to me before I bought it. I really like the 29's, but I wouldn't want my hunting revolver to unlock and back up to an empty case each time I shot. It could be dangerous to your continued good health.
Perhaps someone following can tell you whether there is any factory "repair" available, although I doubt it.
Sonny

[husky390]

Thanks for the input, I had read the John Taffin thread but am curious if anyone had experienced this issue.

[H Richard]

I have a 29-3, 6" with the 4 *** front sight, and un-fluted cylinder, and full lug barrel. I believe it was called Classic Hunter.

I have owned this gun for 18 years. Shot it in IHMSA Silhouette match's, and in bowling pin match's. I have never had one minutes problem with it. If you stick with "factory level" loads, and don't hot-rod it it will last as long as any 29.

[husky390]

Thanks for the input guy's. I went and got it anyway. Thanks for your help and here's a pic.

[Blue Box]

You made a good choice! It's a must have gun for S&W collectors and deer hunters! I got friends who have dropped alot of deer with the 10 5/8 barrel.

[husky390]

Thanks, here in Az. I'll stick with rifle for deer, but if I ever go hunting in Wi. or Iowa, this babies coming with.

[charlies]

You will note the sights are very fine meaning quite narrow on either side of the front sight...becasue it was developed for silhoutte shooting not hunting...having said that I own two and have never had a problem with them if I use regualr loads.
Charlie

[husky390]

I did notice they are a bit narrow for my liking. I might change out the rear blade but wanted to give it a try first. This didn't come with a manual so would anyone tell me what I have to do to adjust the front sight. Does the wheel just turn or is it locked in place?

[sonny]

If you shoot your new gun pretty soon, I would appreciate if you write this forum and let us know of its performance. If I gave you any bad info, (cylinder unlocking upon firing), then I apologize. Perhaps that typical problem does NOT occur with every sample. I hope you got a good one.
Sonny

[husky390]

Originally Posted by sonny

If you shoot your new gun pretty soon, I would appreciate if you write this forum and let us know of its performance. If I gave you any bad info, (cylinder unlocking upon firing), then I apologize. Perhaps that typical problem does NOT occur with every sample. I hope you got a good one.
Sonny

No problem. I was playing with it a little when I got home and I noticed the timing is a little off. If I very slowly pull the hammer all the way back until it locks, I can move the cylinder a little bit and then it will fully lock in place. Not so much of an issue but I am going to have a gunsmith take a look at it. I can't wait to shoot it though.

[Tom K]

Originally Posted by husky390

I did notice they are a bit narrow for my liking. I might change out the rear blade but wanted to give it a try first. This didn't come with a manual so would anyone tell me what I have to do to adjust the front sight. Does the wheel just turn or is it locked in place?

Someone had posted a set of instructions that came with his .357 with the adjustable front sight (can't recall the post at the moment.) I clipped out the relevant section for my own reference.

[ME109]

I have one of the aforementioned Horton guns and was wondering if it had the endurance package applied. Would 29-3E be stamped inside the crane as opposed to just 29-3?

[Aussie44]

I had one and shot the **** out of it in silhoutte for 3 years and never once did it unlock or do anything that taffin mentions.I fed it real hot loads,Even JDJ's 310 gr handload.Enjoy it, I miss mine.


Ken

[BruceM]

While not all M29's of Pre-Endurance Package manufacture suffer from cylinder float, the problem did definitely exist. It occurred not only when shooting over max. loads or loads with heavier than 250 grain bullets. I owned a couple of 29-2's which exhibited this problem and I commonly shot full power cast bullet loads.

Bruce

[2sigs]

My 29-3 AVT7xxx has the "issue" it will roll back to fired chamber with factory ammo quite consistantly.

