Silhouette 44 magnum

[Kenneth L. Walters]

I don't remember how many years ago Smith made these. Had a 10.5 inch barrel and an adjustable front sight as I recall. Were there any problem with these revolvers and what are they going for now?

 

[Kenneth L. Walters]

I don't remember how many years ago Smith made these. Had a 10.5 inch barrel and an adjustable front sight as I recall. Were there any problem with these revolvers and what are they going for now?

 

[Joni_Lynn]

Last ones I saw were 29-3 and 29-4 models and were priced at $550, they were decent but not 100%.

 

[JT]

29-3 Silhouette models were criticized by silhouette shooters who used heavy bullets that caused cylinders to unlock under recoil. Not a good thing. S&W introduced the Endurance Package (EP) on the 29-3E to fix the problem, but it wasn't enough until the 29-5 finalization of the EP. See John Taffin's article.

That being said, these are fine guns if you obey the common sense shooting that goes for any pre-29-5 -- don't overdo it!

 

[BUFF]

I have an unfired one that I can be talked out of. Box, papers.

 

[Frank from jersey]

I picked one up in '83. I am told its one of the first. Blueing was a big disappointment. Shoots good.Used 260 grainers at 100 yds also deer "rifle".

Only one missing 6 1/2 in Nickle.I have to update photo.

 

[geoff40]

back in the 80s when MS shooting was very popular, I participated in the hobby for a while and loved it. I bought a Super Blackhawk with a 10.5 in barrel. I did well with it, but others I shot with had the 29s in this barrel length, so of course there was frequent "hey, try this out" back and forth, you shoot mine, I shoot yours kind of stuff. It was then that I first noticed the differences in the hammer arc/throw between the 2 guns and actions. That long arc of the Ruger would actually cause a very slight rise of the whole gun while it traveled forward to strike the transfer bar, at least in my hand it would, something I could clearly see as I looked down the sights. The "Smith with its shorter arc didn't rise like that. It wasn't enough to cause an outright miss usually, but it was enough when firing on paper targets as I found out.
Before I discovered this I was a Ruger-only kind of person, and didn't have much nice to say about 'Smiths ( and I knew all about them, not owning any

) . In those days I didn't bother to look past the "its stronger" argument, and this difference between the 2 revolvers is what finally opened my eyes to what a 'Smith had to offer for me. At first it was a reluctant admission, that I could shoot a tighter group with the 29, but I came around and it wasn't long before I bought my first S&W revolvers.

 

[44wheelman]

I have seen two sell in the $450 - $480 range both in the 95%-98% condition rating this year.

The Dan Wessons have a shorter hammer throw yet, which also contributes to their accuracy, but at the expense of double action smoothness. (not an issue in MS shooting)

 

[BUFF]

I have one listed for sale in 'Marketplace' now.

Shameless plug.