S&W Model 29 4" barrel

ntomsw

ntomsw

Banned
Joined
Mar 17, 2011
Messages
20,978
Likes
4,251
Location
New Hampshire
Feedback: 144 / 0 / 0
I am looking into getting my 1st S&W Model 29. I want a 44mag, and was going to get either a Ruger Redhawk 5.5", or a S&W 4" nickle plated 44mag.

Anyone have either one of these, that can shed some light on them. I know NOTHING about S&W model names & numbers. Seems really confusing. But that Model 29 in nickle looks awesome. I am wondering if it holds up to hotter loads, etc???

Anything anyone can help me with would be awesome. I am leaning towards the S&W, which would be my first. So let's hear it, what you guys think?
 
I have the S&W Model 629 with the 6.5 inch barrel and it is definitely my favorite gun in the safe. I reload and from what I have seen, if you don't reload, shooting 44 magnum can break the bank. I reload a lighter lead load and it shoots like a dream. I think you will be very happy with the S&W.
 
What is the difference in the 629 and the 29?? Frame size? Again, I know nothing about all these model #'s. I am leaning towards the 4" model 29. Don't really want anything bigger than the 4".

I know it will be expensive to shoot. That doesn't really bother me. Not like I will be shooting 500 rounds every week out of it. Thanks for any info.
 
bluebanana:2234702 said:
The first 6 on all S&W revolvers denotes that it is made of stainless steel. So 629 is just the stainless steel version of the 29.
Click to expand...

This.

As far as barrel length, I decided on the 6.5 because it made the gun a little heavier. Definitely go with what feels better.
 
Last edited:
Can you though shoot hot loads even out of the 4" model??? Or just mainly factory loadings? I'm sure the recoil would suck, but that's half the fun... [laugh]

Does anyone have any experience with the nickle model? How does the finish hold up?
 
ntomsw said:
Can you though shoot hot loads even out of the 4" model??? Or just mainly factory loadings? I'm sure the recoil would suck, but that's half the fun... [laugh]

Does anyone have any experience with the nickle model? How does the finish hold up?
Click to expand...

I have a three inch 629 "Mountain Backpacker" which I have shot with hot handloads, but they're not a lot of fun unless you like punishment. Most people who shoot these a lot will reload for them and usually settle on a bullet/powder combination for milder than factory loads. Max power doesn't usually equate to optimum accuracy.
As far as nickel goes, it's nice to look at, but it's not as durable as stainless because it's prone to flaking off.
 
Zappa said:
I have a three inch 629 "Mountain Backpacker" which I have shot with hot handloads, but they're not a lot of fun unless you like punishment. Most people who shoot these a lot will reload for them and usually settle on a bullet/powder combination for milder than factory loads. Max power doesn't usually equate to optimum accuracy.
As far as nickel goes, it's nice to look at, but it's not as durable as stainless because it's prone to flaking off.
Click to expand...


Yeah I won't be reloading. I was just wondering if you did shoot hot loads out of it, would it blow up. [laugh] That is what I was afraid of with the nickel plating. I will have to maybe do more research then, or maybe go to the S&W store and just look at them there side by side and make a decision. Not buy it there, just go there to check it out. I will call first to see if they have them in blued, stainless, and nickel at the store, so i can compare them all right there. Thanks for the info!
 
Zappa said:
.
As far as nickel goes, it's nice to look at, but it's not as durable as stainless because it's prone to flaking off.
Click to expand...

If you buy a Nickel plated pistol DO NOT clean it with any solvent that contains ammonia. Ammonia will attack the copper under the nickel plate and cause it to lift and flake off.

If you intend to shoot a lot of hot .44 mag loads you might want to think Ruger Vs S&W. Rugers tend to be built to withstand hotter loads.

However, as I just proved to a young friend of mine a couple weeks back, the 29 is an absolute sweetheart to shoot with .44 Special loads. Accurate and very controlable.

Hope that helps.
 
ntomsw said:
Yeah I won't be reloading. I was just wondering if you did shoot hot loads out of it, would it blow up. [laugh] That is what I was afraid of with the nickel plating. I will have to maybe do more research then, or maybe go to the S&W store and just look at them there side by side and make a decision. Not buy it there, just go there to check it out. I will call first to see if they have them in blued, stainless, and nickel at the store, so i can compare them all right there. Thanks for the info!
Click to expand...

If you're looking for NEW revolvers, I don't believe that blued or nickel versions are even made anymore.
IIRC, they only make the stainless M629 variants now, but there are tons of used ones on the market, many have low mileage on them.
I prefer the stainless myself, the finish is pretty much indestructible, you can toss them in the dishwasher. [laugh]
 
I've got a satin nickel 29 with 6.5" bbl. Big, heavy and very easy to shoot/accurate. Shooting mag loads are pretty easy, if not expensive. 1lb trigger in single action. love me the post war k frame smiths, finest target revolvers made IMO.
 
Oh, that stinks. I was just going to say that I wouldn't even mind a blued revolver to mix it up a bit. I will have to check classifieds and I may call Smith anyway just to check.

I'd like to be able to go somewhere where I can look at them all at once, but that may not happen.
 
go to the smith and wesson plant. you can look at all of them, including the classic line and performance center guns.
 
You might want to look at the Redhawk 5 1/2 inch model they are made in both stainless and blued IIRC.
Ruger makes a 4" model but I don't know if it's Ma complaint. Redhawks are just plain tanks you'd be hard pressed to break one,their only bad point is there's not a lot you can do with the trigger as it has 1 spring that does double duty as the main spring/trigger return spring. I have 3 of them 357.44 and 45 Colt all 7.5' barrels and weigh in around 54 oz.
 
Yeah, I did call the S&W retail store. They have all 3 there in stock to look at in the 4" models that I want. They said they are still currently being made. I think they said they have 6 of each in stock right now, right around $850. Of course I would call around, because if a dealer has one I am sure it would be a little cheaper.

I did call a couple dealers just now, and the prices I got we're between $800-$850 for the blued or stainless. So, not too far off of S&W's price direct from their store.

Even with a stainless, you can still polish it even further correct, like above? To get the look you desire? Not myself, I know of a shop I would use.
 
Last edited:
S&W's are not designed for a steady diet of heavy loads of 44mags. Everyone who shoots them seriously suggests sticking to a primary diet of standard loads. Occasional heavy loads are ok, but if you want to shoot a lot of them, you need a Ruger...they're made for them.

29-2
29Nright 800x493.jpg
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

GOAL edition S&W 586
Replies
2
Views
131
appraiser
appraiser
Counter Punching Colt .45
Replies
4
Views
199
BTSDOG
BTSDOG
Glock 30: Gen 4 or 5?
Replies
2
Views
266
Dench
Dench
What is the story on buying / building a short barrel rifle in Mass?
Replies
9
Views
703
Rob Boudrie
Rob Boudrie
Beretta 92 vs Rock Island. Why is the latter $299?
Replies
2
Views
305
whatluck
whatluck
Back
Top Bottom