Found One !! 4-inch M-29's with the Endurance Package

[woodsltc]

I've been on the look-out for several months now for a 4-inch M-29 that would have the endurance package and "NO" lock or MIM parts...............am I looking for something that doesn't exist or is everyone that has one hanging on to them??

I think these would be 4-inch 29-4's and 29-5's (maybe a few of the 29-6's).

Anyone have one??? I would love to see a pic just so I can keep my hopes up of finding one.

Don

Update 1/23/12 : Finally found one ....couple of bad pics and comments on post #20.

 

[Sebago Son]

Hey Don!

Some -3's also got the Endurance Package treatment. Look for the longer bolt stop notches and an "E" stamped into the frame at the yoke cut out. Supica tells us that this was about 1988 and would be well into the Alpha Numeric Serial Numbers...

As an aside, I've owned and shot the snot out of this -3 (not "E" stamped) including some real nose-bleed loads with 26 grains of IMR-4227 rifle powder and it has not developed any problems...

 

[woodsltc]

Hi Drew, I forgot that some of the later -3's got the endurance package..........great pic by the way.

I'm beginning to think that looking for a 4-inch, Model-29 with the EP but no Lock or MIM is in the same category as looking for unicorns, hens teeth, and frog hair!!

Anybody out there got one??

Don

 

[woodsltc]

Well, I've had over 150 views of this thread since I posted it yesterday, and so far no one can tell me if there is such an animal as a 4inch, Model-29 with the "endurance package" but "NO" Lock or MIM parts!!

If some one can answer yea or nay with authority it would be appreciated...........that way I will know if I'm looking for something that doesn't exist or not.

Thanks,
Don

 

[gasaman]

I bought a 4" 29-4 two years ago from a member of a local gun forum. Gun functioned OK but looked like crop. I sent it to S&W for a finish and master revolver action job. Man do I love that gun now.

 

[Doc44]

The Endurance Package was available in 1989, although revolvers actually stamped with an E are scarce to rare. The internal lock did not appear until 2001 with the Model 29-8. I know MIM parts were not used on the Model 29-6, but may have been on the 29-7 (few 29-7s were made in 1999 and many were parts guns made from blue and stainless (629) parts).

Based on the above, a Model 29-4E with a 4-inch barrel could have been made by S&W and would not have the internal lock or MIM parts, but finding one is another story.

Bill

 

[Hondo44]

Unfortunately, you're looking for a unicorn.

There are some out there but they were uncataloged after the 29-1s. So they exist but scarce.

The Endurance package was introduced in '87 with the 29-3E, the early stamp that became the 29-4 in '88. The longer cylinder stop notches came about in 1990, (no change in dash #); MIM trigger in 97 which was already a 29-6; hammer in 1998, 29-7. The lock in 2001, 29-8.

So you have about a 10 year window to find what you want w/o MIM parts. However, unless you intend to shoot the **** out of it w/max loads, the Endurance package is truly not a necessity.

 

[woodsltc]

I want to thank ya'll for the replies.....It looks like I just need to keep looking. From your replies there "are" some out there. I'm kinda stubborn (just ask my wife) so, I don't mind the idea of holding out for what I want.

Don

I know MIM parts were not used on the Model 29-6,

Bill

Doc---I know you are one of the preeminent experts when it comes to Model 29's, but I've got to disagree with you about the 29-6's. Some of them do have MIM parts (but "no" locks).

I have a 6inch, 29-6 bought NIB with a DOB of 1998 (per a call to S&W & per checking the serial # in the SCSW) that has a MIM trigger and MIM cylinder release, but has a forged hammer with nice case colors (firing-pin is on the hammer nose --where they should be IMO). I figure it is a transition gun like so many other models we've seen in the past with mixed parts.

Don

 

[CWH44300]

They are hard to find - I've been looking for one for awhile - actually I've kinda given up - good luck on your hunt

 

[woodsltc]

They are hard to find - I've been looking for one for awhile - actually I've kinda given up - good luck on your hunt

How long have you been "on the hunt"...I've only been looking a few months so far.

I really want a blued model, but would settle for a stainless (629) if I run out of patience.

Don

 

[Hondo44]

That's correct, the early 29-6s had no MIM parts but 2 years after the 1993, -6 engineering change, the MIM thumbpiece was introduced, then 2 years after that the MIM trigger began, but all still in the -6 series.

 

[Hondo44]

How long have you been "on the hunt"...I've only been looking a few months so far.

I really want a blued model, but would settle for a stainless (629) if I run out of patience.

Don

Have you posted a want ad on this and other forums?

 

[woodsltc]

Have you posted a want ad on this and other forums?

Nope....I've not posted any ad's....I've just been checking the different web sites, gun shows, gun & pawn shops!!

Don

 

[stantheman86]

Not to draw any flames, but Ruger has been making 4" .44 Magnum Redhawks for a few years now. Model 29's are THE classic S&W revolver but if you just want a utility "working gun" .44 Mag revolver the Redhawks are a good choice

I am a S&W fanatic ,but I bought a 4" .44 Redhawk used and I absolutely love it. Endurance Package? You'll never wear a Redhawk out.

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

So you have about a 10 year window to find what you want w/o MIM parts. However, unless you intend to shoot the **** out of it w/max loads, the Endurance package is truly not a necessity.

It took my friend less than a thousand Keith-type loads with a 29-3 for it to be a loose, wobbly piece of ****.

 

[Doc44]

My area of expertise is 44 Magnums made from 1955 up through the Model 29-2. Once I get beyond that, I rely on what information I have gathered over the years, rather than on personal observation. That is why my statement about the 29-6 was incorrect. I only have one 29-6 in my collection and it dates to 1996 if I remember correctly.

Bill

 

[Sebago Son]

It took my friend less than a thousand Keith-type loads with a 29-3 for it to be a loose, wobbly piece of ****.

My experience differs.

I've put more than 20 boxes of my own through my 29-3 and I bought it used from a bow hunter that was not shy.

My hunting loads are 25 grains of IMR-4227 under a Keith 429421 or 26 grains and a Hornady 200 grain XTP.

The -3 is a very solid, utilitarian gun.

 

[CWH44300]

How long have you been "on the hunt"...I've only been looking a few months so far.

I really want a blued model, but would settle for a stainless (629) if I run out of patience.

Don

I've been looking 4-5 years,checking LGS's and shows. The reason I say that I've given up is I bought a used 629-6 and shot the snot out of it(appx 6000 rds)and have had zero problems with it or any of my new smiths. Yes it still would be nice to have an older 4" gun but I'm happy with all my newer ones

 

[vopar]

There is a 29-5 4" on gunbreaker
Smith & Wesson Model 29-5 .44magnum : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

 

[woodsltc]

Found One!!!

I finally found a 4inch Model 29-5 (has all the endurance package goodies, no MIM parts and no lock). Maybe unicorns do exist!!

I've been checking the LGS's, pawn-shops, and auction sites for a few months now...found what I wanted on GunBroker earlier this month. No box or papers but I'm pleased with it. I would rate it as +95% condition, just a turn line and a small area on the back strap that is very hard to see. Looks to have been fired veeeery little.......just picked it up from the FFL late last week so I haven't had a chance to fire it, but lock-up and timing are right on the money....just need to see how it shoots now.

Don