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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 04-13-2012, 09:37 AM
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I am looking to get a model 29 with a 6" or 8" barrel for target, fun, maybe even a open sight PA black bear gun. I already have a 329NG so I am familiar with 44s, but I am not totaly familiar with the dash numbers, are they simply years of manufacture? were there big design changes? I have 3 S&W revolvers, 2 are new, and one is a 30s vintage HE. I want to keep price reasonable so an older gun in the shooter catagory is OK, but what should I look for as plus and minus points in the dashs?
Thanks for the help.
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Old 04-13-2012, 01:19 PM
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I found this article to be a decent resource on the 29's and 629's. Then again, I'm not an expert so I don't know if it is all That good.
Either way, here it is:
Smith & Wesson's .44 Magnum
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Old 04-13-2012, 02:04 PM
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Wow thats quite a read! thank you. I guess it looks like I need to save up and just get a new one for all the improvements, real or not.
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Old 04-13-2012, 03:43 PM
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No problem...from what I understand, anything 90's or later is o.k.
I think the one I just bought is about 10-15 years old and looks brand new. I will be able to tell more when I get it, but the external portion looks clean, anyway.
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Old 04-13-2012, 04:00 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by omgur2 View Post
I am looking to get a model 29 with a 6" or 8" barrel for target, fun, maybe even a open sight PA black bear gun. I already have a 329NG so I am familiar with 44s, but I am not totaly familiar with the dash numbers, are they simply years of manufacture? were there big design changes? I have 3 S&W revolvers, 2 are new, and one is a 30s vintage HE. I want to keep price reasonable so an older gun in the shooter catagory is OK, but what should I look for as plus and minus points in the dashs?
Thanks for the help.
Hi---

Have you thought about maybe getting an X Frame 500 instead of the 44? If it is strictly a Bear gun, that might be an option.
Here is a link to what is available for bullets for the 500. (There is more I am sure but this is one vendor)
WWW.BALLISTICSUPPLY.NET > 500 Smith & Wesson ( DNN 2.1.2 )
If not, I think I would want a newer 629 with all improvements.
I never buy new guns, but for your purpose I think you would be doing better to go that route.
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Old 04-13-2012, 04:42 PM
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That article is nice, but it does not provide the revisions post the 29-6:

29-7: change to MIM trigger/hammer and move firing pin from hammer to frame mounted (1998)
29-8: new frame design with internal lock (2001)
29-9 and 29-10: cosmetic changes only

It's my understanding that you want the 29-5 or 29-6 if you shoot alot, as they incorporate all the good design changes to the yoke and internals, but dont have the frame mounted firing pin and MIM internals or the silly internal lock that so many of us despise. If looking for a 629, the 629-3 and 629-4 were the equivalents in stainless.
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Old 04-13-2012, 05:17 PM
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Keep in mind that the earlier versions were not bad. They did not stand up to the constant and heavy use of top end loads - such as the guys shooting sillywet where top end loads were put through them by the case.

All 29's and 629's are safe with all SAAMI loads. It is just that some wear loose easier than others.

I would guess that very few of us could ever shoot any 29 loose with our regular range routines. I know I shoot a pretty fair amount of 44 mags but most are what you'd call midrange with 240-260 grain bullets at 1,000 -1,200 fps.

The endurance guns have simply reinforced the wear points.

ward
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Old 04-16-2012, 11:08 AM
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Thank you for all the info, After hearing what you all had to say and my own research I will keep my eyes open for a 29-2 with a 6.5" barrel while saving for a 329 XL hunter to compliment my 329 Night Guard.
As for KJM who sugested a 500 mag, That would be cool and if a bargin comes my way.....
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44 magnum, 629, endurance, lock, model 29, smith & wesson, smith and wesson

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