smith m29 first impressions

[smoke-wagon]

i made the mistake of trying out a model 29-2 8 3/8" today my local shop had used for $500, i am in love! first time shooting a .44 so i thought i'd post my thoughts.
first: recoil, not so bad in my opinion. needless to say i was pooping a brick once i saw the cartridges, i finally manned up and loaded one, cocked the hammer and let er rip. comparing it to the recoil of my blackhawk flattop it wasn't all that much more power, just different. .357 is a crack and a snap on your wrist where as the .44 is a big push in the chest. the pachmayr gripper grips did not feel good with the recoil tho, i think it might have made it worse.
2nd: the gun itself, stunning! single action would probably go off if the wind blew on it and i finally felt the famous smith DA, insanely smooth like riding in a mercedes after driving a toyota.
and the sad news, i had to pass on this purchase because of current funds (but i could've put it on layaway and had it paid off in a month) but it was just a little too beat up for me, muzzle wear, holster wear, and spots of blueing wear on the cyliner and trigger guard. but i will have a model 29 of my own as soon as i find one in better condition in my area (philadelphia).

[Autonomous]

Thanks for the post smoke-wagon.
I am a fan of the 357 mag and have been wanting to try out a .44 recently. I am sorry you had to pass on the purches. Im glad you reported back about the smooth DA and how wonderful the SA was. Like a push to the chest... This conferms my belife that i should stay far away from that firearm untill i get more funds...(unless of cource some one owns one and is going to the west pa shoot on the 9th HINT HINT)
-A

[Cheeseybacon]

I'd have to agree, in comparably sized guns, .357 magnum is definitely snappy compared to .44 magnum, which is a big heavy push. I feel the same way about 9mm compared to .45 ACP.

I just bought a 6.5" Smith and Wesson 629 (the stainless version of the model 29) a few weeks ago and have been in love with this gun ever since. My buddy has a 6.5" S&W 686 in .357 which is almost identical in dimensions to the 6.5" 629 and there is very little difference recoil that I can perceive. I was expecting to have to hold on for dear life with the 629, but for the caliber it is quite the soft shooter.

[WHEELGUN357]

Locks Gun Shop in NE Phila has a few model 29's right now,,,(just saw em the other day)... a 4" and a 6" for around 5 something and i think theres an 8 3/4 as well... all wewre 29-2's pinned and recessed.... hurry

[Xringshooter]

smoke-wagon,

That Smith (Model 29-2) is a first rate gun. Because it is a 29-2 (the -2 tells me that it is an early manufacture, probably made in the 60's to 70's) it, IMO, is a bit better made than the ones nowadays. The price might have been a little high if it is as you described, but these are highly sought after, especially the older models (again because of how well built). I owned a 6 1/2 inch model 29-2 and I still regret selling it.

[smoke-wagon]

i appreciate the heads up wheel, i actually called locks after i posted and got a description of them, i'm gonna try to go for the 6" so i hope noone buys it before i get the funds. if i get it i will post a full report.

[WHEELGUN357]

i was looking over the 6" a few days ago.... i almost bought it... the price is what i consider below average... the condition is purdy as helll.... target stocks and the bluing is bbbbbbeeeeeaaaauuuuttttiiiifffuuulllll...... the 4" is nice too... i wish i didnt have 14 model 29's already.... i just cant justify another... theres also a amazing condition model 27-2 there 6" blued in a presentation case thats killer for about 100.00 more than the 29's//// good luck let me know how you make out.... ask for John only deal with him....

[smoke-wagon]

hey wheel, where ya from? wanna make it lucky 13? ha ha. yea i don't get out to locks as often as i'd like, if you're into 27's front and greenwich has a 3 1/2" 27-2 in really good condition for 450 i believe.

[WHEELGUN357]

im from NE Philly about 5 minutes away from Locks... actually theres a few great gun shops up this way

[dogngun]

Smoke-Wagon:
The N-frame Smiths are their top of the line. I have owned several S&W 44's and a few N frames in .357 mag, and they have all been first rate. I don't find much difference in quality betweed the older and newer N-frames, but I will tell you that any of the Model 29's with a dash number of 5 or higher have been re-engineered, their internals slightly modified to take long term-heavy bullet use.
The older Smiths .44mags are just fine with standard weight loads, but for 300 grainers, get a newer one.
I have owned both and like them equally, although I'm not crazy enough to require 300 grain loads.
Now that you are hooked, I recommend this site;
www.smith-wessonforum.com/
for great information on S&W .44 mags and all other S&W's.
Save your bucks-there are a few out there still for sale, and I know you will find yours.

mark