I purchased this 29-3 today... I am not familiar with them.. grips are marked 5-1982..I know there is a lot of info here...if you guys could teach me about this thing I got today. That would be much appreciated..

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Congrats, have a 24-3 waiting at the pawn shop to pick up. My first too!

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Nice looking revolver you have there. Doesn't appear to have been shot very much.

The dash 3 engineering change eliminated the pinned barrel and recessed cylinder, but that won't affect how it shoots.

The 8 3/8th inch barrel should dampen the recoil a bit, but it will still kick like a gov't mule with full-house magnum loads

Loading it with .44 Special ammo will be much easier on the shooter and the gun. Generally a better choice for simple target shooting, and more fun unless you like lots of muzzle blast and recoil.

Of course, if you reload, you can use magnum cases and brew up some warm Special loads, which are perfection in a model 29 in my opinion.

Let us know how it shoots for you!

Are you going to CCW it?

Just kidding! Great find. I used to love those wooden boxes that the deluxe S&Ws came in. I had a 57 (late 70s), in one and loved showing it to people.

Great looking revolver!

From the Standard Catalog of Smith&Wesson:
The model 29-3 production was introduced in 1983
The model 29-4 startet 1988

I always come up short! My 29-3, shipped 1988. My 1st .44 mag. Bob

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Nice looking revolver. Mod29 pretty much covers the important stuff.

All that remains is: Use both hands.

Nice catch. You should enjoy shooting it. I have enjoyed mine. The SCSW puts yours in the 83-86 range.

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

I bought an 83/8" M29blue when I started IMHMSA about that time and used it for that for several years.
It did finally go out of time so I returned with a letter stating why I used it and upon its return it never went out of time again. Great job.

Back then M29s were almost impossible to find, retail was around $250 but were going for $500+. Dirty Harry you know.

I have a m29-3, nickeled with a 6" barrel. Love shooting it

I hope to run across one with a 6” or 7 1/2” barrel one day in the wooden box. I’ve got a 629 but I want a Dirty Harry gun simply because I couldn’t afford one when the movie came out.
I was in a gun shop the other day and thought I saw one in the display case.
Turned out to be a Model 25 in 45 acp which was a big letdown for me.

You want the 6.5" and the 8.375"

I am confused with Jim's M29-3. From what I learned, all M29 revolvers with dash number -2E and up have so called "Endurance package". Part of it is cylinder with elongated bolt notch, like shown on attached picture bellow. Jim's M29-3 shown does not have such cylinder, but rather older design, with short bolt notch.

Could be that Jim's M29-3 was assembled using cylinder from old stock?

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Here is my 29-3 shipped in 1985 I think. AFR5213. We ought to start a club, but I'm too old for tree houses.

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The Endurance Package started with the -3 (M29-3E) in 1987. OP's revolver was made prior to that. That his gun also has a "N" prefix indicates a 1982-83 production, as the -3 transitioned to the 3-letter serial prefix starting in 1983.

My understanding is that 29-3s are all pre-endurance package improvements. Still a robust revolver, but folks say a steady diet of the very hot stuff is not recommended, or you’ll need to plan some maintenance. Same as the 29-2s, and 29s prior to that. In other words, I wouldn’t over think it...

I’ve got a LNIB blued 4” 29-3. Beautiful gun, and it’s not been shot outside of the factory.

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NRA Life Member

Man, I’d love to come across another nice 25, I like mine better than my 29s... I tend to see 29s on the shelf more often than 25s.

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NRA Life Member

Jim, congrats on your 29-3.

I bought a 29-2 8-3/8" barrel with presentation box from a coworker in 1983. It was my 1st handgun.

One bit of advice - check all screws on the side plates after each range trip. High recoil tend to lossen them. Use the supplied S&W screwdriver and be very careful.

Enjoy.

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2B1ASK1

Thanks for correction folks. Found that -2E dash number is for M629, not M29.

