Has the model 29 lost it's mojo?

[jaykellogg]

I remember reading in "The American Rifleman" years ago about an idiot who handloaded compressed loads in .44 magnum. He proceeded to shoot three rounds in a Model 29 and the bulged cylinder bound at the bottom opening in the frame. He then took the same load and loaded a Super Blackhawk and blew the top half of the cylinder off taking the top strap with it.

I enjoy occasionally shooting my 29-3 and I have a 29-10 (my avatar) that I haven't fired yet. I also have a Taurus 44C for a carry gun when hiking.

 

[David LaPell]

I recall reading somewhere that Elmer Keith would put several hundred rounds downrange through his Model 29's annually with little or no problems. Knowing Elmer's love for pushing bullets as fast as they could go I would not doubt they were the early factory loads and what ever handloads he came up, no doubt a generous amount of 2400 and he loved his .44 Magnums. When I had my Model 29-2 4-inch barrel I put over 500 rounds through it in under a year and the only thing I found out was not to shoot it rapid fire with double action, once I replaced the cylinder stop spring that was not an issue much after that. I shot mostly mild to medium range loads through it, 10.0 grains of Unique and a 250 grain cast Lyman #429421 was my favorite and it was extremely accurate.
I have always heard that the Smith Model 29 was considered a thoroughbred where as the Ruger's were considered Clydesdales. This might be true I suppose but how many of us are ever going to run through that much ammo to notice, especially now with the cost/availability? Personally if I was going to get another .44 Magnum it would be that Lipseys Ruger Super Blackhawk stainless Bisley, not because it would be stronger or not what have you, but simply because I always wanted a short barreled Bisley in that caliber and the 3 3/4 inch barrel looks very nice and I bet it would be one heck of a packing gun.

 

[jaykellogg]

I recall that sometime around 1980 S&W recalled or maybe extended the 1 year warranty of Model 29's for spitting lead (out of time). I have a model 27 and called about it. Although it was 3 years old at the time they fixed it free.

 

[TheMystro]

The M29 IS still the quintessential 44mag. The SRH is built stronger but at a cost of less refinement and so so trigger. They are also too heavy and they don't balance in the hand like a M29. I had two SRH and they both had light primer strikes. This is a well know issue with the SRH and after talking to a very well known gunsmith for Rugers, he said he could get the trigger as good as a M29. That says a lot when the M29 is the standard in which all other triggers are judged by. You don't need to be shooting hot 44 loads any way. I have loaded and hunted with each and a honest mid load behind a 240gr is all you need and kills just as fast but with less recoil and better accuracy.

This bullet with a mid size charge didn't need any more speed.

 

[AKRuss]

I carried a 29 for bear protection and survival throughout most of my career as a field geologist in Alaska. I practiced with it year around and shot only factory magnum or equivalent reloads. After an estimated 8,000 rounds, it seemed like it had loosened up so I sent it back to Austin Behlert for a simple retuning and it was as good as new, complete with a Teflon finish. I shot it for another estimated 6 to 7,000 rounds and sent it back again for retuning. I've since retired but still have the .44. It looks like a war horse, but it's beautiful to me. The action is tight and smooth as oiled glass although the Teflon is wearing off here and there. I have more faith in that gun than my legs, LOL.

 

[Bearstopper]

Always wanted one. Bought one for $429 used 3 years ago. Bought it so fast I failed to notice it needed some work. Could have used some minor tuning/timing. Sight was sitting crooked in its slot. Was gonna fix it but someone wanted it worse than me and bought it for $600. Decided I prefer my Smith's in anything but 44 magnum. I had bought a standard 5 1/2" Redhawk prior to that which is one of the few Ruger double action guns that I enjoy looking at as much as shooting and I still have it. Maybe it is all in my head because of one lone not so perfect 29, but I just think if you want to use it as intended, it is only a matter of time.

 

[Dale53]

My first .44 Magnum was a Ruger Super Blackhawk I bought before 1960. I still have it. When they became a bit more available, I bought a Model 29 with 8 3/8" barrel. I had a couple of .44 Specials so never needed to download my 29. I decided on a practice load of 23.0 grs of H110 behind a 250 gr Keith bullet (gives me 1200 fps). My hunting load was 24.0 grs of H110 (maximum was 25.0 grs of H110). My preference was to stay a grain shy of max to make it easier on the gun. 24.0 grs chronographs at 1300 fps. That shoots flat enough and has enough penetration and is accurate enough in my handgun that my personal range limit from field positions is 125 yards.

In actual fact, my longest shot on a deer was 85 yards (broke his neck).

I have better than ten thousand rounds through my Model 29 of the above loads and it is just as tight as the day I purchased it.

I did buy a Red Hawk to use for a "bad weather" gun and have taken several deer with both handguns.

