The Model 29

[Hammerdown]

Hello
This weekend was Killer for me locating some hard to fiind guns. I ended up with a Pre-War M&P On Saturday along with a Post-War model before the gun show I was at closed. The Last few minutes I was walking around and came onto this model 29-2. The seller said, he had no One Interested in it as most said they did not Like the blast and recoil from the Mighty .44 Magnum. I checked it over, and it appeared seldom fired like most 29's but it had a Pinned on front sight blade and a five digit serial number so I Knew it had to be an early-N-prefix series, so I offered a swap for a gun I had at home. The seller seemed Interested so on Sunday Morning the swap was made and home this came. I fired it yesterday at our local range and it is super accurate. I also had a spare presentation case for it so now it has a correct bed to lay in. Regards, Hammerdown

[Mikey]

Hammerdown - nice trade.  I had one like that once - pretty and pretty dang accurate, too.  Made the mistake of selling it but now have another they will bury me with (hopefully in another 30 or 40 years, but I'm takin' it with me).  Mikey.

[Hammerdown]

Hello Mikey
I have not seen another 4" Nickel 29 in my Travels. Plenty of 6" ones, but never a 4" Model. This one shipped in September 1972 and is also the Only one I have seen with a Pinned on front sight blade. All the Others have had their sight blades silver soldered to the ramps. Regards, Hammerdown

[Graybeard]

My first ever M29 was a 4" Nickel and it came with a 20 round box and 15 rounds still in it. After I shot it the thing was then for sale with a box containing 10 rounds. That thing spit lead and I swear even jacket material and it laid a pretty nice gash just below my eye on that last shot. I bought it at the store there at the range and walked back inside bleeding all over the floor and told them I wanted my money back.

I've owned many 29s and 629s since but that first one was a POS for real.

[canon6]

I have never been in love with nickle revolvers,but that is one fine looking handgun, and like you I have never seen  a pinned front sight on that length  barrel    congrats   Doug

[Hammerdown]

Hello Doug
I myself had Not seen a Pinned sight only on the 1950's revolvers before this one. I have a model 57 just Like it but it shipped a Little later in 1980 and it's sight is silver soldered in place.
This revolver came to me used so it does have some small scratches. Every time I clean it, I use Flitz on it and some more of the scratches are removed. here is some new Pictures with a less scratched finish than shown above and I Polished the grips up a bit as they had Years of Oil and Grubby hand prints on them. Regards, Hammerdown

[corbanzo]

The 29-2 is a beautiful gun, the .44 mag that I grew up on.  A really good balanced gun, and good shooter.  One of the best revolvers S&W has produced IMO.

[Hammerdown]

Hello Corbonzo
I now see why you don't see the 4" Barrel often as I shot mine today. They have a real rude Bark to them. It sure got every ones attention on the range and I was Just shooting Moderate target loads in it.. Hammerdown

[Lloyd Smale]

in my opinion you have to really search to find a better overal gun then a 4 inch 29. Ive never personaly owned a nickle one but think there a beautiful gun. I know if that piece would have been sittling at a local shop it would have had to come home with me too. As to the blast and recoil. Years of shooting N frames have taught me a couple things. There a ball to shoot with a 250 at 1100 fps any more and it becomes work instead of fun. They also hold up much better at those levels. About 95 percent of the time mines loaded with 250 swc cast and enough unique herco power pistol or universal clays to get between 950 and a 1000 fps. Ive killed enough game with it to know that those loads kill very well are accurate and easy on the hand.

[Hammerdown]

Hello Loyd
I actually was surprised as Recoil was not all that bad using the Larger Smooth Target grips it came with. I dropped 9.2 Grains of Hodgens "Tight group" with a CCI Magnum Primer's and a tightly crimped 250 Grain Remington Copper Jacketed solid core bullet. The Load was Very Obnoxious as far as Blast went, but it was not heavy on recoil at all. This Load showed much Promise and I will expand on getting the groups to shrink a bit. That Tight group Powder goes a very Long way's in such small grain requirements, it is about the cheapest, cleanest most versatile Powder I have found so far and have had super results in .32 H&R Magnum, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .41 Magnum, .44 Magnum and .45 Colt . This One Lone Powder can and will handle all these loads well. Regards, Hammerdown

[corbanzo]

The way the gun is weighted, it kicks back really nice.  It does make some blast with that short barrel, but even the side to side balance doesnt make it turn the wrist. 

And tight group is a good powder for practicing with, good light recoil, not as dirty as unique is in the same increments. 

[S.B.]

Nice find, Kurt.

[Hammerdown]

Nice find, Kurt.

Thanks Steve. I looked awhile before finding this one. Regards, Hammerdown