I have an opportunity to pick up a 29-4, 8 3/8 bbl with the integral scope mount slots in the sight rail and a nice looking aftermarket barrel porting job. While my true wish is for a similar style 29-2 P&R, I am tempted to make a move on the 29-4 for slightly more than the $1,000+/- 29-2 shooters that I have seen.

But I can find precious little info on this variation of 29-4. Is it an oddball? I believe it was only produced for a couple years and only causes confusion in some discussions. Can anyone offer a recommendation on whether the 29-4 would be a good alternative?

Well, I like mine, a 3" version. Not a expert on them in any way. I forget now what quantity was made but he Standard Catalog has around 4,000. Don't know if this includes other barrel lengths. Does this one have a non-flute cylinder?

Cylinder is fluted, a standard 29-4, not the Hunter.

TPIWWP!
(This Post Is Worthless Without Pictures)

If the gun in question does not have THE rings with it, stay far away! The original rings were made by Millet and look like the standard Millet Angle Loc rings but the Angle Loc rings will not tighten up on the barrel! ! Also the 29-4 will have the endurance enhancements where the 29-2 will not!
jcelect

If you don't mind using the iron sights and don't have the rings, then go right ahead and get it. If it DOES have the rings, jump on it regardless!

I'd swap my circa 1963 8 3/8" 29-2 for such a rig, no hesitation, if it has the rings, even though the barrel porting is a big minus to me. That's assuming it passes the usual mechanical muster and hasn't been reblued.

I have no pictures and wasn't going for a condition evaluation. I would only buy a gun that has been well cared for and I would call this one 95%+ even with the porting. It is the four slot type of porting and is hardly noticeable without a close look. Most of the posts answered my question - go for it. 14 of my 16 S&W revolver collection are P&R and I would like to stay with that, even though some of the later dashes represent an overall improvement to the revolver. It actually has two sets of correct rings and a shoulder holster. I have an understanding with the current owner that I have 1st refusal when he is ready to sell. These comments will give me the fortitude to be very, very picky of about any 29-2 that I may run across in the meantime. Thanks.

Don't know if this will help you or not. I had the 8 3/8" barrel with the original rings, they were never even put on the gun. I paid around $400 for it, brand new many years ago and hardly ever shot it. Sat for years in the safe and was never handled. I wanted a brand new 1911, found a new Ruger SR1911, traded the M29 for it even up. They put in the display case the next day priced at $1200, it was gone a couple of days later. I got what I wanted, the new 1911 with no money out of pocket. I figured I didn't lose, I traded what was a $400 dollar gun to me for one that was about $769. Don't know if I did the right thing or not, but I did what I wanted to do and feel good about it.