I figured it did that since it is inferior to my .41's LOL never have my 657 57 58 done that

I will also say the 29-3 I am speaking of is a very tight lock up with minimal end play, also in very very nice condition, probably because it p.o. the owner so much he never used it

Good luck with yours

[alanjr]

Hi Husky

If you pm me with a fax number I will fax you the original instructions for adjusting the adjustable front sight.

it is with my 6" 686 and all the papers and box.
take care
Alan

[Tom K]

Originally Posted by alanjr

Hi Husky

If you pm me with a fax number I will fax you the original instructions for adjusting the adjustable front sight.

it is with my 6" 686 and all the papers and box.
take care
Alan

Alan, that's a really thing to do on your first post. Welcome to the forum.

[husky390]

Thanks for the offer Alan. I was able to copy the directions that Tom K posted. Thanks though.

[husky390]

Originally Posted by 2sigs

My 29-3 AVT7xxx has the "issue" it will roll back to fired chamber with factory ammo quite consistantly.

I figured it did that since it is inferior to my .41's LOL never have my 657 57 58 done that

I will also say the 29-3 I am speaking of is a very tight lock up with minimal end play, also in very very nice condition, probably because it p.o. the owner so much he never used it

Good luck with yours

My S/N starts off with AHH so I wonder if mine is older than yours.

Ironically, my 57 does give me some fits with a few of my handloads. I love the feel of S&W's and their triggers, but I hate to admit that my Rugers have not given me any issues at all.

LOL on the .41's. I'm a huge fan of the .41 and have only recently gotten back into .44's.

[Smithhound]

If you don't mind my asking what did you have to give for the Sihlouette? I have a chance to pick one up here in SE Tenn for around $600, close?
RD

[redwing]

Smithhound,
This one gun I will someday own, Somewhere between $650 and $800 for a 10" barrel ben looking and have not had the money for the last 4 years. Have a 6" "hunter" I paid $625, to my door 3 years ago and the gun is 99%. Good find if the gun is tight and finsh is great. But only so of us look for this type of S&W.

Redwing

[Blue Box]

Forgot to say that all the model 29 10 5/8 guns had reddots on them for deer hunting.

[Texas Roots]

husky, I don't own one of those babys but I understand the wheel on the front sight does turn. I think it is adjustable for 50 yard increments but that needs verificatoin from someone who really knows more than I do.

[husky390]

Well, I finally had a chance to take my Silhouette out to play. It shoots beautifully. I had no problems handling factory loads with that long barrel. I need to work on dialing in the sights since they are not set up for long range yet. I can't wait to start smacking the 200 yard gong with this. Also, by a stroke of luck, I stumbled on a Model 29-2 8 3/8" barrel that was practically NIB. It's beautiful. Anyway, both of them drew quite a crowd at the range, so if you decide to buy one, be prepared to answer a lot of questions.

[Marshall 357]

I have a 29-3 8 3/8'' bbl on lay a way, what are your thoughts on that?

[husky390]

Originally Posted by Marshall 357

I have a 29-3 8 3/8'' bbl on lay a way, what are your thoughts on that?

Enjoy it! Two weeks after I picked up this Silhouette model I was able to get a Model 29-2 8 3/8" too. It's a great shooting gun but this one will be a safe queen and the silhouette will be my hunting toy.

[jcelect]

I can say I like these long barrel guns! The very early guns were serial number in the old N frame numbering system, they start with an Nxxxxxx. They then changed to the "ABCxxxx" serial numbers!


The problem with the cylinder unlatching was caused by heavy loads(300gr bullets shot hot), reduced power rebound slide springs, and a loose hold! The trigger finger slaps the trigger during recoil which unlatches the cylinder. The gun in the center with the reddot on it is a hunters dream! You might say the reddot defeats the purpose of the adjustable front sight.



The reddot is sighted in to 50yds and will hit what I'm looking at out to 100yds. Then I drop down to the front sight for 150yds and 200yds. These old eyes like the reddot in low light.



2008 deer season, 2 guys, 2 days, and 2 44 Mag Silhouettes

jcelect

[GLL]

Jerry

[husky390]

Originally Posted by jcelect

I can say I like these long barrel guns! The very early guns were serial number in the old N frame numbering system, they start with an Nxxxxxx. They then changed to the "ABCxxxx" serial numbers!


