New Classic Series M-29....

[SurfGuitar]

Just purchased a new Classic Series Model 29 with a 6.5" barrel.

The fit & finish looks superb, the bluing is beautiful, the wood grips are well finished, and the "out of the box" action is pretty darn good as well.....

Purchased from Tip's Hardware in West Creek, NJ, I almost find it hard to believe this gun sat in their gun cabinet for about 5 or 6 weeks with no one else laying claim to it, other than the cost of .44 Magnum ammo being insanely high at 50 dollars a box. That's not a big issue for me being a reloader, but I did pick up a box of Federal AE just to add to my limited .44 Mag brass supply....

One more item I can now strike off my bucket list, only problem is, here in the People's Republic of New Jersey the NICS checks have been backlogged to 3 weeks, so I won't be able to enjoy my new gun for a while yet......

 

[SurfGuitar]

I was hoping other M-29 owners would chime in, and give me a few suggestions regarding ammo....

I assume the new models no longer have the pre-endurance package issues of the older models, and if so, how well do these new model-29's handle full strength .44 Magnum loads....?

At the moment I'm sitting on 200 rounds with the components ordered to reload more. For the most part I will be loading and shooting mild (.44 Spl) loads, but I do have 50 rounds of Federal 230Gr. factory rounds, and another 50 that are loaded with 230Gr, JHP's with 13Grs. of Unique that's at the top limit per some older data....(modern data cuts off at 12Grs. for this load)....

Do I run the risk of damaging this new gun with either the full strength factory loads, or the hot reloads.....?

 

[71firebird400]

You absolutely will not hurt the gun with factory ammo unless its 300+ grains. 240gr factory ammo will be perfectly fine through the gun, and as with all new S&W's it has the lifetime warranty. I can't make a solid recommendation on what type of ammo as it's been a long time since I bought any factory stuff, but 44 mag has always been phenomenally accurate for me in any sort of handgun so I doubt you'll take issue with any of the major brands. The new 29's look great; I hope you can pickup the gun soon.

 

[CWH44300]

13 gr of unique! Sounds like a pretty spicy meatball,
We wouldn't be shooting any of those out of my guns.

 

[BigBill]

Congrats on the awesome purchase.
I plan on shooting 44magnum standard loads out of my new s&w 29-10. I shoot my ruger redhawks with the hotter stuff just because I want to baby my s&w. Bill

 

[wheelyfun66]

Great to hear that a new S&W can still be found behind the glass!

Can't wait until you pass the background check, or whatever commie paperwork that NJ requires, and give us a range report! (and pics)

 

[Cal44]

I'm considering a new 6.5" M-29 classic in nickel.

If you don't mind my asking, what did you pay for yours?

They want $1120 for the one here. It's been sitting a while also.

The particular LGS it's at specializes in the black plastic guns so probably that has something to do with no takers.

There aren't many nickel new guns available any more.

Dave

 

[loc n load]

M-29's

Bought my first one in 1974......have 29's in all bl lngth's....in the six to 8 3/8's I load 2400 with a 240 gr cast ( mine) or a JHP...usually 20 gr's of 2400......that will do anything you want to do.....I used that load for metallic sil shooting 55 lb rams at 200 yds and it will do it's job.....I have also harvested a lot of big bodied deer with that load also....4" or shorter I go with Unique.....more efficient in the shorter bl's than 2400.....doesn't have nearly the muzzle flash.....I carry Gold Dot JHP's in my 3" and 4" defense guns.

 

[M29since14]

I would tear down those 13-grs Unique loads, myself. As CWH44300 says, "Not in my guns!"

The Federal American Eagle stuff is good. Blazer 44 Magnums are also surprisingly good. I don't like the Aluminum cases but the ammunition is very accurate in my guns. I like both the 200- and 240-gr hollow-points.

Your post doesn't tell us which gun you have, the older 29 Classic with the Python-type barrel or the newer model with the standard barrel. I take it you have the newer one because you mention wood grips. Anyway, neither one will be punishing but the older gun with the heavy barrel is a ***** cat with full-charge 44 Magnums. No real need to load 44 Special equivalents for that one. With the newer model, Loc n load's suggestion to use #2400 is what I would prefer. The stocks on the new gun are not everyone's cup of tea. If you don't like the way the gun handles with 44 Magnum loads, different stocks may make a huge difference for you.

I am not surprised the 44 was sitting for a while. It's a black, plastic world these days.

 

[SurfGuitar]

13 gr of unique! Sounds like a pretty spicy meatball,
We wouldn't be shooting any of those out of my guns.

I agree, and I'm seriously thinking about pulling them apart and lightening up the charge a bit....

