RetiredDirtyHarry

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ThorOdinson

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I have an older model M29 that looks like what Clint carried in the Dirty Harry movies (although I understand it wasn't really a .44 Mag). Even got the captain to approve me carrying it (he had no idea what a Model 29 was).
Moved on to everything stainless and carried a Mod 66.
Recently found a 6" barrel sitting in a gun store and installed it.
Also recently bought a 629 online that was advertised as a 6 1/2" but turned out to be only 6". S&W says they quit making the 6 1/2" except for that ugly full lug ***.
It looked like a 8 3/8" SS could be cut down to 6 1/2" (assuming I have the money to burn) and I could have what I really want and that is a Mod 629 with a 6 1/2" barrel minus the full underlug. It would allow my ex-pard to stop drooling all over my blue M29--I could just give it to him (he earned it).
My gunsmith is leery of the change (maybe the 8 3/8" doesn't have the pin or its tuff to take the front sight off the 8 3/8" and reinstall it on the shortened barrel. I didn't find the pin and groove insurrmountable (long word--maybe wrong sp).
Anything I didn't anticipate if I had the bucks?? Anybody done something similar for a lousy 1/2"?
Just picky after 30+ years and it will just be my hunting buddy if my knees hold out. Thor
How do I know if anybody answers? Yeah, I'm new here.
[email protected]
 
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What you are suggesting (shorten 8 3/8 to 6 1/2" barrel, reinstall front sight, recrown, refinish, etc.) is well within the skill set of many gunsmiths. Only you know whether this is worth the expense.

Regarding the movie revolvers - if you use the Search Site/Google function off the Forum home page and use Dirty Harry, Clint Eastwood, etc. for search terms, you will find many threads about the movie guns. From direct information, it is well-known the movie guns were S & W .44 Magnums, one assembled for use in the movie and a second different and older revolver. The latter gun is currently in the NRA Firearms Museum on loan from John Milius.
 
While Alan is correct that this work can be done, I'm wondering about your overall approach. It would be a lot easier and perhaps even less expensive to just buy a good, used older Model 29 (no dash, dash 1 or dash 2 made before 1979) with the 6 1/2" barrel. They are not falling out of the sky, but they are also not that hard to find.
Wouldn't that be a lot simpler? Then you have an original and not one that has been "smithed" into existence.
 
JP@AK said:
It would be a lot easier and perhaps even less expensive to just buy a good, used older Model 29 (no dash, dash 1 or dash 2 made before 1979) with the 6 1/2" barrel. /QUOTE]

I think he is trying to make a 6 1/2" 629, not 29. I don't think those ever existed in factory form.
Click to expand...
 
ThorOdinson said:
...and I could have what I really want and that is a Mod 629 with a 6 1/2" barrel minus the full underlug.

...Anything I didn't anticipate if I had the bucks?? Anybody done something similar for a lousy 1/2"?
Click to expand...

Well, since that is what you want, have at it. I am sympathetic, if that helps. :) I never did like the looks of 6-inch barrels on .41 and .44 Magnums.

Find a 629-3 or 629-4 with an 8-3/8" barrel if you can. That way the barrel will not have to be fitted - it already is. The cut/crown/replace front sight should be within the capability of many pistolsmiths, but be sure you are going to be happy with the replacement sight your smith plans to use. Making it look "factory original" is the key to having a nice job when you are finished.

If your local smith is "leery" of the job, he is not the right man for the project. Go elsewhere.
 
I would agree with Jack. Even if the 6-1/2" 29s aren't available in Denver-area shops, if you visit gunbroker.com at any time you will likely find a number of them for sale.

Best wishes,
Andy
 
MN2944 said:
I think he is trying to make a 6 1/2" 629, not 29. I don't think those ever existed in factory form.
Click to expand...

Yes. I failed to notice that he was talking about a stainless gun. But in that case, what he really wants is a 629 with a 6 1/2" barrel. What does that have to do with Dirty Harry Callahan? The character in the movies didn't carry a 629 and had never even heard of one . . .
 
Not worth it, on a 629 the sight is part of the barrel. Cutting back the barrel is tricky and requires it be removed from the revolver, also tricky. It's too much work for a half inch of steel.