The problem with the cylinder unlatching was caused by heavy loads(300gr bullets shot hot), reduced power rebound slide springs, and a loose hold! The trigger finger slaps the trigger during recoil which unlatches the cylinder. The gun in the center with the reddot on it is a hunters dream! You might say the reddot defeats the purpose of the adjustable front sight.



2008 deer season, 2 guys, 2 days, and 2 44 Mag Silhouettes

jcelect

Gotta love that midwest deer season. I wish we had that kind of hunting here in Az. Beautiful revolvers.

[Marshall 357]

What is a good load for target shooting,and what is a good load for hunting?

[jcelect]

Mr 357, the silhouette is NOT the guns to be changing loads with! This gun will shoot 200 yards, easy, if the shooter can do it? That is with a load that has been tailored to the gun/shooter! Change either of these and the group size goes south, at all yardage set points! Those of us that have gone thru the "tailoring" process know it takes hundreds of rounds to hit the paper and then to reduce the group size. My hunting/target/plinking load for the aboved picture silhouette is 23.5grs H110 behind a 240gr XTP. That would be a round count in the thousands!
jcelect SWCA#LM723

[Jimmymac46]

Originally Posted by husky390

Thanks for the input guy's. I went and got it anyway. Thanks for your help and here's a pic.

Great decision! I bought one new shortly after they came out. Beautiful, unique, and a fun shooter. If you don't load 'max' rounds in it, it will last forever. Silhoutte brought out the worse in competition. Nearly everyone loaded maximum or worse to get that extra knock down, where accuracy and bullet placement was all that was required. Regardless, you have a great gun and it will only appreciate as time passes.

[wonderwolf]

I've got one that I've had for about 3 years now. Using 10gr of unique and 429421 I've been able to shoot hit a 12" gong 3 times out of 6 at 200 yards...its a gun I only shoot about once a year and keep messing with on and off. I prefer my 6" 629 but if I had a full week to develop a good load and zeros with the silhouette gun I would probably greatly prefer the longer barrel. I have experienced cylinder unlock and rotation though that was with Elmer Keith loads and the original wood grips which I've since replaced with hogues and gotten a better grip on, have never had the problem since.

[TwoDuckDad]

New to this forum. Appreciate all the comments on the 29-3 silhouette. I'm primarily an auto guy but was looking for a revolver that was fun to shoot (aren't they all?), unique, and possible to hunt with for deer. Found the gun in VERY nice condition and couldn't resist.

Anyone have a copy of the owner's manual?

Best holster that won't mar the finish?

Best ammo for plinking?

Best ammo for deer?

Best magnum ammo HP?

Any other thoughts to help me best enjoy this beauty?

Thanks in advance :<)

[husky390]

Well, I had one, but just traded it off a month ago. Mine really liked 240gr bullets with H110 behind it. A good plinking load is 240gr LSWC or FN with Unique. It's like shooting a .38.
The timing was a little off on mine but didn't matter to me since I shot it in SA, and I did experience the "cylinder unlock" issue on occasion.
For holster's, my personal preference for large handguns is a shoulder holster. Maybe find one with a fleece or a padded lining.
As for ammo, If I were to hunt with a handgun, I would give some serious consideration to the Hornady Leverevolution line.

That's my humble 2 cents. Good luck and happy shooting.

[TwoDuckDad]

Thanks Husky. The only holsters I can find are meant for Contenders or scoped long barrel handguns. Is this the type you are referring to? They are "Bandolier" style - over the shoulder and holster across your mid torso. I like the idea of fleece for protecting the finish but a nice leather holster would look really nice with the 10 5/8" barrel. May have to get a local holster maker to make me one

[husky390]

I was just using an Uncle Mikes Sidekick Vertical Shoulder Holster for my Redhawk with a 7 5/8" barrel but if you're looking to protect the finish of your revolver I wouldn't recommend that exact model. If you are looking for a leather holster, I would recommend contacting Rudy at Black Hills Leather, Black Hills Leather - The best custom gun leather western holsters & rigs He has built several holsters for me and the quality is excellent. Good luck.

