Has the model 29 lost it's mojo?

[Cal44]

I've been considering getting a new 44 mag as a range gun.

Lots of target shooting, probably more 44 special than full mag, but some of both.

I've been reading up on 629's, 29's, Ruger Super Blackhawks, Redhawks, Super Redhawks, and the 329PD.

Mostly these are guns that one LGS or another has in stock.

Every article I read says that M29's were the first guns out there, but the Rugers are stronger, and if you shoot your M29 (or 629) much is will loosen up.

Some guys say they have a SRH that they shoot every week -- a full box or two or 44 Mag hot loads at a time.

But their old M29 sits in the safe so it won't be damaged by shooting.

But if you can't shoot it, why have it, I wonder.

It seems like the consensus of what I read is that the Model 29 is some kind of geriatric basket case and needs constant TLC.

But I got my first M29 back when Clint Eastwood was making movies.

Back when the S&W 29 was the "most powerful handgun in the world".

Back when it could blow a scumbag's head "clean off" -- at least according to Harry Callahan.

What a comedown.

Now it's just a has-been -- good only for sitting on a shelf in a safe.

Or so I read.

Dave

 

[Pisgah]

With the type of shooting you describe, the 29 will last only 5 or 6 lifetimes. If they are full-house magnum loads you are shooting, then 3 or 4 lifetimes.

 

[mbliss57]

3 of Mine sat in a safe as a queens not because they would rattle apart.. I didn't want to drop them or beat them up when I sold them for a profit. Seems like it was a good plan to me as a made over $1.5K in profit over a 2 year investment.
Now I can if I want to buy a shooter 29 and it will last more than my lifetime.
So it depends on what you are buying it for.

 

[Nframecollector]

I own both a model 29-2 and a Super Blackhawk that I shoot the same loads through. Heavy handloads, mid-range and light target loads for years. Both just as tight as when I first acquired them. I have read all the stuff by the "experts" warning about these guns shooting loose but I beg to differ.

 

[44 Mag Fan]

I have several model 29's that get shot often.I also have a few 629's that get a lot of range time.No safe queens here...

 

[VAdoublegunner]

I have a 29-3 and a 629-4, the latter which I think is the best of the breed....SS, performance enhancements for sustained diet of heavy loads, pre-MIM, no lock, hammer mounted firing pin. What more do you want?

If you aren't going to pound it with thousands of old school heavy silhouette overloads, then any M29 should be fine. If you are worried about it, get a post-29-2E. It will take all the regular stuff you want to shoot.

 

[BillyMagg]

I've been considering getting a new 44 mag as a range gun.

Lots of target shooting, probably more 44 special the full mag, but some of both.

I've been reading up on 629's, 29's, Ruger Super Blackhawks, Redhawks, Super Redhawks, and the 329PD.

Mostly these are guns that one LGS or another has in stock.

Every article I read says that M29's were the first guns out there, but the Rugers are stronger, and if you shoot your M29 (or 629) much is will loosen up.

Some guys say they have a SRH that they shoot every week -- a full box or two or 44 Mag hot loads at a time.

But their old M29 sits in the safe so it won't be damaged by shooting.

But if you can't shoot it, why have it, I wonder.

It seems like the consensus of what I read is that the Model 29 is some kind of geriatric basket case and needs constant TLC.

But I got my first M29 back when Clint Eastwood was making movies.

Back when the S&W 29 was the "most powerful handgun in the world".

Back when it could blow a scumbag's head "clean off" -- at least according to Harry Callahan.

What a comedown.

Now it's just a has-been -- good only for sitting on a shelf in a safe.

Or so I read.

Dave

As VAdoublegunner has alluded to the bad rep came from silhouters beating their swords into plowshares, and it gave the magazine writers more fodder to sell magazine articles. Yes the Smith is lighter and more classy than any of the Rugers, Wessons or Colts, and no it won't take "abuse", but it is very well designed, and it is simply gorgeous, I wouldn't have taken my old 69 Z-28 off road, but I didn't hesitate to run it through the gears each day on the way to school, including pegging that 8 grand Corvette mechanical tack. So as long as you are shooting factory 44 mag you should be fine, with just occasional tweaking, for what its worth I have seen several Rugers missing top straps personally, but no Smiths, can it happen, only when the test pilots overload and fly by the seat of their pants. billy

 

[jwk]

Along the way I killed (or seriously wounded) a couple of 629s shooting them fast, double action with full house factory loads. The single action timing was still good when i traded them off but they were starting to get sloppy in double action mode.

Unless you are going to do that or abuse them with overly hot loads, a 629 or 29 will probably last longer than your wrists will. If you have a fired 629 or 29, I wouldn't hesitate to shoot them. I do with both of mine and don't think that I'm harming the value any.