FWIW
Dale53

 

[Kilibreaux]

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

The M29 will stand up to considerable shooting with full-house loads - especially the newer versions. Figure around 5,000 rounds of REAL .44 mag loads depending on how you shoot. Bear in mind that just 1,000 rounds is a LOT of dedicated shooting through any magnum wheel gun, and few actually shoot full-bore loads - and most factory ammo is quite mild by Elmer Keith's standards. As much as I love every type of handgun, I can "advise" from experience that if you can afford the premium cost of a Smith & Wesson buy it, shoot it, sleep with it, fondle it, and don't worry about it....Smith's are a lot stronger than many "experts" realize.

 

[kevin in nh]

I had a Larry Kelly Magnapot Stalker years ago...beautiful action...never liked the way it felt in my hand....sold it and never looked back....here is my pre-29.....I also have a 29-3 6" 27-2 5" 28-2 6".....I also have 2 Pythons and the they shoot loose has yet to happen to them either.....
With the Coke grips it shoots and feels as good as it looks.....
This beauty is not going anywhere....except to the range and my tree stand.......

 

[rdcl]

Nice guns, zombie!
I notice that on the Ruger.....the cylinder bolt notches are slightly off-set from the chamber center, so as to have a bit more steel underneath. Although I don't own a Ruger .44, I confess I never noticed that before in looking at them.
Smart engineering on the part of Ruger. Do ALL Ruger magnums have this feature? A bigger question would be why Smith didn't do this on their M29. Obviously they must have deemed it un-necessary.


Russ

 

[qrachel]

Mojo Sublime . . .

Poooo . . . the model 29 is fine.
We shoot them all the time;
It's truly mojo sublime!

R

P.S. I live in Hollywood and we take our 29's seriously here, punk! (LOL)

 

[Kilibreaux]

I remember reading in "The American Rifleman" years ago about an idiot who handloaded compressed loads in .44 magnum. He proceeded to shoot three rounds in a Model 29 and the bulged cylinder bound at the bottom opening in the frame. He then took the same load and loaded a Super Blackhawk and blew the top half of the cylinder off taking the top strap with it.

I enjoy occasionally shooting my 29-3 and I have a 29-10 (my avatar) that I haven't fired yet. I also have a Taurus 44C for a carry gun when hiking.

The Super Black hawk's chamber walls are not appreciably thicker than the M29. Any load that can blow out a S&W cylinder will bust a Ruger. The REAL issue about strength pertains to longevity with a steady diet of "hot" yet WNL pressure loads. Ruger has the edge in strength while S&W has the clear edge in "looks.". Both will get the job done with sane loads.

 

[BigBill]

After thinking about this the m29 has to be up there in popularity and the demand probably equal to the 1911 everybody wants one sooner or later let's face it. Even the ones who say they would never own one like I once said, but deep inside you really want one.

The m29 and the 44mag will never lose its luster. The auto-pistols have takin over for now but the wheel guns will be back I'm sure. I still prefer my wheel guns over the pistols. I feel 6 shots is plenty. I never dirty Harry out gunned?

Out of my 40+ years of shooting I just got into the s&w revolvers now, a few years ago. I'm a newbie at 62yo. I predict the s&w n frames will rock on forever.

 

[CWH44300]

Lost mojo

I don't think so

 

[LimaCharlie]

All .44 magnums are good including my two 29-2 models.

 

[BigBill]

The only thing I worry about with wear in any brand of handgun is the cylinder going out of timing. I lube the star wheel and the spur that turns it with moly every chance I get after I clean it.

I have the ruger sbh and rh in 44mag too but there is something about the balance of the S&W N Frame over the others.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

My 29's & 629's are almost 40 years old and still going strong.

Although some people could tear up an anvil.........

Edited to add...Never shot silhouette..They just get a steady diet of 250 gr. cast bullets pushed by 20 grs. of #2400.

 

[J. W.]

JMO, but since Colt dropped out of the game, S&W is then only option for DA wheel guns. Ruger makes a good product, but I'm a diehard S&W fan. My personal philosophy is that if a .44mag M29 isn't enough I need a long gun.

Now, as far as strength goes...if you can actually afford enough .44 mag to shoot a M29 apart you can afford to buy another one...however, with S&W's warranty just send it back and they'll fix it.



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[kamloops67]

there is still some mojo left at my house

 

[J. W.]

JMO, but since Colt dropped out of the game, S&W is then only option for DA wheel guns. Ruger makes a good product, but I'm a S&W and Colt fan when it comes to DA revolvers. My personal philosophy is that if a .44mag M29 isn't enough I need a long gun.

Now, as far as strength goes...if you can actually afford enough .44 mag to shoot a M29 apart you can afford to buy another one...however, with S&W's warranty just send it back and they'll fix it.



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