Bought a Model 29 Classic

[glockrox]

Hi everybody,

I am a auto-only guy and thats all I've ever owned until just the other day. I just purchased a new model 29 Classic in .44,
Magnum. It is such a gorgeous revolver that I might just keep it in its box and never shoot it... Still havnt decided yet, but if I did what should I start off in? .44 special? Magnum rounds?

The revolver is a completely different beast than say the glock which I normally shoot, so I'm thinking a light round might be better to start off with.

Which leads me to the oft asked question of can these pistols handle the .300 grain freight train rounds that are all the rage now? I know the classic is a the 29-10... right?

And I've read that post 88 these pistols all had the "endurance package" which is designed to accomadate for the faster rounds.... Right?

My friend has a ruger black hawk in .44 and his gun kicks so hard it pinches me, so I refuse to shoot it anymore! I'm a big guy I weigh 215 pounds. Lol this scar is my reminder.

Is the 29 going to be nicer to me than my buddies ruger?

I guess the most important question I have is that considering how hard to find these pistols are, should I just wait and flip it in a couple of years or start shooting it now? It's the purdiest magnum I've ever seen, so for now I just like looking at it!

Thanks Yall!

 

[Maximumbob54]

If you aren't used to magnums then you might find some .44 specials and start with those. I feel like the 185gr magnums recoil worse than the 240's do but that may just be subjective. I don't care for heavy for caliber bullets in Smiths. As I understand it the Endurance Package cut wider cylinder notches for the stop to grab hold in and a few other small changes. That doesn't make it a S&W Redhawk though... Enjoy your new Classic. I'm told the stocks on them are the most comfortable offering in wood ever put on the 29's.

 

[Nanook 450]

I'd shoot it, and forget any collector value or profit down the road as it has the internal lock.

Shoot hot specials and mild magnums for fun, but it should handle heavier loads. Should not run Garretts or other made for Ruger only ammo, as the Ruger actions are stronger.

Find a grip that fits your hand and stick with it.

Glad you like the Classic.

 

[Cpo1944]

Just shoot it !
You could go to a well stocked gun store and get various ammo for it , light thru heavy to see how you like it.

Keep in mind it`s all in the grips you will have to experiment to find the ones that are right for you.

Which brings up your friends Ruger you need to try it with different grips and I`ll bet you find some that suit you and make it more pleasant to shoot.

For years I was turned off by the S&W M-27 cause I thought it was too uncomfortable to shoot, turned out was just a case of the wrong grips.

Good luck with your new Smith

 

[mnhogrider]

Congratulations on your new model 29! I, myself can't "not-shoot" a gun. I'd be at the range pronto with that one.

Do you reload? I got started reloading after buying a used 629. I bought a couple of factory 50 round boxes the first time shooting it. Too expensive to shoot often doing it that way. But, I saved the cases and figured out what I had to do to re-load them. The beauty of reloading .44 magnum is there is a wide range of charges that can be used from mild to stout. I've never shot .44 special. I'll just reload the magnums on the light side. I just target shoot.

The .44 magnum is a great cartridge to start reloading with. As time went by I got more into handloading. I now reload 7 different calibers.

If your buddie's Blackhawk is beating you up, you need to look at your grip and stance and change things so you're not getting pinched.

If it was me, I'd give it an initial cleaning, buy a box of ammo and have some fun! (save the cases!)

 

[Titegroups]

Adding to what has been said already you'll find the recoil out of that n frame smith to be totally different than your buddies SBH. The recoil will feel straight back and won't roll like a single action. Buy a box of regular 44 mags and don't waste money on light 44 specials. If you find you enjoy shooting the larger caliber guns a reloading press will make it much more economical and allow you to load your ammo to the power level you desire.

 

[glockrox]

Adding to what has been said already you'll find the recoil out of that n frame smith to be totally different than your buddies SBH. The recoil will feel straight back and won't roll like a single action. Buy a box of regular 44 mags and don't waste money on light 44 specials. If you find you enjoy shooting the larger caliber guns a reloading press will make it much more economical and allow you to load your ammo to the power level you desire.

