First Model 29
- Thread starter Kansasjayglocker
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major congrats....I have a number of 29's going back to my first 29-2 that I purchased new in 1976...over the years have shot a lot of heavy loads in them and so far have had no issues whatsoever...excellent choice!
larryschwartz
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I worked in a sporting goods store that included guns in their product mix. You can guess what department I always gravitated to. Anyway, a few months after Dirty Harry hit the theaters we had a guy come into the store, average build and height, who wanted to see a S&W Model 29, "you know, the Dirty Harry gun." Well, we brought it out and showed it to him and he really liked it. After he did all of the paperwork, got some shells and miscellaneous cleaning gear and such he was on his way out the door a very happy customer.
Fast forward a week or so and one evening here comes the same customer back into the store, with his Model 29, saying that he wants to return it. We asked why and he said he just didn't like the way it shot and wanted his money back or an exchange. I was out on the floor cleaning up the shelves but the guy behind the counter was obviously working hard to control his facial expression. I didn't understand until I went behind the counter and saw the customers face, or should I say forehead.
He had a big Band-Aid adhesive bandage on his forehead that was covering a nice gash, which just happened to be the size of the front sight blade on a Model 29. Apparently he forgot two things about the movie...first, Inspector Callahan shot reduced powder loads in his Model 29 to reduce the recoil, and second, this guys forearms are not the same size as Clint Eastwood's forearms.
We gave him his money back.
Fast forward a week or so and one evening here comes the same customer back into the store, with his Model 29, saying that he wants to return it. We asked why and he said he just didn't like the way it shot and wanted his money back or an exchange. I was out on the floor cleaning up the shelves but the guy behind the counter was obviously working hard to control his facial expression. I didn't understand until I went behind the counter and saw the customers face, or should I say forehead.
He had a big Band-Aid adhesive bandage on his forehead that was covering a nice gash, which just happened to be the size of the front sight blade on a Model 29. Apparently he forgot two things about the movie...first, Inspector Callahan shot reduced powder loads in his Model 29 to reduce the recoil, and second, this guys forearms are not the same size as Clint Eastwood's forearms.
We gave him his money back.
chrisbroz
Member
I bought a Mod 29 in late 1973/early 1974 from the Illesheim Rod & Gun Club in Germany...I'd seen Dirty Harry in July of '72 at Grafenwohr, liked the pistol, but had no funds to even THINK about getting one...according to my dad back in NJ they were going for around 700 bux at the time...I put it out of my mind - but I DID mention my interest to the manager of the Rod & Gun Club (aka the Rod & Bottle Club by the city slicker elites - most likely jealous of the Monday night 10 cent R&C specials)...until I got a call in mid December of '73, just before I was scheduled to sneak home for Christmas to surprise the folks (and to attend my best bud's wedding in Ft Lauderdale, FL). The manager, Ernie Gambill asked me if I was still interested in the Mod 29 and told me there was one left in the S&W bonded warehouse in Ulm which was being closed down...if I wanted it I hadda speak up...the price was $205.50...I told him I had no money and would hafta ask my dad for it...could he hold it???. Regs at the time required that the gun be paid for in advance and picked up the day it arrived...Ernie told me he'd cover me so I told him to go ahead and order it...that night I got onto the MARS radio and called home asking dad for the money...I couldn't tell him I'd spent that money on a ticket home and spoil the surprise, but he agreed to lend me the money none the less...around mid January I was sitting at my desk in the battalion S2 office when I got a call from the R&G Club...I made the dash to the club in about ten seconds...normally about a 5 minute walk...It was beautiful...I think that when I took it to the ranges in Germany, the Germans and my fellow Army buds shot it ore than I did...everyone wanted to shoot 'Dirty Harry's gun!!! i also has a Winchester Mod 94 in .44 Mag that the Germans went apesh*t over whenever they saw it and I always let them take a few shots...I had the pistol until February of 1982 when, while I was away on a business trip, one of my roomie's bud's stole it (I THINK). two weeks later, the same person (again, I THINK) stole my CANON F-1 Camera I'd bought in Germany...I was more upset that I lost the camera than the gun...I figgered the gun would turn up sooner or later and that I'd have it back in a short time...I'm still waiting...Whoever stole the gun and camera stole it in the right sequence because if they'd taken the camera first I'd prolly STILL be in jail...I had my suspicions and thank God I didn't have the Mod 29 to act on 'em...somewhere in my archives I still have the bills of sale for all the firearms I bought in Germany and barring that, I have the registration cards (with the SNs) issued by the Storck Barracks MP Station when I signed out of the unit to DEROS to the states in July of '74...Gorgeous picture BTW...bring back memories of pinned barrels, recessed cylinder charge holes and a deep blue finish that could be used as a mirror when shaving...I have a 4 screw K-22 I inherited from my dad with the same finish...THAT gun is going nowhere!!!
