With different firearms there tends to be specific years that are more desirable then others and specific years that are least desirable.

Does this hold true for the Model 29 and if so which ones and why?

Great question! I don't have the answer but am subscribing to this thread in hopes of learning about one of my favorite Smiths.

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Barry, youngest son of Claud

Great question, I'm standing by for this one also.

This should be an interesting thread, I'll throw my opinion in. Original pre 29's and early model 29's are some of the best finished and well put together S&W's ever made IMO. But if you plan on lot's of shooting then no, dash 2's are nice as well (love that 6.5" barrel) but alas they are also not made for lot's of magnum shooting. Now with the dash 3's we lose P&R, no loss for some a major loss for others, also not a long lived magnum shooter. By now we're in the late 80's and S&W has heard of the "weakness" of the 29 and has begun to take steps to strengthen the platform resulting in the stream of dash #'d models of the 90's, these 29's while nowhere near as well finished as the original 50's/60's guns are much more long lived as magnum shooters.
Honestly it really depends on what you plan on doing with a model 29, collector? Pre or early no question, Dirty Harry? 6.5" dash 2 no question. A Shooter? post endurance pkg gun. Just my 2 cents...

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Sie vis pacem parabellum

I would say that the low point of 29s had to be the -3. Loss of P&R and the finishes not quite as nice as 29-2 and older. The -4 thru -6 had the endurance upgrades, so I rate them better than the -3. Also, after -6 the MIM (cast) parts (hammer & trigger) come into being, and I personally don't like them, although others find no fault in them. So IMHO, to rate the 29s, it would go something like this:
1. 29-1 and older
2. 29-2
3. 29-5
4. 29-4 & -6
5. 29-3
Not a thing wrong with the 29-3s (I have a few), but the above are my personal preferences.

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ken
SWCA #1959

I bought one of the 629-3 Magna Classics when they came out new in 1990. This model (along with the Model 29 Magna Classic) were a limited edition (3000 each) which introduced the the new S&W performance upgrades for the .44 Magnum revolvers. They came with a special wood case, interchangable front sights, round butt combat grips and 7 1/2" barrel.

The gun has a high polish finish on the stainless steel and is very well fit and finished. I didn't know we're not supposed to shoot these fancy special editions back then so I DO! The gun is extremely accurate and comfortable to shoot once you ditch the combats. I use Pachmayr Decelerators on mine which moderate the recoil impact. The full underlug is also a big help.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

Thanks for all the good information so far.

Thanks, chalk one up for the new guy!!!!! Yeah!!!!


Help me out... I searched but can't find "P&R". What does that mean?

P&R=Pinned and Recessed.

I think Nframe357 gave a very good answer, especially for the different reasons stated.

I would have to agree with toroflow's number order in general.

I have read about the "pinned" barrel and was going to be the topic of my next thread.

Thanks for the responses.

The best Model 29?

The one that's in your hand, when you need something that will go bang

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Μολὼν λαβέ

Wow, great timing guys! I was just about to ask the forum about a purchase I almost made this weekend at a Central Florida gun show, and this thread may just answer my question.

I was window shopping for a Model 29, and I stumbled across one vendor that had a couple of Colt Pythons (6" bbl blue and 6" bbl nickel) and a blued Model 29-3 (6"). He was asking $1100 and $1200 for the Pythons- which seems to be about the going price these days. However, he was only asking $575 for the 29-3. It was ~95%+, and seemed smooth enough and tight (came with the standard S&W blue plastic case). I was really second guessing myself for not picking it up even though it probably would have resulted in a divorce. But after reading several different Model 29 threads, now I think I'll hold off until I find a nice 29-1 or 29-2. I'm kind of partial to P&R.

I can tell you from my experience that I was purchasing model 29-2s in the late 70s and they had gone to a bluing process where the frames were one shade of blue and the barrels and cylinders were another.
I also saw a few that came through from the factory that had "push off".
The 29-3s were ok with the bluing but the fit and polishing was less than the model 29-2s.
I think that a general way of looking at it is that as time went on, the quality fell due to production costs.

P&R = pinned & recessed...pinned barrel & recessed chambers.

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ken
SWCA #1959

All mine are from the early to late 1970s.
My 1975 61/2" blue had iffy timing but was super accurate.

My 1976 83/8" that I used for IHMSA was very accurate but went out of time. I sent it to S&W and told them what it was used for.
Whatever they did worked great and I never had another problem after about 2,000 rounds of Sierra 240gr.jhp and 24 gr. of WW 296.

