S&W 29-3 6" Nickel uses

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1911haulic

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Hello all. I have the above revolver in great shape, my question is, what real value and use is it to me. It's too big to carry, too pretty to scratch, and too darn much recoil to fire comfortably.

Right now, I'm thinking a range gun firing 44 special. However, I'm not sure I want the trouble of maintaining the Nickel finish. I recently bought it used for $700 (no box or papers).

If I was going to need a hiking gun of this type, I'd buy a 629. Forum thoughts and advice please. Thank you for the help.

P.S. It may be called a 61/2" I'm not sure and not near it to measure.
 
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Nickel guns are absolutely no harder to care for than blued guns (I carried my 4" nickel 29 every day for 10 years as manager of a large farm), and there's no reason you can't shoot .44 Specials in your shiny 29 all day long. But if you just don't like it, you won't likely have much problem selling or trading it.
 
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Nickel is practically a no care finish. I think you are a little overly concerned about it. Light scratches can be buffed out gently on a Smith & Wesson . Not advisable to do on a Colt since the nickel is thinner plated.
 
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I've never carried a nickel-plated gun. I had a Mexican Policia friend who had a Colt 1911 that was plated. He carried it over hill and dale and if there was any resulting flaw in the finish, I couldn't see it.
What would you carry it for? Hunting? I'd be a little concerned about it flashing light.
Walking afield? Perfect.
I reload and have used 44-magnum shells for all kinds of lesser loads from Cowboy up. If you don't reload, you can still find lower-power "magnums".
 
Thank you everyone for the information. I thought the nickel was more fragile than it apparently is. I'll use it with less reservation now.
 
To answer your question? on barrel length; if it is a 29-3 it has a 6" barrel. S&W made the switch to 6" barrels in the late 1970s. The Model 29-3s were introduced around 1982-3.

I have one just like yours, my second nickel Smith and I am an addict.
 
The Model 29-3 would have a six-inch barrel, as the 6-1/2" barrel was discontinued in the late 70's, if I recall correctly, when barrel lengths were standardized at 4", 6", and 8-3/8".
 
The 29-3 is the first of the Model 29 to not have pinned barrels and recessed chambers. It is considered among the least collectable Model 29's.

I did not like the S&W nickel finish either, until I got one. Everyone likes to opine that using solvent on nickel finishes will result in the nickle lifting and peeling because it dissolves the underlying layer of copper plating. Not true on S&W factory nickel as S&W never used a copper plate. The S&W nickel plated finish is very corrosion resistant and easy to maintain.

The Model 29 is a lightweight 44 Magnum, sort of in the same vein as the Model 19/66 in 357 Magnum. It can be a real handful with full power 44 Magnum ammo. Shooting 44 Special ammo really tames the Model 29. If you are a reloader, I would recommend working up a load using 44 Magnum brass. Use a 240 grain cast lead or powder coated lead bullet, standard large pistol primer, and a charge of 8.0 to 10.0 grains of Unique.
 
Laketime said:
Nickel is practically a no care finish. I think you are a little overly concerned about it. Light scratches can be buffed out gently on a Smith & Wesson . Not advisable to do on a Colt since the nickel is thinner plated.
Click to expand...

Ben carrying/toten/huntin with and shootin with my 4" nickel 29-2 since 1974. Finnish is still great..............Way better that blue would have held up.
 
stansdds said:
The 29-3 is the first of the Model 29 to not have pinned barrels and recessed chambers. It is considered among the least collectable Model 29's.

I did not like the S&W nickel finish either, until I got one. Everyone likes to opine that using solvent on nickel finishes will result in the nickle lifting and peeling because it dissolves the underlying layer of copper plating. Not true on S&W factory nickel as S&W never used a copper plate. The S&W nickel plated finish is very corrosion resistant and easy to maintain.

The Model 29 is a lightweight 44 Magnum, sort of in the same vein as the Model 19/66 in 357 Magnum. It can be a real handful with full power 44 Magnum ammo. Shooting 44 Special ammo really tames the Model 29. If you are a reloader, I would recommend working up a load using 44 Magnum brass. Use a 240 grain cast lead or powder coated lead bullet, standard large pistol primer, and a charge of 8.0 to 10.0 grains of Unique.
Click to expand...

I was about to make the same reloading suggestion but you beat me to it! My 29's do not shoot Specials nearly as well as these loads with Unique (or W231).
 
I have a 29-3, 6" blue. I hand load heavy .44 special data loads in .44 magnum cases. Not bad to shoot at all! Bob
 

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I live in the humid southeast and have a nickel 29-2 that has held to years of use. I carry it when deer hunting and has been with me on several western camping and fishing trips. Finish holds up fine.
 
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