S&W Model 29-3

[Cellar Hound]

A few years ago, I purchased a model 29-3. Since then, I have enjoyed shooting a modest amount of rounds that were a mixture of .44 special and .44 magnum loads. I have had no issues and it appears to be a beautiful gun. Recently, I have read a lot more about the versions of this model. The previous versions were P&R and the versions afterward have the endurance package. Although I don’t put very many rounds through this gun I wanted to ask a question. Is there anything wrong with this version or are the other versions just more preferred? I have attached a couple of pics for reference. Thanks for the input.

 

[BC38]

The old school P&R guns are preferred by collectors.
The endurance package guns are preferred by people who like to shoot a LOT of the really HOT magnums.
For the rest of us, a 29-3 will do just fine.
I have one - the Classic Hunter variant. I load & shoot mostly "light magnums" (hotter than specials but not as hot as most factory-loaded magnums). I doubt that I will ever shoot enough hot stuff to have an issue with wear on the gun. I'm pretty sure I'll be worn out long before it is.
BTW, that is some mighty pretty wood on that one of yours.

 

[daddio202]

Nothing wrong with 29-3's whatsoever! I own one myself with 8 3/8 inch barrel. Lucky to get it with box and all the goodies. The reason they tend to be less desirable is exactly why you mentioned. Earlier guns were P& R and the later hand endurance upgrades. Also 629's of any dash are more desirable because they are stainless. I enjoy shooting mine too as should and be proud to own it too! Sorry not the best pictures but just had to include more pics into this thread for proud 29-3 owners.

 

[twodog max]

I have a 4 inch like yours I bought it new long ago and have shot it a lot but not many full house magnums. No issues yet. I expect it will outlast me.

 

[Cellar Hound]

Thanks BC.

The old school P&R guns are preferred by collectors.
The endurance package guns are preferred by people who like to shoot a LOT of the really HOT magnums.
For the rest of us, a 29-3 will do just fine.
I have one - the Classic Hunter variant. I load & shoot mostly "light magnums" (hotter than specials but not as hot as most factory-loaded magnums). I doubt that I will ever shoot enough hot stuff to have an issue with wear on the gun. I'm pretty sure I'll be worn out long before it is.
BTW, that is some mighty pretty wood on that one of yours.

I appreciate the note. John Culina made the grips out of Snakewood. I really like his grips. They feel as good as they look.

 

[Cellar Hound]

Thanks

Nothing wrong with 29-3's whatsoever! I own one myself with 8 3/8 inch barrel. Lucky to get it with box and all the goodies. The reason they tend to be less desirable is exactly why you mentioned. Earlier guns were P& R and the later hand endurance upgrades. Also 629's of any dash are more desirable because they are stainless. I enjoy shooting mine too as should and be proud to own it too! Sorry not the best pictures but just had to include more pics into this thread for proud 29-3 owners.

Thanks for the info. That’s a beautiful gun you have there. Thanks for sharing the pics.

 

[BC38]

I appreciate the note. John Culina made the grips out of Snakewood. I really like his grips. They feel as good as they look.

Should'a guessed as much. He does do some of the nicest wood I've seen anywhere.

 

[bananaman]

I had a nickel 29-2, 4" and a 29-3 6". Be it right or wrong, I got rid of the -2, and kept the -3. I am not sorry about it. Bob

 

[75Vette]

That's a good looking gun Cellar Hound. From what I understand, when the factory introduced the dash 3 minus the P&R features the purists welcomed it the same way most have the IL & MIM parts of the current revolvers. I'm sure it was a money & labor saving move but not a thing wrong with the gun. The only downside is the top strap isn't drilled & tapped for a scope mount. I own a few myself.

 

[biku324]

I got one from Fugate's that is 99%; it was $950 because the original owner had it Mag-na-ported. I took the grips off and put the Hogue Monogrip on it, as it's a shooter and I don't want to screw up the perfect Goncalo Alves grips - I see those at some pretty high prices here.

I never had a ported revolver before; it shoots well, but I can't tell much difference in recoil - blast from the ports would be a problem if using it without muffs, but I'm unlikely to fire it without'em. The ports have residue that goes toward the muzzle after firing, but it wipes right off.

