|
|
12-18-2011, 03:30 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Tennessee, USA
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 6,915
Liked 8,544 Times in 2,668 Posts
|
|
Found One !! 4-inch M-29's with the Endurance Package
I've been on the look-out for several months now for a 4-inch M-29 that would have the endurance package and "NO" lock or MIM parts...............am I looking for something that doesn't exist or is everyone that has one hanging on to them??
I think these would be 4-inch 29-4's and 29-5's (maybe a few of the 29-6's).
Anyone have one??? I would love to see a pic just so I can keep my hopes up of finding one.
Don
Update 1/23/12 : Finally found one ....couple of bad pics and comments on post #20.
__________________
Laus Deo! <><
Last edited by woodsltc; 01-23-2012 at 10:07 PM.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
12-18-2011, 03:43 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sebago Lake, Maine, USA
Posts: 5,434
Likes: 6,726
Liked 6,725 Times in 1,862 Posts
|
|
Hey Don!
Some -3's also got the Endurance Package treatment. Look for the longer bolt stop notches and an "E" stamped into the frame at the yoke cut out. Supica tells us that this was about 1988 and would be well into the Alpha Numeric Serial Numbers...
As an aside, I've owned and shot the snot out of this -3 (not "E" stamped) including some real nose-bleed loads with 26 grains of IMR-4227 rifle powder and it has not developed any problems...
|
12-18-2011, 08:12 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Tennessee, USA
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 6,915
Liked 8,544 Times in 2,668 Posts
|
|
Hi Drew, I forgot that some of the later -3's got the endurance package..........great pic by the way.
I'm beginning to think that looking for a 4-inch, Model-29 with the EP but no Lock or MIM is in the same category as looking for unicorns, hens teeth, and frog hair!!
Anybody out there got one??
Don
__________________
Laus Deo! <><
Last edited by woodsltc; 12-18-2011 at 09:50 PM.
|
12-19-2011, 04:16 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Tennessee, USA
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 6,915
Liked 8,544 Times in 2,668 Posts
|
|
Well, I've had over 150 views of this thread since I posted it yesterday, and so far no one can tell me if there is such an animal as a 4inch, Model-29 with the "endurance package" but "NO" Lock or MIM parts!!
If some one can answer yea or nay with authority it would be appreciated...........that way I will know if I'm looking for something that doesn't exist or not.
Thanks,
Don
__________________
Laus Deo! <><
|
12-19-2011, 04:52 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: MA & NH
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 2,388
Liked 466 Times in 235 Posts
|
|
I bought a 4" 29-4 two years ago from a member of a local gun forum. Gun functioned OK but looked like crop. I sent it to S&W for a finish and master revolver action job. Man do I love that gun now.
|
12-19-2011, 05:07 PM
|
|
Moderator
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Indiana, USA
Posts: 9,430
Likes: 1,326
Liked 30,730 Times in 4,393 Posts
|
|
The Endurance Package was available in 1989, although revolvers actually stamped with an E are scarce to rare. The internal lock did not appear until 2001 with the Model 29-8. I know MIM parts were not used on the Model 29-6, but may have been on the 29-7 (few 29-7s were made in 1999 and many were parts guns made from blue and stainless (629) parts).
Based on the above, a Model 29-4E with a 4-inch barrel could have been made by S&W and would not have the internal lock or MIM parts, but finding one is another story.
Bill
Last edited by Doc44; 12-19-2011 at 05:09 PM.
|
12-19-2011, 05:22 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: California
Posts: 19,259
Likes: 11,954
Liked 20,615 Times in 8,589 Posts
|
|
Unfortunately, you're looking for a unicorn.
There are some out there but they were uncataloged after the 29-1s. So they exist but scarce.
The Endurance package was introduced in '87 with the 29-3E, the early stamp that became the 29-4 in '88. The longer cylinder stop notches came about in 1990, (no change in dash #); MIM trigger in 97 which was already a 29-6; hammer in 1998, 29-7. The lock in 2001, 29-8.
So you have about a 10 year window to find what you want w/o MIM parts. However, unless you intend to shoot the **** out of it w/max loads, the Endurance package is truly not a necessity.
__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819
Last edited by Hondo44; 12-19-2011 at 10:17 PM.
|
12-19-2011, 07:07 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Tennessee, USA
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 6,915
Liked 8,544 Times in 2,668 Posts
|
|
I want to thank ya'll for the replies.....It looks like I just need to keep looking. From your replies there "are" some out there. I'm kinda stubborn (just ask my wife) so, I don't mind the idea of holding out for what I want.
Don
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc44
I know MIM parts were not used on the Model 29-6,
Bill
|
Doc---I know you are one of the preeminent experts when it comes to Model 29's, but I've got to disagree with you about the 29-6's. Some of them do have MIM parts (but "no" locks).
I have a 6inch, 29-6 bought NIB with a DOB of 1998 (per a call to S&W & per checking the serial # in the SCSW) that has a MIM trigger and MIM cylinder release, but has a forged hammer with nice case colors (firing-pin is on the hammer nose --where they should be IMO). I figure it is a transition gun like so many other models we've seen in the past with mixed parts.
Don
__________________
Laus Deo! <><
Last edited by woodsltc; 12-19-2011 at 08:08 PM.
|
12-19-2011, 07:53 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,069
Likes: 25,071
Liked 5,798 Times in 1,284 Posts
|
|
They are hard to find - I've been looking for one for awhile - actually I've kinda given up - good luck on your hunt
|
12-19-2011, 08:10 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Tennessee, USA
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 6,915
Liked 8,544 Times in 2,668 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by CWH44300
They are hard to find - I've been looking for one for awhile - actually I've kinda given up - good luck on your hunt
|
How long have you been "on the hunt"...I've only been looking a few months so far.
