29-2...

[Doc Barranti]

I have wanted a 4" 44 magnum ever since I first read Elmer Keith's writings nearly 30 years ago. For whatever reason, single-action sixguns have gotten most of my money and attention. When I finally got around to buying a Smith & Wesson, it was in the form of a 625-6 45 Colt Mountain Gun, which I purchased new in 1996 and is shown below. While it is a great gun, I really haven't shot it much.

Recently, I contemplated selling or trading my Mountain Gun for a model 29, preferably a pinned and recessed gun. With the help of a very good friend of mine, later this week I will be picking up a very nice 29-2, complete with the presentation case and tools...and I will be keeping my Mountain Gun as well! The interior of the case is rather ratty as the photo shows, but this sixgun will not be spending any time in the case anyways!

This gun will be getting fitted with a set of Elmer Keith style carved ivory polymer magna stocks by Bob Leskovec of Precision Pro grips.

First pic is of my Mountain Gun...

This, of course, is the 44...

And the presentation case...

The weekend can't get here quick enough!

 

[Jack Flash]

Looks like a fantastic (Like New, really) M29, and P&R no less. What a nice package! (The case linings always get like that, I wouldn't give it a second thought).

 

[Win712]

Looks like a fantastic (Like New, really) M29, and P&R no less. What a nice package! (The case linings always get like that, I wouldn't give it a second thought).

+1, to what Jack Flash said!
I would love to have a model 29 just like that one, drool.

 

[29aholic]

Welcome to the forum

I have always been a 6 1/2" man my self, but I have a 4" that is growing on me and another on the way.

My 4"

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Congrats on that beautiful 29! A long, long time ago when I was very young and very short on funds I was selling one gun to buy another. A good friend and fellow shooter gave me some good advice. DO NOT SELL A GUN JUST TO GET ANOTHER. Beg, borrow, charge, etc to get the new gun....find a way.....but don't sell. He was older and wiser. Only many years later did I understand how correct he was. You done good!

 

[HAWKEYE10]

Mike surely you are not going to shoot that nice gun. It's
just to nice to shoot. But if you must have fun. Don

 

[sw44spl]

very nice 29 enjoy it.the 45colt isnt shabby both nice.

 

[dan belisle]

My favorite 44 mag. I have two 4 inch guns (blue and nickel) and one 6 1/2 inch (blue). Great revolvers. - dan

 

[Doc Barranti]

I am impatiently waiting for the phone call...should be here today or tomorrow! Can't wait!

 

[bgrafsr]

If you want that case to look like new, or better, contact Joe Cebull on the forum. He can fix those liners for you and he is good. pt-toesataccnorwalk.com

Replace at with @

Bill

He just did one for me and it is fantastic. Price was very reasonable too.

 

[Doc Barranti]

It is even better in person...all I can say is WOW! Sorry for the cell phone pic...I will take better pics soon.

Thanks for the tip about the case. I figured there would be someone on the forum that did that sort of work.

 

[Jimmymac46]

I carried a 29-2 blue 4" with my So. Cal. agency from 1973 until 1977 when we were all forced to carry department issued guns (model 66 4"). I never really realized how heavy my 29 was until I reluctantly began carrying the 66. I was initially somewhat distraught feeling I was being forced to carry a sub-caliber weapon. The issued Remington 125 grain hp at a true 1400 plus out of the four inch (at the time) soon proved that I had not given up much in the performance department.

I retain the 29 to this date, take it out to fondle it on occasion, but shoot all my other 29's and 629's. It was the first 29/629 of my now near dozen specimens and remains my favorite. I purchased it directly from the then West Coast Distributor for Smith and Wesson in Monrovia, California. With a letter from my department, I drove there and walked away with it for $137 as I recall. Three 'T's, presentation case, NIB. Weren't those the days?

My collection includes every barrel length offered I believe (29/629's) and I too am partial to my 6 1/2 guns, but the four inch will do everything.....carry relatively easy, has a sufficient sight radius, softens muzzle blast a little and remains controllable even with my favorite concoction of the Keith #429421-250 grain hard cast, backed by H-110/296. It is a better choice with the same bullet and 9 grains of Unique....being able to handle about anything with considerably less muzzle blast and recoil.