I'll be using this M-29 for pistol matches at our range, mostly steel plate and dueling tree matches, a 200Gr. lead bullet with a moderate .44Spl level of Unique is a perfect load for these matches, got the bullet weight, and plenty of velocity to smack those plates around without wearing out my wrists and hands. I do like to work with 2400 on .44 Mag's, but there's none to be had around these parts....

M29since14

Your post doesn't tell us which gun you have, the older 29 Classic with the Python-type barrel or the newer model with the standard barrel. I take it you have the newer one because you mention wood grips.

It is a brand new M-29 from the classic series, standard 6.5" barrel, red ramp front sight, target rear sight, and the Altimont wood grips....

wheelyfun66

New Jersey's latest thing is they won't hire additional help for the NICS checks, with the gun buying craze they got back logged starting right after the Newton incident, back in December it took 24 hours for us to get an "Instant" background check, now it's up to 3 weeks. They're playing with our rights in a sneaky way, creating a waiting period that's not part of the law....I hate this state, but I'm stuck here for now....

Thanks everyone for your advice and compliments, I will be posting photos and a range report as soon as I do get it in my hands......

 

[SurfGuitar]

Follow up to my ammo questions......

I pulled the heads off the batch that was loaded....(by someone else and gifted to me)..... weighed the charge, and they were 13.8Grs. of Unique, way hot.....

I reloaded them to 10.5Grs. of Unique with 200Gr. JHP's

I also have 50 rounds loaded with 11.0Grs. of SR-7625 with 200Gr. JHP's, and 50 loaded with 7.0Grs. of SR-7625 with 240Gr. LSW's.....

The only full house loads I do have is the 50 rounds of Factory Federal 230Gr. JHP loads....

When I actually pick up my new revolver I'll grab another box of factory loads, if for nothing else the re-loadable brass.....

 

[TheMystro]

I have experimented ALOT with loads and power and taken a lot of deer. I have found a medium power 44mag wih AA#9 and a Hormady 240 XTP is all you need. I have no doubt the gun can take hot loads and have shot many but why?????

At 175yards the deer fell over in its tracks. Not even a kick.

 

[SW&Larry]

I bought one about 6 weeks ago. Nickel 6/5".

What I have fired through it:

240gr Magtech .44 Mag
240gr American Eagle .44 Mag
200gr Underwood .44 Special

The American Eagle is noticeably the more powerful of the Magnums.

I also have 40 Buffalo Bore 270gr that I bought before I knew better. They will not be fired through this gun. I have a Ruger SRH coming that I will use these in.

A few observations I've had:

Be very very careful about what gun cleaners/bore cleaners you use. Many have Ammonia, which will lift Nickel if it gets through a scratch or nick because it attacks the copper underneath. I only use MPro7 stuff for this reason.

The area's of the top strap, forcing cone and especially the front of the cylinder are a major bitch to clean. I just clean the front of the Cylinder as best I can and leave it black.

In what seems to be a common S&W problem, you have to watch and make sure the ejector rod doesn't come loose. I have to hand-tighten mine every 18 rounds or so and have gotten used to just checking it with each reload. Only takes a second.

Standard full-factory 240gr Magnum loads are gonna beat you up well enough. No need to go for anything bigger, and the gun will last longer

The price of .44 Special sucks

Just purchased a new Classic Series Model 29 with a 6.5" barrel.

The fit & finish looks superb, the bluing is beautiful, the wood grips are well finished, and the "out of the box" action is pretty darn good as well.....

Purchased from Tip's Hardware in West Creek, NJ, I almost find it hard to believe this gun sat in their gun cabinet for about 5 or 6 weeks with no one else laying claim to it, other than the cost of .44 Magnum ammo being insanely high at 50 dollars a box. That's not a big issue for me being a reloader, but I did pick up a box of Federal AE just to add to my limited .44 Mag brass supply....

One more item I can now strike off my bucket list, only problem is, here in the People's Republic of New Jersey the NICS checks have been backlogged to 3 weeks, so I won't be able to enjoy my new gun for a while yet......

 

[SurfGuitar]

SW&Larry....Thanks for the advice, my new M-29 is blued steel, not nickle. The previous early model 29 I had was nickle with a 4" barrel, and I agree those nickle guns can be tricky to keep clean, as are the stainless one's too....

I use Hoppe's #9, then either BreakFree CLP, or Tri-Flo on all my guns, and haven't had any problems....

I do recall the ejector rod coming loose on my 4" M-29, but that usually only happened when I was shooting full power loads, that particular gun had other failure issues, and didn't last long in my collection.....