Why do I want a blue M29?

M

Morglan

New member
For some reason, I now NEED a 4" BLUE S&W Model 29. The ammo is expensive, it's a big gun, it's harder to keep up a blued gun than a stainless, and I'd probably be much better suited with a Model 27/28 to go with my M60 stainless carry gun.

All that being said, WHY DO I WANT ONE SO BAD?

I've never shot a .44 (spl OR mag!) I don't really need another carry piece (my Commander, Glock 27 and S&W Model 60 in .38 spl cover most of the bases). And, I'll probably be buying one over the net (sight unseen).

Can anyone talk me out of it?

I will, however, be moving to an even more rural setting, where coyotes abound, and I want to make sure I'm properly armed! ;)
 
Nope, sorry.
Just got my 5 1/2 Redhawk .44, so I am not talking you out of it! I had a 7 1/2 Redhawk years ago, and I regretted every day that I sold it. The shorter bbl will be nicer.

Real joy in shooting a 44 mag. Real impressive weapon.

Well, you might as well step over that line of indecision, and GO FOR IT.

Sorry that I cannot be helpful in talking you out of it!

jamie
 
Kayser,

I've been watching those auctions for a week straight (drooling)! There is a nice (from the pics) 4" ivory gripped Model 29-2 that is on it's second auction right now.Auction

It looks good, but why didn't anyone bid on it the first time around? The price doesn't really seem too high (or is it?)

(In my best "The Fly" voice) Help me!!!!!
 
I can't answer that question. I don't know why you wouldn't want a 4" Model 29. It is a great gun, and the .44 mag is a great cartridge. I bought one a couple years ago with the intention of carrying it while deer hunting on the belt. I liked the fact that it was definitely capable of taking a deer and would make a good varmint gun; nice all around belt gun when spending time in the boonies. I sent mine away to Jack Weigand and he did a great job tuning it up. The accuracy of it is incredible. I have a group on display at my loading bench that I shot off sandbags at 25 yards; one ragged hole. I personally only shoot .44 Specials out of mine. That is all the power I really need and it is a little easier on the gun. I have a Super Blackhawk if I want to shoot the heavy stuff. It has been my experience that the .44 mag is a super accurate handgun cartridge and it is very easy to handload. I haven't played around with many loads because it seems like everyone that I try shoots real good right from the get go.

I also know where you can get a 4" Model 29 if you desire. No, not mine, my local dealer has one in the case that has been there awhile.
 
444,

Coupla quick q's:

You mention that you only shoot 44 spl's out of your 29--do I need to worry abou putting magnums through a Model 29? (For reference, I've owned my commander since 1995 - my first pistol - , and I don't think I've put more than 1000 rounds through it)

Next, what are the differences (if any) between a M29 and a M 629 (assuming the barrels are the same length!).

Third, how much might your dealer let that 4" M29 go for?


Thanks!
 
#1) No, I don't think you will need to worry about shooting magnums in the M29 unless you shoot a whole lot of them. In my case, I didn't really see the point since I have another .44 mag to shoot heavy loads through. If you don't do it all the time, it shouldn't be a problem. I load my M29 loads in .44 Special brass so that I can easily tell them apart from some of the blockbusters I load for my SBH. The loads I am shooting out of my M29 are no sloutches. I wouldn't hesitate to hunt with it.
2)I am no S&W expert but I believe the difference is that the 629 is stainless and the 29 is blue. There were also some durability enhancements made to the 29 at some point I believe. There are plenty of guys on here that know all the details on that.
3) I don't know what he wants for it, I never paid attention since I didn't want it. I can give you his name and phone number if you want. The reason I mention this is that he is easy to deal with and this gun has been there for awhile. For some reason he had a lot of .44s at one time (all used). He had two 4" and one 6" model 29 along with a Vacaro and a Taurus (I think). He still had the 4" Model 29 when I was in there yesterday. He likes to move stuff and isn't always real concerned with getting top dollar. All those .44s may well have saturated the market in this small town.
 
I have a 6" Model 29-3 in mint condition that I got for $350. One of my very favorite guns. Yes the ammo is $$$, but BUY IT ANYWAY!! You will not be disappointed. :)
 
Ed does have a point. If you are looking for a double action revolver in .44 mag and don't want any concerns at all about durability, the Ruger Redhawk is certainly a consideration. My guess is that you could shoot a virtually unlimited number of the hottest loads you could stand and never give it a thought. I personally really enjoy the look of classic S&W revolvers. I own a fairly substantial number of Ruger revolvers but I tend to consider them a tool whereas I look at the Smiths as works of art and beauty. That isn't to say that the Smith won't do what you want, it will, but the Ruger is built like a tank. They are also large and heavy. The Ruger is a lot cheaper new than a new S&W also. I certainly have nothing negative to say about Ruger other than the fact that odds are, the Smith trigger will be better out of the box. With a good break-in, I like my Ruger triggers just as well as I like my Smiths; I have never had any trigger work done to a Ruger, I just shoot them a lot. One thing is that I don't believe Ruger makes a 4" barrel in the Redhawk. I just really enjoy owning S&Ws but would highly recommend either gun.

By the way, I think I paid $300 or $350 for my 4" Model 29
 
"Why do I want a blue M29?"

Because you are a man of discriminating taste and your recognize a good firearm when you see one.

FWIW, I also want a blue M29. I just might have to try to bid on that one mentioned.
 
To clarify my seemingly facitious remark let me say that I grew up shooting my dads various 4" & 6" 29's and remember multiple problems with them over the years. Nothing consistent. Nothing to call them a POS over, nothing major, but there were problems. Nothing over 240 gr ever went through them either.

Since the early 80's I've been using Ruger Redhawks simply because I couldn't afford a 'nice' S&W. Came to the conclusion that dad had the wrong one all those years. (He's very disappointed with me for that). I've never had even the slightest problem with Redhawks. When the heavy .44's came out I of course jumped on the bandwagon immediatly. XTP's, Sierras, lead, no problems at all, ever.

My dads 4" 29 (Now my sons) is very nice, lighter, nice trigger, piece of art and all that, but durability is NOT up to the Ruger. With the political climate being what it is, boycott notwithstanding, I'd still choose the Ruger over the Smith because I'd like to see my .44's still ticking in my great grandsons hands and I just couldn't be sure with the Smiths. We keep the 29 loaded with .44 specials and never load 300 grainers in it so it may last too. But the nod of confidence goes to the Redhawks and SBH..

Thats my two cents and worth exactly what you paid for it. Whatever you choose, happy shooting. $300. does sound like a good price, but then again blue Redhawks are going for about $400. NIB...
 
I shot a 4" M-29-3 for 8 years. Standard load L-429421, 20 grs. 2400 and WLP. It clocked 1201 fps from the little gun. You will love it.
 
There are two good answers: because they're pretty, and because you can. In fact, if you're like me, you need one. Heck, you might even need two.
 
Because blue guns are prettier than stainless. This comes from a guy who owns two 44 mags, a Super Redhawk and a Super Blackhawk, which are both stainless. Would I like a blue model 29? you bet.
Will I try to talk you out of buying a blue model 29? NOPE!
Jim Hall
 
I'll give you one reason to buy blue rather than stainless. If you're a reloader, blue is more forgiving than stainless if you go too far over max loading. Stainless barrel will go kaboom before a blue barrel will. Hey, I have a 44 mag with a 2.75" barrel. With a max load - now that's a flame thrower!
 
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