More info here:

John Taffin Smith & Wesson's .44 Magnum

"In 1988, the 29-4 was ushered in with two changes. The retention system on the yoke or cylinder crane was strengthened and studs within the frame were radiused to help remove metal stress. It was not enough...

The 29-4 lasted only two years to be replaced by the 29-5 in 1990. Now we began to see obvious outer changes in the Model 29 as the cylinder notches were made longer to prevent the bolt from jumping out of the notch upon recoil. At the same time the bolt was changed and the innards of the Model 29-5 were changed to provide a method of holding everything tightly together when the .44 was fired to prevent battering under recoil...

In 1988, the Model 629-2 arrived with the same internal changes as the Model 29-4. Transitional changes were made in 1989 along with the cylinder crane being hardened and these 629's were stamped 629-2E."

John Taffin 22. THE STAINLESS STEEL 44 MAGNUM THE MODEL 29

"In 1988, the Model 629-2 arrived with the same internal changes as the Model 29-4. Transitional changes were made in 1989 along with the cylinder crane being hardened and these 629s were stamped 629-2E.

In 1990, the 629-3 ushered in the same changes as found on the blued 29-5."


So, in short, if looking for "Endurance package", we should look for M29-3E and up, and M629-2E and up, or just look for long bolt notch on cylinder.

Only this time girls are allowed!!
OP, that's a very nice gun you have there! I have the 6" stainless steel with rubber handles. It's not a beauty queen but it sure packs a wallup! (Technical terms!) I mostly shoot the .44 Specials in it at the practice range. I haven't taken it to the 50 yard line yet but I'd like to see how I would do with the iron sights.
Happy shooting! That sure is purdy!
Jeff T. PGH

For that he will need another revolver.

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Expect the unexpected

That was my belief until a few years ago. 30 some years ago a young guy hung around the local gun shop and he shot a .357M with 2 hands and he thought he was good but I would tell him that a pistol only had one handle and quit using 2 hands. He challenged me one day and I happened to have a Ruger Blackhawk 7 1/2 in. The load was a 240 gr. bullet and 22 grs. of 2400. He shot with 2 hands and I shot with one and wore him out. Time has changed things. At 79, stove up, crippled, weak and plumb wore out I now use 2 hands. Larry

Such is life.

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Expect the unexpected

I am glad I installed a Hogue monogrip on my .44 mag. Mod, 29-3
Bought in 1986 ,it was shipped in 1985. Beautiful condition ,finished in bright nickel. Sporting an 8 in. Bbl. I never stored it in the wooden presentation case, ( very lucky) cuz the cheap interior material degraded.

That .44 only felled two deer . One doe & one 4 point ,young buck.
Still a very sentimental handgun .

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Dino in Pittsburgh's Rat Pack

I ran across a blue 29-3 in 8 & 3/8" a few years ago at a good price and got it. Hadn't had a box through it, as far as I could tell, and had the original papers, registration card, screwdriver and swab. I use 44 spl level reloads in it and it is superbly accurate. It may be the nicest-looking revolver I own. gets taken to the range now and then, it's too long to carry anywhere else. It's one of those guns you don't really "need", but you wouldn't want to part with, either...
Mine came with the ratty cardboard box, I like your wood presentation box much better.
do let us know how is shoots. I'll be surprised if you can't get 1 & 1/2" groups at 25 yds.

Checking the screws is a great idea, but you might consider getting a good set if gunsmithing screw drivers for checking that and use the included tool for any sight adjustments you might need.

[QUOTE=Darkenfast;141119874]Are you going to CCW it?

You’ll need this to CC it.

4" 29-3 for me as well. I believe mine is from '83. Its beauty AND the beast all in one.
Mine came with original box, the vapor paper, tool kit, paperwork, original sales receipt from original owner. Beautiful piece. I know you'll enjoy yours too. I like the 4" or less, not recoil sensitive obviously.