S&W model 29, opinions?

[Sparxfly72]

I'm thinking of taking the 44mag plunge again. First time was a 7.5" Ruger Redhawk blued, but I wasn't reloading then. Love affair was short lived and I sold it soon after. This time around it's a Smith Model 29-3 4" Nickle. Serial BBD64xx if anyone knows production date, I'd appreciate it. The finish looks like it has been neglected with a few specks on the cylinder, no box, and wearing pachmeyer grips. I normally go for the P&R models exclusively, but had good luck with the 65-3 I recently bought so I figured wth. Opinions?

[Seabee CO]

I purchased a Nickel Model 29-2 with a 6" barrel just this past month, shoots great. Since you reload, recommend you buy a bunch of 44 special brass and shoot that at the range and save the magnums for the field.

I too personally prefer the P&R models which the -2 is. Why don't you hold out and get a P&R model that you want?

[harold63]

That particular revolver with that barrel length is a one handful. It weighs close to what a Taurus Tracker 4" weighs and it doesn't have a ported barrel. Personally, I like the model 29, just don't shoot it with a greasy hand. 44 mag out of a Redhawk 7.5" is a pleasure to shoot, but is loud. This thing you are looking at is loud, has a violent recoil, and is loud, but it is fun as hell to shoot. Has a hell of a muzzle blast, to boot.

[rwb1500]

I think you should have it.

My book is out on loan (permanently, it seems) but an educated guess says 1988.

[loknload]

Spar that should be sometime 1983
I have a 629 8 3/8" and it's a handful as the others have said. I had to put smooth stocks on it since the diamond stocks cut my hands from the recoil.
Even though I don't shoot it much I'd never sell it!

[harold63]

I think you should have it.

My book is out on loan (permanently, it seems) but an educated guess says 1988.

Oh yea, he wanted t know when it was built. S&W is one of the better ones to deal with when needing to know when a gun was built. Just a phone call away. Ironically, Taurus is also very good about telling you when a gun was manufactured.

[Sparxfly72]

Current price is 600. I figure I could find a pair of target grips off ebay, polish it back to bright and still spend less than 650 on a 800 gun.

[wellcraft]

i think the model 29 is one of the best 44 magnum revolvers on the market and 600 is a good price compared to what you would pay for a new one. a little flitz will make that pistol look brand new. i had a model 29 and foolishly sold it, have regretted letting it go since that day.

[shiloh]

Production date is sometime between January and July 1988, according to the the Standard Catalog. $600 is a reasonable price - nickle finish generally has a premium associated with it, but you say the finish is a bit speckled. I have two S&W .44 magnums, a 29-2 with the 8 and 3/8 inch barrel and a 629-3 Classic with a five inch barrel. The shorter barrel looks cool, but you definitely get more muzzle flash and flip with the barrel lengths less than 6.5 inches. Get that pistol - you only live once and everyone should have a hand cannon in the arsenal. I love my magnums.

[indiandave]

Go for it! The model 29 along with the 28-2 are on my short list. Too bad money does't seem to be on my short list.