The New Model 29

[m29fan]

Hello everyone . Iam thinking about buying myself the new current Smith and Wesson Model 29 in .44 magnum blue steel with the 6 1/2 inch barrel . Personally I think that they look as good as a Model 29-2 but what Iam wanting to know is are there any members of this forum that have purchased one and are they satisfied with the overall quality of this new version of the Model 29 . This new gun is part of Smith and Wesson's Classic Series and I believe that it is referred to as the Model 29-10 . I have heard that it is a much stronger version and is part of there endurance package . Is this true ? Any comments would be greatly appreciated .

 

[semperfi71]

Were it me...and I am not necessarilly "anti-lock".

I would save my money and look for anything from the original ".44 Magnum" to the M29-2.

You might get lucky and get one of the older .44 Magnums [first model] or a M29, or a M29-1 for a sweet price. You might get lucky and find a M29-2 for under $500.00, a really good price.

Then there's the M29-3 and whatever followed.

Here's my final point. Any M29-2 or earlier is going to have a collectible value that will overshadow the latest M29 by a lot. Also you can shoot that collectible "older" M29-2 or earlier and still make a profit one day when you sell it. As long as you take good care of the weapon and its finish.

And the current M29 sells for more than a good/lucky find on a M29-2.

With patience and diligence you will find a good M29-2, with that and luck an earlier one.

Regards.

 

[NFrameFred]

By all means - buy the new ones ! ( means there are more of the older ones out there for those of us who prefer those ! )

Seriously, I'm sure the new ones are great guns and built to withstand a little stouter use than the old 29's. But truth be told, you have to be pretty hard core and shoot more than the average bear or hot-rod your handloads to really loosen up most 29's.

As far as the ugly placement of the lock and it's political implications - if that doesn't bother you ( I confess they give me heartburn, more the very visible location than the lock itself), then for a shooter the new guns would be great. If you're thinking of value down the road . . . . not so sure myself that the lock models will ever have the collectible mystique and panache of the old 29's.

YMMV

 

[Model39]

I agree with semperfi71, get yourself an original 29-2 6 1/2". You will have an original that will always be worth more as time goes on. If you are truely looking for just a 44 magnum to shoot buy the new one, however you can never go wrong with the original. Below are my two 29-2's, one "S" numbered gun from about 1965, and an "N" from 1972. One I shoot all the time, and one that is a safe queen. As long as you take care of it, it will keep it's value, and you will have a great shooter to boot.

 

[M29since14]

Here's my final point...

And the current M29 sells for more than a good/lucky find on a M29-2.

Lots of final points there ( ), but this one is the one that has kept me from buying a 29-10, though I admit curiosity may overtake it some day.

I have looked at many 29-10s and have yet to see one that I wouldn't mind owning. I just happen to like the older guns enough that plunking down more money for the new gun (with the new stocks ) is a deal breaker for me. If they put a decent set of stocks on the gun, I imagine it would throw me over the edge.

 

[Bendutro]

The new guns are tighter and more consistent.

Buy and shoot whatever you want. I am the proud owner of a 629-8 and will shoot it against any other 29 of any other vintage. I like 'em all, P&R, IL, MIM, 2-piece barrel whatever. I buy 'em to shoot, not to polish and talk about. I am partial to the Performance Center guns though. IMHO, they'll hold value just as well as an old gun if not better.

 

[BruceM]

I would have to disagree with the statement that the M29-10's look as good as the M29-2's.

Besides the issue with the internal lock on the new gun, there is a problem with the fake CCH on the MIM hammer and trigger, the use of a roll pin instead of a solid pin for attaching the front sight blade and the fact that the ramp shaped blade itself has a square "notch" (unless that has changed)at the rear end where it meets the sight base instead of one smooth continuous incline from bottom to top. The wood target stocks leave me cold also. It's not just a question of the degree of polish and the blue finish.



Bruce

 

[one eye joe]

GOTTA roll with Semperfi71 and Model39 on this one. Just look at those beauties Model39 posted ! Get yourself a TC or a Ruger if you wanna break a wrist with handloads. Otherwise, find a nice oldie..........

 

[SLT223]

I hope some of the ding dongs at S&W read this thread, realize people are refering to their old guns as originals, and understand that they made knock offs of their own guns. I bet someone could tool up and make a 29-2 and sell it for what the 29-10's are going for.

 

[lscocoa]

I have a M29-3 with a 10 5/8 in. barrel and a 29-4 Whitetail Hunter with an 8 3/8 in. barrel with a mountain gun on my mind . Choose what you want new or used you can't lose in my opinion .

 

[jcleverly76]

i like the 29-10. i have a 4" and it's a very solid gun. great shooter, haven't had a problem with it yet. picked up mine for $839 and am satisfied with the price. from what i've seen/heard, all new model 29's do have the endurance package. regardless, it's a beautiful gun and i love shooting it. personally, i'd say go for it. the new ones seem to be pretty hard to come by, the one i've purchased is the only new one i've seen in any shop around denver.

 

[srgvaz]

I was looking for a 29-2 but either there to $$$$ or $ in up shape. Long story short I've been a volunteer at the VA office a LONG time this past Veterans Day I was talking to among other things a retired FFL who never quite liked his 29-10 like others here. I'm not going to mention what I paid for it but he also mentioned he would eventually let me have one of his 29-2's at a very nice price.

If you're going to shoot 44 mag. often go with the new gun you will not be disappointed mine is as accurate as can be, but if it's going to be a safe queen spend the $$$ on the -2 and make sure it has or get the endurance package from S&W.

