Here's my latest, I haven't shot it yet but other than some holster wear, seems super nice. Locks up real tight.
I bought a Bianchi Cyclone 111 for it to sleep in.

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Nice find, and welcome to the forum!

I gave mine to my son, it is a fantastic revolver.

You found yourself a nice one! My first 44 mag was a 6 1/2" 629-3 Classic. They are great all around shootin' 44s, Congrats!!

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The full underlug makes a big difference in recoil?

A difference, but not a huge difference with heavy loads.

Congratulations!

I put 50 expensive rounds through it today, it was definitely all I expected and more. I destroyed an 8" target at 15 yards and got some good shots on another 8" at 25 yards. Very accurate and though I would like to put wood grips on it, I might stick with the Hogues's for comforts sake.

I'm glad you are enjoying your 29. If that $50 a box slows you down, it might be time to consider reloading.

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Stick to the Hogues. Your wrists will thank you later in life.

Bob

It's funny you say that Bob. As I am making my coffee this morning (espresso machine, weighty steel bits, lot's of twisting and banging) I think to myself "Hmm, my right wrist is a bit sore, I think I'll stick with the Houge's..."

Yes, I am on it. Actually I have been looking for a while, but I keep purchasing more pieces which only adds to the need to start reloading. What a vicious circle!

That was my problem for years. Holding off on reloading for big bore calibers is kinda like holding off on knee replacement surgery. The enjoyment difference before and after is monumental. You have no idea how badly handicapped you are as a shooter until you start experiementing with you're own loads. For me reloading is like another hobby all together. Working up new loads is adictive.

If I could do it all over again, I would have started reloading 20 years ago.

That's a great take on it. It all seems intimidating until it isn't!

You can go from " mild to wild " with your reloads . I cast / shoot the " real" Elmer Keith bullet ( HG 503) . I get everything I want and need with that design . My most used 44 is a 4" smith 29 with an old pr of pc magnas .

I reload leadcast to shoot mainly. I still bring some magnum jacketed to shoot after the leadcast is gone just to remind me of the magnum power.

Yes reload...



and reload again....

Shooting is a great hobby;reloading is another one;casting your own projectiles is yet another one.I started in the mid '70s and am not looking back.All 3 are extremely enjoyable.
Just one little remark here about rubber vs wood grips;if the grip fits you,wood won't hurt.2 of my 3 .44Mag wear wood grips and am considering removing the rubber grips from my 3rd one as soon as I'll have tried and found a model I'm comforable with.Good fit is all that counts when it comes to grips.My .02$ about it.
Qc

I agree with qc pistolero about wood grips . None of my handguns wear rubber grips .

I like wood grips, but then I download to a nice comfortable mid-range load with a cast bullet. I save the jacketed stuff for my 445 supermag. When I want more umphh than that, I'll grab the 475. Again, I don't push 'em, cause I have a 500 for that.

Point is, reloading allows you to increment your loads for comfort, accuracy, and application. It doesn't have to cost a bunch either. I highly recommend a single stage to build up experience. I think back in the day, I picked up a Lee complete kit for under $90.

I have a 6-inch 29-5 that was re-conditioned by S&W as a police evidence trade-in to my local dealer. It was apparently kinda beat-up when the dealer took it in & the company did a great job in cleaning it up & re-bluing it.

I consider it the epitome of the Model 29 production, but mine has the standard barrel, not the full underlug. I prefer that version.
Denis

Firstly, OP, that is a beautiful gun. I live it!

Secondly, Mehutch that is a good looking reloading setup. What all are you recording in that shooting log?

I need the weather to cool off so I can get out to my reloading bench in my garage!

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That is a nice one. You will get many years of enjoyment from it. I have a 29-5 myself. I reload for it and download to make it more enjoyable to shoot. I bought .44 special brass to reload and shoot but have not found the need to do so. I can down load the mag brass just fine.
I do keep some hunting loads on hand for deer season and when friends get too big for their britches. . JA
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How much/what kind of charge are you using for a "mild" shot? I like the looks of those 503's...looks like I can get them for my .45 LC too?

The 29-5 has all of the engineering upgrades, old style thumbpiece with no hole above it. Joe

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[QUOTE=pharmer;139618626]The 29-5 has all of the engineering upgrades, old style thumbpiece with no hole above it. Joe
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Same with the -6, AND blind guys like me can mount optics!
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I record loads and target results. Did it for years with .357, 41 mag, 44 mag, 45 LC, and 45 ACP until I found my best load for each caliber. The S&W 357 is one damn fine shooter.

My most used load is using the "Keith " bullet and 9.5 grs of Winchester Super Field . In the past I used 8.0grs of W231 for a good everyday load. For a " mild " load I use 7.0 grs of Winchester Super Target. It's probably a 44 spl+p , around 850-900 fps , depending on barrel length . I have dropped this combo down to 5.5 grs in the past . 7.0 grs of most any fast powder , bullseye , IMR 700X , red dot makes a nice 44spl +p , giving about 900fps. Mike Venturino did an article on this subject in ' Handloader mag " . I suggest a subscription , it's full of reloading data.
Elmers " gallery " load as he called it was 5.0grs of Bullseye . His " everyday " load was 8.5grs of Unique . His " hunting " load was 22 grs of 2400 . He said that they shot the same point of aim = point of impact @ 25yds with these loads .