Hello folks,

I recently came across this 29-3 in 8 3/8 inches at my local gun shop and did not pass the opportunity to acquire it. I had not seen a blue one in person and the blue finish and smooth target grips caught my eye.

The finishing looked very good with a few minor scuffs and the cylinder was a little loose. I thought this would be an easy fix until I came home and realized the yoke had endshake and was 0.007 apart.

Upon examining the yoke screw and yoke button I see some wear on both the button and the screw. I changed the screw to a new 29-3 screw ordered from Numrich. That seemed to have lessen the yoke endshake although the cylinder gap is still at 0.006s for 5 chambers and 0.007 for one chamber.

I also noticed a little erosion on the forcing cone indicating the gun has been shot. I would like to tighten this gun up. Do you think the barrel needs changing or is the wear on this forcing cone not too much? Do you folks think S&W will still service a 29-3? I believe the yoke button needs to be peened and a new yoke screw refitted.

Thank you in advance for your insights!

Regards,
686PC

S&W will tell you that 0.006/0.007 inch gap is within spec. Shoot it with a cloth shroud over the pistol and look for any lead spitting from the gap.

No spitting and 0.007" gap I wouldn't worry about the pistol.

Congrat's on your purchase. I wouldn't worry much about the endshake. If it bothers you that much, you can get endshake bushings in .002 increments from Ron Power, for about $15 a pack, to adjust the endshake yourself. I have the same gun, and that's what I did.

The 29's tend to loosen up with excessive use of full power factory ammo. After having mine factory rebuilt after several years of metallic silhouette shooting, I toned down the loads a bit. S&W never intended, or expected these guns to be shot that volume of full power loads. They were intended as hunting handguns. After realizing and acknowledging this, henceforth in the 1990's, S&W introduced the endurance package on newer - models of the 29 and the variants. This beefed up all the critical components,which resolved this.

You found yourself a fine six shooter. Have you shot it yet? A 30+/- year old gun will have a little wear. From what you're describing your gun is in good shape and just needs a work out. Enjoy.

__________________
Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

Thanks for the insights, folks.

I carefully peened the yoke button of my 29-3 with light to medium taps and constant screw-fitting checks (as the Kuhnhausen’s book instructs) and got the yoke end shake to 1 thousands of an inch.

I took the gun to the range yesterday and had a blast testing it with factory magnums and 44 specials.

I really like the balance of it. It balances better than my Stealth Hunter, which I took for comparison. And the double action trigger of the old 29-3 is much better than that of the Stealth Hunter!

Regards,
686PC

I'm getting a 29-3 very soon. I hope it shoots good.
Glad to hear this one shot well for you.