 

[MMA10mm]

Something unmentioned is that Rugers are like Chevys or Fords, while S&Ws are like Cadillacs and Lincolns. My Ruger 44 IS a tough handgun, but it's a 50th Anniv. Flattop, so a little "less strong" than the bruising Super Blackhawks or Redhawks. So, I shoot it just like my Smiths: 90% mid-range loads and 10% heavier loads. The big difference in my opinion is the shooting experience. My Smith 44s, being N-frames, have the nicest triggers I've felt on ANY handgun in both double- and single-action. The Rugers have a "serviceable" trigger, even in single-action managing to be gritty and with noticeably more creep than the Smiths. I ENJOY my Smith 44s. Shooting them makes me feel like I have something of quality. One of the finer things in life. Don't let the writers make up your mind for you about this. (I have a feeling your post is tongue-in-cheek, and you've done no such thing anyway.)

 

[bigfreakinrevolver]

I have put a lot of rounds through my performance center 44 mag hunter and no wierd issues, feeling, or sounds. Reacts as if it were still new.

 

[Mule88]

If you did more shooting with your 29 and less reading what other people say youd realize your gun will do just fine within factory standard loads. My first 29-2 went 13000 rounds (about 90% were factory equivelant loads) before it went off to the factory for a tune up. Shoot your gun and enjoy it.

 

[Jdavis]

Having owned several Smith and Wesson 29s and 629s as well as several Ruger Redhawks over the years, I can say without reservation that you have nothing to be concerned about. If you choose to put your 29 through an endurance test on a diet of "full house" magnum loads, you might see some deterioration after thousands of rounds. However, your 29 will hold up longer than you will. Experience has taught me that constant and long sessions of shooting of such loads in any .44 mag looses it's fun factor in fairly short order. Why worry about mocho loads anyway. Best accuracy and enjoyment is obtained with milder loads. You won't develop a flinch, have pain in wrist and hand, and you won't have to worry whether or not you will damage your model 29. Have fun!

 

[GM4spd]

A Ruger may be stronger but UGLY is to the bone! Lets face
it we spend more time looking then actually shooting and if
lawmakers have their way we will only have pictures to
look at! Pete

 

[silentflyer]

If shooting normal loads 29's will last forever, if shooting heavy silhouette overloads is your thing, then get a Redhawk or a Dan Wesson they are more suited to the heavy slugs and max powder charges.

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

The reality is that guys don't shoot their 29's because they APPRECIATE in value exponentially related to condition. My blue .44's are relegated to the back of the safe "just for looking at" while my 629 does yeoman's duty at the range and in the field. Leave a Ruger in the safe for any length of time and you are lucky if you get your money back.

 

[BigBill]

My ruger redhawks are the Mack truck of revolvers in 44mag. The redhawk is the strongest revolver in 44mag. They can shoot and handle any hotter 44mag load. Until we get into the larger single action revolvers like the BFR. They do say my new s&w m29-10 with its 10 upgrades will take the most abuse out of all the s&w m29' s. I plan on only shooting the standard 44mag loads out if my 29-10. Why punish it when I have the strongest 44mag revolver ever made in the double action ledhawk. Besides my s&w' s being eye candy there special to me.
In the past I have hammered my ruger super Blackhawk in 44mag till the grip frame screws came loose with hotter than hot loads. Let's face it with any magnum revolver that has screws they will loosen up for sure I don't care who makes it. Does this keep me from owning them, no way. I just shoot the standard magnum loads, let's face it that's what there designed for.

As I get older now I find shooting the hotter loads just isn't fun anymore. I have calmed down and changed my bad habits. I guess it's a young thing with all of us at first.

And no the S&W M29 will never lose its luster. I'm sure every time the dirty Harry movies are on tv the sales of the S&W M29 soar all over again.

 

[SurfGuitar]

The S&W "Dirty Harry" Model 29 has been on my bucket list for a very long time. I just recently struck it off my bucket list with the purchase of a new Classic Series M-29 / 10 6.5" blued....

Unfortunately living in the PRNJ where NICS "instant" background checks are taking 2 to 3 weeks to clear, I haven't brought it home yet, but when I do I will be shooting it regularly....

230Gr. to 240Gr. factory loads when I need the brass, but for the most part I'll be shooting my own 200Gr. mild reloads, not because I'm afraid of hurting the gun, but because I'm no young spring chicken anymore, and most of my shooting is in steel plate and dueling tree matches where quick, accurately placed follow up shots win the day....

 

[zombie44]

I've heard you should keep the heavy hitters to a minimum with the earlier 629's, but I find the Ruger more comfortable to shoot anyhow.

Here's my Ruger, square and blocky like a Jeep:

And my 629-1, which doesn't look as beefy but it's as sexy as a Porsche:

I usually stick with light loads on the 629, the Ruger on the other hand gets pretty good servings of Blue Dot and 2400

 

[BigBill]

I purchased a new S&W model 29-10 in 44magnum with a 6 1/2" barrel to shoot the standard 44 magnum loads. I also purchased a new S&W model 24 in 44 special with a 6 1/2" barrel to shoot the standard 44 special loads. I don't want t clean out the ring in the cylinder from shooting the shorter 44 special loads in the 44 magnum. I probably have one of the last m24's that we're going to see since there no longer listed on the S&W site. Plus its in nickel finish too so I need to baby this one. Bill

 

[DJINCO]

I love the 29 and 629. I don't have any Ruger 44's.

If I was to justify owning a Red Hawk over a S&W, I would have to shoot it often.