Model 29 Questions

[Inaworldoflint]

Hello and I hope I am not asking those age old questions. My wife and I like hiking and I wanted to get something that could stop a rabid moose, bear or bigfoot. So why not a model 29. Plus I am a big fan of Dirty Harry. I see all these pinned, 3 or 4 pins,or no pins. What is the difference between them all. And for the age old question. What style did Dirty Harry carry. I want it for the collectibility of it also. And bigfoot......thanks

 

[Laketime]

A four inch 29-2 would be ideal for what you want.Dirty Harry used a 3 screw 6.5 inch barrel 29-2 in Dirty Harry..a 6.5 inch 4 screw 29 in Magnum Force. A 29-2 6.5 inch in The Enforcer a 29-2 6 inch in both Sudden Imact and the Dead Pool

 

[amazingflapjack]

Bear spray

 

[Inaworldoflint]

Thank you Laketime. That was a lot more than I knew or ever read. I agree also with the 4 inch barrel. I could really use help with the number of screws and the pins. By the time I was old enough to get into the hobby (late 80's) everyone was talking high capacity Berettas and the really cool plastic European pistols with a funny name. I'm old fashioned. Give me a wheel gun and a 1911 anyday.....

 

[Laketime]

There is only one pin, a barrel pin to secure the barrel better in place after it has been screwed into the frame.5 screw relates to four for the side plate and a trigger stop plunger screw in front of the trigger gaurd. Four screw is absent the fourth big top side plate screw. A 3 screw has only 3 side plate screws.

 

[Doc44]

The 44 Magnum was introduced in 1956 with a 5-screw frame (4 in the side plate and one in front of the trigger guard) and shipped in this configuration for about eighteen months when the 4-screw frame was introduced (3 in the side plate and one in front of the trigger guard). The 3-screw frame was introduced in 1962 (screw in front of the trigger guard was deleted) and shipped that way until 2006 when the 4-screw side plate was reintroduced. The barrel pin and counterbored/recessed charge holes in the cylinder were eliminated in 1982 and have not reintroduced.

If you want a 44 Magnum to carry in the field, I would suggest a Model 29-2 or 29-3 (no barrel pin or recessed charge holes in the cylinder), or a 629-1 (29-3 made in stainless steel) with a 4-inch barrel. A current Model 29-10 with a 4-inch barrel would also be a good choice. S&W's recently introduced Model 69 would also be a great choice!

Bill

 

[Inaworldoflint]

Thank you for all the help. I am looking at all the pistols on Gun Broker trying to make sense of what you all are telling me. When you say 3 or 4 screws are you counting both sides? And the pinned barrel, is the pin on the top forward part of the of the frame? I cannot figure what the screw in front of the trigger guard is. I really appreciate the help. Some time ago I asked an "expert" at a gun shop and he said the screws had to do with the age and caliber. But couldn't answer anything more. But I bet he knows how many lines are in a Glock 19 grip....

 

[Doc44]

The photo below shows a 1950 Target with a 5-screw frame. The fourth screw in the side plate is hidden by the stock. The cylinder stop plunger screw is in front of the trigger guard and was eliminated in 1962 (it cannot be seen in the photo). The screws used to adjust the rear sight and in the stocks are not counted. The only screw on the left side of the revolver secures the cylinder release latch and is not counted. The barrel pin can be seen near the top of the frame in front of the cylinder. Also, disregard the pins securing the front sight ramp base to the barrel rib.

The number of screws does define a revolver's age, but has nothing to do with caliber.

Click on the photo for a better look.

Bill

 

[Jamesatrange]

If you want something light for backpacking and won't shoot it much you could look at the Smith model 329PD. Just a thought.

 

[jsfricks]

Check out this link and it will give you some good info on the difference in 5,4, or 3 screw. Look toward the bottom of the page.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/332218-identify-your-gun.html

 

[theoneff]

This would be a good gun for your needs
http://smith-wessonforum.com/guns-sale-trade/410468-wts-s-w-629-mountain-gun-pre-lock.html

 

[ClayCow]

OP I'd say going to an LGS if you don't know about revolvers. That way you can see and feel vs buying online. You can still bargain with lgd