Interesting, yeah the n frames have a different looking "grip" from the blackhawks altogether. BH has the smooth rolled grips, and model 29 has a "bump" on the corner. Is this to make the recoil more controllable? It seems like that would be the case. Hence the bump behind the hammer.

Realoding looks to be the only economical way to shoot these beasts. Cheapest ammo I've found is 200 buck for 500 rounds of .44 mag in flat tip 240 grain.

That reloading equipment is pretty pricey tho isn't it?

 

[glockrox]

Okay I just shot this bad boy for the first time...

Ummm. Yeah... Like is said before I'm a auto guy by history. It shoots better that any gun I have ever fired. It is smooth, glossy, beautiful and very powerful. I am shocked. I have always been so critical towards revolvers, but after shooting 50 rounds of JHP 240 grain without so much as a small callous on my shooting finger I'm happy to say this is my favorite pistol ever.

I shoot it better one handed for goodness sake!! It's a hand cannonand it rocks!

Ok I'm done now. Just wanted to you guyshow much I love it. I LOVE IT! lol

 

[BaldEagle1313]

It shoots better that any gun I have ever fired. It is smooth, glossy, beautiful and very powerful. I am shocked. I have always been so critical towards revolvers, but after shooting 50 rounds of JHP 240 grain without so much as a small callous on my shooting finger I'm happy to say this is my favorite pistol ever.

Not to be a snob, but if you've shot mostly Glocks I'm not surprised that you are shocked how well a S&W revolver shoots. There's just no comparison. You've been wandering in the Glock desert and have found the S&W oasis.

I shot a Glock. Once. Don't even know which model it was, just that it was 9mm. Hated it. Plastic guns - BAH! Much prefer my Smith 1st, 2nd and 3rd gen semi-autos.

Welcome back from the dark side!

 

[El Dorico]

I too just bought my first Model 29 (29-5, full lug). I put it off for more than thirty years, and then just did it. My wife is not thrilled, but she'll get over it, and I will still have the gun. I bought it off of a shooter who chopped up the trigger, so I took it right in and had a new one installed. Finding good, afordable leather is becoming a challenge, but the hunt is half the fun, is it not?

 

[arjay]

These guns are addictive.Look into reloading.You won't save any money,but you will have more ammo for the money spent and you can tailor the loads to a specific gun and purpose.The 44s and 45s can be expensive to feed and they are a lot of fun to shoot.

 

[El Dorico]

Reloading is certainly a good idea. But each time I get enough money to purchase a rig, I buy a new gun. Therapy is not helping.

 

[J.D.]

I too have the same revolver & I love it. Mine gets shot a fair bit usually target shooting so as the others have said try shooting some 44 special loads then some target type 44 mag loads get use to the 29 then you can use the big stuff when you need to & you'll know that you will hit what you aim at & be ready for your next shot

Reloding is great you can get the loads that suit you & your weapon & it isn't that expensive to get into.

Take care & havy fun with your new best Friend

 

[Titegroups]

You can save plenty reloading especially the large calibers. To get started it will cost you about what a gun costs but once you start you'll wonder why you waited so long. Using lead for bullets I can load a 100 .44 for about $15 and it takes about 45mins. I load all the common handgun rounds from 32 S&W to 45 Colt.

 

[Coaltminer]

I bought a 4" this spring, had to send it back for a cylinder pin/extractor issue after about 250 rounds of reloaded 44 spl. It is sweet, but nothing more than I expected having owned dozens of Smiths since the 60's. This and M&P 9c are my only 2 Smiths right now. It won't see many magnum rounds, and I prefer plated or jacketed bullets for easy clean up. It'll grow on you! I did change the grips for the Magna wood style, but haven't shot it enough yet with them. Glad you like it, I sure do.