Out of the revolver game too long....

[Budda]

I traded into a new medium speed lead application device.

Been shooting lots of rifle over the past two years. Been missing the wheels.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160320/04661ef7f7db7e4407a33b1f704d99f7.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160320/e6295b9cbb528d7b0d612d6498619a8f.jpg

[shooting on a shoestring]

Oh my! Yes Sir! That's pretty!
Looks like a wide hammer spur, beautiful blue and enough barrel. That piece should apply lead anywhere it needed.

[Ithaca Gunner]

Tell us more! Don't leave us hanging.

[Budda]

Traded a NIB Remington R1, I decided I am more of a wheel guy than 1911. It's a 29-3 .44mag. It has some outer carry wear and a turn line from use. Locks up tight, the nice brake of the trigger that smiths are known for, Grips aren't mint, but this is perfect for use and applying lead at a reasonable distance. I might even go harvest a deer with it.

[Ithaca Gunner]

From my own experience, those 8 3/8" N frame Smiths are easy to hit with.

[LAH]

Like that.

[Frank V]

That's a GREAT way to get back into revolver shooting. Congratulations.
We'd like a range report when you get to it, also as asked before outside an 8-3/8" bbl can you fill us in on what model, caliber it is? I'm guessing an N frame?:D
Thanks

[Budda]

It is a 29-3 I have no idea what year

[Three44s]

Source: Wikipedia

"In 1982, the cost-cutting Model 29-3 dropped recessed cylinders and pinned barrels for crush-fit barrels.[1] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_%26_Wesson_Model_29#cite_note-gudi-1)The -4 and -5, produced from 1988 and 1990 respectively had changes to improve durability for heavy use."


Your dash 3 comes in between 82 and 88.

Three 44s

[9.3X62AL]

BEAUTIFUL example. The 8-3/8" barrel length is the one I have by far the least experience with. That is not a "random" length at all--the NRA 2700-series pistol regulations allowed a maximum sight radius of 10", and the "default" barrel length resulting is 8-3/8". FWIW.

The most recent S&W 44 Magnum variants have been enhanced to handle stalwart factory loadings, just in time for SAAMI to reduce pressure maximums from 42K PSI to 36K PSI. Go figure. I long ago stopped running firewall loadings in my 44 Mag handguns--that stuff goes into a rifle these days. 250 grains at 1900 FPS is no joke. Not real bad in my Redhawk, but a 1400 FPS load from a 4" Model 29 is more fun than I want. 90% of my 44 Mag loads run #429421 between 900 to 1100 FPS now.

[Thumbcocker]

I would look real hard at 429421's over 9.0 of power pistol. Very sweet less than full sort load.

[Budda]

I my last .44mag, a 5" RedHawk, I ran 240 Keith type at 900fps or so. I will shoot this one for a bit, then sell off to buy a 5" .44 again.

[Petrol & Powder]

The revolver, for me the DA revolver, is just such a great tool that I never really left them. I have focused on other firearm types from time to time but the revolver has always been the bedrock.

[Hardcast416taylor]

I`ve been `turning the cylinder` to fire since back in the `50`s. Can`t understand why I`m considered `old enough to remember when dirt was clean`! Nice looking 29, whatever the series it is.Robert

[9.3X62AL]

Budda--just to be clear, I wasn't implying that your new-to-you Model 29 was "lacking" in any way. I just don't enjoy hammer-blow recoil any more. Even Elmer Keith wrote that with his Lyman #429421 bullet "1200 FPS was all you needed". He said this in the context of big game hunting applications.

The most-blooded rifle I own is a Winchester 1873 carbine in 44/40 WCF. It accounted for dozens of mule and blacktail deer and at least two black bears during its years as a ranch rifle in the mountains nearby. Its 200-217 grain bullets at 1150-1300 FPS are the rough equivalent ballistically of what the Model 29 produces with a 240 grainer running 1100 FPS. I just don't see the need to strain either the revolver or yourself to hunt paper--steel--or venison.

[Walla2]

Welcome back. Great choice to return to.

[Budda]

Budda--just to be clear, I wasn't implying that your new-to-you Model 29 was "lacking" in any way. I just don't enjoy hammer-blow recoil any more. Even Elmer Keith wrote that with his Lyman #429421 bullet "1200 FPS was all you needed". He said this in the context of big game hunting applications.

The most-blooded rifle I own is a Winchester 1873 carbine in 44/40 WCF. It accounted for dozens of mule and blacktail deer and at least two black bears during its years as a ranch rifle in the mountains nearby. Its 200-217 grain bullets at 1150-1300 FPS are the rough equivalent ballistically of what the Model 29 produces with a 240 grainer running 1100 FPS. I just don't see the need to strain either the revolver or yourself to hunt paper--steel--or venison.

I completely understand. My 5" RedHawk had the factory wood grips and when shooting full bore loads the gun would rise and slip in my hand and shove the trigger guard into my middle finger so hard it would bruise. Painful after 10-12 rds. So I just shot light loads in it instead. I know they make bigger grips for it that are more suited to hot loads, but I hate how they looked.

This grip on the 29 looks better suited to hot loads, but unless I go shoot a deer with it, why? Time to break out the .44 dies and 700x.....

[9.3X62AL]

I hear ya, Budda. My RH is a 5.5", and the OEM grips were NO FUN. I tried a few different stock sets without success until I stumbled onto a set of Uncle Mike's neoprene grips c.2003. Like some of the Pachmayr or Hogue neoprene sets, they aren't much for aesthetics--but for function I really like the things.

[Frank V]

Not sure I'd sell that one, what I'd probably do is search for a 4" or 5" bbl, have it rebarreled & enjoy. Those earlier Smiths are great guns. Should be fun.