Dark Winds and the .44

[SGT ROCK 11B]

My Favorite Modern Western, "Dark Winds" is on Netflix. It is set in 1971

A Smith & Wesson Model 29 is carried by Lt. Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon) as his primary sidearm. The revolver is outfitted with factory target grips. The Model 29 is a heavy caliber revolver for law enforcement use (apologies to Harry Callahan), but it wasn't unheard of to be carried by officers in the sixties and seventies who worked large rural areas with little to no back-up.

 

[Birdgun]

I'm watching "Dark Winds" Season 2 right now. I assumed that Leaphorn's sidearm was a Model 19. Thanks for the picture. Certainly is a large caliber N-frame. Could it be a .41 or .45, or did you hear from somewhere it is a .44?

Disregard the question. I found a source that says it's a Model 29.

Source:
Dark Winds - Season 1 - Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in Movies, TV and Video Games

 

[rct269]

I'll assume everybody here knows a .44 Magnum is a thunder and lightning gun-----and as heavy as lead!

You'll forget about how heavy it is if/when you HAVE to use it!!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Muley Gil]

I worked with several officers, over the years, who carried M29s.

 

[jimmyj]

In the 1962-1964 era I carried a S&W Model 29 4" Blued as my service sidearm. Purchased from Kleins Sporting Goods, Chicago, Ill.

 

[stansdds]

Don't forget that the Model 58, a fixed sight, N-frame in 41 Magnum, was an issued sidearm in a few law enforcement agencies. The 41 Magnum N-frame is no lighter in weight than one in 44 Magnum. The Model 28 is no lightweight revolver either and there were plenty of them in law enforcement holsters.

 

[jimmyj]

Dark Winds

Don't forget that the Model 58, a fixed sight, N-frame in 41 Magnum, was an issued sidearm in a few law enforcement agencies. The 41 Magnum N-frame is no lighter in weight than one in 44 Magnum. The Model 28 is no lightweight revolver either and there were plenty of them in law enforcement holsters.

I used a S&W Model 58 for a short while, but due to the difficulty in finding ammo (W-W Silvertips) I stopped. The "Police Load" with a 210 grain lead bullet leaded the bore up after only a few shots

 

[Rodan]

Although there are scenes that make it clear that it's a 29 in Season 2, I believe he was carrying a Model 19 in Season 1.

This picture in particular looks like a 19 to me... more barrel in front of the ejector shroud than a 29, and smaller cylinder:

There are a couple of scenes in season 2 where the M29 obviously a new production 29, not a period correct model.

There's also a scene where Jim Chee's mother has a 4" Python, that appears to be a new production stainless Python.

I've long been a fan of Hillerman's novels, and these adaptations take a LOT of liberty with the characters. At least the technical advisors are trying with the firearms to be period correct. Nobody but us gun nuts would probably notice the inconsistencies!

 

[Venom6]

Carried a 4" 629 for a few years in the mid-90's as a rural western deputy and sheriff. First three chambers were loaded with 210 gr. Silvertips; last three, and two speedloaders, were 263 gr. Keith-type SWCs that I cast out of an NEI mold, with enough Unique to push them at a chronographed 1000 fps.

 

[rct269]

Don't forget that the Model 58, a fixed sight, N-frame in 41 Magnum, was an issued sidearm in a few law enforcement agencies. The 41 Magnum N-frame is no lighter in weight than one in 44 Magnum. The Model 28 is no lightweight revolver either and there were plenty of them in law enforcement holsters.

I've never even seen a .41 Magnum, fixed sight or otherwise, but given the same barrel and cylinder forgings as a .44, the .41 is going to weigh a tad more--------smaller holes, right?(!!) And if it isn't right, blame it on the early hour!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[45NUTT]

I started to watch this series because I've read ALL of Hillerman's novels. I don't think I made past the second episode because they changed Chee to an undercover FBI agent that doesn't even speak Navajo instead of the idealistic mystical shaman?

It would be fine if they just adapted it and didn't completely change the characters. The scenery was great though.

 

[Muley Gil]

The M58 doesn't have a shrouded barrel, so that makes it a bit lighter than a M57.

 

[moosedog]

Started off in Detroit in 1978 with a 6.5 inch 29-2 while I waited for my police order 29-2 4 inch. Carried the Remington Mid Level loads that had a flat nosed conical bullet at around 900 fps, as we couldn't carry hollow points. Only the bad guys could.

 

[Rodan]

I started to watch this series because I've read ALL of Hillerman's novels. I don't think I made past the second episode because they changed Chee to an undercover FBI agent that doesn't even speak Navajo instead of the idealistic mystical shaman?

It would be fine if they just adapted it and didn't completely change the characters. The scenery was great though.

It was a pretty jarring change, because Chee's struggles to reconcile his traditional Navajo beliefs with being a police officer are at the center of the novels.

It's almost like they flip-flopped Leaphorn and Chee in the series.

 

[eb07]

I approve. Great show too.

 

[lppd4]

I carried a 4” 629-1 in the early 80’s. Very powerful handgun. If I didn’t anticipate recoil at the start of weapon qualifications I developed a “flinch” before I was thru. There was certainly a difference in carrying a model 66 on your hip and then going to 629 took a little getting used to the extra weight. .44’s were not uncommon in those days, many were carried with .44 specials and most officers could not handle the full power loads for long. I went to a custom 1911 a couple of years later and started shooting it competitively in USPSA Events at all levels.

 

[robertrwalsh]

That is an interesting series. It is nice to see Native American parts actually played by Native Americans.

 

[Doug M.]

I enjoyed the Hillerman novels; my parents had them all as I recall and I read them when visiting.

My first duty weapon was an M58, with 3 speed loaders. I had Silvertips in the cylinder, 2 speed loaders of those, and one of the hunting load just in case.

 

[45NUTT]

It was a pretty jarring change, because Chee's struggles to reconcile his traditional Navajo beliefs with being a police officer are at the center of the novels.

It's almost like they flip-flopped Leaphorn and Chee in the series.

You are correct Sir!

 

[jimmyj]

Dark Sky

I carried a 4” 629-1 in the early 80’s. Very powerful handgun. If I didn’t anticipate recoil at the start of weapon qualifications I developed a “flinch” before I was thru. There was certainly a difference in carrying a model 66 on your hip and then going to 629 took a little getting used to the extra weight. .44’s were not uncommon in those days, many were carried with .44 specials and most officers could not handle the full power loads for long. I went to a custom 1911 a couple of years later and started shooting it competitively in USPSA Events at all levels.

I loaded my Model 29 with the first four chambers with .44 special silvertips and chambers 5 & 6 with full house 240 grain JHP. I kept my two speedloaders with 240 grain JHP magnums and my 12 round cartridge loops with .44 special silvertips. (my B/U was a .44 special 3" Charter arms bulldog)