I'm in the market for a S&W 29 who's purpose would be a shooter with moderate power hand loads ( 180gr. @ 1250 FPS ) . Within my budget I have located two possibilities, a 29-3 who's owner deems it to be lightly used, tight and in time. The other is a 29-10 which also is lightly used, tight and in time.

I'm familiar with the internal endurance package / strengthening of the 29-5's on up. Let me also say I was a NIB 629 owner 30 + years ago which had to be returned very quickly after a few rounds with a barrel that had unscrewed a bit so I'm leery of the revolvers made in that time frame ( 29-3's ? ).

Should I / would you, given the intended purpose I mentioned steer away from a 29-3 even if it is as described or go for the beefier internal 29-10 ?

Your experienced opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Have a 29-3-and have had several other earlier 29's-they are my choice.

...I have a 29-3...and it would take a lot to get me to part with it...

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A Country Boy Can Survive

If condition & price is right, I would go with the -3. When and an older example can't be found, newer 1's are just fine. I have a 625JM, and a 25-15 (45Colt) Enjoy both, and no issues. Let us know how you make out! Bob

I thank you all for your thoughts. From them I gather that you do not feel that the 29-3's are inferior mechanically to the just replaced 29-2 P &R series nor take a back seat to series later that offered the endurance packages. The thing I want to avoid the most is a seemingly in time piece quickly going out of time, shooting loose or another barrel turning with a relatively few amount of rounds fired. Another concern was if S&W will still work on revolvers as old as the 29-3 should an owner need service from the mother ship.

I'm older and chances are that the total number of rounds a new acquisition could see is not a lot by many's standards but it could see a few hundred per year. I'll gladly welcome more opinions.

Thanks again.

Either will serve you well, and S & W still has the parts to repair older guns like the 29-3 for now. Two pieces of advice - if you get the -3 it would probably be a good idea to stock up on action parts, including a forged hammer and trigger that are no longer produced. Second, 180 gr at 1250 fps is still a stout load, and less warm loads will put less stress on the gun if you don't need that level of power regularly. Hope this is helpful.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

A couple of months ago,I bought a used 629-1(manuf aprox same time as your 29-3).It had obviously been used but not abused.Since it dates from the pre-endurance package,I decided to use it lightly;afterall,I've got 2 other .44Mags I can use at full throttle.
I've settled on a 215gr cast bullet over a medium charge of either Unique or Power Pistol to get around 1200fps.Very nice to shoot and accurate.With this load,I figure that at the rate I shoot them(aprox 2500/year),the gun will/should outlast me.
Have fun with your toy!
Qc

If the 29-3 is in good shape, & you shoot moderate loads, it'll likely last a long time.

The older gun's parts consideration has to be acknowledged though, IMO. In the unfortunate event some are needed they'll be harder to get, & more costly.

The newer 29-10 will have all the enhancements. The blueing might not be as pretty but should be fine especially for a shooter.

The 29-3 is firing pin on hammer while the 29-10 is firing pin on the frame (easily replaced). Square butt vs round butt.

Don't forget, the 29-3 will likely have .432" throats, in case you plan on shooting lead bullets, while the 29-10 should be .429".

Just a few thoughts.

.

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Waiting for the break of day

I have 3 29-3s. My 6" is my oldest. Has never "skipped" with 180 lswc pushed HOT!

I would pick a 29-5 or -6, no reason not to for your intended use. Pre lock/MIM but full endurance package. Best of the breed IMO.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'd sure consider them. Neither seller I mentioned seems to want to communicate.

My first model 29 was a dash 3 . After several trips back to the factory I sold for a substantial loss . I would not buy another -3 , ever . I do have 2 -10's they are great . I have a 4" and 6" barrels and wouldn't sell them .
I would buy the newer one and never look back .

There have been no strength improvements I am aware of since the 29-6 models. What has changed is the method of rifling the barrels, the addition of the lock and MIM parts and the loss of the classic lines of the revolver with the addition of the extra metal at the back of the frame to allow room for the frame mounted firing pin and lock.

The pre lock but full endurance package models like the 29-5 and -6 and 629-3 and -4 are just as good for shooters as the new versions but are also retain the classic look of the older versions and will continue to increase in value. These versions are simply a better value with their forged parts and hand fitting. IMO They are the pinnacle of the series all aspects considered.

I also ha vee a m69 and a 4" 629-6. Both are real sweety-pies. LOL

I like my 629-2. It doesn't have the Endurance package but as long as I keep the power down on the rounds I shoot I don't see any problems coming my way. I bought it as a favor to my brother who needed money to get a new lawn mower. Then I fell in love with the thing. The trigger is excellent and so is the accuracy. I don't plan on shooting any Buffalo Bore Deer Grenades or whatever. But as long as I stick to rounds lower than maybe the Buffalo Bore Keith cartridges I think I'll be OK. I have been so far and I've put a couple hundred rounds through it. I wold have shot it more but it was too loud to shoot around the house and it's too far to the gun range.

Reviewing the current load data against the older manuals , say 25yrs ago and older . We notice that the current loads are reduced some . My thought is that , using the " current load data " the older models would probably be fine shooting the " current max loads " as the pressure is much less than previously listed .
I understand there is NO correlation between " CUP " and " PSI " . But the load data has been reduced so the pressure has obviously been lowered as well. My personal opinion is that 1200fps will do all we need the 44 to do , using a 240-250 gr cast bullet . That velocity can be easily reached w/o excessively high pressures , w/o causing undue stress on our fine older 44's . Even today , with my newer models I just don't see the need for those hotter loads of yesteryear .

This! As for loads for me, 240 grainers, be it SWC or jacketed XTP, it's 44mag velocities and pressure. No lower, no higher.

In order to reassure you on the strength of 29-3s, you may recall that back in the 1980s silhouette shooting was popular. The handloads used to knock down steel at 200 yards were extreme and battered the guns severely. If you don't contemplate that kind of shooting, your gun should be fine. If it does develop any kind of problem, S&W can fix it.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

I have my 629-2 loaded with the Buffalo Bore 255 gr. "Keith-type" cast loads moving at 1000 fps. That's the highest power load they suggest for an older Smith like mine. It's big enough to take down a black bear, which is the primary reason I have for this gun (don't expect it to happen but I'd rather be prepared than not). I don't shoot a lot of them. Just enough to make sure I have the feel for them down. I don't want to be surprised when I have to take that one shot at a charging bear. There are a lot of those critters around my home area and my farm so I carry my Smith with me just in case.

For target shooting I choose a lighter load but I don't wimp out. I still like a good thump even when it's for fun. I shoot the Hornady LEVERevolution which is a 225 gr. load moving at 1410 fps. I know that isn't a big drop off from the Keith but it it's enough that I notice when I'm shooting. I mainly like the accuracy I get with that round. Gallon jugs at 175 yards with the only rest being me leaning the gun against a post. IMO that's pretty darn good. And I haven't noticed the slightest bit of loosening yet. I don't shoot this gun that much because I do have others. I expect it to last longer than I will to be honest. My kids can sell it or keep it whatever they choose. I think they will have that choice.