29-5 silhouette

[Danielboone]

I just brought home a 29-5 with the 10 5/8" barrel with 4 position silhouette front sight. I have spent a lot of time looking for info on these and only see info on the 29-3 with this barrel. Serial number is BPC9xxx. I did see a pdf of the 1991 catalog that still offered the 10 5/8" barrel. It has a case hardened hammer and a smooth faced stainless trigger that breaks real clean and light. This thing does show some age but I think it'll be a good companion in the deer stand this fall. Unfortunately it has an aftermarket wood grip, which will be replaced with a pachmayr for now. Does anyone have any idea how many of these rolled out in the 29-5, or any other info? I am brand new to the site, so I don't know how to post pics, but thank you all in advance for any info you may have.

 

[RT44nut]

Welcome to the forum. There are a lot of knowledgeable people here that have forgotten more than I'll ever know and can add to this thimble full. I think yours might be the one that sold recently with what they called a stainless trigger? Don't think that's original. From the 4th edition of the Std. Catalog, it was produced in 1990 and the -5 normally brings a 10% premium. They had a longer stop notch in cylinder and new bolt block. Enjoy it and the forum! If you type Silhouette under search on the right side in the 1980 to the present, you can see the 29-5 posts for some more information.

 

[75Vette]

The info in the post above is all I have too. The dash 5 models were the last of the silhouette 29's. Here's a pic from the 4th edition sharing the same info. Somehow, the wrong pic was inserted in the book. Also, a pic of mine I picked up a few years ago.

 

[colt_saa]

Congratulations on a rare find.

I owned and sold one that was a -3 but I have always wanted a 10 5/8" Silhouette that was manufactured after the introduction of the endurance package.

The -5s are so hard to find that I acquired a barrel and rear sight assembly with the intention of making my own.

Other projects have always come up and I have just not gotten around to finding a post endurance package revolver to use as a donor for the project

 

[Alton]

Welcome to the site. I love my 29-3 10 5/8". Bought from a dealer going out of business from the NE. I have always had good luck finding the manufacturing dates from Smith and Wesson
[email protected]

 

[jcelect]

29 Silhouette

The 29 Silhouettes were made in the 29-2 thru the 29-5 changes. The most common is the 29-3. I maintain a database on this model and have no -4 guns and only 3 -5 guns.

The gun in the center is my "hunter" and it has taken many Ohio deer over the years. On top is a red dot, for low light conditions, mounted on a see thru mount. Both of the Presentation cases were sold by S&W as after market items. The case on the left has been recovered by me as the original covering deteriorated!

This is a Silhouette that was very hard for me to find! Yes, the caliber is 41 Mag! There were only 4 of these guns ever made and Hank Williams Jr bought one only to have it cut to 7 1/2"! I know where 3 of these guns are, so there is one left in circulation.
jcelect

 

[colt_saa]

This is a Silhouette that was very hard for me to find! Yes, the caliber is 41 Mag! There were only 4 of these guns ever made and Hank Williams Jr bought one only to have it cut to 7 1/2"! I know where 3 of these guns are, so there is one left in circulation.
jcelect

This is the one that would REALLY Like to have

 

[Danielboone]

Thanks for all the replies, yes this was a recent gunbroker purchase, seller's pics had the yellow background, and a good seller, auction ended on a Saturday, I had this in hand the following Friday. I'm happy with it overall, theres basically no forward/backward movement of the cylinder, I can get it to rotate about 17 thousandths of an inch measuring with pointy side of a caliper hooked on under side of top strap and other point in the cylinder notch, which based on what I've seen is just fine. Maybe someone here knows more on that. I am waiting for a new grip before I go shoot it. How would a guy make the trigger pull on this thing a bit heavier? Ya, heavier... it seems real light and for hunting, with gloves on, it's probably too light right now. The fact that its not in super nice condition and not all original, I won't feel bad if I blemish it from field use. I will have to keep a lookout for that 41 mag!

 

[jcelect]

How would a guy make the trigger pull on this thing a bit heavier? Ya, heavier... it seems real light and for hunting,

Sounds like the gun has had a trigger job done on it! The easiest way to increase the DA trigger pull is to replace the rebound slide spring. If the SA trigger pull is too light the gun might have had the main spring replaced or the sears could have been modified! Check for push off! That's, cock the hammer and push on the hammer keeping your finger off of the trigger. The hammer should not fall! ! ! If your gun has push off, you need a new hammer and trigger!
jcelect

 

[SweetMK]

I normally "PLINK" with a 6" 629,,
yesterday, I as shooting a 3" 629 I recently acquired,,

It was like I was JUST learning to shoot,,
3 shots out of 6 under a spot the size of my palm,, the rest?? well we will not discuss those.
(this is at 10 yards, I was just trying to find where the new gun shoots)

With the 6", I normally have 90% or better under a palm size spot,, at 10 yards.

So, I can see the REAL benefit of having one of these long barreled gun!!

 

[stansdds]

I normally "PLINK" with a 6" 629,,
yesterday, I as shooting a 3" 629 I recently acquired,,

It was like I was JUST learning to shoot,,
3 shots out of 6 under a spot the size of my palm,, the rest?? well we will not discuss those.
(this is at 10 yards, I was just trying to find where the new gun shoots)

With the 6", I normally have 90% or better under a palm size spot,, at 10 yards.

So, I can see the REAL benefit of having one of these long barreled gun!!