Leave it as is!!!
 
ThorOdinson said:
I have an older model M29 that looks like what Clint carried in the Dirty Harry movies (although I understand it wasn't really a .44 Mag).
Click to expand...

It most certainly WAS a Model 29 .44 Magnum.

Here's a screen capture of the revolver in Inspector Callahan's hand. You can plainly see the .44 Magnum inscription on the barrel.
DH1S%26W25-8.jpg
 
Thor, your join date is May 2010. The Dirty Harry gun topic comes up at least monthly here. With only 30 posts you are admittedly not very active in almost 4 years. But even at that, you'd have to accidentally stumble over a DH gun thread at least once! Hello - it was a 6 1/2" model 29.

Your proposed project is interesting, but likely to be cost prohibitive. I have thought about doing something similar, cutting a 629 down to 5", but I REALLY don't need one.

If you must have a stainless look in a 6 1/2" 44 magnum, you could find a seriously finish challenged 29 and have it refinished in an Armaloy or other hard-chrome aftermarket finish. Guns refinished as such are often mistaken for a stainless gun. Most purists would scoff at that, but it's your money.

I had a similar situation in my LE career. In the 1980's the Chief issued an order that all officers must qualify with their off-duty guns; must be revolvers only and of .38 caliber OR larger. Another officer and myself, just to test the waters, qualified with our 29-3's we had at the time; mine a 6", his an 8 3/8ths. Like your boss, mine did not know what a model 29 was either.
 
I guess that I don't know the hang up with a 6" vs. 6.5" barrel. It appears to be a lot of work and expense to obtain a 6.5" barrel on a gun that never existed in the first place. If you cut the barrel, the lettering will not be centered and will not look correct.

Tom
 
I agree with many of the posts above. Not worth the money for a mere 1/2"... IMHO.

Just use the 629 at 6".

If you want a Dirty Harry gun, get a 6 1/2" Mod 29...
 
It might be easier for a gunsmith to take a full lug 6 1/2" Classic and reprofile the barrel underlug into a standard .44 Magnum barrel. It now still has an interchangeable front sight, rather than cut a longer barrel and install an aftermarket front sight. We have had pictures on the forum where the barrel underlug has been removed by our more talented members.
 
I see shooting-grade 6.5" 29's on gunbroker all the time for 600-750 all the time. Eventually, they will dry up, like seeing 60's Mustangs for 1000 bux.
 
8 3/8" 629s aren't that rare, and the long tube guns seem to go for less. If that's what you want, go for it! It's only money.......

BTW, I picked up one of the 5" Classics with the full lug...the don't have the classic look, but the balance is near perfect!
 
ThorOdinson said:
I have an older model M29 that looks like what Clint carried in the Dirty Harry movies (although I understand it wasn't really a .44 Mag). Even got the captain to approve me carrying it (he had no idea what a Model 29 was).
Moved on to everything stainless and carried a Mod 66.
Recently found a 6" barrel sitting in a gun store and installed it.
Also recently bought a 629 online that was advertised as a 6 1/2" but turned out to be only 6". S&W says they quit making the 6 1/2" except for that ugly full lug ***.
It looked like a 8 3/8" SS could be cut down to 6 1/2" (assuming I have the money to burn) and I could have what I really want and that is a Mod 629 with a 6 1/2" barrel minus the full underlug. It would allow my ex-pard to stop drooling all over my blue M29--I could just give it to him (he earned it).
My gunsmith is leery of the change (maybe the 8 3/8" doesn't have the pin or its tuff to take the front sight off the 8 3/8" and reinstall it on the shortened barrel. I didn't find the pin and groove insurrmountable (long word--maybe wrong sp).
Anything I didn't anticipate if I had the bucks?? Anybody done something similar for a lousy 1/2"?
Just picky after 30+ years and it will just be my hunting buddy if my knees hold out. Thor
How do I know if anybody answers? Yeah, I'm new here.
[email protected]
Click to expand...

So I see some read my post and some just commented away. All appreciated anyway. I drafted up a long response but I guess my internet connection cut off. So this quote should bring everybody up to date. Gotta do something else for the wife. Thanks Thor
 
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