Model 29-58, A "Gripping" Story

[Doc44]

This 44 Magnum (stamped MOD. 29 in the yoke cut) was one of three made in 1974. It incorporated a frame from a Model 58 and a barrel from from a Model 29-2. These custom revolvers also feature a thinned trigger guard, fixed sights, 3 1/4-inch barrel, target hammer, combat trigger, and a custom round butt (standard round butt stocks will not fit the frame). The label on the end of the box is marked 29-58 for the model number.

Since purchasing this revolver many years ago I have carried it on horseback hunts into several wilderness areas of Montana. It is a great gun to carry, but the small stocks made it very unpleasant to shoot when using factory 44 Magnum loads.

I contacted Keith Brown and he said making a pair of combat style stocks should be fairly easy if I sent him the stocks that were made for the custom frame. I sent them to him and asked for a pair of stocks made of zebrawood. The result is shown in the photo below. I haven't taken the gun to the range, but will soon and I know it will be much more pleasant to shoot. Thanks Keith!!!

Bill

 

[M29since14]

Very nice! I like the color particularly. Be interested to hear your thoughts on how they handle the recoil.

 

[handejector]

What a neat gun!
I love it and the grips.

Bill, you may have come up with the ULTIMATE deep cover bear gun.

 

[Iggy]

Great lookin' gun.

I gotta say thanks for nuthin' though. I always wanted to customize my Model 58 into something similar to what you have. I din't and don't want a .44, just a mini .41. I have managed to keep my senses about me until you posted that gun.

I have a lot of sentimental value for my old beast the way it is, and I just can't chop on it. We made it through some serious social encounters and I have to respect that. Kinda like gittin' use to a wife I guess.

Seein' that good lookin' gun you've got has got the juices flowin' agin. I guess I better start lookin' for a doggy old 58 and see what I can do.

 

[DGT]

Beautiful gun and awesome grips. How do you carry the gun, sure doesn't look like it's spent much time in a holster!

 

[Jack Flash]

I wish S&W had made those as a regular production offering. I've never understood the need to put adjustable sights on EVERYTHING.

 

[Doc44]

DGT...Suede lined holster by El Paso Saddlery. Virtually no wear on the finish.

Bill

 

[Dennis The B]

That is one fine piece of hardware there, Doc. I agree with Jack Flash, no need for adjustable sights on everything.

 

[nipster]

I wish S&W had made those as a regular production offering. I've never understood the need to put adjustable sights on EVERYTHING.

I was always wondering why they kind of broke form and made the 58 with fixed sights. The 58 is to my knowledge in .41 mag what the model 28 was to .357 mag. The 28 has adjustable sights. 58 is one of the few N frames in adjustable sights.

At any rate, this is an interesting gun, I wonder how many other of these one off's exist. Really strange they made only 3.

 

[jubela#4]

Great looking gun and wood. I am interested to know how those stocks feel when shooting as compared to the factory N frame combats.

 

[kennethg]

That is a great looking gun with great looking stocks. Also a great photograph. That has to be be a great back woods packing gun.

 

[buffalo4star]

29/58

Bill....Now you have made it really difficult for me to pry that 44 from your grip! It is even more beautiful with the new grips. Take care......Louis

 

[Jack Flash]

I was always wondering why they kind of broke form and made the 58 with fixed sights. The 58 is to my knowledge in .41 mag what the model 28 was to .357 mag. The 28 has adjustable sights. 58 is one of the few N frames in fixed sights...

I've wondered that myself, ie, why didn't they make the "cheapie version" of the M27, namely the M28, with fixed sights?

Or if there was a big demand from law enforcement for adjustable sights, why wasn't the M58 so equipped?

The logic is hard to follow.

 

[Doug M.]

What was the incentive to make these? They are quite unusual, and only 3 tells me that someone with serious pull was able to get them made. I have had a few ideas for some fun things from the PC, but I think they won't do such things now.

 

[Navarre]

Wow! That is a great looking 29! I have to say Doc, I always look forward to your posts because not only do I get to see some beautiful revolvers, I also get the history behind the firearm.

Thank you for feeding my eyes as well as my mind.

Navarre

 

[woody1911]

Bill,
Very cool gun, nice concept - is the location of all three guns know?
I own but one lonely 44 and it is a 6 1/2 inch version (629PP) - I'm interested to hear how you think the grips change "perceived" recoil.

Woody

 

[Rapidray]

because...

the 58 was for police. Police departments went with fixed sights. Just look at the all the pre-model guns, the 10, the 13, all military and police. The Air Force did go with some 15's I think as they had adjustable sights and later on P.D.'s went with the 19,also adjustable. Just one think less for the operator to deal with.

But that is one nice looking 29-58. Like the red ramp and the deep blueing.

 

[Doc44]

The location of each of the three guns is known. The revolvers were made for Dick Marble of American Firearms Warehouse, Wareham, MA. He had connections in S&W's manufacturing plant and had many special S&W revolvers made.

Bill

 

[GF]

"standard round butt stocks will not fit the frame..."

Do you have a pic of what was original to the revolver?

Was the "custom round butt" stocks made from N frame combats?

GF

 

[usm1rifle]

Doc,

That is a beautiful piece! The KB stocks are knockouts.

AL in MN