Today's Mod 29 Classic?

[skimp241]

I have been looking for a older 29 for awhile and haven't found one I'm willing to buy.My question is are the new production 29 classics really classics or look alikes.Do they have forged triggers and hammers?Do they have recessed cylinders,pinned barrels?Are the new production classics worth buying?I haven't had the chance to find a new one anywhere around here to look at let alone a nice older one worth looking at.

Should I keep looking for a older one or are the new ones acceptable/comparable?.How's quality fit finish of new ones compared to older ones.Thanks for any input.

 

[KEN L]

Keep looking for an older one. They're out there, just gotta be patient. I've been doing the same thing for a while. In my experience, I've found that it's those things you're not looking for that find you. Give it time, your 29 will find you!

 

[mkk41]

Do they have forged triggers and hammers?Do they have recessed cylinders,pinned barrels?

No.

Fit and finish is , , , different. Modern CNC machinery has done away with much of the hand fitting and finishing.

Are they worth buying? Only you can say.

 

[Dave T]

Keep looking. There is nothing "classic" about the current production Classics.

And, ask this question in the proper forum (1980 to Present) and you might get some different answers, or at least differing points of view.

Dave

 

[Doc44]

I have owned and shot this Model 29-10 since I purchased it in November 2006. The fit and finish are as good as the Model 29-2s from the 60s and 70s. It has the internal lock and does not have the barrel pin or recessed headspace in the charge holes. However, if you want a 44 Magnum to shoot, the Model 29-10 is a good purchase for you.

I did replace the stocks with the ones you see in the photo (they date to around 1977).

Bill

 

[madmikeb]

I'm going to go along with Doc44 and add that the newer versions will probably hold up better than -3's and earlier versions.

 

[S&W45Colt]

I bought a Classic 29 4" Nickel gun. I already had a 29-3 4 inch and a 29-4 3 inch gun, both are blued. I intend to buy an older 29 nickel gun, but after the prices come the rest of the way back down from the craze level.

There is nothing wrong with the classic. Some of the Pre-IL curmudgeons border on silly, it's still a fine gun, it is after all a S&W. It's a nice gun, it shoots well, I like it.

That said, no, it is not as nice as my older guns, I fully admit that. I had to do a little trigger work ie, very light sanding of inside of frame, oiling the internals and changing the rebound spring to 14 lbs, but it's a very nice, good looking gun and it's not been shot to death by some idiot who's overloaded his reloads proving his manhood.

My point is this, if you are a purist who is looking for solely collectible older S&W's, do not buy it. It does not have the feel of the older ones. If you are looking for a nice 4" .44 magnum and are not one with the IL paranoia, buy it, you won't be disappointed. It easily tops the Taurus etc offers and doesn't weigh 12 lbs like the Ruger.

Disclaimer: Ruger is a fine gun, well made and sturdier than the S&W. If someone intends to shoot it all the time with heavy loads, it's probably a better choice, but for the average shooter, S&W is the best choice.

JMO

 

[Dave T]

I have owned and shot this Model 29-10 since I purchased it in November 2006. The fit and finish are as good as the Model 29-2s from the 60s and 70s. It has the internal lock and does not have the barrel pin or recessed headspace in the charge holes. However, if you want a 44 Magnum to shoot, the Model 29-10 is a good purchase for you.

Guess I have been put in my place. (smile)

I retract my earlier boorish post and bow to the superior experience, opinion and expertise of Doc44. You Sir, are the real expert. I'm just along for the ride and frequently spout off when I should just read the posts and try to learn something.

Dave

 

[mdell49]

Well I admit I am new to the forum but not to S&W revolvers. I will not comment on the current Vintage of S&W only to say that if your sole interest is in shooting, I am sure they will do fine. But there is something about shooting and packing a six gun made a half century ago. I know of and like to consider myself one of those that distinguish the rigger of a vintage Smith with just the trigger getting smoother over years of good honest use and a trigger job. I have a lot of pride that when someone ask to see one of my revolvers of Wow a 29-2 or the best ones are when they look at with kind of a blank look on their face and say wow really nice "what is it?" One vote for holding out. In the long run you won't be sorry. If you go with a Classic you will always wonder.... What's all the fuss about?

Mike

 

[sw282]

l recently talked to a guy from Martin Retting lnc,a large gunshop in Cali. He has sold quite a few of the new Classics but says the older pinned Smiths in new condition are still cheaper and "feel" better than the "Classics"

 

[CWH44300]

If money's not the be all, end all.
Buy your self the brand new smith and shoot and enjoy it for what it is... a great magnum revolver. Keep your eyes peeled for the right older model and when it comes along, snag it.

 

[skimp241]

Thanks for the replys guy's.It will be a shooter,I don't buy gun's to look at or store in my safe.I have a couple lgs that I trust keeping there eyes peeled for a older one.I might just buy a new one and enjoy it till I can snag a nice older one in new condition.I have a 1973 28-2 that would love to have a big brother.I shoot the 28-2 on a regular basis and would do the same with the 29.Thanks again guy's.

 

[BigBill]

It's been said before here the new s&w model 29-10 is the best model 29 that s&w has offered to this day. It has the 10 different upgrades in one package. I can see past the loc having it doesn't bother me. It's all about being still able to own a piece of history with any s&w revolver. After all it was S&W who started it all with the primers and the brass case. The S&W volcanic repeating handgun did lay the ground work for the lever action. Think about it every time you hold a Winchester or marlin etc lever action rifle your still looking at S&W volcanic design in a way. So there creativity still lives on today. It was S&W who has changed the guns so much through the many years back in the mid to late 1800's. And there still offering quality guns today.

I enjoy shooting my s&w revolvers with standard magnum loads but I hammer my rugers with the stout loads.