[Jimmymac46]

Originally Posted by jcelect

Mr 357, the silhouette is NOT the guns to be changing loads with! This gun will shoot 200 yards, easy, if the shooter can do it? That is with a load that has been tailored to the gun/shooter! Change either of these and the group size goes south, at all yardage set points! Those of us that have gone thru the "tailoring" process know it takes hundreds of rounds to hit the paper and then to reduce the group size. My hunting/target/plinking load for the aboved picture silhouette is 23.5grs H110 behind a 240gr XTP. That would be a round count in the thousands!
jcelect SWCA#LM723

I couldn't agree more with the load mentioned here.

I purchased my first 44 magnum in 1968, a Ruger. Then I moved up to my first Smith in 1973, then several more in the mid to late 70's. Then, a 1980, my first 629.....MG, Backpacker, Silhouette, Classic, and others totaling about a dozen. I still have them all and continue to reload for them. I mention this because while I am undoubtedly not the most experience member of this forum, I have sent a considerable amount of lead down range. After years of different powders, bullets, and cases, 20 years ago I settled on one 'power' load......that being 23.5 grains of H-110 with about any 240 grain JHP. Interestingly enough, 23.5 grains of 296 worked nearly as well. It's roughly 10 percent under maximum recommended. I have never had a cylinder unlock with this load (or any other for that matter). This load works well in any and all of my guns, burns clean (with heavy crimp), and groups remarkably consistent in all. If you haven't, try it, you will like it. While I'm at it, my mid-range, do it all load is 9 grains of Unique with a hard cast 240 grain #429421 (assuming anyone cares). Soft, sweet, and accurate. JMHO.

[husky390]

Thanks for the reminder Jimmymac. Heavy crimps are very necessary when loading with H110. If you don't, they will walk out on you.

[johnsonl]

The front sight has a ball detent that keeps it in one of four positions, one for each steel silhouette animal at a different range up to 100 yards. Easy, one click sight adjustments with no range guessing.

[Neal]

Have any of you Model 29 Silhouette owners chronographed your ammo? Just wondering how much velocity is gained with that long barrel.

[cjw3]

Originally Posted by Neal

Have any of you Model 29 Silhouette owners chronographed your ammo? Just wondering how much velocity is gained with that long barrel.

Well, that is an interesting thing. My favorite cast bullet load in my 29-3 Silhouette (for now) is a Leadheads 250 grain Keith SWC (.431) + 19.0/2400 + CCI LP. It chronographs 1247 fps, and at 25 yards I have put 9 in 1.9" (the one flyer opened it up to 2.5"...my fault, I'm sure).

In my 4" 629, the same load gets 1237 fps.

There are a lot of factors that go into velocity results, but I did not expect that. Regardless, it is a good load and does what I want to do.

I tried a Nosler 200 grain JHP with 23.0/2400. It chronographs 1486 fps and I have gotten 1.5" group at 25 yards with it. I may do a little deer/hog hunting with it this fall, and that is the load I'm going to use. The same 200 grain load is 1456 fps from the 4" 629 and accuracy was not good; again, very little velocity gain from so much extra barrel, at least in this case.

Like the cast load above, it is also accurate out to about 115 yards, which is the longest distance I have at the range I use the most. Anything the size of a softball that shows up well against the berm can be hit often enough from the bench to wow the average handgun plinking crowd but is really not that difficult. I have coached a few folks and got them pretty close to doing the same thing in a very short time.

Cylinder float is bothersome in the 29-3 with the 240/250 grain bullets in heavier loadings of 2400; it will occasionally happen even with the 19 grain load. I have never had it happen with the 200 grain JHP load. I may eventually go in and do a little careful polishing, etc., but am trying to avoid having to fool with it. A slightly stronger spring may also be in order.

Considering the gun's intended use, I am starting to think that good accuracy with most loads will be pretty easy to achieve. The narrow rear sight notch was annoying, so I opened it up slightly with a simple spark plug file. That has made a world of difference.

