Model 29-10 Classics - Why are they hated so much?

[M29since14]

Good for you. Let us know how it shoots. Other than the comments about the bore interiors on a few guns, I have heard nothing but good stories about how the new 29s are shooting. Hope yours works out well for you.

 

[yankee7809]

I really would like in the near future to pick up one of the new 29-10 classics. The lock is'nt attractive but it's no dealbuster. The one thing I would really like the gun to have though is the recessed cylinder. That's THE one thing I always loved in those guns. Too bad they couldn't have done the series with that feature. But I'll still pony up one day soon. At least they have the extra half inch on the longer barrel model. It's amazing how important to the looks of the gun that extra half inch is.

 

[blackcloud45]

Well, I went and did it. I JUST bought a beautiful model 29-10, 4 inch, blue model. The polished blue finish, including fit and finish are outstanding. The craftsmanship is top notch. There was a 6 1/2 inch model at the dealer as well, but I thought the 4 inch looked better. It has a very highly polished finish.

I just picked up the same gun today! Very happy and can't wait to shoot it. Did yours come in a hard blue box? Do they still ship in the wood presentation boxes?

 

[Maximumbob54]

If they would dump the EDM rifling that wants to eat my lead bullets then I wouldn't rag on new S&W's nearly so hard. I just find it odd that they went to a rifling that doesn't seem to support lead bullets. I keep complaining about this and trying to figure out an answer but I still haven't found it. Maybe it's time for a harder than I usually cast alloy with gas check. But to make them seem like they are lead bullet only is a huge slap in my face. No likey.

Oh, you want to shoot SWC's? Better make them jacketed SWC's... Oh, you want to cast your own? I'm still trying to figure that one out.

 

[CWH44300]

They are stronger,more accurate and made from better steel.

 

[Kavinsky]

the key lock, plain and simple.

if they would just get rid of it I'd be willing to atleast give them a shot as nothing is made the way it used to be, although the ones from the 1950's till 1985 do feel much better to me than the ones made from 1985 till 2000.

and its not proper milled steel, their using the same thing ruger does now, that powdered cast steel process or whatever its called and I can feel a difference in the weight and not in a good way because of it and thus the old ones just feel superior to me.

and I did actually pick up a m29 classic like that one at a gunshop about a year ago and I'd still take my 1979/1980 29-2 over it any day, plus it was about 300 cheaper too.

 

[blackcloud45]

Finally got to shoot mine... Remington 180 grain and Winchester 240 grain. Recoil was a bit stiff as expected w/ wood grips. Honestly, it wasn't too bad w/ my right (shooting) hand. However, the sharp lower edge of the grip dug into my left palm causing discomfort. That spot is pretty tender today. Most likely will swap over to Hogue or Pachmayr grips so as to get more enjoyment out of this fine gun! The grips also affected my shooting in that my natural grip caused me to shoot low by several inches. My wife shoots w/ a higher grip and was hitting dead on with it while I found myself having to compensate my aim to hit what I was aiming at. Hoping the grips alleviate this. One last observation is that this gun will make you 'that guy' @ the range. You know, the guy that has the really loud, obnoxious cannon over in the next stall? The one who's gun's concussive blast blows everyone else's targets every which way? The guy that gives everyone around an anxiety attack w/ each shot fired? Haha! I love this gun

 

[44 Mag Fan]

Picked up a slightly used 29-10 with a 2 & 1/2 in barrel.This is a fantastic gun.I have several 29's and 629's and this one is a keeper to.Shoots great, looks better,This might be my new everyday carry.

 

[Snowwolfe]

Lock or no lock? I could give a rats azz. Anyone who will pass on a revolver they want because it has a lock built into it is just short changing themself.

 

[TheMystro]

To be honest, my new 629 6" is built much tighter than any of my older M29's from the late 1970's and 1980's and I am not afraid to shoot full power loads its entire life.

 

[99savage308]

So let me get this 29-10 stuff right?

Because it is a mod 29-10 it is so-so? I'm cornfused. We are talking 'bout a S&W 29 ? To haillll with all that **** 'bout dash numbers. Fellars it is a mod 29.

I want to know if the first S/W mod whatever so-so had a dash number on it,would it matter? Those dash numbers mean changes to the gun,for betterment. That gun don't know, that target don't know, that bad guy don't know. So what is all the fuss? God forebid if it had a lock.

Things are bad right now and may get worse. As in the G-man is going to rock the gun world. And y'all have a problem with a dash number or a lock. Father foregive them for they know not?

It is a Smith and nuff said. If y'all handed a mod 29-10 to your son, and said " here son take a shot at that pop can ? " Does it cross y'all's mind that cause it is a mod 29-10 it is a so-so gun? Did y'all think that boy did not know nor could care less? All he cares bout is, Dad said and asked me to shoot his mod 29. Did ya see his face? Did ya hear his reaction? Did ya just once see his smile ?

We are all Smith & Wesson gun nuts.
.

 

[kennyb]

i have a lot of older smiths...as far back as 1895...i have 8-10 new models with the lock....i just removed the lock from a 629-8 stealth hunter with the slab side barrel,plugged the hole and its just great looking and shoots as well as it looks,maybe better....like others the lock doesn't bother me..but i dont like that dang hole...so..as long as i was plugging it....may as well remove it

 

[LostintheOzone]

I have both lock and pre-lock guns. I don't collect them, I just shoot them. I rarely sell anything. Nothing wrong with MIM and locks. Just not enough of a proplem too worry about. S&W is still the best revolver on the market. Jim

 

[kennyb]

i'm with you jim...they are all good

 

[kdailey]

Had a 25 Classic which I traded a few months ago. Tried to like it, but for me it just didn't fit in with my early model Smith's. I disliked the grips for sure. For those that the "Classics" appeal to, they are great, but for me, I will invest in the earlier models.

 

[steamloco76]

I have both lock and pre-lock guns. I don't collect them, I just shoot them. I rarely sell anything. Nothing wrong with MIM and locks. Just not enough of a proplem too worry about. S&W is still the best revolver on the market. Jim

Full agreement here.

My new/newer Smiths, including a 29-10 Classic, are the only new guns I've purchased in the past few years I haven't been disappointed by in one way or another. I'm very glad I was able to snag most of them as nearly new used saving some serious cash!

 

[steamloco76]

Here is my 29-10 wearing checkered Hogue wood.

 

[youngda9]

Funny all the angled shots people take of their "loved" guns, see post 16, from an angle as to hide the hole. LOL

 

[Alnamvet68]

I own two of the newer model S&W revolvers, and also a few of the older models.
My 625-8 45ACP is well finished, the action is smooth, and is really accurate with just about any ammo I have used in it. I did install a C&S long firing pin, and lighten the action. I am well satisfied with it, having owned it for at least three years now.
I also have a 629-6 44 mag classic that I bought used, made the same modifications as the 625, and it is also very accurate and performs well. Sometimes I think it is a little muzzle heavy, with it's 6 1/2" full lug barrel, but it does help with recoil.
Both guns still have the lock system intact, and I have had no problems with it so far, but I also do not use the lock.
In a lot of ways, with the use of the modern CNC machines, and the MIM parts, the new revolvers are smoother and more tightly fitted than the old guns. I know this will cause a lot of heartburn for the guys who love the old guns, but I have owned a vary of S&W revolvers over the last 35 years, and that is my view on the guns.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
What he said.

 

[stu1ritter]

I just noticed that the 29-10 is being built as a 4 screw model. Went to the S&W website to see if the 5th screw is in the front of the trigger guard and can't tell. Anyone having one tell us, 4 screw or 5 screw?
thanks for looking at your gun,
Stu