A model 29-2 offered for sale has a 10 1/2" barrel. The gun dates to 1977.

The barrel has the adjustable front sight.
My thoughts are a later 29 silhouette barrel has been fitted, however we all know anything is possible with S&W.

Note that I did pass on the gun as I have a mint 29-2 8 3/8" in its box. A mint 6" in its box and a nickel 2" (or is it 3" short anyway).

Three questions for the forum.
We're 29-2s made with 10 1/2" barrels?
What year was the adjustable front sight first available?
What year was the adjustable front sight in 44 mag first available?
I'm thinking 1982.
Thanks

I have not heard of or seen a 10 5/8" barreled model 29-2. The Silhouette model 29 of that length started with the -3 in 1983, and was made through the -5.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Pictures or it didn't happen.

Picture of the advertisement

Attached Images

IMG_20231012_094432.jpg (54.4 KB, 219 views)

When Lear Siegler bought S&W in the early 80s, they initiated the design changes to the M29 that included eliminating the barrel pin and the recessed chambers in the cylinder. The new model number thus incorporated the "-3".
They also listened to customer demand for new products.
This resulted in:
-the silhouette Model 29, with the 10.625" barrel and 4 position front sight
-the Model 24-3 limited edition reissue 44 Special revolvers
-the L frame 357 Magnums (586, 686, 581, 681)

A Model 29-2 with the 10.625" barrel has been modified to this configuration. Not neccessarily a bad thing if done right!
Keep in mind, the rear sight blade would need to have been changed to a tall plain black blade with a narrow notch in order to work correctly with the 4 position front sight.
If it has the original lower height, white outline rear sight, you might have real trouble getting it sighted in correctly. Also, the sight picture will probably look weird, likely having too much light on either side of the front sight.
In the ad picture, notice how high the rear sight has been cranked up??

Maybe I'm wrong, but the Model 29-2 in the ad picture does have a pinned barrel, but the ejector rod housing looks like what I would expect on a 29-3 or later. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that someone had a 29-2 and really wanted the longer, steel silhouette match style barrel. Now if they went to the trouble of obtaining the barrel and swapping it onto a 29-2, did they also fire a bunch of full power, heavy bullet loads as is the norm in steel matches?

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

The Silhouette Model Model 29-3 came out in 1983. The Model 29-2 offered for sale dates to 1977/78 and has had the silhouette barrel installed in place of the original (as stated above). Apparently, the correct rear sight blade has not been installed.

Bill

Yes Doc44, I must be getting old but I remember reading the gun reviews and looking at pics of the silhouette sight with interest.

There were some 29-2 Silhouette guns built! In my database I have #
N883709, 29-2, 10 5/8" barrel, shipped 21 Nov 84, to Dixie Shooters Supply, Blakey, GA and #N889xxx, 29-2, is owned by a notable SWCA 44 Mag collector! N905296 was the first prototype and sold at Butterfields Auctions 24 July 1996. Three other prototypes were made and shipped in Sept 1982, numbers N906296, N907839, & N908260. All the Silhouette models I have in my database are serial numbered higher than the N833709 mentioned above!
jcelect

Just to confirms Joe's comments above, I have one of the guns mentioned above with a frame marked 29-2 and a 10 5/8's inch barrel that letters. It does not have a pinned barrel or recessed cylinder. I believe it was a left over 29-2 frame made into a silhouette model.

Bob

Thanks for the education, possibly I passed on a rare one.
I passed the details of this one to a metallic silhouette shooter, who is now the new owner.

No, I don't think you missed something rare, at least not a factory made rarity.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

I don't think you missed out on anything but a headache! The pics are of my "deer killer" Silhouette with a red dot mounted for low light in-the-woods shots. It has a see-thru mount to allow the use of the front adjustable sight. With my hand loads the gun will shoot almost flat out to about 125yds. Position 4 on the front sight is set at 200yds and I have used it to bring down a deer not quite out to the 200yds! Please note the rear sight blade! It is special to these guns and you would have a lot of problems sighting in the gun with a regular WO rear sight!


jcelect

About five years ago, I picked up the -3 version from a widow at the Big Reno Show, along with my 627-0. Got ‘em cheap. While different, I found the 10 5/8 barrel unwieldy, a novelty. Flipped it and the same show. Still have the 627-0.

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213th FBINA

You should have shot the Silhouette with some hot 240gr bullets at 150 or 200 yds. Then you probably would not have called it "unwieldy"!
jcelect

I also have one of these 29-2 silhouette revolvers with the 10 5/8 barrel and the narrow rear sight. It is not pinned or recessed.
#N8911XX

There is one for sale near me, a 29-3 with a 10-5/8" barrel.