Model 29 44 mag 4" Classic line - is it for me?

[stansdds]

Sell the Taurus 44 and buy the S&W. I am not a Taurus hater, but you already have a Ruger Redhawk with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, which a good revolver, incredibly durable, and should be accurate and sufficient for hunting. With a 4 inch barreled S&W 44 Magnum, you will have a great, woods carry revolver. What purpose would the Taurus serve? None that I can think of and the sale of the Taurus would offset some of the acquisition cost of the S&W.

 

[Dan Christopher]

The thin grips on the new 29-10's don't bother me a bit. I have a 6-1/2" 29-10 and I am very happy with it. My LGS has a 4" 29-10 in the display case that I am seriously thinking about bringing home!

 

[photoman]

Four inch 44 magnums are a blast to shoot.In my opinion one of the most versatile handguns to own .Here is a clip from 48 hrs showing the four inch model 29-3 in action.

ohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02SGWkixmVwf

Oh wow! Where do I get one of those eight shot Model 29's?!

 

[crazyphil]

You would have to pry my model 29, on left, from my cold dead hands.
Some of it's favorite ways to ride, 2nd left to right:
S.D. Myres model 614
Sparks 200 AW
Kramer Vertical
Hunter 55L

 

[Narragansett]

29 Classic you say, they're disgusting here's one I have so bad that every time I open the box to take it to the range I cringe and close the box and put it back in the safe....just kidding about the disgusting part but it hasn't be shot outside the factory.

The one below is the Classic DX M29-5 ( 1992 )in 5". A rather scarce animal, as it was only made 1 year in 5". This one has had 12 shots through it.

But maybe I got this all wrong, and by Classic, you mean the current S&W Classic series that models the 29-2?

Bottom line is I would go on the hunt for a vintage piece. Just my .02

 

[hkcavalier]

You've probably figured out by now that the 4" .44 Magnums lean into the "carry more, shoot less" camp unless you're going the .44Spl route with most of your shooting. Even with the right grips, they aren't particularly pleasant for long range sessions.

I like the Mountain Revolver/Mountain Gun, and of course the 5" Classic (which is an odd name for a gun with a brand-new profile). Even the relatively heavy Classic is a bear with full-power ammo. If you want to shoot all day, the 6.5" is best, or sure go Ruger with the longer Redhawks and Super RH. Freedom Arms makes a .44 Mag as well but you may have to break the piggybank for that one.

 

[cowboy4evr]

In shooting the 44 magnum , 4" model 29 with full power loads does not have to be an unpleasant experience . Relax your arms , allowing your elbows to flex . Let the recoil from back into your entire body .
If you stand there with both arms outstretched like 2 stiff boards ? Then yes , you will not be pleased with the outcome . As far as just shooting 44 specials in the 4" model 29 . I have to disagree with that statement . I only shoot magnum brass hand loads and most of mine are in the upper level of performance to full magnum loads . I want it to shoot the same , whether just at the range or out walking in the country . I know exactly what to expect , no surprises . If you will learn to shoot it and don't fight it , it becomes a gun that you look forward to each time out . Good Luck Paul

 

[Rushing1]

I bought a Taurus Tracker 44, 4inch 2 months ago, to carry crossdraw for my "car hijacker" deterrent. It shot well and was ok, but the porting only exacerbated the decibels. I even bought a shoulder rig made in Turkey, for it.
But, something was missing......the same thing that was missing from my Glocks, which were relegated to being my "gun between my seat and the console of my cruiser. It worked well, shot well, but no "panache"---a Toyota Corolla.
I'm 77, and the specter of Covid looms near. We are deep on the Swamp, pretty isolated, and I begin thinking that I'd better get and use what fills me with joy, before I won't be able to do so. Going tomorrow to put up the Taurus Tracker for consignment sale and ordered a hard to find 29 4 inch Classic Engraved model online LAST NIGHT!
I'm stoked and can hardly wait( may take up to 3 weeks due to high volume sales)
I'm so glad to see all the positive comments! Guess I'll look for some "Target grips" and whatever specific Rubber grips you experienced guys suggests
I just joined the forum today and of course am reading your comments with enthusiasm!!

 

[dr. mordo]

I have a 4" M29-10 Classic I got for a good price off this forum. I have carried it quite a bit, and I simply love it. It had about 10k rounds thru it when I got it, and I've put about 2k more thru it. The trigger is like glass. However, modern bluing is not in the same league as the older guns, and whether you care or not, the lock makes the gun less desirable in many folks' eyes.

