Model 29... truly a "flagship" revo for S&W...

D

DHart

New member
I've been looking for a really fine early 29 for a long time and finally, I get one... er two! A 29-2 4" and a 29-3 4". Great finds as they are both like new, but without boxes. Didn't really plan to buy two, but it just turned out that way.

On handling these revos it's apparent that these are essentially the equivalent of the Model 27, except chambered in .44 magnum... basically a "flagship" S&W. The finish is breathtaking in it's depth, richness, color and polish. Awesome action. Great feel and balance. I think these 29's are really S&W at it's big bore finest.

I should note that I held off from buying .44 magnum handguns for quite a while because I'm one who does not enjoy shooting full house .44 mag loads from a handgun (though in a lever rifle, it's another matter entirely!) But when I got into reloading, I realized what wonderful and enjoyable-to-shoot loads one can create in .44 mag.

I found a real .44 mag. "sweet spot" pushing a 200 grain Gold Dot JHP (or copper plated practice bullet) at around 1050-1075 fps. Superb defense load, very effective, quite controllable. Definitely magnum power, but still very easy on the gun as well as on the shooter and a real pleasure to shoot. That's the "lite .44 mag" loading I really like to be using with my .44 mag handguns, which include a 3" 629, 4" 629 Mtn Gun, 4" 29-2, and 4" 29-3.

Here are some pics from tonight of the 29-2. This gun was made in 1978.

29-2_LF8439.jpg


29-2_L8454.jpg


29-2_LR8438.jpg


29-2_RR8443.jpg


29-2_R8440.jpg


29-2_RF8441.jpg
 
Last edited:
You gotta love a blued Smith! I have a 29-2 with the 8+ bbl in a nickle finish. While nickle isn't my favorite finish and I'd rather have a 6 inch bbl, the darn thing shoots so well that I think it will be a keeper.

Next, consider casting for it. I finally concluded that it didn't make sense using JHPs to shoot at targets. For me, the shooting hobby is greatly expanded by casting and experimenting. Once past the initial cost, a bucket full of wheel weights will make a lot of bullets.
 
Drool............drool................drool. :o
Absolutely beautiful!! I was just thinking there were not any pics posted on the 'Line' today. Thanks for sharing and getting me to think about Smith 29's. Hmmmmmmmm. next purchase?? :rolleyes:
 
Thanks for sharing and getting me to think about Smith 29's. Hmmmmmmmm. next purchase??
Click to expand...
Me too Don. I was thinking about a Ruger RH .44 mag...but you may have chnged my mind...Great photo's...What else is new... :rolleyes:
 
That thing is a great looking revolver! I'd almost be afraid to shoot it for fear of getting it dirty (almost). I've told myself before that I don't want to buy a .44 Mag, but that would make it worth it. Nice catch!
 
Had I known what an intoxicating gun this is, I would have bought one a long time ago... considering how easy it is to find and make "mild" .44 magnum loads which are a joy to shoot. I will use my stainless 629 Mountain Gun

629-4MG_LF_7858.jpg


629-4MG_R_7851.jpg


629-4MG_RF_7856.jpg


for more "rugged duty" and give these 29's a little more gentle handling. The high polish bluing on the early 29's is amazing... the nicest I've seen on a Smith & Wesson.
 
44 Magnum

I'm glad you finally found the king of revolvers. That is the one I would keep if I were getting rid of my extras. Also the K22 for plinking, and of course the Centennial. S&W gives pride of ownership for me. :D
 
DHart, that 29-2 is absolutely beautiful. I've got its big brother, a 1978 29-2 6.5". It's bluing is also beautiful, no, perfect. But I just can't seem to find a 4".

Although my favorite haunt has a used 29 Classic 6.5". . .<sigh>

BTW 17.5 gr of 2400 under a 240-gr bullet gets be just over 1000 fps out of my 4" 629. Nice plinking load. Might think about it if you want something heavier to plink with in the future.
 
DHart

How much elbow grease do you have invested, or do you use a dremel for polishing?

I Like the Blued, but I like the SS even more. I've been up on SW website, and can only find the Mountain Gun with rubber grips. Did you have those made by Arhends? :)
 
Dhart....

Thats probably one of the most BEAUTIFUL representations of one of the greatest revolvers out there! VERY VERY nice!!! :D
 
Wish I could come close to your photography. took my MG out today and brushed up with it a bit. I got it in 1995 and believe it was one of the first stanless mountain guns- in the second batch that went out to stocking dealers. It was my first legal ccw on 1-1-1996 at 12:01 am. A few years ago I had it decorated up by John K. Pease and Wayne Di'Angelo. This went through S&W customer service and the hammer and trigger came back replaced with much darker case hardening than before. I think maybe the original were flash chromed but not sure. In any case, this is a finely tuned a hand ejector action as I've ever felt.

bluemountaingun2.jpg
 
Last edited:
DHart, Nice smiths you picked up there, beautiful pics, ya gotta love the smith 29, one of my smiths is a 29-3 10 5/8 silohette. Not to good for concealed carry but great to shoot.
By the way what camera are you using to shoot those photos?
 

Attachments

  • smith44.jpg
    smith44.jpg
    166.8 KB · Views: 42
Bullrock... the 29 is the original finish... no polishing done to it. I have another 4" 29, a 29-3 that has the same amazing finish.

I usually do polish up my stainless guns a bit... often using the green Scotchbite scouring pads followed by a little Flitz on a cotton bore patch to soften and brighten the stainless.

mec... that's some pretty spiffy looking engraving ya got there... nice pic too!

Blackhorse, I use a Canon 20D, but any good quality digital camera these days can create such an image if it's put to use well.
 
Nice guns DHart, & I believe you started a great thread here. Being a long-time proponent and user of the 4" Model 29, I have to throw a pic into the mix. Mcump, that is a hard act to to follow, but I was hoping you'd add it. Here's my old 4" nickel 29-2, which still occasionally gets used hard- but never put away wet.:
Trex29.jpg
 
My, what pretty guns you have!

Dhart, always amazing photography. Love the background.

Invssgt, I like those grips! Swirly and lustrous and just plain sexy. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top