Longer barrels are not inherently more accurate, but the longer sight radius makes it easier to shoot accurately.

 

[Rad29]

As folks have mentioned, the 29-4E (Endurance package added) and 29-5 are the least seen 10 5/8 inch models. The various Silhouette models can make an interesting sub-group for collectors.

Bob

 

[TKeithRobertson]

Just a bit on silhouette shooting

Metallic silhouette shooting was a bigger deal about three decades ago. I remember our matches were always full and you had to sign up ahead of time. Now days it's a much thinner crowd.

In silhouette shooting there are various classes for 'production' guns, those that have only slight alterations from factory standard. When S&W, Dan Wesson, etc. came out with 'factory' guns that were essentially customized for silhouette shooting, it was a big deal. There is also an Unlimited category where guns such as Remington XP-100s, Thompson Contenders, etc. are used.

One of the advantages of the longer barrels on production guns was that it easily extended past your leg while shooting in what is called "modified Creedmore" position. I can't describe it; you'll have to look it up. But the longer barrels helped with this as compared to a 'standard' revolver which usually had a barrel no more than 7" long.

Anyways, check out the International Handgun Metallic Silhouette Association (Welcome to IHMSA - Main). They have links to state and local resources to see if matches are being hosted anywhere in your area.

I can say with experience that few things are more satisfying than hearing lead clang into a steel target!! Give it a try.

 

[D Brown]

Sounds like the gun has had a trigger job done on it! The easiest way to increase the DA trigger pull is to replace the rebound slide spring. If the SA trigger pull is too light the gun might have had the main spring replaced or the sears could have been modified! Check for push off! That's, cock the hammer and push on the hammer keeping your finger off of the trigger. The hammer should not fall! ! ! If your gun has push off, you need a new hammer and trigger!
jcelect

Push on the hammer firmly but not with the force of a Mack Truck...

 

[SweetMK]

One of the advantages of the longer barrels on production guns was that it easily extended past your leg while shooting in what is called "modified Creedmore" position. I can't describe it; you'll have to look it up. But the longer barrels helped with this as compared to a 'standard' revolver which usually had a barrel no more than 7" long.

I was perusing videos yesterday,,
and Hickock45 was demonstrating what happened if you held a folded sheet of paper next to the cylinder gap.

Most people think the damage comes from the barrel,,
well his tri (at least, may have been quad) folded paper was held next to the cylinder gap of his 44 Mag S&W Trail Boss,,

I expected the paper next to the cylinder gap to get singed,, or maybe a little worse,,

What happened was the ENTIRE paper beyond the gap disintegrated!!
It was like 4-6" of paper,, exploded.

I figured at worse, the paper would be cut off,, but it was WAY worse than cut off.

He mentioned that for the Creedmoor position, guys have a leather flap that attaches to their leg,,

 

[Danielboone]

Got the pacmayr grips on and I think it's a big upgrade in the looks category. I tried attaching a pic, I guess we'll see if it shows up ok, seems to be upside down in the thumbnail... I tried pushing the hammer forward when its cocked, it stays put just fine under 10-15 lbs of thumb pressure. Still haven't taken it to the range, that'll have to wait another week or so. Next project will be a holster, I am a very amateur leather worker, as in I've made 2 knife sheaths an axe sheath and one holster for a 1911 in the past 18 months, so that should be a fun project, and probably my only option as a lefty. I'm thinking a low set hip holster with part of the front side open so I don't have to actually pull the entire barrel up and out.

 

[jcelect]

Got the pacmayr grips on and I think it's a big upgrade in the looks category. I tried attaching a pic, I guess we'll see if it shows up ok, seems to be upside down in the thumbnail... I tried pushing the hammer forward when its cocked, it stays put just fine under 10-15 lbs of thumb pressure. Still haven't taken it to the range, that'll have to wait another week or so. Next project will be a holster, I am a very amateur leather worker, as in I've made 2 knife sheaths an axe sheath and one holster for a 1911 in the past 18 months, so that should be a fun project, and probably my only option as a lefty. I'm thinking a low set hip holster with part of the front side open so I don't have to actually pull the entire barrel up and out.

The best holster position for that gun is a chest holster (bandolier type) with a waist belt! Mine is a Uncle Mikes Nylon with a belt!
The link is from Simply Rugged Holsters.
Chesty Puller Suspension System

jcelect

 

[rockquarry]

I was perusing videos yesterday,,
and Hickock45 was demonstrating what happened if you held a folded sheet of paper next to the cylinder gap.

Most people think the damage comes from the barrel,,
well his tri (at least, may have been quad) folded paper was held next to the cylinder gap of his 44 Mag S&W Trail Boss,,

I expected the paper next to the cylinder gap to get singed,, or maybe a little worse,,

What happened was the ENTIRE paper beyond the gap disintegrated!!
It was like 4-6" of paper,, exploded.

I figured at worse, the paper would be cut off,, but it was WAY worse than cut off.

He mentioned that for the Creedmoor position, guys have a leather flap that attaches to their leg,,

I'm not familiar with Hickock 45, but a more dramatic and practical way to demonstrate what happens is to drape a piece of folded cloth, shop rag, or towel over a sandbag rest, then proceed to shoot a revolver with the edge of frame resting on the sandbag.

It only takes a few rounds to do significant damage to the cloth, and the cloth is far more substantial than a piece of paper. With the barrel resting on the sandbag (a poor practice if decent accuarcy is expected), the blast damage will occur quicker.