 

[Sixgun Southpaw]

I have had both new and old 29's. I think the 29-2 has a better looking finish, and the trigger pull tends to feel slicker. However, the new ones do feel tighter and are stronger. I can say I shoot better with my new 29-10, but that might just be me. If you want to shoot it a little and keep it put up, get the 29-2. If you shoot a lot like me and want to carry it a lot, get the 29-10. Either way, if it say S&W, you've made the right choice.

 

[Hyperbiker]

SORRY TO INTERRUPT

Seeing theres some model 29 experts here, I myself own a 29-2 nickel 6" but my question is what is the BOUNTY HUNTER model. I saw one in my LGS and didn't pay it much mind until the ride home of course. I'am looking to get a Blued revolver , I have 4 revolvers and not a blued in the bunch. I'm thinking why not this one. It appeared to be 3-4" w/bounty hunter on the brl.In great shape. Is it BLUED or melonited, any good, apx how old and most of all worth $600

 

[mike56]

I bought a new 4 inch blue 29-10, but when I got it home, the blueing was pretty blotchy. I sent it back and it came back with an "almost old Smith" blue.
Almost hate to shoot it!.
Bought a used nickel 6.5 and shoot that alot with reloads.

Never had a problem with the lock.

29's are cool.

 

[kennyb]

i have several 29-2's and 3"s i just purchased the new M629 stealth hunter...they are ALL good...

 

[Model29Lover]

I deer hunt, so I chose the new -10 with that purpose in mind, as I will be using 300 grain bullets. I love any 29 dash model however, and if I ever see any dash # at a show or store I will buy it, if my pocket-book allows it!!!! That being said, if you don't like the grips, change them, and remove the lock if you want, and put a plug in it, and enjoy the big 300 grain bullets. If you don't want to fire those and will only be firing 240 gr and under, go with the older ones, every dash above -2 has more endurance features, mind you, but if you shoot reg loads it doesn't matter.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Personally, I will not buy nor trade for a S&W that has the lock. I haven't heard anything that is detrimental to the new ones and I'm probably missing a few good ones along the way. Just prefer the -2s.....gr

 

[SWM29]

Hey m29fan. I just took delivery of my new M29 today and thought you might benefit from a quick review of it. Mine has the blued finish and has the 6.5" barrel. It's a beautiful weapon and is sweet to fire, though after 42 rounds I have to say the grooves in the back of the stock made the palm of my hand feel a little tender. It also drew plenty of attention at the local range this afternoon. Someone near me was firing a .22 pistol of some sort and I could barely hear their shots with my ears on. I promise you won't feel that way about your M29!! I am quite sure the guy next to me enjoyed the muzzle blast for all those rounds. I sent my paper target out 15ft and the muzzle blast was causing it to sway in the breeze, some times a lot. My 9mm can't do that.

Also, I am not a well seasoned shooter. However, I was pretty much able to put holes in my target within 1 to 2 inches of where I was aiming. I can't do that with my Glock 26 yet and I have more experience shooting the G26. So, I have to say, this is a very accurate weapon as well. I used Winchester USA .44 Rem Mag JSPs and they seemed to work decently and accurately.

I was slightly disappointed that I actually had one problem with mine today. Toward the end of my range session the trigger started to stick all the way back after firing. I had to manually push it forward. It didn't happen every time, but pretty disappointing. I asked one of the staff at the shop about it and he said it could just be b/c it's new and not broken in yet. He suggested if after a couple hundred rounds it still does it to call S&W and get them to check it out. Hopefully he's right and it works itself out.

As far as the lock mechanism is concerned, I don't really feel it's a big deal. It could be a nice feature if you have children around. But certainly didn't have any negative affect on my enjoyment of the weapon while I was at the range. I am not going to lose any sleep over it, that's for sure.

As far as new -vs- vintage goes, I decided on a new model b/c I want to be able to take it to the range and shoot it when I want and not feel like I should be keeping it locked away and pristinely preserved.

Best of luck and I hope this helps in some way.

 

[srgvaz]

Hey m29fan. I just took delivery of my new M29 today and thought you might benefit from a quick review of it. Mine has the blued finish and has the 6.5" barrel. It's a beautiful weapon and is sweet to fire, though after 42 rounds I have to say the grooves in the back of the stock made the palm of my hand feel a little tender. It also drew plenty of attention at the local range this afternoon. Someone near me was firing a .22 pistol of some sort and I could barely hear their shots with my ears on. I promise you won't feel that way about your M29!! I am quite sure the guy next to me enjoyed the muzzle blast for all those rounds. I sent my paper target out 15ft and the muzzle blast was causing it to sway in the breeze, some times a lot. My 9mm can't do that.

Also, I am not a well seasoned shooter. However, I was pretty much able to put holes in my target within 1 to 2 inches of where I was aiming. I can't do that with my Glock 26 yet and I have more experience shooting the G26. So, I have to say, this is a very accurate weapon as well. I used Winchester USA .44 Rem Mag JSPs and they seemed to work decently and accurately.

I was slightly disappointed that I actually had one problem with mine today. Toward the end of my range session the trigger started to stick all the way back after firing. I had to manually push it forward. It didn't happen every time, but pretty disappointing. I asked one of the staff at the shop about it and he said it could just be b/c it's new and not broken in yet. He suggested if after a couple hundred rounds it still does it to call S&W and get them to check it out. Hopefully he's right and it works itself out.

As far as the lock mechanism is concerned, I don't really feel it's a big deal. It could be a nice feature if you have children around. But certainly didn't have any negative affect on my enjoyment of the weapon while I was at the range. I am not going to lose any sleep over it, that's for sure.

As far as new -vs- vintage goes, I decided on a new model b/c I want to be able to take it to the range and shoot it when I want and not feel like I should be keeping it locked away and pristinely preserved.

Best of luck and I hope this helps in some way.

I'd call S&W, but if your hesitant remove the side plate clean and lube and give it another range visit. If it does the same CALL S&W.