Model 29-10 Classics - Why are they hated so much?

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mariodesmo

mariodesmo

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So, I've been after a LNIB older Model 29 but can't seem
to find a nice one locally, and many can't be imported into
California unless the specific model is on the Claif. DOJ
"approved" guns list.

So, that brings me to the new production Model 29/629's
with the "lock". So my question is why are these
new models so "undesirable" by most folks?
I understand the politics that is the reason for the locks...

I'm an old guy and have some older LNIB models that I've
owned for more than 20 years, so I know what they look like,
feel like, and perform.

But are the new models really that bad? What's all the fuss
about?

There is a NIB Model 29-10 not to far from here and I'm
seriously thinking of buying it. I've looked at it
closely and it seems to me that the fit and finish is as good
older models I've seen...

What do folks really think about the newer models?
 
I own two of the newer model S&W revolvers, and also a few of the older models.
My 625-8 45ACP is well finished, the action is smooth, and is really accurate with just about any ammo I have used in it. I did install a C&S long firing pin, and lighten the action. I am well satisfied with it, having owned it for at least three years now.
I also have a 629-6 44 mag classic that I bought used, made the same modifications as the 625, and it is also very accurate and performs well. Sometimes I think it is a little muzzle heavy, with it's 6 1/2" full lug barrel, but it does help with recoil.
Both guns still have the lock system intact, and I have had no problems with it so far, but I also do not use the lock.
In a lot of ways, with the use of the modern CNC machines, and the MIM parts, the new revolvers are smoother and more tightly fitted than the old guns. I know this will cause a lot of heartburn for the guys who love the old guns, but I have owned a vary of S&W revolvers over the last 35 years, and that is my view on the guns.
 
IMO, the whole lock thing is a bit overblown, however there are many who completely disagree. I find it convenient when visting family with small children. I can lock the gun, put it in it's case with the cable lock on that, and then store it well out of reach. BTW, any ammo gets locked in the trunk of the car. Try putting a cable locked revolver in it's case and the reason why I find the lock convenient is pretty obvious.

IMO, the lock is only an issue in the light weight J frames, in those guns there is a real potential for it self activating. However, as heavy as the model 29 is, even with a hot 44 Magnum it probably doesn't have a high enough rate of rotation during recoil so self activate. Especially in the hands of a skilled shooter with the ability to restrain the muzzle flip, which probably describes most 44 Magnum shooters.

As for the 29 Classic, as I understand it this model is equipped with the interchangeable front sight, which I think is a marvelous system. I have this type of sight on my 610 and it makes changing out the front sight a one minute affair. Makes it really easy to select a sight that suits what your doing with it at that time.

Personally, I already know that my recoil limit is 357 Magnums in my 620, so I have no desire at all for the 29. However, if I were 20 years younger, and didn't have issues with my wrists, the 29 Classic would be very interesting. If can handle the recoil and want a 29 Classic, I can only say you should go out and get one. In the past year I've purchase 2 new S&W's with the lock and both have been superb guns. Well made, accurate, with a great trigger, and I haven't had that lock self activate even once.

Quite simply, S&W is currently building very good revolvers. If you want one, go for it.
 
I bought a new model 29-10 last summer it has the lock system but other than that it looks just like the 29's of the 1970's. if you have the opportunity to buy a new one i would definitely go for it. I absolutely love mine and it the envy of all my friends. The only thing you may not like is the grips on the new 29's. they are much narrower than the grips on the old models. I bought vintage grips for mine and it is great very comfortable to shot. Go buy one you will love.
 
I also bought one of the 29-10s when they came out and although I have only put a couple of boxes through it, I find it very accurate with an excellent trigger pull. And I really liked the scroll engraving. That is what enticed me to buy it in the first place.
If I had to pick one thing negative it would be that they have whittled the target stocks down a little too much for me. I like the way the early target stocks fit my hand. Other than that, great gun. Go for it. Bob











 
I bought a used Model 29-10 several months ago. It came with the blue hard case, and the display case. I've had it to the range several times, and it's really fun to shoot. It's not the same as the older Model 29-2's, but it's a revolver for a different era. The finish is different; not worse, just different. I'm not a fan of the stocks that came on it, but I put ugly Hogue's on the N frames because they feel better.

I do have a Model 29-2, a 4" nickel, and it's superior in some respects. It's a real blaster with its shorter barrel, and Magnaporting.

I like both of them. I also like my Model 629 and my Model 29-5 29 Classic DX.

If you can get the Model 29-10, go for it. I don't think you can go wrong.
 
mariodesmo said:
What do folks really think about the newer models?
Click to expand...

This folk thinks the gun is better than the set of stocks, if we are talking about the extremely thin, wood stocks that came on my anniversary model 29-10.

The only concern I have with the newer guns is the barrels. We've seen some reports here of some barrels that just don't look so good. Whether they shoot or not, I would not want one that looks like some of the pictures I have seen.

Check out the barrel and if the interior looks good, the gun should be fine. Since most of us put whatever stocks we like on a gun, what comes on it from the factory is not a deal-breaker.

As to whether the gun is as good as, say, a 29-2, you be the judge. My own opinion is that overall I like the older guns better, but the difference would not stop me from buying a 29-10. My own choice for a using Model 29 is the -5 with a standard barrel, but I have trouble finding them in really nice shape.
 
My 29-10 classic is (now) a fantastic, accurate gun.

