1980's Model 29-2

[NAVET72]

I need some input will the Smith Model 29-2 handle the commercial ammo of this date and time?

Thank for the Help.

Clyde

 

[Kavinsky]

you've been listening too much to the ruger guys, just avoid ammo that is above the recommended weight and velocity like the CCI ammo and the gun will last you a lifetime.

basically go for remington 180's and Magtech 240 44 magnums and it should be fine, nothing over 250 gr's

and I think your gun was made right before the - 3 came out in 1981 so its only a 1979 - 1981 model.

 

[PH-2]

Fellow Squid,

I shoot some commercial 44 mag in my 4" 29-2.

I stay away from the stouter Buffalo Boar and any rounds suggested as "Ruger Only" in the reloading manuals.

I really like to shoot fairly stout 44 specials though, thats a rewarding, powerful enough round for my use.

Regards,
Mike

 

[NAVET72]

Thanks, I only own one Ruger and it is a 1970's 22 Convertible 22/22 mag. Buntline........


That is what I thought so I came to the people that know more about them then I do...........


Clyde

 

[fyimo]

It's good to go with anything but hot reloads and very heavy bullets over 240 grain.

 

[TDC]

I need some input will the Smith Model 29-2 handle the commercial ammo of this date and time?

Thank for the Help.

Clyde

Much of the controversy about what a S&W Mod 29 could handle for loads actually started back in the late 60s and early 70s.

With the advent, at that time, of new single action designs that were intended, from their inception, to handle heavy 44 Mag ammo the challenge was on. These extremely strong framed guns were capable of pressing the top pressure limits and received much publicity about their strength and capability.

The extremely hot custom ammo became the fad for everyone to try to emulate, many not considering the limits and capability of the firearms they possessed. The trend toward more powerful 44 Mag custom loading increased with the emerging sport of silhouette shooting and other similar long range pistol competitions.

The 29's simply couldn't withstand that kind of continual pounding and they would "shoot loose" much earlier than competitor brands.

This perceive weakness permitted other major handgun manufacturers, namely companies like Dan Wesson and Ruger, to promote their guns as stronger and more durable. The facts were their "over built" frames would certainly handle the hotter loads better but the S&Ws did fine with most all the factory produced ammo at the time.

The N frame Mod.29s were a much older design creation and and intended for smaller calibers. The 29s were perfectly capable of handling "normal" factory loaded magnum pressures. Problem was everyone kept pushing the upper load limits with hand-loads. Many unaware S&W owners thought their guns should handle all the heavy loads other manufacturers guns could handle. The Mod 29s predictably couldn't handle the beating with a steady diet of hot rounds.

The K frame S&W guns also were victims of much of the same hot load philosophy. Many people erroneously believe their custom loads have to be at the top end or they can't perform.

I, like many others, have shot both N frame 44s and K frame 357s for well over three decades. I shoot as often as many here and hunt with handguns as well. I also hand load and cast my own bullets.

I watched the trends for decades and observed how those who believe hotter ammo is always the better choice. I've often found it is much less accurate, beats the snot out of the guns and ultimately cause factories like S&W to follow the trends. I believe much of the cause of the demise of the wonderful K frame magnums is the result of them trying to keep up with some of these ridiculous trends....

The Mod.29-2 is not a weak or flimsy handgun. It's a fine example of the gun-makers engineering and capability. Sad to think it's finish, refinement and features will never be produced again...

This is a very simplistic statement but it is just my humble opinion...

 

[ColColt]

I have the 29-3 and the most accurate bullet in it I've found is the Accurate Mold #43-260 which of course, is around 260 gr. It's actually more accurate than the 429421 in my particular revolver and I've had zero problems with shooting that bullet with 10.5 gr of HS-6 or 9 gr of Universal. I don't have a chrony to check the velocity of those loads but it's not full bore magnum loads.

 

[Kavinsky]

Much of the controversy about what a S&W Mod 29 could handle for loads actually started back in the late 60s and early 70s.

With the advent, at that time, of new single action designs that were intended, from their inception, to handle heavy 44 Mag ammo the challenge was on. These extremely strong framed guns were capable of pressing the top pressure limits and received much publicity about their strength and capability.

The extremely hot custom ammo became the fad for everyone to try to emulate, many not considering the limits and capability of the firearms they possessed. The trend toward more powerful 44 Mag custom loading increased with the emerging sport of silhouette shooting and other similar long range pistol competitions.

The 29's simply couldn't withstand that kind of continual pounding and they would "shoot loose" much earlier than competitor brands.

This perceive weakness permitted other major handgun manufacturers, namely companies like Dan Wesson and Ruger, to promote their guns as stronger and more durable. The facts were their "over built" frames would certainly handle the hotter loads better but the S&Ws did fine with most all the factory produced ammo at the time.

The N frame Mod.29s were a much older design creation and and intended for smaller calibers. The 29s were perfectly capable of handling "normal" factory loaded magnum pressures. Problem was everyone kept pushing the upper load limits with hand-loads. Many unaware S&W owners thought their guns should handle all the heavy loads other manufacturers guns could handle. The Mod 29s predictably couldn't handle the beating with a steady diet of hot rounds.

The K frame S&W guns also were victims of much of the same hot load philosophy. Many people erroneously believe their custom loads have to be at the top end or they can't perform.

I, like many others, have shot both N frame 44s and K frame 357s for well over three decades. I shoot as often as many here and hunt with handguns as well. I also hand load and cast my own bullets.

I watched the trends for decades and observed how those who believe hotter ammo is always the better choice. I've often found it is much less accurate, beats the snot out of the guns and ultimately cause factories like S&W to follow the trends. I believe much of the cause of the demise of the wonderful K frame magnums is the result of them trying to keep up with some of these ridiculous trends....

The Mod.29-2 is not a weak or flimsy handgun. It's a fine example of the gun-makers engineering and capability. Sad to think it's finish, refinement and features will never be produced again...

This is a very simplistic statement but it is just my humble opinion...

I completely agree althought with the K frame magnums you may want to take a look at this:
Use of Magnum Loads in S&W Model 19 and Other K-Frame Magnums

 

[TDC]

I completely agree althought with the K frame magnums you may want to take a look at this:
Use of Magnum Loads in S&W Model 19 and Other K-Frame Magnums

Yep.... I agree with his analysis about the K frame magnums completely.

To make a point about these guns.... If I were to build a 44 Mag around an X frame and handload ammo up to its maximum capability for that gun I'm sure that new level hot load ammo could shoot the Rugers and Dan Wessons loose long before the X frames...

That wouldn't mean the Rugers and Dan Wessons were "inferior and weaker" guns if they were shooting ammo intended for their frame sizes but they would sure seem that way to an uninformed public if they tried to digest the new super hot loads on a regular basis.

Just goes to show us how effective the "bigger is always better" marketing approach is and how it can impact what products we decide to buy.... In the handgun world the most tragic victim of this herd mentality has been the demise of the K frame magnums.... A real shame to those of us with long term familiarity with these wonderful guns.....

JMHO.....