Been looking at this style of gun. like the wood grip classic style and been wanting a .44 for awhile now. i was curious if anyone has it or has handled/fired it. pros/cons and personal review of it. thanks!

while I've not shot a new 29 I have handled them and they seem fine to me. Bet they shoot has good has the older ones too I know the stainless ones do. I say get one if it feels good in your hand.

In the 90s, S&W introduced the Magna Classic, followed by the 29 Classic and 29 Classic DX. These all sported the heavy full lug under the bbl.
Recently, they came out with another Model 29 "Classic" that is a (kinda) reproduction of their original 44 Magnum, which is a true classic! All this has served to trigger a level of intantaneous confusion, reminicient of an Abott & Costello skit, among us enthusiasts.

So, just for clarification, are you referring to the recent 29 Classics that remind us of the originals?

I had my FFL order me in a model 29 classic about a month ago, it arrived with a large groove (sort of a large chip in the wood )in the right grip panel where it meets the grip frame, can't believe that got by quality control, the bluing was dull and splotchy and the trigger pull was ungodly heavy, I did not like this revolver at all and soon sold it. I've also noticed very loose cylinders on the new smiths, so loose that if you move the cylinder while in full lock up the crane will actually slightly move away from the frame, the new guns are cheaply made compared to the older smiths I own in my opinion.

@ gkitch this is the model i was originally looking at but havnt had a chance to test it out yet Product: Model 29 - S&W Classics - 6 1/2" - Nickel however i want a good quality M-29 with a classic look. so im open to suggestions and recommendations for a specific model of the M-29. what would u recommend and know of any quality places to secure one?

Just picked a new Classic Model 18.Aside from the grips which I immediately replaced with a set of older,unused Combats,I am happy with it,can't find any fault with it.I have an older 18 from the seventies,but fancied one with target features.The current sale on them at Davidson's puts them in the reasonable zone.

how does the new one compare to the old model? what are the differences between the two as far as quality, features, etc

I'm sure that the 1970s blue would be considered brighter,but this one is fine with an even finish.
I like the target hammer and target trigger.The new one also has a countersunk muzzle,and a patridge front sight.Action feels fine,no quality issues,as good as the old one(actually the old one has a tiny issue-the hammer wasn't shimmed,so there is cocking wear showing the right side) and I'm very fussy with my toys.I'm not one that's bothered by the IL.I'm also someone who always figures on replacing factory grips with something better,often Nills,Spegels, or Browns.In this case,the Combats did the trick.I'm also someone who only buys new guns,100%,so chances of stumbling into an older,perfect NIB 18 with target features were slim.

based on ur new M-18 would u think the quality and look is the same/equal/better to the originals? are the differences to the new model better?

I think the reason that the new classics have a recessed muzzle is that they have a two piece barrel.

is a two piece better or worse or equal to a single piece?

This is a 29-6 Classic 6-1/2"circa 1994. I call it "Big Blue." The knife is a Tom Krein "Walkabout."

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Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

All the classics have "original" one piece barrels. The new 17/18/48 barrels have recessed target crowns.

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S&W Accumulator

My local dealer just got one in. He ordered it for someone who did not take it. It did not look bad at all to me. It has the old style ejector shroud, not a full underlug. I believe it came in a wood presentation case also. If anyone wants more info on it, I can take a better look.

Bob

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ICORE MO2908

details please! and u talking about one of the new "classics" model 29 right?

beautiful gun mate.

The new classic you are looking at is a fine gun in many ways. There are many changes in how it was made over the years....some to improve it but most to save in manufacturing costs. It will run you around 1K or so.
For that money or less you can likely come up with a lightly used older Model 29-2 or 29-3. The full lug guns we talked about are some of the best, in my opinion, and can also be found quite reasonably. You should find one and examine it as you may or may not prefer the design.
Best advice is to visit some gunshows and try to track down some examples of these and ask to handle them. Then buy what you like best and do not worry too much about the opinions of others. I really believe that half the fun of guns is in finding the one you want and learning about it on the way.

very true. i actualy like the full lug look and was curious bout ur opinion on which model u prefer of the 29-2 29-3 29-4 etc

Gee, I feel I should be in this thread . My name is derived
from my Model 29 Classic Hunter from the late 80's. I liked
the looks of the unfluted cylinder and the underlug so I bought it. One of the "Ones I'll nerver part with".

