LGS has a Model 29-4 with 8-3/8" bbl . . . Need info . . . ??

[ralphtt]

Dropped by the LGS this morning . . . he has a Model 29-4 in almost mint condition but no box, tools or paperwork. Turn line on cylinder barely visible and zero wear on blueing. The revolver has what I call the target trigger and target hammer.

Quoted price out-the-door is $850.

Do I need to jump on this deal or negotiate for a better price?
Thanks!

 

[moralem]

That is about the going rate for an almost excellent condition 8 inch here in Texas. Seen them anywhere from 750 to 850 for dash 3 on up to dash 10. Try to negotiate the worst they can do is tell you, no.

 

[Dan Christopher]

Hey, Ralph

$850 for a 29-4 in that good a shape sounds reasonable to me. I say go for it!

 

[Fishinfool]

I recently bought a 29-4, 8 3/8 inch as you describe, with a beat wood case and tools for $775. So maybe a little high, but it depends on the local market.

I will say, if you are looking for a shooter model 29, the dash 4 model is one of the best. It incorporates the endurance package, along with still retaining the forged hammer and trigger, and no lock.

Larry

 

[Kid44]

That sounds like a good price to me, around here I've seen them for around $1100, give or take. I have the 8 3/8" Model 29, good shooter for what little it's been shot. One important thing to keep in mind however and it's probably not a deal breaker, 8 3/8" barreled gun is a lot of gun/barrel to lug around, it can get heavy and cumbersome, especially if carried in the field. I use a shoulder holster and every time I sit I get jabbed in the armpit, just uncomfortable after a while. That's the reason mine sits in a safe and I'm considering having some "work" done to it. There are options, one of them being installing sling studs and using a sling, may want to consider a chest holster, there are some good ones out there.

 

[ralphtt]

Thanks for the info, guys. I called the shop and asked them to hold the 29-4 for me. Will pick it up early next week.

I already have a Thompson Center handgun scope that will mount nicely on the 29-4. This probably means I'll end up with a chest type holster setup for local deer hunting and the occasional coyote/groundhog hunt.

Next step is to pick a set of mounts & rings . . . any advice along this line would certainly be appreciated. The 29-4 has provision for scope mounting as the rib/barrel interface already has a couple mounting points provided.

What scope mount setup is recommended?

 

[charlies]

Excellent buy and your use of a shoulder holster will make it very comfortable.

 

[varmint243]

Thanks for the info, guys. I called the shop and asked them to hold the 29-4 for me. Will pick it up early next week.

I already have a Thompson Center handgun scope that will mount nicely on the 29-4. This probably means I'll end up with a chest type holster setup for local deer hunting and the occasional coyote/groundhog hunt.

Next step is to pick a set of mounts & rings . . . any advice along this line would certainly be appreciated. The 29-4 has provision for scope mounting as the rib/barrel interface already has a couple mounting points provided.

What scope mount setup is recommended?

Redfield made a mount that used three rings
I use it and it has served me well
I found two more on eBay and got them as spares

 

[Fishinfool]

Ralph. The model 29 you are talking about was a limited production model, with the scope cut out mounts on the barrel. It used specialty rings made by Millet. These rings are no longer made, and can be hard to find. I would make sure the gun comes with them. If not, contact Millet, and maybe they can recommend a ring set that can be modified for use on that 29.

Otherwise, you are looking at needing to use a clamp on style mount, such as the B-Square (ugly...), or having the top strap drilled and tapped for a Weaver or Redfield type base. Original rings, that are proper for that guns mount system can sometimes be found on line, with enough searching.

That barrel mounting system was only offered for a one, maybe two year period, then discontinued.

Larry

 

[Dan Christopher]

Congrats, Ralph

Pictures will be mandatory when you get it home!

 

[ralphtt]

Well, shucks . . .

I have done exhaustive research and the varmint and fishinfool are correct. S&W made the 29-4 for about a year and discontinued it because the scope mount grooves and available mounts were not able to handle the recoil generated by 44 magnum loads. Nor are ANY mounts readily available that would fit the existing grooves.

So . . . the 29-4 is essentially an open sight revolver . . . and I have plenty of those already.

Appreciate your help, guys, but as attractive as this 29-4 was originally, I wanted to use it with a scope. So . . . no deal.

I have already informed the LGS of my decision and the owner was very gracious when I explained the situation.

Guess this one goes into the 'nothing ventured, nothing gained' category.