In 1977 29s were like hens teeth and a friendly dealer/distributor offered me a 61/2" blue. We opened the box and the bluing was awful as were the grips.
He got another out and it was the same. The third time was the charm - a beauty.

My 1980 m629 also went out of time and was returned. When i got it back the windage sight had to be moved all the way to the right.

The first 29s had a cylinder bolt that would back out and jam the gun, and the fix was reversing the thread which became 29-1.

I've only owned one M29. My preference is toward M57/M58s however. My guys presented me this M29-2 cira 1972 when I left Fort Campbell just before I retired. It has taken one 250 lb hog in NC with 240 LSWC reload.



CD

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De Oppresso Liber

I have 29-3 serial # ACY8xxx wonder if late enough for endurance package???? this revolver never fired ..

I believe the -3's with the endurance pkg were marked -3E. The -4 is the first model to have all of the endurance upgrades.

Back to the OP
Just for looking at, the 5 screw pre-models are by far the nicest. I have shot a gazillion rounds through my original 29 which is a -3 with no issues; however, I will say most of them have been more along the lines of a hot 44spl load. On that same note, since I dont really shoot hot magnum loads anymore I prefer the 60's vintage -2's for finish and reliable shooting.

just bought a 29-3 unfired 8inch etc really nice and i intend to shoot it if its one of the endurance package revolvers serial # acy8xxx hopeing to find expert here .. no response so far maybe need to part my hair diff. if intrested gave $690.00

I responded to your earlier post in this thread.

Personally I look for -2 guns and endurance packaged guns that are pre MIM and lock.

In regards to putting lots of rounds through the older ones, I am of the opinion that if and when I shoot one out of time, I will send it in for repair (I have a couple that need to go in at the moment). If I have shot a Model 29 beyond repair with moderate loads, then I am a happy camper and I have used it to its fullest and I deserve another.

Life is too short and bad things happen to good people. Then someone else gets to shoot those guns you were too worried about babying to shoot and enjoy.

Enjoy them with friends and family or by yourself, but enjoy the Model 29s while you can and with no regrets.

Have owned the S&W 29-2 in the 6.5" and 4". Both were excellent. Looking to buy a 2.5 inch 29-2.
Out of all the S&W's, the 19-3, I found for my son sitting in a box unfired at a gun shop, is the most accurrate. He hit a padlock at 102 yards, further then me eyes allow me to see clearly lately. lol!.
Sure enjoy the quality of the 29-2's, the 19-2's, and the 19-3's.
Any feedback on the 29-10's?

simple quote....
"respect and acceptance"

that's all,

yancyd

Not to step on Curtis's toes, or anyone else's for that matter but,

The 29-3E had the hardened yoke, and extended bearing surfaces on the yoke only. 29-4 had the self-adjusting yoke screw and the radiused stud package added. The 29-5's have all of the endurance upgrades such as the elongated bolt notch, larger cylinder stop bolt, and internal bolt block.

FINALLY, a published concise explanation of the contents of the fabled, mysterious Model 29 Endurance Package! Thank you!

Maybe I've been looking in all the wrong places prior to this, but I was beginning to think that one needed to know the "secret handshake" or to possess a decoder ring to be able to know the details of the Endurance Package.

Thanks again,

Noah

Thank-You very much Mr. 29aholic ... didnt realize i had my answer stumbling around these diff pages smile

No problem...I get lost too at times

Thanks everyone ,A guy could get an education hanging out here ,my kinda school too

Mine's a 29-8 Mountain Gun, four inch barrel. I had to send it back to the factory for warranty work (defective cylinder release bolt), and had them do their "master revolver action package" at the same time. But now it's a really wonderful revolver. Wouldn't trade it for anything. Accurate, well balanced, & easily managed.

Found this ,, thought it was intresting Actually the full endurance package was not introduced all at once. From 1987 to 1990, in models 29-3, 29-3E, 29-4, and 29-5, the Endurance Package was introduced as a series of improvements. Interior parts were fitted tightly, studs were radiused, a new yoke retention system was designed, a bolt block was installed, and the cylinder locking bolts were cut

Great thread, very informative. I've been looking for a 29 as well.

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Jon
2nd Amendment Defender

For me, the 'best' 29's are those with a square butt and target grips. When the 29 went to round butt --- they became a lessor product to me as the round butt is very uncomfortable for me to shoot. Pinned and recessed is a plus as is a nickeled gun in my book. A stainless round butt is a low as it gets in my book.

