I just received a Model 29-5 with an 8 and 3/8 inch barrel from around 1992 and I will be completely honest in saying that I’m very naive when it comes to revolvers and I’m looking to learn some history or to find something comparable to this model

Serial BNf2091


Two pics uploaded below

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I think you’re missing a letter in the serial number. Should be a three letter prefix.

They were only made for a few years. Barrel lengths were 5 inch, 6.5 inch and 8 3/8 inch. If you swing open the cylinder, you should find the serial number either on the frame or under the top strap above the cylinder opening. My 29-5 has it on the top strap. It will also be on the bottom of the grip frame, but you need to remove the grips. The serial number will be 3 letters followed by 4 numbers.

That should be a great shooter, OP. Nice

Welcome to the forum. There are some very knowledgeable people here that can better answer than I.
The 29-5 was made from approximately 1990 to 1994. Approximately is added because with S&W, never say never because there are normally exceptions. These were the changes for the 29-5. “longer cylinder notches to prevent bolt jump, bolt and inner mechanism changed to reduce battering under recoil”. About 1992 is correct for your serial number but some of the experts can get closer.
It’s a good looking revolver and should be fun to shoot.

Welcome to the S&W Forums. That's one long, heavy Model 29 you got. The long, heavy barrel will dampen muzzle rise and will make it the gentlest shooting S&W 44 Magnum that you will ever find.

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I have a 4 inch 29-5

My first 29-5 was a 6.5 Classic DX, which I foolishly traded to a friend for a 1991 Combat Commander.. the 29-5 had the full endurance package, and the full barrel underlug, which does make it much more manageable, mine was very accurate.

I did in the last 5 years or so, pick up a 5" 29-5 Classic, which I really like a lot, I've recently been shooting some 44 special, in the classic and my old 29-2 4", with stag grips..

In my honest opinion, the Model 29's produced from 1989 to 1994 are some of the nicest revolvers ever produced by Smith.. beautifully fit and finished, and many of the previous years sloppy fit and finish issues addressed and brought up to speed..

I do NOT own any of the later Smiths with the hidey hole drilled in the side, lol, one of the few safeties I've ever said "HECK NO!" to... its just ugly and unnecessary, so enjoy your beautiful 29-5, it will handle all of the 44 special and 44 magnum you wish to fire... I would stick to the 240 grain bullets, that heavy stuff is for bear defense, I wouldn't be afraid to carry the heavies in bear country, but I can assure you they aren't much fun to shoot, LOL if we are being honest. billy

Welcome to the forum Brad. A nice example. The 29-5 has been described as the peak of the model 29. Got all the bells and whistles and is the first year the model was factory drilled and tapped for a scope mount.
I have the 29-5 Classic DX. I would post another pic, but 75 Vette is getting tired of seeing it.

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

In my youth I like the 8 3/8" N Frames.

That is a S&W PRE- MODEL 29 REVOLVER WITH 8 3/8″ BARREL

The full underlug seems out of place to me.

Years ago a coworker of my wife passed away and one of his friends got his 29 Classic. The guy didn't care for revolvers and wanted a Glock. I happened to have one that I got in a package deal years before. Traded straight across. I couldn't be happier! It's not the DX, however. Still a very nice pistol.

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1 Samuel 13:19 ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

You have a 29 Classic, which I also have. These are exceptionally smooth models, IMO. I cannot imagine a DX model being either more accurate or smoother.

My Classic is a dash-5, if that matters in some way. I need to read up some on the Classic's history.

I remember reading somewhere that the "DXs" were hand selected for accuracy. Mine shoots fine, probably better than me. Not a bad pistol for a Glock trade in any case

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1 Samuel 13:19 ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

All SW revolvers are test fired, IIRC the classics that printed better groups were labeled "DX", seem to recall the DX models also came with wood and rubber grips plus an assortment of changeable front sites.

The original 29-5 Classic DX was guaranteed to shoot 1 1/2" @ 50 yards, and came with a paper target with 5 rounds under 1 1/2" with 240 gr Federal, from a ransom rest, all signed and dated. I believe it was 5 rounds?? anyway, outstanding accuracy, of course later they came out the 629 Classic Dx.. Hogue grip, round but combat grip, 5 front sights, and that kool paper target.. those dang little short combats would tear your hand clean off your arm with full house loads,, yes, I was a young and tough farm boy, but I did NOT enjoy those cute little grips. I found a 5" Classic DX at the gun show and did NOT buy it, may have been 500 or 600 bucks at the time.. I was a poor social worker with 9 kids at the time,, I snuck across campus to the "Guillepie Bldg" on the State Hospital grounds to use the pay phone on break, one day, I had all the cash, called and it was gone, so yeah, I've been looking for one ever since.. I do have the 29-5 Classic 5", but it ain't no DX... and make no mistake, the 29-5 is gorgeous, the 29-6 which came later was almost as nice?? and later Classic DX models had dropped the accuracy requirement to 25 yards, wonder why??

oh well, sorry for the book, but somebody needs to buy this brother's 29-5 5" Classic DX, I promise you won't be dissapointed, billy

yes they were, but not at 50 yards. Anecdotally they just pulled the number of guns off the line they needed for DX's, locked them in the ransom rest, with 5 rounds of Federal 240, and fired those groups,, most of them passed, as I said earlier, those revolvers from 1989 to 1994 were and are gorgeous guns, well fit, well finished, and accurate. Smith and Wesson was on revival, and they were not messing around. billy

Yes, the dash 5's were very special, and as you have already alluded, they were all nice.. I was told by somebody who would know, that they randomly pulled the number of guns off the line to fill the DX orders, took them to the ransom rest with 240 Federals and fired those groups, there weren't many that did NOT make the 1 1/2" @ 50 yards and become a DX.