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rt11002003
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Nice gun, congratulations! Really interesting thread. It points out how much I don't know and increases my knowledge. Thanks guys!
chrisbroz
Member
$650??? That is absolute grand larceny, my friend!!! Nice catch!!! I woluldda been tripping all over myself on the way to and from the bank!!!
Thanks for the kind words everyone. Just got home from the range. Shot 50 rounds of Black Hill's .44 special 210 gr flat point. Shot great, recoil is very manageable. Don't have a lot of desire to shoot full Magnum loads, although I will confess I did watch Dirty Harry last night!
Harry didn't shoot magnum loads either. He used a "light special" load for better control. The movie sound effects just make it sound like a magnum.
Qmark
Member
As he said with an emphasis on "your first". Chances are good if you spend a lot of time here. There will be more 29's in your future.
My first one came in 1972. Long story short. After paying off and picking up my lay-away. I didn't get the same gun. Took the gun store owner to small claims court, got a refund, returned the unfired 44 and got 20 some bucks cash for court fees.
I'm down to only one now, a 29-2 with 4 inch barrel. Bought it for $300 from a co-worker in 89. Chances are good you will feel an overwhelming desire to buy every S&W 44 you see. As an investment strategy. Sure wish I'd hung on to the S&W 44's I accumulated and traded away in the 70 and 80's.
First of all, congrats on your model 29. My favorite revolver of all time.
If you reload, you can easily shoot reduced mag loads to enjoy your 29. I rarely shoot specials in my 29 because I hate the burn ring that can build up in the cylinder from the shorter case. (same with 38's in .357). If you shoot lead and don't keep it clean, you may find mag brass can have a tight fit after a while. For range shooting, I'll use 9 grains of unique or 8 grains of 231 behind a 240 grain cast bullet. Personally I prefer gas checks at any velocity as it significantly cuts down on leading. These loads are very comfortable to shoot, accurate and easy on the 29 as well.
For years, I loaded H110 and 2400 at published max loadings. My 29 shows no ill effects. With heavy loads, as long as you don't exceed SAMMI spec pressure and push the envelope, the 29 will serve you well. Congrats again.
Ray
If you reload, you can easily shoot reduced mag loads to enjoy your 29. I rarely shoot specials in my 29 because I hate the burn ring that can build up in the cylinder from the shorter case. (same with 38's in .357). If you shoot lead and don't keep it clean, you may find mag brass can have a tight fit after a while. For range shooting, I'll use 9 grains of unique or 8 grains of 231 behind a 240 grain cast bullet. Personally I prefer gas checks at any velocity as it significantly cuts down on leading. These loads are very comfortable to shoot, accurate and easy on the 29 as well.
For years, I loaded H110 and 2400 at published max loadings. My 29 shows no ill effects. With heavy loads, as long as you don't exceed SAMMI spec pressure and push the envelope, the 29 will serve you well. Congrats again.
Ray
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Willeys
Member
When I base my M29 I reloaded 44 mag brass to 44 special loads to avoid a deposit ring if 44 special brass was used.
