Model 29 - the long and the short of it

[Tom K]

Well, I finally got a nice 4" Model 29-2. Oddly my first modern S&W (after a couple of 1917s) was a 4" 629 Mountain Gun. I still have it and it's one of my favorite guns to shoot. Along the years I've accumulated other barrel lengths of the blue M-29 in various dash flavors, but not the 4".

So a few weeks ago on Gunbroker I found a listing that just said, "S&W 44mag". One picture. One line of description, "Used very clean S&W 44 mag". Starting bid $300. Five bidders, twelve total bids with mine on the top. Jackpot. Came in a nice wooden presentation case with SAT but no brush, cleaning rod or papers, serial N6481XX which dates it around 1979-80 per the SCSW 4th Edition.

Grips are typical S&W targets - pretty to look at but feel awful in the hand, fatassed and clubby. I'll probably swap out to some homely but good-feeling Sile grips like I have on my other S&Ws.

So, here's the reason I needed a 4" (not that I needed a reason) - to fill a hole in the lineup. From front to back in the first pic:

3" 29-3
4" 29-2
6" 29-2
8-3/8" 29-3
10-5/8 29-3 Silhouette

Yeah, I know there are M-29s with 6-1/2" barrels, but that's not enough to make no nevermind to me. And there are a precious few 5" models, but I doubt that I'm in Doc44's will - probably 'bout the only way to get one. I believe the Night Guard guns might be shorter than 3", but they are not the lovely blue that I prefer. So this'll do for now....

 

[rwsmith]

That's a......

I've never seen such a beautiful set of 29s.

 

[gtmtnbiker98]

Green with envy, here.

 

[Nightowl]

Very nice! Nothin quite like a blue .44 mag. Well, maybe, except a whole set of them!

 

[nawilson]

Very nice collection! I like the symmetry of the 3" and 4" guns. That is quite the prop rod, too.

 

[tracrooster]

first time here,need help

lots of good informationI have a model 29 dash 3 44 mag nickelplate need some help,purchased the gun in the mid 1980sI believe it's a Performance Center gunhas not been shot probably more than 1000 rounds and the barrel is so lose you can spin it freely,never has shot nothing other than factory loads do you think Smith and Wesson will fix the gun I believe the frame is cracked,I also believe it was a gun manufacture defect any input or help would be greatly appreciated thank you

 

[tracrooster]

Any help??

 

[Bearstopper]

That is a Sweetheart of a 4" 29!

 

[CWH44300]

Nice gun, they are all nice and the family photo looks great.

 

[ridgewalker]

Congratulations on your new revolver.
You did a beautiful job with the pictures of your impressive collection. It's cool how you got your cat in the last picture.
If it's not too much trouble, I would request some pics of your 629 Mountain Gun and your new 4 inch 629 together. I think it would be interesting to see the differences.

 

[wbraswell]

Excellent set of .44s. Of course, when you do get a chance at a nice 6 1/2" you'll know what to do. It will "make your day."

 

[gasaman]

VERY NICE!

 

[Prodigal Son]

Beautiful collection of 29s. I hope I didn't short circuit my keyboard drooling over the pictures.

 

[Tom K]

Congratulations on your new revolver.
You did a beautiful job with the pictures of your impressive collection. It's cool how you got your cat in the last picture.
If it's not too much trouble, I would request some pics of your 629 Mountain Gun and your new 4 inch 629 together. I think it would be interesting to see the differences.

Here ya go.

Besides the obvious difference in material (stainless Model 629-3 vs blue carbon steel Model 29-2), the Mountain Gun also has the tapered .44 Special style barrel, round butt, non-target hammer and trigger, beveled cylinder edge, and I believe it also has the endurance package that S&W had introduced.

It came originally with Hogue finger groove rubber Monogrips, but I prefer the Pachmayr Compac Pro that I put on it - less bulky and fit my hand better, and cushion the recoil quite well. As I mentioned, it's one of my favorite guns to shoot. The 29-2 is beautiful, but the Mountain Gun is a strong candidate for a does-it-all gun.

 

[nawilson]

Thanks for the Mountain Gun comparison. You really can see the differences in the bottom picture. Though it isn't exactly an apples to apples comparison, how would you rate the recoil and muzzle flip between the two?

 

[Tom K]

Thanks for the Mountain Gun comparison. You really can see the differences in the bottom picture. Though it isn't exactly an apples to apples comparison, how would you rate the recoil and muzzle flip between the two?

Ya know, I haven't been out to the range in over a year, and because a stranger asked me about muzzle flip I got off my duff and went shooting. Thanks! Unfortunately I can't focus on the front sight of a 4" gun any more so my groups are not what they could be.

I didn't see a whole lot of difference between the Mountain Gun and the 29-2 as regards muzzle flip and recoil. The main difference is that the Mountain Gun has a round butt, which allows me to use the Pachmayr Compac Pro grip that I really like. Small enough for me to get a good grip on and still cushy. (Sorry, didn't have a real camera with me so all I have are cellphone pics. )

The factory targets on the 29-2 are just abominable, about like gripping a 2x4. They are strictly just for looking at, not for shooting.

I tried the 29-2 with the Sile grips that I have on most of my S&W revolvers and they worked much, much better. They aren't much to look at but are more attractive than Goodyears, and for a square butt gun they feel pretty good. (Ignore the changes in group location, I was adjusting the sights.)

I also tried some pre-war vintage custom grips of unknown make on the 29-2 (http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/310836-who-made-these-grips.html), but they were just a bit too skinny, whacked the web of my hand more noticeably. However I also tried them on a 6-1/2" 24-3 in .44 Special, and at that power level they are just dandy.

Here are few pics comparing the grips. Why anyone ever thought that bloated, blocky factory target shape was a good thing I'll never understand.

And that flared front-to-back distance at the bottom is just insane! Who has a little finger that long?!

 

[qrachel]

Great thread !!!!

R

 

[mjdupuis]

Nice cat! What's with all the guns!?

 

[Tom K]

Nice cat! What's with all the guns!?

Guns? What guns?

 

[RABULL]

Congratulations on a real nice group of Model 29's........