Smithhound
US Veteran
If you don't mind my asking what did you have to give for the Sihlouette? I have a chance to pick one up here in SE Tenn for around $600, close?
RD
RD
Model 29-3 Silhouette Opinions Needed
- Thread starter husky390
- Start date
redwing
Member
Smithhound,
This one gun I will someday own, Somewhere between $650 and $800 for a 10" barrel ben looking and have not had the money for the last 4 years. Have a 6" "hunter" I paid $625, to my door 3 years ago and the gun is 99%. Good find if the gun is tight and finsh is great. But only so of us look for this type of S&W.
Redwing
This one gun I will someday own, Somewhere between $650 and $800 for a 10" barrel ben looking and have not had the money for the last 4 years. Have a 6" "hunter" I paid $625, to my door 3 years ago and the gun is 99%. Good find if the gun is tight and finsh is great. But only so of us look for this type of S&W.
Redwing
Texas Roots
Member
husky, I don't own one of those babys but I understand the wheel on the front sight does turn. I think it is adjustable for 50 yard increments but that needs verificatoin from someone who really knows more than I do.
Well, I finally had a chance to take my Silhouette out to play. It shoots beautifully. I had no problems handling factory loads with that long barrel. I need to work on dialing in the sights since they are not set up for long range yet. I can't wait to start smacking the 200 yard gong with this. Also, by a stroke of luck, I stumbled on a Model 29-2 8 3/8" barrel that was practically NIB. It's beautiful. Anyway, both of them drew quite a crowd at the range, so if you decide to buy one, be prepared to answer a lot of questions.
Marshall 357
Member
I have a 29-3 8 3/8'' bbl on lay a way, what are your thoughts on that?
Enjoy it! Two weeks after I picked up this Silhouette model I was able to get a Model 29-2 8 3/8" too. It's a great shooting gun but this one will be a safe queen and the silhouette will be my hunting toy.
Who said loooong barrels?
I can say I like these long barrel guns! The very early guns were serial number in the old N frame numbering system, they start with an Nxxxxxx. They then changed to the "ABCxxxx" serial numbers!
The problem with the cylinder unlatching was caused by heavy loads(300gr bullets shot hot), reduced power rebound slide springs, and a loose hold! The trigger finger slaps the trigger during recoil which unlatches the cylinder. The gun in the center with the reddot on it is a hunters dream! You might say the reddot defeats the purpose of the adjustable front sight.
The reddot is sighted in to 50yds and will hit what I'm looking at out to 100yds. Then I drop down to the front sight for 150yds and 200yds. These old eyes like the reddot in low light.
2008 deer season, 2 guys, 2 days, and 2 44 Mag Silhouettes
jcelect
I can say I like these long barrel guns! The very early guns were serial number in the old N frame numbering system, they start with an Nxxxxxx. They then changed to the "ABCxxxx" serial numbers!
The problem with the cylinder unlatching was caused by heavy loads(300gr bullets shot hot), reduced power rebound slide springs, and a loose hold! The trigger finger slaps the trigger during recoil which unlatches the cylinder. The gun in the center with the reddot on it is a hunters dream! You might say the reddot defeats the purpose of the adjustable front sight.
The reddot is sighted in to 50yds and will hit what I'm looking at out to 100yds. Then I drop down to the front sight for 150yds and 200yds. These old eyes like the reddot in low light.
2008 deer season, 2 guys, 2 days, and 2 44 Mag Silhouettes
jcelect
Jerry
I can say I like these long barrel guns! The very early guns were serial number in the old N frame numbering system, they start with an Nxxxxxx. They then changed to the "ABCxxxx" serial numbers!
The problem with the cylinder unlatching was caused by heavy loads(300gr bullets shot hot), reduced power rebound slide springs, and a loose hold! The trigger finger slaps the trigger during recoil which unlatches the cylinder. The gun in the center with the reddot on it is a hunters dream! You might say the reddot defeats the purpose of the adjustable front sight.
2008 deer season, 2 guys, 2 days, and 2 44 Mag Silhouettes
jcelect
Gotta love that midwest deer season. I wish we had that kind of hunting here in Az. Beautiful revolvers.
Marshall 357
Member
What is a good load for target shooting,and what is a good load for hunting?
Loads?
Mr 357, the silhouette is NOT the guns to be changing loads with! This gun will shoot 200 yards, easy, if the shooter can do it? That is with a load that has been tailored to the gun/shooter! Change either of these and the group size goes south, at all yardage set points! Those of us that have gone thru the "tailoring" process know it takes hundreds of rounds to hit the paper and then to reduce the group size. My hunting/target/plinking load for the aboved picture silhouette is 23.5grs H110 behind a 240gr XTP. That would be a round count in the thousands!
jcelect SWCA#LM723
Mr 357, the silhouette is NOT the guns to be changing loads with! This gun will shoot 200 yards, easy, if the shooter can do it? That is with a load that has been tailored to the gun/shooter! Change either of these and the group size goes south, at all yardage set points! Those of us that have gone thru the "tailoring" process know it takes hundreds of rounds to hit the paper and then to reduce the group size. My hunting/target/plinking load for the aboved picture silhouette is 23.5grs H110 behind a 240gr XTP. That would be a round count in the thousands!
jcelect SWCA#LM723
Jimmymac46
Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2009
- Messages
- 482
- Reaction score
- 85
Thanks for the input guy's. I went and got it anyway. Thanks for your help and here's a pic.