I have many times seen M29-2s and -3s sell for about the same $$$ as a new M29 Classic. I simply would not pay the same money for a new S&W as I would for a 29-2.

So my advice is wait for the current insanity to fade and watch for a nice 4" 29-2 or -3 shooter.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I had older 29's before I bought my Classic 29 . My experience was that I had to restrict full magnum loads , be it factory or my handloads as they don't have the " endurance pkg " . That was the big reason I sold my older one and bought the newer one , the 29-10 in 4" barrel first then the 6.5" classic later as they have the endurance pkg . As far as the bluing , my 4" is my workhorse . It gets carried a lot and it gets shot a lot so I expect wear and tear on the finish . Regards Paul

 

[Mr. Tettnanger]

I want to thank all of you who responded to this thread. I did a lot of soul (and wallet) searching and decided to pass.

I just could not get past the expense vs ugly lock. I must admit that I am also leery of getting a bad example with canted barrel or something.

So I took part of my funny money and bought a well used model 10 instead!

Stay safe folks!

 

[dr. mordo]

I want to thank all of you who responded to this thread. I did a lot of soul (and wallet) searching and decided to pass.

I just could not get past the expense vs ugly lock. I must admit that I am also weary of getting a bad example with canted barrel or something.

So I took part of my funny money and bought a well used model 10 instead!

Stay safe folks!

It's dang hard to go wrong with a M10. I have a heavy barrel round butt police-trade-in 4" M10 that may be the gun I shoot the best out of my entire collection. Just the other day I was thinking I need to load up some .38 and hit the range. It's been years since I shot my 38s.

 

[SLT223]

I had older 29's before I bought my Classic 29 . My experience was that I had to restrict full magnum loads , be it factory or my handloads as they don't have the " endurance pkg " . That was the big reason I sold my older one and bought the newer one , the 29-10 in 4" barrel first then the 6.5" classic later as they have the endurance pkg . As far as the bluing , my 4" is my workhorse . It gets carried a lot and it gets shot a lot so I expect wear and tear on the finish . Regards Paul

^^^Exactly why I bought my 4" used 29-10...and boy does it shoot well!

 

[Univibe]

Mine's 6.5 inch. I'd seriously consider skipping the four inch. Extra sight radius and weight out there is better.

 

[NavyVet24]

Recommend a longer barrel if you can find one. Took me a long time to find what I wanted, but stumbled across a 1978 29-2 last year for $1,000 cash. NIB w/8.375 barrel. Really unfired! Gunsmith cleaned and did action job. Shoots amazing.

 

[stmry]

The essential question is not, "if you should buy one," but, how many?
Believe me, as time passes, it will make sense.

 

[Oracle]

I was a model 1911 guy, I bought a model 629 6 1/2" on a whim, that was three years ago. I now have multiple 29's and 629's and more to come.

Everyday is a good day to buy S&W 44 magnums.

 

[sturtyboy]

I have over 25 lbs. of 29's and really enjoy them all. 4" and smaller barrel models are a little more spendy than the rest. I have several custom barrels, and some ported short barells... I really like the benefit. You'll find mixed opinions about ported barrels but for me, I like them on the shorter tubes. I use a mixed bag of factory and beautiful custom grips from John Culina to fill my large mitts. Rubber always feels best to me for those longer days spent on the range. I swap out grips to fit the occasion. Have fun on the hunt...

 

[kelzie]

I know a guy who has a 4" 29-2 (blue box, mint), a 6-1/2" and an 8-3/8" both new in the wooden presentation boxes of the 1970s, an 8-3/8 classic with the full underlug (the later cardboard box, mint), an 8-3/8" 629 (not sure of the dash, also mint), a 3" Lew Horton 629 NIB, and the 44 mag 50 year commemorative 29, also unfired. (He also has a Jovino 25-2 (45 ACP) 2-1/2" unfired.) I wonder what that pile is worth. Super jealous! But he lets me play around in his safe so I live vicariously. (He does shoot guns, just not these.)

 

[Howardeye]

Asking this here is like asking a wino if he needs another case of Maddog 20-20!

I can virtually guarantee you that when you step up the the Model 29 from the Taurus and Ruger, your only concern will be "what took me so long?"

I agree with this guy. I would never own a Ruger or Taurus. Buy the real deal! 50 years of experience

 

[Tytan01]

In my honest opinion.... you need them all.
S&W as well as Rugers.
They are like Pokemon for adults.
You Gotta Get'em ALL!