You now own a great shooter......handling, performance, looks, reliability.....a forever keeper IMHO!

 

[Doc Barranti]

I carried a 29-2 blue 4" with my So. Cal. agency from 1973 until 1977...

Jim, what 44 load did you use on duty?

 

[M16]

The 4" Model 29 is one of my favorite revolvers. I lucked in to three of them in one week. Two were unfired since leaving the factory. Here is a picture of them.

 

[fyimo]

Fantastic looking 44 Magnum anybody would be proud to own.

 

[Jimmymac46]

44 Mag Duty Load

Jim, what 44 load did you use on duty?

Probably should respond to this with a PM or different thread, but I don't really recall exactly. I believe it was the Remington available at the time. I know I used JHP 240's on duty and the same (Remington?) 240 lead for qualification shoots which I believe were factory gas checked. The 180 grain JHP, which I would prefer today was either not available factory then, or I was just ignorant of its existence. I do remember vividly that when I qualified, I was sent down the line to shoot away from others due to the muzzle blast being 'magnified' under the covered shooting line. Plus, my 4" always had a tendency to spit lead laterally at the forcing cone when shooting those type of bullets. Department policy was at the time, you were able to carry any 'quality' revolver (no autos) on duty but you must qualify with the gun using the ammunition you carried while in the field (I cheated with the cheaper lead 240's). Qualification was every 90 days.

Back then, I believe about a dozen or so other deputies carried 44 mags, some just using them with 44 Special rounds (very lethargic) and many more carried model 24's, with one guy in particular carrying a 1950 Target. A few even packed model 25's. Most of the troops, however carried 357's in the form of model 19's, 28's, 27's, and even Colt Python's and Troopers.

Thinking back, I'll bet at least half of the department used various versions of Colt 1911's as their off-duty pieces, government frames and the then hot Commander and Combat Commander....mine was a Government model Series 70. The agency's philosophy at the time was heavily weighted toward the large caliber.

 

[bowerjn]

presentation box liners

Would someone please list contact info. for the person who reworks the presentation box liners ? Thanks in advance .

 

[jcelect]

That would be me!

This is what the above pictured case will look like when restored! Please email if interested? [email protected]

jcelect SWCA#LM723

 

[jj2am44]

Probably should respond to this with a PM or different thread, but I don't really recall exactly. I believe it was the Remington available at the time. I know I used JHP 240's on duty and the same (Remington?) 240 lead for qualification shoots which I believe were factory gas checked. The 180 grain JHP, which I would prefer today was either not available factory then, or I was just ignorant of its existence. I do remember vividly that when I qualified, I was sent down the line to shoot away from others due to the muzzle blast being 'magnified' under the covered shooting line. Plus, my 4" always had a tendency to spit lead laterally at the forcing cone when shooting those type of bullets. Department policy was at the time, you were able to carry any 'quality' revolver (no autos) on duty but you must qualify with the gun using the ammunition you carried while in the field (I cheated with the cheaper lead 240's). Qualification was every 90 days.

Back then, I believe about a dozen or so other deputies carried 44 mags, some just using them with 44 Special rounds (very lethargic) and many more carried model 24's, with one guy in particular carrying a 1950 Target. A few even packed model 25's. Most of the troops, however carried 357's in the form of model 19's, 28's, 27's, and even Colt Python's and Troopers.

Thinking back, I'll bet at least half of the department used various versions of Colt 1911's as their off-duty pieces, government frames and the then hot Commander and Combat Commander....mine was a Government model Series 70. The agency's philosophy at the time was heavily weighted toward the large caliber.

Remington used to make what they called a "Mid-Range" load. I think it was around 1100 FPS. I still have a couple of boxes.

 

[Doc Barranti]

Here are all my N frames... from the left; 29-2, 28-2, 624 and 625...

 

[TAROMAN]

So is anyone SHOOTING their Model 29s with the Magna grips?
I'm thinking about trying some to see if they will be easier on my middle finger that gets battered by the trigger guard.

 

[fyimo]

+1 on Joe refinishing the case lining as he's done several for me and they turn out outstanding. That's a great looking 4 inch Model 29 and one I still will eventually buy or trade for.