I really want a blued model, but would settle for a stainless (629) if I run out of patience.
Don
__________________
Laus Deo! <><
|
12-19-2011, 10:27 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: California
Posts: 19,259
Likes: 11,954
Liked 20,615 Times in 8,589 Posts
|
|
[QUOTE=woodsltc;13624799
Doc---I know you are one of the preeminent experts when it comes to Model 29's, but I've got to disagree with you about the 29-6's. Some of them do have MIM parts (but "no" locks).
I have a 6inch, 29-6 bought NIB with a DOB of 1998 (per a call to S&W & per checking the serial # in the SCSW) that has a MIM trigger and MIM cylinder release, but has a forged hammer with nice case colors (firing-pin is on the hammer nose --where they should be IMO). I figure it is a transition gun like so many other models we've seen in the past with mixed parts.
Don[/QUOTE]
That's correct, the early 29-6s had no MIM parts but 2 years after the 1993, -6 engineering change, the MIM thumbpiece was introduced, then 2 years after that the MIM trigger began, but all still in the -6 series.
__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819
|
12-19-2011, 10:30 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: California
Posts: 19,259
Likes: 11,954
Liked 20,615 Times in 8,589 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by woodsltc
How long have you been "on the hunt"...I've only been looking a few months so far.
I really want a blued model, but would settle for a stainless (629) if I run out of patience.
Don
|
Have you posted a want ad on this and other forums?
__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819
|
12-19-2011, 11:25 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Tennessee, USA
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 6,915
Liked 8,544 Times in 2,668 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hondo44
Have you posted a want ad on this and other forums?
|
Nope....I've not posted any ad's....I've just been checking the different web sites, gun shows, gun & pawn shops!!
Don
__________________
Laus Deo! <><
|
12-20-2011, 10:08 AM
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,477
Likes: 18
Liked 527 Times in 242 Posts
|
|
Not to draw any flames, but Ruger has been making 4" .44 Magnum Redhawks for a few years now. Model 29's are THE classic S&W revolver but if you just want a utility "working gun" .44 Mag revolver the Redhawks are a good choice
I am a S&W fanatic ,but I bought a 4" .44 Redhawk used and I absolutely love it. Endurance Package? You'll never wear a Redhawk out.
|
12-20-2011, 01:42 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Panhandle of FL
Posts: 575
Likes: 23
Liked 273 Times in 87 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hondo44
So you have about a 10 year window to find what you want w/o MIM parts. However, unless you intend to shoot the **** out of it w/max loads, the Endurance package is truly not a necessity.
|
It took my friend less than a thousand Keith-type loads with a 29-3 for it to be a loose, wobbly piece of ****.
|
12-20-2011, 01:50 PM
|
|
Moderator
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Indiana, USA
Posts: 9,430
Likes: 1,326
Liked 30,730 Times in 4,393 Posts
|
|
My area of expertise is 44 Magnums made from 1955 up through the Model 29-2. Once I get beyond that, I rely on what information I have gathered over the years, rather than on personal observation. That is why my statement about the 29-6 was incorrect. I only have one 29-6 in my collection and it dates to 1996 if I remember correctly.
Bill
|
12-20-2011, 02:25 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sebago Lake, Maine, USA
Posts: 5,434
Likes: 6,726
Liked 6,725 Times in 1,862 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vanilla Gorilla
It took my friend less than a thousand Keith-type loads with a 29-3 for it to be a loose, wobbly piece of ****.
|
My experience differs.
I've put more than 20 boxes of my own through my 29-3 and I bought it used from a bow hunter that was not shy.
My hunting loads are 25 grains of IMR-4227 under a Keith 429421 or 26 grains and a Hornady 200 grain XTP.
The -3 is a very solid, utilitarian gun.
|
12-21-2011, 06:19 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,069
Likes: 25,071
Liked 5,798 Times in 1,284 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by woodsltc
How long have you been "on the hunt"...I've only been looking a few months so far.
I really want a blued model, but would settle for a stainless (629) if I run out of patience.
Don
|
I've been looking 4-5 years,checking LGS's and shows. The reason I say that I've given up is I bought a used 629-6 and shot the snot out of it(appx 6000 rds)and have had zero problems with it or any of my new smiths. Yes it still would be nice to have an older 4" gun but I'm happy with all my newer ones
|
01-19-2012, 07:33 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
|
01-23-2012, 09:59 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Tennessee, USA
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 6,915
Liked 8,544 Times in 2,668 Posts
|
|
Found One!!!
I finally found a 4inch Model 29-5 (has all the endurance package goodies, no MIM parts and no lock). Maybe unicorns do exist!!
I've been checking the LGS's, pawn-shops, and auction sites for a few months now...found what I wanted on GunBroker earlier this month. No box or papers but I'm pleased with it. I would rate it as +95% condition, just a turn line and a small area on the back strap that is very hard to see. Looks to have been fired veeeery little.......just picked it up from the FFL late last week so I haven't had a chance to fire it, but lock-up and timing are right on the money....just need to see how it shoots now.
Don
__________________
Laus Deo! <><
Last edited by woodsltc; 01-23-2012 at 10:15 PM.
|
01-23-2012, 10:01 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Tennessee, USA
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 6,915
Liked 8,544 Times in 2,668 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by vopar
|
Thanks vopar....but I already found one.....I appreciate your link to that one though.
Don
__________________
Laus Deo! <><
|
01-24-2012, 06:20 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,069
Likes: 25,071
Liked 5,798 Times in 1,284 Posts
|
|
Good for you - looks nice - now I want one again..hee..hee
|
|
Tags
|
44 magnum, 629, endurance, hornady, lock, model 29, ruger, scsw, supica, thumbpiece, transition |
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|