1956
Chuck

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SWCA1517 SWHF256
Rangers LTW!

This one gets me by .

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Idaho , Elmer and Milt

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.

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STAY ARMED, VIGILANT, SAFE!

So from what I gather here, would it be safe to say the 29-5 is probably the pinnacle of the Model 29s development?

I would tend to agree!

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213th FBINA

M29-5 classic DX 1992 5"bbl. Sorry the pic is so dark. I need to take another picture some day. I tried to find out a production quantity on the 5" bbl but no info available. I have never seen another 5"

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

I have one of the larger Model 29 collections. One is a nickeled 3rd change.Its finish is exquisite and the action smooth as butter.The blued 3rd change guns generally have a more thinner looking finish,but I like the non recessed cylinder when it comes to cleaning them

[QUOTE=Neversink n Klapperthal;140781896]I have one of the larger Model 29 collections.

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SWCA1517 SWHF256
Rangers LTW!

I recently purchased a 29-2 with a 6 in Barrel unfired. It was my first 29 and I bought it to resale but unsure after buying it if I do want to sell it. Beautiful gun.

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No way to say what is best. Too many criteria. Cheapest? Most popular? Rarest? Most accurate? Etc. Too many opinions. A super serious collector like Doc44 will want early guns in top condition. To him that's best. Somebody else would have his own concept of what constitutes best.

As for years to avoid, well, the P&R features were dropped in 1981 and many S&W lovers think the guns were reduced in refinement when that happened. Still good shooting guns, just not as fine.

But what do i know? I'm not an expert and I prefer 27s anyway.

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No life story has happy end.

IMO the 29-5 is the best overall.

Earlier guns were not designed to handle the .44 magnum. The 29-6 did not have the same amount of attention paid during assembly-same holds true for the 629-3 verses 629-4 from my ownership of several examples of all of them.

I have a Model 29-2 blued 8 3/8 barrel in wooden presentation case that has never been fired. It’s serial number is N20372 I’d like to know what year it was produced and the value of it? Been in my safe for many years without looking at it. Can anyone help me with this? Have a few others I need to look up also.
Thanks,
Randall

I own a blued Magna Classic. Awesome machine except for the fact that the throats measure .427. I size lead to that diameter and despite the mismatch between throat and bore, it's a fine shooter.
I have two 29-2's. One of these is fitted with a 10" Douglas barrel. All three were fed a steady diet of max loads (21.5gr/2400/240gr jacket and lead). All are as tight as the day I bought them (new in the day).
I have no experience with the 10" silhouette model from the 80's, but I am told they were somewhat lacking.

I bought an unfired -3 that had been Magna-ported a couple of years ago as a shooter. It's accurate and nicely finished; I don't worry about overusing a collector's piece.

Incidentally, I would never bother with Magnaport on a revolver - it just doesn't seem to make a noticeable difference to me.

doesnt Hickock have a 29-2 with 75k rounds through it?Still tight

Zombie thread lives. Hickoks 29 had action repairs done. Also, many of those rounds were 44 SPC or "moderate" magnums.

I`m sure. In a lifetime of shooting 29s,the ones that shot loose for me were always the 8 3/8 inchers.My hottest loads for them now are no more than 3/4 loadings.

For collecting you can’t go wrong with any of the S prefix 29’s (pre, no dash, 29-1 and 29-2).
For shooting you cant go wrong with a 29-5 Classic DX.

Interesting Necro thread, ...

Because about a month ago at my LGS, just as this pandemic stuff was peaking, two Old School S&W Magnums popped up on consignment sale, both brought in by the same owner.

One is a 'no-dash' blue Model 57 with 6" barrel. The other is a blue 29-2 also with a 6" barrel.

Both have their original grips, and each is sitting on the 'pre-owned' shelf in its own presentation box with factory paperwork, etc.

Condition-wise, the grips and blueing on the M57 are more worn than on the M29-2. IOW, the M29-2 looks to be in somewhat better shape, although the bores of both guns look really good.

So I'd rate the M57 at about 85%, and the M29-2 at 95%.

Owner wants $1600 for each gun, and he told the counter-guys to tell potential 'low ballers' 'to pound sand, 'cause I ain't budging.'

And that's basically what the counter guys have been telling folks who come in and look these revolvers over, and then ask if the owner 'is open to offers.' Price is fixed. Take it or leave it.

As of yesterday, they were both still on the shelf.

Whatcha think? $1600 way too high?