Model 29 best and worst model or years?
- Thread starter SWBigBang
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Rem722
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I’ve owned two 29s,a nickel-2 with a 8 3/8 barrel,beautiful revolver but never shot a round thru it.Purchased a used shooter grade -3 ,6” back in early 2000s,it been my constant deer hunting companion and I’ve taken a few deer with it over the years.No complaints.
OK- another resurrected thread
It's interesting how various Threads are resurrected from time to time. This Thread originated in 2009, was brought back to life in 2020, and now again in 2023 by CH4. I was an original Poster (#16) back in 2009 when I was just beginning to search for some S&W .44 Magnums. Since then, I've been able to add a few to my modest collection. My favorites, and the ones that I think are the finest, are the early 5-screw and 4-screw .44 Magnums. How can you not love the fit and finish, the Coke Bottle stocks, the presentation cases, and the smoothness of the actions? Outstanding revolvers!
It's interesting how various Threads are resurrected from time to time. This Thread originated in 2009, was brought back to life in 2020, and now again in 2023 by CH4. I was an original Poster (#16) back in 2009 when I was just beginning to search for some S&W .44 Magnums. Since then, I've been able to add a few to my modest collection. My favorites, and the ones that I think are the finest, are the early 5-screw and 4-screw .44 Magnums. How can you not love the fit and finish, the Coke Bottle stocks, the presentation cases, and the smoothness of the actions? Outstanding revolvers!
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29-5 rear sight?
What's different about the rear sight on a -5 vs a -4 or -6?
Edit: Nevermind...answered my own question as I have both and actually bothered to open my safe and look
. the 29-6 is drilled and tapped with a rounded front edge or rear sight. So...the -5 is a pain to replace because it's harder to find that "old style" sight? Thanks in advance...
I agree that the 29-5 is king of the 29 family tree, for practical purposes. However, it's Achilles heel is the rear sight is a pain to replace if it's misplaced.
What's different about the rear sight on a -5 vs a -4 or -6?
Edit: Nevermind...answered my own question as I have both and actually bothered to open my safe and look
. the 29-6 is drilled and tapped with a rounded front edge or rear sight. So...the -5 is a pain to replace because it's harder to find that "old style" sight? Thanks in advance...
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Love these old threads. I am 67 years old have always had guns since I was a child.
On the other hand two years ago I decided to start collecting, I started with a 1956 N frame 44 mag 5 screw, then a 1957 4 screw pre model with my birth year and the wifes birth year. Factory box and tools in unfired condition. From there I went with a 29 - 2 in 4" 6.5" 8 3/8" in nickel and blued. Did the same in 41 mag and 357 mag.
I would say that is your best bang for the buck. Just a fact, my best deal on a 27-2 mint was S prefix first year box and papers. Go figure, no increase in price. All of my guns are mint in presentation case. The model 57 no dash collection is my favorite especially my first year 57 1964 4" in one year only presentation case. Have a few others that are odd ball but you get it, they are all N frames.
On the other hand two years ago I decided to start collecting, I started with a 1956 N frame 44 mag 5 screw, then a 1957 4 screw pre model with my birth year and the wifes birth year. Factory box and tools in unfired condition. From there I went with a 29 - 2 in 4" 6.5" 8 3/8" in nickel and blued. Did the same in 41 mag and 357 mag.
I would say that is your best bang for the buck. Just a fact, my best deal on a 27-2 mint was S prefix first year box and papers. Go figure, no increase in price. All of my guns are mint in presentation case. The model 57 no dash collection is my favorite especially my first year 57 1964 4" in one year only presentation case. Have a few others that are odd ball but you get it, they are all N frames.
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DWalt
Member
I own a 29-3, and the lack of P&R means absolutely zero to me as neither performs any worthwhile purpose. The main shortcoming is the loss of cylinder lockup when firing full Magnum loads. But I came up with a home-made internal modification to the cylinder stop that helps to overcome that issue. The later "Endurance Package" was S&W's effort to cure that design problem. Nearly all of my shooting is with less than full power handloads, and I have never had any cylinder unlocking problems in firing them, before or after my modification. I am not in any way a fan of the muzzle blast and recoil of full loads and never plan to take my 29-3 revolver to shoot bears in Alaska.
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Engine49guy
Member
Nice 44 collection, Btw, you might wanna double check the 4th one down from the top,
The lack of frame top strap grooves ahead of the rear sight leaf, lack of barrel set pin and what appears to be a wider gap between cylinder and recoil shield are all clues it's more likely a 29-3.
As for the rear sight question, the 629-3 and 29-5 (which btw are equals in revision change because the 629 came out during 29-2 production so you add 2 to a SS 44 Magnum revision to figure out its blue/nickel equivelant),
The 629-3 and 29-5 were introduced with the new rounded rear sight leaf ( they were also drilled and tapped for scope mounting) the rounded leaf eliminated the need to mill all the way through the top strap), The rear sight units are unique to those two revisions as they are longer than the rear sight leafs on the 629-4 , 29-6 and later models so are not interchangeable IIRC.
Engine49guy: After I read your comment, I went and checked all of my .44 Magnums. All five (including the four Model 29-2s) have barrel pins, top strap grooves in front of the rear sight, nominal cylinder gaps, and are stamped correctly. It was probably my poor photography that led you to believe that one might be a 29-3. Thanks for convincing me to take them out of the safe and handle them again...it's been a while!
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My 29-5 does not have the rounded rear sight. It's square at the front and is milled all the way through the top strap. Also, it is not drilled and tapped.
BKLooney
Member
I've got 2 29-2's, a blue 6" and a nickel 4", but I've never shook hands with a model 29 I didn't like!
My dream 29 has never been made.
It is a 29-4 with a 5 shot cylinder to get the locking nothes between the chambers.
Otherwise, the best 29-2 is a 57 nodash because the tiny difference is just what the N-frame needs to be long lasting. I replaced my 29-2 with a 57 nodash for IHMSA silhouette back in he days. The 57 held together much better. Both revolvers were shot with reduced magnum loads, just enough to topple the rams.
It is a 29-4 with a 5 shot cylinder to get the locking nothes between the chambers.
Otherwise, the best 29-2 is a 57 nodash because the tiny difference is just what the N-frame needs to be long lasting. I replaced my 29-2 with a 57 nodash for IHMSA silhouette back in he days. The 57 held together much better. Both revolvers were shot with reduced magnum loads, just enough to topple the rams.
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Ditto to what 29-1 and Doc 44 posted. Chuck and Bill are genuine experts who are always very willing to share their considerable knowledge of the .44 Magnum with any collector.
44wheelman
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Very informative thread. I guess I have the lemon of the bunch, at least according to most here, the -3.
I have/had many -3's. Being a -3 doesn't make it a lemon, there were just more lemons made in this time frame. And feature wise, appealed to fewer people.
To me the best shooting guns I've had were in the 1998-2002 mfg time frame, I can't remember which dash those are, dimensionally and timing wise, just never had any issues with them.
6.5" 29-2. At least in the first film. Who knows what props they used in the sequels.
J-FRAME
Member
M 629-4 4 inch for a shooter would be my pick
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