 

[Laketime]

My 29 collection consisted of -2's and -3's.I probaly shot the dash 3's more than tha -2's.No problem with shooting these guns weekly with hot and mild reloads for several years.

 

[Warren Sear]

OP, send me an email if you want to rid yourself of that -3, please.

 

[jcelect]

29-3

Here is a 29-3 that I bought in 1985 and tried real hard to shoot loose with a steady diet of 240gr JHP in front of a full load of H110. It has shot many deer and punched a bunch of holes in paper out to 200yds! It has finish issues(deer blood and holster wear) but "it takes a licking and keeps on ticking"! I really think it will out last me!

jcelect

 

[Oscar Zulu]

I have a 4" 29-3. In retrospect, it is the gun that brought me to this forum.....and an interest in S&W. (So it has cost me plenty, ugh). I think of the -3 as the years least attractive playmate. Some of the others may be more desirable......but it"s still a playmate!

 

[Cellar Hound]

Nice!!

That's a good looking gun Cellar Hound. From what I understand, when the factory introduced the dash 3 minus the P&R features the purists welcomed it the same way most have the IL & MIM parts of the current revolvers. I'm sure it was a money & labor saving move but not a thing wrong with the gun. The only downside is the top strap isn't drilled & tapped for a scope mount. I own a few myself.

Thanks for the comments. That’s some really nice hardware you have there!

 

[Cellar Hound]

Thanks

Here is a 29-3 that I bought in 1985 and tried real hard to shoot loose with a steady diet of 240gr JHP in front of a full load of H110. It has shot many deer and punched a bunch of holes in paper out to 200yds! It has finish issues(deer blood and holster wear) but "it takes a licking and keeps on ticking"! I really think it will out last me!

jcelect

Thanks for the reply. All things being equal I think mine will likely out last me as well.

 

[Cellar Hound]

Thanks

Nothing wrong with 29-3's whatsoever! I own one myself with 8 3/8 inch barrel. Lucky to get it with box and all the goodies. The reason they tend to be less desirable is exactly why you mentioned. Earlier guns were P& R and the later hand endurance upgrades. Also 629's of any dash are more desirable because they are stainless. I enjoy shooting mine too as should and be proud to own it too! Sorry not the best pictures but just had to include more pics into this thread for proud 29-3 owners.

That’s a very nice gun. Thanks for the reply.

 

[JohnRippert]

I appreciate the note. John Culina made the grips out of Snakewood. I really like his grips. They feel as good as they look.

He does make good grips, doesn't he. I also have a set on a 4inch 29-3. Like many others here I have no problem with a -3 variant as I also shoot mostly .44 Special with the occasional cylinder of magnums thrown in for good measure.

On another note, I notice that among the pics in this thread all the 4inch versions have target trigger and hammer as well as red inserts. I wonder if that was the standard setup for factory 4inch 29-3's.

 

[Cellar Hound]

Beautiful Gun!!

He does make good grips, doesn't he. I also have a set on a 4inch 29-3. Like many others here I have no problem with a -3 variant as I also shoot mostly .44 Special with the occasional cylinder of magnums thrown in for good measure.

On another note, I notice that among the pics in this thread all the 4inch versions have target trigger and hammer as well as red inserts. I wonder if that was the standard setup for factory 4inch 29-3's.

That’s a beautiful gun there. What kind of wood is that? It looks like some grips that John made for me using American Holly. Here they are on my 629 Classic.

 

[t4terrific]

A few years ago, I purchased a model 29-3. Since then, I have enjoyed shooting a modest amount of rounds that were a mixture of .44 special and .44 magnum loads. I have had no issues and it appears to be a beautiful gun. Recently, I have read a lot more about the versions of this model. The previous versions were P&R and the versions afterward have the endurance package. Although I don’t put very many rounds through this gun I wanted to ask a question. Is there anything wrong with this version or are the other versions just more preferred? I have attached a couple of pics for reference. Thanks for the input.

Lots of things are great in the real world but not on the internet.