I recently inherited a Smith & Wesson .44 Mag revolver. The serial number and model on the yoke appears to be a Model 29-3 and the serial number appears to be AJB1891. Is the serial number consistent with the model? When was this revolver manufactured? Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Model 29-3
- Thread starter Floater1
- Start date
Quakertown
Member
I recently aquired the same gun with 4" barrel in nickel.
I can't help you with manufacture date, but mine has serial of Bxx and dated early 1988. As someone will undoubtedly tell you...IT DIDN'T HAPPEN W/O PICS!!
I can't help you with manufacture date, but mine has serial of Bxx and dated early 1988. As someone will undoubtedly tell you...IT DIDN'T HAPPEN W/O PICS!!
No, the serial number ONLY is associated to a build date. The table that I got the date from doesn't distinguish what the model is, only that it is a revolver manufactured after 1980 with a 3 letter prefix and 4 digit number.
Further to the above, in the Engineering and Production changes section for the Model 29, it reads" 29-3 (1982): Eliminate cylinder counterbore and pinned barrel with small change in cylinder length to 1.69"" and also" 1983 "N" serial prefix ends and starts 3 letter serial prefix. Introduction of the silhouette in 10 5/8" barrel length". With that info, it looks like 1985 is the correct D.O.B. for your revolver.
csdmann
Member
Hey guys, I just picked up a 29-3 at my local store. I know that the dash 3's do not have a pinned barrel. How is the strength on these dash 3's? Any issues with shootn .44mags out of these non pinned barrels?
S&W Fan
Member
I too recently acquired a 29-3, "N" serial number from 1982, had a chance earlier today to run some rounds through it, both magnum & .44 specials. For me this is a "carry a lot, shoot a little (w/mags that is lol), shoot a lot w/specials" fun gun.
While they don't have the appeal to collectors as the -2, they are great classic revolvers. I believe the firearm will outlast the owner haha.
To my eye the 4" 29 is tied for most aesthetically pleasing S&W with a 2.5" 19/66.
While they don't have the appeal to collectors as the -2, they are great classic revolvers. I believe the firearm will outlast the owner haha.
To my eye the 4" 29 is tied for most aesthetically pleasing S&W with a 2.5" 19/66.
Quakertown
Member
I concur. Holding mine quite a bit over the last week, admiring it's beauty. I'm fortunate to be above avg in size as it's mass fits me perfectly, and I feel sorry for smaller stature folks who cannot hold onto them as naturally as myself.
thetrio_94043
Member
If you want to shoot a lot of magnum loads in a 29 you need to look at a 29-5 or later gun. Do a search for more information about the changes based on the dash. I have a 29-3 and after shooting a few magnum loads, the cyclinder would counter rotate due to the issues with the higher pressure rounds. I had a gunsmith fix that issue and now I shoot low power 44 mag or 44 special loads and bought a 29-5 for hotter loads.
