Info on an early 90's Model 29

[mcb]

Finally picked up a 44 mag N-frame. I like round butts and full under-lugs so I was looking for a 629 but fell into a good deal on this Model 29 with a 6.5 inch full under-lug barrel and round butt. It has a couple scratches on it but for the price and the fact I am going to use this as a woods carry / hunting revolver it seemed like a good deal. I was hoping those more knowledgeable on the forum could possible give me more information on it, and if there is anything unique about it. So far from my research its a M29-5 and I believe it was made in the early 1990's. No internal hammer lock and the firing pin is on the hammer not in the frame.

I switch the grip that came with it for a Hogue monogrip round butt as all my N-frames wear.

This is the original round to square grip that came on it.

Serial Number and model number under crane

Number on crane

Proper serial number on butt of grip frame

Number on the right side of the grip frame

Numbers on the left side of the grip frame. Sort of hard to read but there is a {G6} near the top of the frame, along with the {BG} {556} and {SA} at the bottom.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[grip frame]

Standard production model 29 classic. Early 90's

These were also offered with 5" and 8 3/8" barrels.

The 29 Classic continued into the -6 version as same before being dropped from production (like all blue smiths were) in the late 90's. The 629 versions of the same were kept in production.

The Classic series were offered along side of the standard 29 and 629 models (non full lug barrels).

The 29-5 has the full endurance package and is one of the best N frames ever made IMO

 

[MygunisaS&Wrevolver]

Sometimes a pic can tell a significant story? This is based on the one pic that shows significant lead splatter on the barrel extension and frame. For safety reasons, I would get the barrel cylinder alignment checked along with any possible endshake by a compitent revolver smith.

 

[mcb]

Sometimes a pic can tell a significant story? This is based on the one pic that shows significant lead splatter on the barrel extension and frame. For safety reasons, I would get the barrel cylinder alignment checked along with any possible endshake by a compitent revolver smith.

Which picture? I am not seeing the splatter, the gun was really pretty clean when I got it.

I put nearly 60 rounds though it after those pictures where taken with no issues, no lead shaving coming off the forcing cone. I had checked the timing before shooting it and the cylinder locks up nicely for each charge hole before the hammer was fully cocked in single action and before the hammer falls in double action. No end shake, its pretty tight, a lot tighter than my other N-frames that have many many more round on them. Accuracy was good on all charge holes. It was a mix of jacketed and lead bullets.

According to the previous owner, he never fired the revolver, and guy he bought it off of was the first owner. The first owner supposedly only fired a few boxes through it according to the guy I bought it off of and from the look of the recoil shield I believe him.

Recoil shield before my range trip. After the range trip you can faintly see all six cartridge locations, no pic of that, yet.

 

[MygunisaS&Wrevolver]

To me pic # 3 looks like serious spattering outside of the forcing cone. If you have checked it and its all good, thats great!
I have three N frame .44 magnums and none of them have ever looked spattered outside the forcing cone like in your pic #3. However, I always shoot jacketed bullets.
I would still have that gun checked with a .44 range rod, that will tell you for sure if the cylinder is aligned with the barrel. Even the newer guns out of the factory haven't been so good. Read Kuhnhausens book, he has a section on that along with a pic and info on a 629 that was destroyed from barrel cylinder misalignment. The shooter was very fortunate to not have been seriously injuried.

 

[mcb]

To me pic # 3 looks like serious spattering outside of the forcing cone. If you have checked it and its all good, thats great!
I have three N frame .44 magnums and none of them have ever looked spattered outside the forcing cone like in your pic #3. However, I always shoot jacketed bullets.
I would still have that gun checked with a .44 range rod, that will tell you for sure if the cylinder is aligned with the barrel. Even the newer guns out of the factory haven't been so good. Read Kuhnhausens book, he has a section on that along with a pic and info on a 629 that was destroyed from barrel cylinder misalignment. The shooter was very fortunate to not have been seriously injuried.

I appreciate the warning but I think its doing pretty good. After my range session with it I saw no sign of shaving lead. I think what your seeing in the bad phone pics may just be crud from the cheap soft case it had been stored in. I will keep and eye on it for sure.

 

[75Vette]

Congrats on your new six gun. My first 44 was a 6 1/2" 629-3 Classic made in the same time frame. Those are some fine shooters. Enjoy!!

 

[Dan Christopher]

Sometimes a pic can tell a significant story? This is based on the one pic that shows significant lead splatter on the barrel extension and frame. For safety reasons, I would get the barrel cylinder alignment checked along with any possible endshake by a compitent revolver smith.

I see what you're talking about, but it most likely isn't an issue. The previous owner had probably been shooting loads with really soft lead bullets. Years ago I bought a case of 3D 44 Mag range ammo. They were 240gr lead. Pleasant shooting enough, but VERY dirty. My gun's barrel and forcing cone looked similar to the OP's after shooting that stuff. Most likely it just needs a good cleaning.

 

[BuckeyeS&W]

mcb great model 29. I have a 629-3 from same time frame and I love the way it shoots and the factory trigger is one of the best of all my 9 Smiths I own. I always liked the blued 29 better but I couldn't pass up the deal I made for my 629-3 in 1994, $400.00 and that included 300 rounds of once fired brass. The good old days

 

[mcb]

I am still getting use to the trigger on my M29. All my other N-frames have smooth triggers and this M29 has the wide grooved target trigger on it. I sort of like the smooth narrow trigger of my 625 the best but we'll see.