 

[Kid44]

Ralph. The model 29 you are talking about was a limited production model, with the scope cut out mounts on the barrel. It used specialty rings made by Millet. These rings are no longer made, and can be hard to find. I would make sure the gun comes with them. If not, contact Millet, and maybe they can recommend a ring set that can be modified for use on that 29.

Otherwise, you are looking at needing to use a clamp on style mount, such as the B-Square (ugly...), or having the top strap drilled and tapped for a Weaver or Redfield type base. Original rings, that are proper for that guns mount system can sometimes be found on line, with enough searching.

That barrel mounting system was only offered for a one, maybe two year period, then discontinued.

Larry

My 8 3/8" Model 29 is the gun you are speaking of, that's exactly why I never scoped it, scope won't stay in place long with that mounting system. I do have the rings for it and was offer $750 for it recently on a trade. I really wanted the gun I was going to trade for but didn't do the deal, didn't think $750 was enough. Maybe I was wrong, anyway I still have the M29. For now I'll keep it and use one of the other
.44s that I have.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Not all M29-4's had the broached barrel for scope rings. Only a small number were made that way. Probably something in the order of a one or two thousand.

 

[ralphtt]

Stopped by the LGS yesterday for another look at the M29. Long story short, came home with it. Turned out it was a consignment deal . . . the shop owner was selling the M29 for a friend who happened to be there. Made an offer of $750 which was eventually accepted. At that price, I can live with another open sight handgun!

My efforts at cell phone pics below. . .

Wood on the old M29 is a keeper. Nice grips.

Target is off hood of truck at 20 yards. First two shots held center of target and they went high. Last four held at bottom of bull . . . slightly left but that will be easy to fix.

All in all, the old M29 looks like a keeper . . . I'm pleased with the purchase!

 

[824tsv]

These are really nice shooting revolvers. I believe it came from the factory with finger groove combats when new. Not that many made as pointed out by the Kernel.

 

[jaymoore]

Well, shucks . . .

I have done exhaustive research and the varmint and fishinfool are correct. S&W made the 29-4 for about a year and discontinued it because the scope mount grooves and available mounts were not able to handle the recoil generated by 44 magnum loads. Nor are ANY mounts readily available that would fit the existing grooves.

So . . . the 29-4 is essentially an open sight revolver . . . and I have plenty of those already.

Appreciate your help, guys, but as attractive as this 29-4 was originally, I wanted to use it with a scope. So . . . no deal.

I have already informed the LGS of my decision and the owner was very gracious when I explained the situation.

Guess this one goes into the 'nothing ventured, nothing gained' category.

I have both a blued and stainless version of this revolver. Did minor mods to the Millett rings which S&W sent me and have had no problems keeping the scope on the gun. The scopes don't get removed often, but have run many rounds through both, with no loss of zero or loosening.

 

[one eye joe]

Thanks for the info, guys. I called the shop and asked them to hold the 29-4 for me. Will pick it up early next week.

I already have a Thompson Center handgun scope that will mount nicely on the 29-4. This probably means I'll end up with a chest type holster setup for local deer hunting and the occasional coyote/groundhog hunt.

Next step is to pick a set of mounts & rings . . . any advice along this line would certainly be appreciated. The 29-4 has provision for scope mounting as the rib/barrel interface already has a couple mounting points provided.

What scope mount setup is recommended?

I THINK THAT YOU MADE A GOOD PURCHASE. THE -4s ARE VERY DESIRABLE. I WOULD CHECK MILLETT FOR MOUNTING HARDWARE… Millett - Home

 

[ralphtt]

Appreciate the encouragement, folks.

I called Millett and didn't learn much. If anyone has specific steps to make the Millett mounts fit the 29-4 I sure would appreciate your comments. Right now I plan to give a set of the Millett medium steel rings a try. Don't mind using a very mild .44 Mag load in the interests of shooter preservation )) and keeping the scope solidly mounted to the revolver . . .

 

[charlies]

If it helps my 29-3 serial number BAR 40XX has barrel cutouts for a scope and Millet mounts work perfectly. Maybe the barrel cutouts were not done by Smith.....

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Did minor mods to the Millett rings ...and have had no problems keeping the scope on the gun.

Can you say what your mods were? I have a 8 3/8-inch M586-3 with the Millet style rings and would appreciate any advice. Will probably put a Leupold 2x on it.

You were fortunate to get replacement rings from S&W when you did. They've used up all their inventory and don't plan to restock. Planned obsolescence.

I don't think modifying standard Millet rings is possible. Since the "fix" involves adding metal, not taking it away. Maybe I'm wrong.