Great decision! I bought one new shortly after they came out. Beautiful, unique, and a fun shooter. If you don't load 'max' rounds in it, it will last forever. Silhoutte brought out the worse in competition. Nearly everyone loaded maximum or worse to get that extra knock down, where accuracy and bullet placement was all that was required. Regardless, you have a great gun and it will only appreciate as time passes.
wonderwolf
Member
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2007
- Messages
- 13
- Reaction score
- 1
I've got one that I've had for about 3 years now. Using 10gr of unique and 429421 I've been able to shoot hit a 12" gong 3 times out of 6 at 200 yards...its a gun I only shoot about once a year and keep messing with on and off. I prefer my 6" 629 but if I had a full week to develop a good load and zeros with the silhouette gun I would probably greatly prefer the longer barrel. I have experienced cylinder unlock and rotation though that was with Elmer Keith loads and the original wood grips which I've since replaced with hogues and gotten a better grip on, have never had the problem since.
Attachments
Last edited:
New to this forum. Appreciate all the comments on the 29-3 silhouette. I'm primarily an auto guy but was looking for a revolver that was fun to shoot (aren't they all?), unique, and possible to hunt with for deer. Found the gun in VERY nice condition and couldn't resist.
Anyone have a copy of the owner's manual?
Best holster that won't mar the finish?
Best ammo for plinking?
Best ammo for deer?
Best magnum ammo HP?
Any other thoughts to help me best enjoy this beauty?
Thanks in advance :<)
Anyone have a copy of the owner's manual?
Best holster that won't mar the finish?
Best ammo for plinking?
Best ammo for deer?
Best magnum ammo HP?
Any other thoughts to help me best enjoy this beauty?
Thanks in advance :<)
Well, I had one, but just traded it off a month ago. Mine really liked 240gr bullets with H110 behind it. A good plinking load is 240gr LSWC or FN with Unique. It's like shooting a .38.
The timing was a little off on mine but didn't matter to me since I shot it in SA, and I did experience the "cylinder unlock" issue on occasion.
For holster's, my personal preference for large handguns is a shoulder holster. Maybe find one with a fleece or a padded lining.
As for ammo, If I were to hunt with a handgun, I would give some serious consideration to the Hornady Leverevolution line.
That's my humble 2 cents. Good luck and happy shooting.
The timing was a little off on mine but didn't matter to me since I shot it in SA, and I did experience the "cylinder unlock" issue on occasion.
For holster's, my personal preference for large handguns is a shoulder holster. Maybe find one with a fleece or a padded lining.
As for ammo, If I were to hunt with a handgun, I would give some serious consideration to the Hornady Leverevolution line.
That's my humble 2 cents. Good luck and happy shooting.
Thanks Husky. The only holsters I can find are meant for Contenders or scoped long barrel handguns. Is this the type you are referring to? They are "Bandolier" style - over the shoulder and holster across your mid torso. I like the idea of fleece for protecting the finish but a nice leather holster would look really nice with the 10 5/8" barrel. May have to get a local holster maker to make me one 
I was just using an Uncle Mikes Sidekick Vertical Shoulder Holster for my Redhawk with a 7 5/8" barrel but if you're looking to protect the finish of your revolver I wouldn't recommend that exact model. If you are looking for a leather holster, I would recommend contacting Rudy at Black Hills Leather, Black Hills Leather - The best custom gun leather western holsters & rigs He has built several holsters for me and the quality is excellent. Good luck.
Jimmymac46
Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2009
- Messages
- 482
- Reaction score
- 85
I couldn't agree more with the load mentioned here.
I purchased my first 44 magnum in 1968, a Ruger. Then I moved up to my first Smith in 1973, then several more in the mid to late 70's. Then, a 1980, my first 629.....MG, Backpacker, Silhouette, Classic, and others totaling about a dozen. I still have them all and continue to reload for them. I mention this because while I am undoubtedly not the most experience member of this forum, I have sent a considerable amount of lead down range. After years of different powders, bullets, and cases, 20 years ago I settled on one 'power' load......that being 23.5 grains of H-110 with about any 240 grain JHP. Interestingly enough, 23.5 grains of 296 worked nearly as well. It's roughly 10 percent under maximum recommended. I have never had a cylinder unlock with this load (or any other for that matter). This load works well in any and all of my guns, burns clean (with heavy crimp), and groups remarkably consistent in all. If you haven't, try it, you will like it. While I'm at it, my mid-range, do it all load is 9 grains of Unique with a hard cast 240 grain #429421 (assuming anyone cares). Soft, sweet, and accurate. JMHO.
