29-4 scope rings

[Bill Cullen]

Remember the 29-4, with barrels cuts that allowed clamp on rings to be applied so that the rear sight didn't have to be removed? Does anyone know who made these for S&W and if they are still commercially available? I have had no luck finding them. Thanks.

 

[75Vette]

They were made for S&W by Millet and no, they don't make them anymore. If you're lucky enough to find an original set you'll pay top dollar. I made an attempt to modify a set and by the time I removed enough metal to make them fit, they were just not strong enough to stand up to magnum (or even special) loads.

 

[Vettepartz]

A few years back I was fortunate enough to pick up one of those pistols at a local gun show, without rings. I searched hard but found nobody that had any for sale. I called S&W and a gentleman there gave me the name of an individual who had a small business and a lot of NOS parts. Called the individual and he actually had a new set of rings, still in the plastic wrapper and he sold them to me for $60. That was his only set.

My point here is that they are hard to find and if you do find some, they will probably be from an individual and not a large business. Good luck hunting for some.

 

[Bill Cullen]

So I tried calling S&W today, thinking that maybe they still had a few pairs lying around. The guy I talked to was clueless, he didn't even know that this model existed and he told me that unless I could give him the serial number of the gun he couldn't do anything for me. I told him that I am looking at one to purchase but it is missing the rings and would not purchase it unless I could find the rings. He said there was nothing he could do unless he had a serial number or a part number. So, I would never ask for a serial number but if there is anyone out there who still has all of the original paperwork that came with their 29-4 scope ring model and you could provide a part number for the rings, or a part number for the model 29-4 (the 6 digit number on box) I would appreciate it.

 

[Vettepartz]

Will this help?

 

[gwpercle]

If you find the rings at S&W...go buy a lottery ticket, because someone's looking out for you !
I would go ahead and buy the gun , if it's a decent deal and track down rings later.
You would be surprised what can be found on the net....it just takes some searching.
I recently found a brand new complete trigger and trigger guard assembly for a 20 gauge High Standard Flite King, from a little shop in Arkansas and those babies l were last produced around 1975. It's amazing what's still tucked away out there. Just have to play Sherlock Holmes a bit.
Gary

 

[Bill Cullen]

thanks for the pic of the box I will call S&W and post what they say.

 

[Bill Cullen]

Here's an update. I called S&W again, the guy I got this time knew exactly what I was looking for, he said these are completely gone, none at S&W. I called Millett (now owned by Bushnell), they told me the same thing. So it's either hope to win the lottery or go a different direction. I might get lucky and find a complete 29-4 with rings at a show but I haven't seen one in quite a long time.

 

[H Richard]

This might be a really long shot, but I think I recall that back about that same time frame (80's or 90's) Ruger also had a Redhawk model with integral scope rings that mounted on the barrel rib. See if you can determine if those rings might also fit a S&W and it might double your chances of finding a set.

 

[Vettepartz]

Bill Cullen, here is an old thread I started when I got mine. Maybe the picture will help.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/319700-another-m-29-long-barrel.html

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

....Ruger also had a Redhawk model with integral scope rings that mounted on the barrel rib. See if you can determine if those rings might also fit.....

That won't work. Ruger handguns use the same proprietary ring system that's used on their rifles. They're plentiful and inexpensive. They're nothing like the Millett S&W rings.

 

[sw282]

l have a Smith&Wesson parts manual with all guns /parts listed thru 29-3

But no 29-4..Manual is dated 2/88..lnteresting parts list it does have are all the parts and numbers for the 29-3 Silhouette Model..

ln front the manual states miimum oder is $5.00...Also company policy does not allow the sale of any sale of frames, yokes, side plates, Magnum cylinders or barrels

 

[jcelect]

Rings

I have posted this before but can't find it right now, so you get it again!
The original rings were made by Millet and look like the Millet Angle Loc rings of today, which will not tighten down! The difference is the little piece that goes into the broached area of the barrel! In the picture, the top piece is the correct one for the S&W 629,29,586, & 686.

jcelect

 

[Bill Cullen]

Thanks 75Vette! From the picture it looks like the cross bar is a lesser width than the standard ring. However, it also looks as though the claw, for lack of a better term, or the part that cinches onto the cuts in the barrel is a different shape on the S&W ring compared to the standard Millett ring. Is this correct? The S&W ring appears to taper inward and then has another offshoot angle whereas from the picture it looks like the Millett ring does not have the extra inward tapered tab, correct? If not and it is only the angle that the photo was taken, then I think I have a quick solution. I can have the machine shop trim back the sides of the cross bar to fit just inside of the barrel cuts. Thanks again.

 

[jaymoore]

I've modded two sets of regular Millets so far and they've held up for about ten years or more:

 

[jcelect]

The rest of the story!

This thread prompted me to pull out my 586, 629, & 29 with the factory scope rings! It appears the N frame guns and the L frame guns had different rings(the small clamp on the bottom of both sides). This is a picture of the clamps on my 29, 586, and Millet Angle Loc rings!

jcelect

 

[jaymoore]

This thread prompted me to pull out my 586, 629, & 29 with the factory scope rings! It appears the N frame guns and the L frame guns had different rings(the small clamp on the bottom of both sides). This is a picture of the clamps on my 29, 586, and Millet Angle Loc rings!

jcelect

Looks like S&W maybe sent me 586 rings all those years ago. And at least one set got cut on. Pity, that! Still don't have a .357 version.

 

[jcelect]

Rings

Hey jaymoore
Your picture is what prompted me to investigate more with the rings I had! It would be interesting to see if your modification would work with the Millet Angle Loc rings.
jcelect