Even with it's quirks, I like it.

[Neal]

Originally Posted by cjw3

Well, that is an interesting thing. My favorite cast bullet load in my 29-3 Silhouette (for now) is a Leadheads 250 grain Keith SWC (.431) + 19.0/2400 + CCI LP. It chronographs 1247 fps, and at 25 yards I have put 9 in 1.9" (the one flyer opened it up to 2.5"...my fault, I'm sure).

In my 4" 629, the same load gets 1237 fps.

There are a lot of factors that go into velocity results, but I did not expect that. Regardless, it is a good load and does what I want to do.

I tried a Nosler 200 grain JHP with 23.0/2400. It chronographs 1486 fps and I have gotten 1.5" group at 25 yards with it. I may do a little deer/hog hunting with it this fall, and that is the load I'm going to use. The same 200 grain load is 1456 fps from the 4" 629 and accuracy was not good; again, very little velocity gain from so much extra barrel, at least in this case.

Like the cast load above, it is also accurate out to about 115 yards, which is the longest distance I have at the range I use the most. Anything the size of a softball that shows up well against the berm can be hit often enough from the bench to wow the average handgun plinking crowd but is really not that difficult. I have coached a few folks and got them pretty close to doing the same thing in a very short time.

Cylinder float is bothersome in the 29-3 with the 240/250 grain bullets in heavier loadings of 2400; it will occasionally happen even with the 19 grain load. I have never had it happen with the 200 grain JHP load. I may eventually go in and do a little careful polishing, etc., but am trying to avoid having to fool with it. A slightly stronger spring may also be in order.

Considering the gun's intended use, I am starting to think that good accuracy with most loads will be pretty easy to achieve. The narrow rear sight notch was annoying, so I opened it up slightly with a simple spark plug file. That has made a world of difference.

Even with it's quirks, I like it.

cjw3, thanks for the report. For insight into velocity variations, see the Speer article titled: "Why Ballistitions Get Gray" or something close to that. Many years ago, I did some load development and chronographing with an 8.375" model 29. This was before the silhouette model was available. It shot the best velocities and was most accurate with full loads of H110/Win 296. In my quest to get more speed, I had the local smith set the barrel back to reduce the .009" barrel/cylinder gap. We reset it just enough for the cylinder to turn. (2 or 3 thousandths, IIRC) After all that work, it made NO significant difference in velocity. It seems that variable dimensions in the cylinder chambers and the barrel make a lot of difference. I would guess either your silhouette gun is a slow gun, or your 4" is a fast gun, or both. I don't shoot much any more, but if I did, I think I'd want a silhouette model 29. Thanks much.

[Bugs Bunny]

Originally Posted by sonny

If you shoot your new gun pretty soon, I would appreciate if you write this forum and let us know of its performance. If I gave you any bad info, (cylinder unlocking upon firing), then I apologize. Perhaps that typical problem does NOT occur with every sample. I hope you got a good one.
Sonny

For what its worth I been using 629's 3in & 4in for last 3yrs in IDPA about every week, I have had the cylinder on one swing open during a scenario, the gun was a -3 3in however the stage required "weak hand" firing, I had to rerun the stage as live rounds fell out, both times, it was embarrassing. I blamed it on "shooter error" & sold the gun off.

The mild loads I use for IDPA should not be doing this, 250gr Keith home cast with a mild charge of 231, hardly near full power factory stuff. I have not had this happen on the -4 629s even using factory full power stuff at matches, I think we have about 5 or 6 629-4 3&4in guns I kept, none have ever swung open, it may have just been that one revolver had an issue or my hand hit the release during recoil, never know.

28-2 / 625-2 & -3 in 3&4in 45acp never had this issue, never owned a 41mag to say whether it happens to those or not.

Never owned any MIM guns to say on those either.

EDIT: nice 2008 deer pic, couple decent buck that would be trophy stuff around these parts.

[lscocoa]

My favorite deer gun .

[mikemyers]

I have one of these guns, 10 5/8" barrel; have owned it for 30 or so years now. Great gun, and quite accurate too!!!

