S&W Model 29-4 .44 Magnum Unfluted 3"

S

Str8shtr

Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2019
Messages
27
Reaction score
65
Location
Reno, NV
Today I jumped on a S&W Model 29-4 unflutted .44 Magnum with 3" barrel. I usually do my research and try to be pragmatic about firearms, but I've caught the N Frame Snubbie bug bad and didn't want to procrastinate too long and maybe miss this opportunity, so I'm hoping the members can give me some info. I'm sure I overpaid for it, and I know it's not a super rare S&W, but I know it can't be very common either. Serial matching box, papers, etc all included.

Is this a Lew Horten special, or some other variety? Years made?

Thanks
 

Attachments

  • 5awrhj.jpg
    5awrhj.jpg
    163.2 KB · Views: 421
Register to hide this ad
First a suggestion. Post a picture of the box end label with enough of the serial number concealed to make you feel safe. Some of the members here research revolvers with the product code. Also the special order number is the Julian date the revolver was boxed. The decade is not included because the decade would be obvious to factory employees.

There were so many small production runs of 3" 29s and 629s that a list of them does not exist. Before Lew Horton went out of business they would tell you if they handled your gun with a phone call. It's too late for that. Other distributors also ordered batches of 3" 29s and 629s. I do not think it matters which one ordered yours.

I've never heard of a 1980s 3" 29 or 629 not originally having S&W made wood Combat Stocks. Unfortunately they are expensive to replace. The Pachmyr rubber on yours is for a K frame. N frame stocks would extend back along the sides to the back strap.
 
You are correct...

Str8shtr said:
Today I jumped on a S&W Model 29-4 unflutted .44 Magnum with 3" barrel. I usually do my research and try to be pragmatic about firearms, but I've caught the N Frame Snubbie bug bad and didn't want to procrastinate too long and maybe miss this opportunity, so I'm hoping the members can give me some info. I'm sure I overpaid for it, and I know it's not a super rare S&W, but I know it can't be very common either. Serial matching box, papers, etc all included.

Is this a Lew Horten special, or some other variety? Years made?

Thanks
Click to expand...


You said it yourself: "I'm sure I overpaid for it" ...I agree with you on that based on condition and the fact the grips are wrong...they are K frame grips...but what the heck, if you wanted it good for you...hope you enjoy it...(I was right behind you in the bidding)...by the way
k22fan: this gun originally came with N frame Pachmayr combat rubber grips NOT wood combat grips...
 
Last edited:
The original stocks on the 1989 3 inch unfluted 29-4 were the Pachmayr SK-GR. Those grips were originally for a round butt K frame. They must have fit the N frame well enough
 
Standard Catalog of S&W shows two product codes for an unfluted, full lug 3” barrel. PC #101249 with Hogue grips and #101251 with Pachmayr SKGR grips. Both manufactured in 1989.

The first code had 500 units and the second consisted of 3,200 units.

As one member has stated, I am sure that there are others.
 

Attachments

  • E2B3252B-FBC7-4327-A5AD-6BF3BCDAA0F6.jpg
    E2B3252B-FBC7-4327-A5AD-6BF3BCDAA0F6.jpg
    69.5 KB · Views: 176
jdlii said:
Standard Catalog of S&W shows two product codes for an unfluted, full lug 3” barrel. PC #101249 with Hogue grips and #101251 with Pachmayr SKGR grips. Both manufactured in 1989.

The first code had 500 units and the second consisted of 3,200 units.

As one member has stated, I am sure that there are others.
Click to expand...

I acquired one of the Hogue gripped models last week. No box gun only in good condition.
 
Wow, thanks for all the great informative replies everyone. I'm really appreciative and humbled by your knowledge!

So this is a square butt frame?
 

Attachments

  • Ibuj8I-1.jpg
    Ibuj8I-1.jpg
    19.7 KB · Views: 171
Last edited:
The label, under the word "Stock" indicates "RB." This would denote a round butt frame.

This model, like all S&W revolvers, is a great shooter. They are quite a handful with factory loads but, controllable. Make sure that you get an opportunity to shoot yours in low light conditions, the fire ball is impressive!
 
Thanks. I've been checking out Buffalo Bore .44 special ammo that utilizes "low flash"powder. This is all new territory for me, I've only recently come to Jesus re revolvers. Any ammo suggestions are appreciated!
 
Last edited:
Beautiful piece.
I passed on the same gun a few weeks ago. Could have snagged it for $990 without box. It had the factory Pachmayr grips.
 
Last edited:
I had one years ago concurrent with barrel length family at 3/4/6/8-3/8" models.

My favorite to carry AND shoot was the 3" unfluted. Ironically, I never developed acceptable hand load I could shoot accurately, as the muzzle blast always reactivated my old flinch. Love the model and looking for deal on another in spite of my short sighted (intended) decision to sell it for mere filthy lucre return above what I paid.



Enjoy.
 
Last edited:
A reloading press is an even better friend. It's not rocket science and you do not need to turn out hundreds of round an hour to enjoy the hobby. Some gun stores buy estates for the guns and sell the old reloading tools cheap. Most of the tools last for several life times.

Buffalo Bore cartridges are so expensive that few people could afford to shoot enough of them to develop any skill.
 
They are nice little snubbies

29-3inch.jpg


I had to take the Pachmayr off of mine
 
I had one... purchased in about 1990. Went into a gun stoe, guy behind the counter said "I got just the gun you're looking for." Model 29-4, 3" full underlug, unfluted, factory pachmeyer. Beautiful gun. A year later my wife and I were divorcing, I came home from work, she had it out on the table and asked me how to load it. I took it to a gun shop and asked the owner how much "uhm, not interested" What would you give me? "what do you have to have?" I said $250...... He couldn't move fast enough. I had paid $350, just had to get it out of the house. I still kick myself and have been looking for another.....
 
Isn’t this a Backpacker model. Believe they were made in the model 29 and 629 N frames with 3” barrels and unfluted cylinders. Should be an ad for them I’m sure someone on here has a picture of it.
 
I'm glad I found this thread. I'm going Friday to look at a 3" unfluted 29 locally. Looks super clean. Faint turn line. Box& docs. He's wanting &1100 + tax. Sound right?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

7
Magnum hunter 44 magnum
Replies
9
Views
663
7887mm08
7
7
Magnum hunter 44 magnum issues? Update
Replies
15
Views
714
7887mm08
7
T
S&W Model 13, FBI-spec 3” .357 Magnum
2 3
Replies
47
Views
3K
charlie sherrill
C
R
S&W Model 13-3 4" Barrel
Replies
1
Views
726
Hawg Rider
H
jimmyj
S&W Model 65-3 Revolver
Replies
1
Views
422
Tom S.
Tom S.

Latest posts

Back
Top