new guy model 29 questions

[frankenstien]

new to the forum, hope i posted in the right place, so im about to, if all goes well, pick up a model 29-3, this will be my first smith, do these have any problems that i should be concerned with? whats the most powerfull load you can shoot through one of these SAFLEY? is it ok to carry one under the hammer? this is also my first revolver, needed a hand cannon and in my opinion smith is the only way to go

thanks for the input,
mike

 

[Col Defender]

Congratulations!

Welcome to the forum.

I have two 29-3's and love them both.

Yes you can carry a round under the hammer - decades ago Smith began putting a mechanical gate under the hammer so that even if dropped on the hammer it will not discharge. As to the heaviest load I think that no factory load will damage your revolver if it is fired just occasionally. Most here will tell you that we shoot moderate loads or .44 Special for practice and save the big bangers for just every now and then, for bears and such.

Hope you get it and post pictures soon.

 

[frankenstien]

i intend on shooting standard 240 gr or 44 specials, the main reason i got the gun is for somthing to carry while snowmachining, almost got stomped on about a week ago, so id like somthing that will even out the playing field

 

[Col Defender]

Understand - please be careful and safe. In an emergency do what you must, but it would be good to know the local and Alaska laws on carrying and especially on using your weapon. Hopefully you already know all that stuff.

 

[BUFF]

You can wear out a Model 29 with factory ammunition or equivalent handloads if you shoot it enough, but it will likely take several thousand rounds to do it, and then it can usually be fixed with a few small parts. No factory ammunition from the Big Four makers will be dangerous if the gun isn't faulty (plugged bore or some other major problem). I shot a then-new Model 29-2 (same strength as a 29-3) for 3 years in metallic silhouette matches and practice. I went through probably 3,000 rounds of factory-level handloads and the gun was fine. A few other shooters on this site have worn out Model 29's with factory ammunition but one rarely sees that done.

Careless and/or stupid handloaders have blown up guns with overpressure handloads, but good practices and tested data should keep one safe.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I was hoping someone else would bring this up as I am no expert. I think the 29-5 was the model that had the "Endurance Package" upgrades done to it. I can't tell you what all is involved but I hear they are the model to get if you are wanting a stronger 29. It isn't making a 29 into a Redhawk but Smith did what they could to stop problems that were being reported. Someone with more knowledge on this feel free to chime in on this.

 

[frankenstien]

i dont hand load, so i should be ok there, but the conceal carry laws here are extremley relaxed, you can conceal carry with out a permit here so long as your not a felon, i have my permit because i wanted to know ALL the laws so im covered in the event of having to use my firearm in self defense

 

[Geronimo Jim]

My guess is that you will wear out your arm/hand with full power loads BEFORE the gun. 44 Special loads are just fun.

 

[Col Defender]

Almost got stomped??

almost got stomped on about a week ago

None of my business I know but what almost "stomped" you? A moose (we almost hit one last year in Maine) or some other critter?

 

[frankenstien]

It was a moose whos yearling had been killed a couple days before.....so my deal on the model 29-3 fell through, BUT i ended up getting a model 29-2 from his brother are these better or worse? it has a pinned barrel and recessed cylinder...and s in awsome condition, ill post pics after work, also what are the different kinds of wood and grips they put on these? i cant remember what the guy said but their some sort of smooth traget grips that are on it thanks for info

 

[BUFF]

The Model 29-3 change included manufacturing steps that made it less expensive to make than the 29-2. The big ones are the deletion of the counterbored chambers and barrel pinning. Another was the elimination of the little grooves or striations on the top of the frame, between the front edge of the rear sight body and the rear end of the barrel. The 29-2 P&R guns sell for more than the 29-3 guns, all other things being equal. As far as strength or shootability, they are a toss-up, although many feel that the earlier 29-2's have better finish and fitting.

The wood used on Model 29-2 grips was normally Goncala Alves. The grips were normally checkered, although they could be special ordered with the uncheckered grips, often referred to as "presentation" grips. Most of the time, though, the smooth grips were added after the gun was shipped. The .44 Magnum does have some recoil, and I found I much preferred the smooth grips on my Model 29's if I was going to be shooting very much, as they are a lot less abrasive.

When you post photos, folks here can tell you about the grips.

 

[frankenstien]

id like to add the pics but my files are too big and it wont load, any ideas?

 

[Col Defender]

Your camera may have a setting to take "small" or "basic" pictures which use less camera/computer space. You could try re-taking the pics in a smaller format. Or your computer may allow you to downsize the pics it already has to something that is more manageable for e mailing or posting here.

That moose that had her baby killed was no doubt not in a good mood!

 

[frankenstien]

ill see what i can do thanks!

 

[frankenstien]

ok i got the pics to work, can anyone tell me any info about the grips? the guy charged me an extra 50$ for those grips he called them target grips? what kind of wood are they? the gun is in exelent shape little wear on the cylinder where it rotates and one bald spot on the tip of the muzzle, i paid 650$ for it? did i pay too much?

thanks

 

[robertoj29]

Personally I think you got a heck of a deal, as far as Carry laws in AK handgunlaw.us is the place to go.

 

[frankenstien]

i honestly dont even care if i did or didnt lol, i love the gun!!! can anyone tell em anything about the grips?

 

[BUFF]

For some reason, they don't look quite like S&W factory stocks to me, similar but not the same. The top of the grips' contour or shape seems different. Someone may have reshaped them a bit, and refinished them, or I may be all wet.

They are either Goncala Alves or some kind of zebrawood, I think.

S&W "Target" grips are shaped like that. The rear or backstrap of the frame is exposed, the front is covered, as is the bottom of the frame. The other most common style of S&W stocks are called "Magna" stocks. They are the same size as the grip frame, leaving the front, back and bottom of the grip frame exposed. The third style, called the "Combat" stocks, are like Targets but rounded quite a bit on the lower third of the grips, with finger grooves.

Great price on the gun.

 

[mtime7]

Well I can answer the grip question since I am the one who put those grips on it.. They are made by Herrett's, and they are Coco Bolo (extra fancy) Custom Grips. Thats what the package says that they came in..Glad your happy with the piece..
Don't forget to brag about the silky smooth trigger on that one!!

 

[frankenstien]

haha didnt know you were on this forum, was the trigger re worked? it is extremley smooth i was very suprised at how easy it is in double action, im trying to find a good vertical shoulder holster for it, i want one that wont wear the blueing off it, it will only be in the holster when im out on my snowmachine any ideas? or happen to have one you want to part with? i love the gun by the way, i couldnt remember the name of the wood for the life of me