My favorite is the 29 Classic model 29-5. Stronger than the originals and stuningly accurate. I hunt with a 6.5" DX with a 2X Leupold scope and 300 gr handloads.

I have yet to handle one of these new "Classic" 29s, but the reason the blueing was so fine on those through the '70s was a process called "S&W Bright Blue." This gave a gleam to the firearm that was genuinely appealing. Wish they still did it. (Along with NO LOCKS.)

I've shot, hunted with, and collected S&Ws for 40 years. The one you're looking at with the half underlug will probably be the closest appearing gun to the originals we will ever see again from the factory.

Considering the price of the new ones I believe I'd look into an earlier Mod 29-2, 3, or 4 to seriously compare to as an option.

Not to denigrate the later guns, ( I'm currently shooting a 5" 629-6, IL, MIMs and all) and find no fault with it.)

I'm thinking many 95-98% early P&R guns are currently selling for less than new ones. The collector value and upwardly increasing prices of the early guns would certainly protect your investment over the long haul...

Unless you're sure you need the "endurance" package of the later guns you'd be buying the "classic" style you want...

Just sayin'.........

My (upcoming) birthday present. I ordered rosewood Altamont Bateleur grips for it. Now, if my wife will only let me take it to the range before my birthday...

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I can't speak on the currently offered Classic series m29, but I do own a 629-6 Classic (6.5" full underlug barrel) and it is as reliable as it is accurate. My first session attempting 50 yard shots from typical handgun hunting positions I was able to make paper plate sized groups. No, it's not impressive to the more experienced and practiced handgunners out there, but I feel that it was pretty good for my first attempt, and without optics. Just upgraded to a fiber optic front sight. I think alot of credit for that successful first outing at 50 yards goes to the quality of my revolver.

To help with all of the "Classic" confusion out there I think of it this way.... The "Classic" designation of my 629 Classic and the now discontinued 29 Classic (both sporting full underlugs which the model designation "Classic" really signifies) are called "Classic" as a model designation. The only difference between a standard model 629 and a 629 Classic is the full underlug and the Classics have a quick change front sight. Whereas the current offerings they call "Classic" are part of a model series. Most (maybe all) of those models were discontinued until they recently reintroduced them as part of their Classic series. They have several Classic models, the 29, 57, and several others.

My only complaint are the factory stocks. Way too skinny for .44 Magnum. It's a true square butt so it will take the old S&W wood grips which are much wider.

Here's a thread I started when I got my 4" Classic. You dont need to make the mods I did, but they help if you shoot alot.
My 29-10 modifications for heavy use

They do not.

Here's a -6 Classic. Ditto what RIDE RED 350r said about his. First revolver for me, and it really opened my eyes to a whole new world of what is possible with a pistol/hand-gun. I mean, I 'knew', like you know there's giant squid swimming in the ocean even though you've never seen one. It was and continues to be eye-opening. I'll leave it at that.

I've got a 4" version. I have small hands, so I put a wood boot grip on it and filed it down enough to fit my hand. It's pretty narrow. The gun makes a GREAT 44 special shooter, but whacks the hand pretty hard with full power magnum loads. I had a Ruger Alaskan that was gentler on the hand, but I gotta admit...I really like the 29. I just don't shoot a lot of rounds on any given day. A friend handloaded some ammo for a 240 grain bullet going at around 950 fps. I think that is my gun's sweet spot.

I bought one (29-10) in January... Where to begin...

The Good: The Blue is flawless! The fit of the cylinder/action is tight and crisp.

The Bad: The factory grips are awful, thin, and do nothing to absorb recoil. I replaced mine with aftermarket target grips which tame the recoil from full house loads. Plan on replacing them upon purchase.

The Ugly: Mine came with a under-clocked barrel so it shot 18" to the left. There was a huge burr on the crown. The trigger engagement surfaces were about as smooth as the surface of the moon.

I sent it back to Smith a week after I picked it up at my dealer. They properly clocked the barrel, eliminated the burrs on the crown, fixed the trigger, and replaced the rear sight. This was all on their dime. Now the gun needs a good trigger job and it will be up to my expectation of Smith. Your mileage might vary...