Can anyone point me to a where I can download the complete manual about how to adjust the front sight? I found the basic page of instructions on how to adjust each of the four "settings" (1, 2, 3, and 4) that was posted early on in this thread. I don't know much about silhouette shooting though - does anyone know what the four distances are that the gun was to be pre-set for?

[jaymoore]

Originally Posted by mikemyers

I have one of these guns, 10 5/8" barrel; have owned it for 30 or so years now. Great gun, and quite accurate too!!!

Can anyone point me to a where I can download the complete manual about how to adjust the front sight? I found the basic page of instructions on how to adjust each of the four "settings" (1, 2, 3, and 4) that was posted early on in this thread. I don't know much about silhouette shooting though - does anyone know what the four distances are that the gun was to be pre-set for?

Adjusting the front is easy. You need a 0.050" Allen wrench and a set of plastic dial calipers. The threads on the screws are the same but the distance to the pivot point is different, so the amount of turn needed for the front two screws is more than the rear. I just eyeball in the amount and verify with the calipers. Works surprisingly well, once you done it for a while! IHMSA shoots at either 25,50,75,100yds/m (Field Pistol) or50,100,150,200yds/m (Big Bore). The gun itself was not pre-set-up for anything from the factory, ASAIK.

You can also use the four positions for different bullet weights at the same range, etc.

Shot one in an IHMSA match just last weekend. Exceeded goal by a fair amount!

[mikemyers]

Originally Posted by jaymoore

.......You need a 0.050" Allen wrench and a set of plastic dial calipers. The threads on the screws are the same but the distance to the pivot point is different, so the amount of turn needed for the front two screws is more than the rear. I just eyeball in the amount and verify with the calipers. Works surprisingly well, once you done it for a while!..........

Thanks for the quick reply! Thanks - you just made everything make a lot more sense. So, you have four "settings" numbered 1 through 4, and each one can pre-set the sights for a different distance (or bullet type).

What would you use the calipers for? Just to check how much the adjustment for each set screw changes, as you adjust the set screw?

My indoor range has a maximum shooting distance of 15 yards. The outdoor range I go to has up to 25 for handguns, and much more for rifles, so maybe I could eventually end up with my gun set for 15, 25, 100, and 200?

Do you start out by adjusting the rear sight to zero in the gun for any one of the settings (let's say, leaving #1 as-is, and adjusting the rear sight for 15 yards), and then for #2, adjust ONLY the #2 set screw until that is right, and continue on for the other settings?

I never knew any of this until last night......

[jaymoore]

Originally Posted by mikemyers

Thanks for the quick reply! Thanks - you just made everything make a lot more sense. So, you have four "settings" numbered 1 through 4, and each one can pre-set the sights for a different distance (or bullet type).

What would you use the calipers for? Just to check how much the adjustment for each set screw changes, as you adjust the set screw?

My indoor range has a maximum shooting distance of 15 yards. The outdoor range I go to has up to 25 for handguns, and much more for rifles, so maybe I could eventually end up with my gun set for 15, 25, 100, and 200?

Do you start out by adjusting the rear sight to zero in the gun for any one of the settings (let's say, leaving #1 as-is, and adjusting the rear sight for 15 yards), and then for #2, adjust ONLY the #2 set screw until that is right, and continue on for the other settings?

I never knew any of this until last night......

I use the calipers to check the height of the sight from the bottom of the barrel. (Arbitrary but convienent number.) Then either note the difference from the old setting of the number (i.e. 1-4) or compare to the other settings recorded on the other numbers as needed. Changes downrange are easily calculated.

The rear sight setting is a bit of a finagling business if you use up lots of travel in the front sight. More than once I've run out of travel on one or the other! But generally, I move the front setting for zero and leave the rear for temporary tweaking. That and windage, which is really more due to minor grip and trigger pull changes and sometime ammo. Rarely does wind have much to do with it...Whole 'nuther subject!

Use the front settings for whatever you want. But it might be a good idea to write it all down.