However, brand new out of the box this nearly $1000 gun had by far the worst crown I've ever seen:

SW_Classics_Model_29_Crown_Damage.jpg


Since the gun was a special order I ended up sending it back to S&W. They replaced the barrel for free, and as I said above, it's now a fantastic shooter. Both the double and single action trigger pulls are as good as most of my older revolvers, and better than some.

I agree with others who have said the factory grips are a little on the thin side.
 
>>>Quite simply, S&W is currently building very good revolvers.<<<

I disagree strongly. S&W is currently building EXCELLENT revolvers.

I have bought (and SHOT) a number of S&W revolvers in the past two or three years and they have been uniformly EXCELLENT!

I have been shooting and "gathering" S&W's for nearly sixty years. In many ways they have never been better.

Dale53
 
Thanks for the replys men. I gave the piece at the local shop a real good going over and it looked very nice. Nice bright blue/black finish, no tooling marks anywhere, and a very smooth trigger action. The stocks are no problem, I liked how they felt in my hands. I also own a pair of Target stocks and Combat Stocks that I bought new 25 years ago, and are still new. So I could change them out if I wanted to. But these skinny factory stocks felt fine to me, although they seem to be machine checkered, and not as "handmade" as the older stocks.

Anyway, I'll go take another look at this piece and thanks again for the advice.
 
I would not hesitate to buy one of the "Classic" models, but I wish S&W would do something about those crummy looking grips. I wonder if S&W didn't get a special deal from the Ho Chi Min Handgun Grip and Kindling Factory to supply the grips for the Classics. I don't really care about the lock except that it detracts from the guns' appearance.
 
MAG-NUM said:
I also bought one of the 29-10s when they came out and although I have only put a couple of boxes through it, I find it very accurate with an excellent trigger pull. And I really liked the scroll engraving. That is what enticed me to buy it in the first place.
If I had to pick one thing negative it would be that they have whittled the target stocks down a little too much for me. I like the way the early target stocks fit my hand. Other than that, great gun. Go for it. Bob

Click to expand...

That gun is a beauty!
Love the engraving and the badge, nice touch.
 
I would also check out the used gun section on calguns.net. I have bought most of my pre lock smiths off that forum. They usually have a 629 pre lock every week or so.
 
I've only got one with the lock, a 617. The lock doesn't bother me a bit, I don't anticipate removing it, nor do I anticipate having a problem with it. This gun's fit & finish are beautiful, and it shoots like a dream. I've never turned the key on the lock and most likely never will, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy another with a lock assuming the price was right.

-S
 
Here is mine, it was my birthday present to myself last year.
I love this gun, I mean really love it. It make me a better shot every time I shoot it.
I do wish the grips had more palm swell, and I'd love to compared the older grips side by side to see what the difference is. Pics if anyone has them would be great;)
Although I'm petite and have small hands the curve of my palm seems to leave a tiny gap between the palm and the grip, same thing with my Model 65 and my 686+. Not enough to cause problems holding them, just enough to feel like the gun can wobble side to side(very slightly), but enough that I want to try something else that hopefully fits my hand better.
 

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Nill makes a nice selection of N-frame stocks. You can probably find a design that would help your shooting. The gun should not feel like it wants to move around in your hand.

Nill stocks are not inexpensive, but the quality of workmanship is excellent. If you see a model you like with checkering, you can usually special-order it without checkering. Smooth stocks are usually considered a plus on a 44 Magnum (particularly on a 4-inch gun), as you can see on Doc44's revolver.
 
Well, it's nice to see a thread that, for a change, doesn't consist of a lot of bashing of Smith's newer products. Hopefully, I won't jinx things with my comments.

I presently own two modern Smiths, a 686-6 and a 625JM, both lock equipped. Each has its non-pinned barrel, its MIM parts, and they're both stainless steel guns. They are, in a word, fantastic. My 686 is my most accurate handgun, the one I take to the range any time I want to try my luck at 25 yards. The 625JM is just a blast to shoot, unfailingly accurate and as rugged as a tank.

The only thing that's kept me from buying a 629 or a 29 Classic is that I'm not a reloader. .44 magnum is definitely a reloader's round given the high cost of commercial ammunition. I'm fortunate, however, in that I have friends with 629s (no 29 Classics, however) and I get to shoot them every once in a while. What great guns!! And, not bad to shoot, even with fairly hot magnum rounds when equipped with the right grips.

I'm a lover of fine wooden grips and most of my handguns are equipped with them. I'm particularly fond of Nills, which, for my money, are the most ergonomically right grips out there. Pretty, too. Unfortunately, they ain't cheap. I've got sets of Nills right now on two of my .357s, including that 686-6. However, if I were to have a 629 or a 29, I'd almost certainly put a set of Hogue rubbers on it. They're ugly, yes indeed, but they soak up the recoil better than anything else out there.
 
The lock is a change. People hate change. I have both old and new. I think the new may even be better than the old with the better metal and cnc machining. Of course that can very from revolver to revolver. If people are so worried about the lock engaging just put some silicon on a toothpick and slip it in between. I sure wouldn't pay the crazy prices that people are paying for an old model because of no lock. Hell I might just sell my old ones and buy the same new and have money left in my pocket
 
Well, I went and did it. I JUST bought a beautiful model 29-10, 4 inch, blue model. The polished blue finish, including fit and finish are outstanding. The craftsmanship is top notch. There was a 6 1/2 inch model at the dealer as well, but I thought the 4 inch looked better. It has a very highly polished finish.
 
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