PGJim
Member
I purchased this 29-3 today... I am not familiar with them.. grips are marked 5-1982..I know there is a lot of info here...if you guys could teach me about this thing I got today. That would be much appreciated..
My first BIG one
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jjmIII_Ruger
Member
Nice looking revolver you have there. Doesn't appear to have been shot very much.
The dash 3 engineering change eliminated the pinned barrel and recessed cylinder, but that won't affect how it shoots.
The 8 3/8th inch barrel should dampen the recoil a bit, but it will still kick like a gov't mule with full-house magnum loads
Loading it with .44 Special ammo will be much easier on the shooter and the gun. Generally a better choice for simple target shooting, and more fun unless you like lots of muzzle blast and recoil.
Of course, if you reload, you can use magnum cases and brew up some warm Special loads, which are perfection in a model 29 in my opinion.
Let us know how it shoots for you!
Darkenfast
Member
Are you going to CCW it?
Just kidding! Great find. I used to love those wooden boxes that the deluxe S&Ws came in. I had a 57 (late 70s), in one and loved showing it to people.
Great looking revolver!
From the Standard Catalog of Smith&Wesson:
The model 29-3 production was introduced in 1983
The model 29-4 startet 1988
From the Standard Catalog of Smith&Wesson:
The model 29-3 production was introduced in 1983
The model 29-4 startet 1988
bananaman
Member
75Vette
Member
Nice catch. You should enjoy shooting it. I have enjoyed mine. The SCSW puts yours in the 83-86 range.
I bought an 83/8" M29blue when I started IMHMSA about that time and used it for that for several years.
It did finally go out of time so I returned with a letter stating why I used it and upon its return it never went out of time again. Great job.
Back then M29s were almost impossible to find, retail was around $250 but were going for $500+. Dirty Harry you know.
It did finally go out of time so I returned with a letter stating why I used it and upon its return it never went out of time again. Great job.
Back then M29s were almost impossible to find, retail was around $250 but were going for $500+. Dirty Harry you know.
I hope to run across one with a 6” or 7 1/2” barrel one day in the wooden box. I’ve got a 629 but I want a Dirty Harry gun simply because I couldn’t afford one when the movie came out.
I was in a gun shop the other day and thought I saw one in the display case.
Turned out to be a Model 25 in 45 acp which was a big letdown for me.
I was in a gun shop the other day and thought I saw one in the display case.
Turned out to be a Model 25 in 45 acp which was a big letdown for me.
You want the 6.5" and the 8.375"
I am confused with Jim's M29-3. From what I learned, all M29 revolvers with dash number -2E and up have so called "Endurance package". Part of it is cylinder with elongated bolt notch, like shown on attached picture bellow. Jim's M29-3 shown does not have such cylinder, but rather older design, with short bolt notch.
Could be that Jim's M29-3 was assembled using cylinder from old stock?
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Hair Trigger
US Veteran
The Endurance Package started with the -3 (M29-3E) in 1987. OP's revolver was made prior to that. That his gun also has a "N" prefix indicates a 1982-83 production, as the -3 transitioned to the 3-letter serial prefix starting in 1983.
My understanding is that 29-3s are all pre-endurance package improvements. Still a robust revolver, but folks say a steady diet of the very hot stuff is not recommended, or you’ll need to plan some maintenance. Same as the 29-2s, and 29s prior to that. In other words, I wouldn’t over think it...
I’ve got a LNIB blued 4” 29-3. Beautiful gun, and it’s not been shot outside of the factory.
Man, I’d love to come across another nice 25, I like mine better than my 29s... I tend to see 29s on the shelf more often than 25s.
UNCLE PAULY
Member
Jim, congrats on your 29-3.
I bought a 29-2 8-3/8" barrel with presentation box from a coworker in 1983. It was my 1st handgun.
One bit of advice - check all screws on the side plates after each range trip. High recoil tend to lossen them. Use the supplied S&W screwdriver and be very careful.
Enjoy.
I bought a 29-2 8-3/8" barrel with presentation box from a coworker in 1983. It was my 1st handgun.
One bit of advice - check all screws on the side plates after each range trip. High recoil tend to lossen them. Use the supplied S&W screwdriver and be very careful.
Enjoy.
Thanks for correction folks. Found that -2E dash number is for M629, not M29.
More info here:
John Taffin Smith & Wesson's .44 Magnum
"In 1988, the 29-4 was ushered in with two changes. The retention system on the yoke or cylinder crane was strengthened and studs within the frame were radiused to help remove metal stress. It was not enough...
The 29-4 lasted only two years to be replaced by the 29-5 in 1990. Now we began to see obvious outer changes in the Model 29 as the cylinder notches were made longer to prevent the bolt from jumping out of the notch upon recoil. At the same time the bolt was changed and the innards of the Model 29-5 were changed to provide a method of holding everything tightly together when the .44 was fired to prevent battering under recoil...
In 1988, the Model 629-2 arrived with the same internal changes as the Model 29-4. Transitional changes were made in 1989 along with the cylinder crane being hardened and these 629's were stamped 629-2E."
John Taffin 22. THE STAINLESS STEEL 44 MAGNUM THE MODEL 29
"In 1988, the Model 629-2 arrived with the same internal changes as the Model 29-4. Transitional changes were made in 1989 along with the cylinder crane being hardened and these 629s were stamped 629-2E.
In 1990, the 629-3 ushered in the same changes as found on the blued 29-5."
So, in short, if looking for "Endurance package", we should look for M29-3E and up, and M629-2E and up, or just look for long bolt notch on cylinder.
More info here:
John Taffin Smith & Wesson's .44 Magnum
"In 1988, the 29-4 was ushered in with two changes. The retention system on the yoke or cylinder crane was strengthened and studs within the frame were radiused to help remove metal stress. It was not enough...
The 29-4 lasted only two years to be replaced by the 29-5 in 1990. Now we began to see obvious outer changes in the Model 29 as the cylinder notches were made longer to prevent the bolt from jumping out of the notch upon recoil. At the same time the bolt was changed and the innards of the Model 29-5 were changed to provide a method of holding everything tightly together when the .44 was fired to prevent battering under recoil...
In 1988, the Model 629-2 arrived with the same internal changes as the Model 29-4. Transitional changes were made in 1989 along with the cylinder crane being hardened and these 629's were stamped 629-2E."
John Taffin 22. THE STAINLESS STEEL 44 MAGNUM THE MODEL 29
"In 1988, the Model 629-2 arrived with the same internal changes as the Model 29-4. Transitional changes were made in 1989 along with the cylinder crane being hardened and these 629s were stamped 629-2E.
In 1990, the 629-3 ushered in the same changes as found on the blued 29-5."
So, in short, if looking for "Endurance package", we should look for M29-3E and up, and M629-2E and up, or just look for long bolt notch on cylinder.
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Here is my 29-3 shipped in 1985 I think. AFR5213. We ought to start a club, but I'm too old for tree houses.
Only this time girls are allowed!!
OP, that's a very nice gun you have there! I have the 6" stainless steel with rubber handles. It's not a beauty queen but it sure packs a wallup! (Technical terms!) I mostly shoot the .44 Specials in it at the practice range. I haven't taken it to the 50 yard line yet but I'd like to see how I would do with the iron sights.
Happy shooting! That sure is purdy!
Jeff T. PGH
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