S & W 29-3, What to expect?

[Sasquatch-1]

I just purchased a 29-3 from the estate of a friend. This person was the type who did not skimp on what he bought and took care of what he had. Other then that, I don't know much of the history. My question is what problems have members encounter with this particular release of the 29? I don't plan on shooting any hot loads through it. I generally use 7 to 8 grns. of Unique with a 240 or 260 grn. lead bullet.

I would prefer to hear about actual experiences and not hearsay or something you read on another forum.

I have a Redhawk and a Super Redhawk for heavy loads.

[Petrol & Powder]

If the gun has not been abused, you'll have no issues. Most of the problems related to the model 29's (and 629's) came from people shooting ridiculously hot loads in the guns or from some of the silhouette shooters using very heavy bullets. The cylinder bolt could unlock in recoil and the cylinder could rotate backwards in some conditions. S&W engaged in a series of improvements over time to address those issues (longer cylinder lock notches, strengthened crane, etc. ).

The dash 3 models (1982 -) were produced before those upgrades were made but I've never seen a dash 3 that gave poor service with acceptable loads.

If the gun has not been abused and is in decent shape overall, you should have a great gun.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

178197Mine works well.

[TenTea]

S & W 29-3, What to expect?

A lifetime of enjoyment? :mrgreen:

[NSB]

I've owned a couple. Petrol and Powder said it all. They shoot great right out of the box. If you want more power just get a more powerful caliber. As it is, it will drop anything you hit with it if the shot is well placed.

[roysha]

Well, I don't have a "3" but I have two "1s", one of which is retired. After approaching 20,000 or so rounds of 10 grains of Unique with a 255 grain Keith bullet, and shimming for endshake twice, I decided to just replace it with another just like it. I doubt that have shot 100 rounds of "full house" magnum. Never saw the need. My days of shooting 150-200 rounds each and every Saturday afternoon through the summer and autumn months, are pretty much over as I no longer have the strength or stamina for it. However, when I want to just plain have fun, the 629 comes out and the joyous times commence. It still shocks me how quickly I can go through a box of 100. Thank goodness for my hoarded cheap lead and a goodly supply of Unique.

I cannot imagine that you will not like your 629 a great lot and with the loads you are contemplating using, it will last a LONG time.

[Artful]

Mine is earlier not a -3 but I've only had it to a gunsmith once and he had shorten something that stretched and he advised I ease back on my reloads (shooting silhouette) so I backed off to 11 grains of Unique with 245 grain cast and it's shot several hundred pounds of lead down range and last I checked it would still hit 81/2x11 sheet of paper at 200 meters with that load.

[GWM]

I have a 629-3 and have used it a lot in competition, heavy but not maximum loads. The "problems" have been oversized cylinder throats, irregular and oval chambers, but with the right boolits it shoots well.

[clum553946]

Tons of fun!

[dubber123]

Good chance it will have large cylinder throats, just fit the boolit to them for improved accuracy. I believe my 6" version has .433" throats.

[Sasquatch-1]

Just to clarify a bit, This is a 29-3 and not a stainless 629. I was more concerned with the barrel twisting after repeated loads being fired through it. And I was looking to see if anyone had personally experienced this.

[44man]

I had 5 or 6 early 29's and shot heavy loads of 24 gr 296 or 22 gr of 2400 with 240 and 250 gr. never a problem or wear if kept lubricated. I feel a 265 gr is max for weight but they can take normal pressures just fine.
The only problem I had with a S&W was getting the same grip hold, just my hands.
You will be fine and we will be long gone and the gun will still work. I still like a Smith.

[Joni Lynn]

You should have no issues with the -3. There were several variations of the -3, probably the most preferred would be a 29-3E (endurance package) Shoot it within normal loads as shown in most load manuals and you'll have no issues. My 29-3 is the Classic Hunter with the adjustable front sight.
Best wishes.

[Sasquatch-1]

Mine does not have the "E". I will seldom fire anything heavier then a 260 grn bullet with no more the 8 grns of Unique. I have a Redhawk and a SRH that I have no problem abusing. I also have a Desert Eagle in 44 that won't work unless you abuse it.


You should have no issues with the -3. There were several variations of the -3, probably the most preferred would be a 29-3E (endurance package) Shoot it within normal loads as shown in most load manuals and you'll have no issues. My 29-3 is the Classic Hunter with the adjustable front sight.
Best wishes.

[44man]

A 265 with 22 gr of 296 is handled just fine. Very, very accurate too. Most trouble with a Smith is recoil related. Parts inertia from springs. If a cylinder unlocks it is an easy fix.

[Sasquatch-1]

It's not like I am hunting with this. The most dangerous game I go after is 2x4's and bowling pins. 7 to 8 grns. of Unique is adequate for either.



A 265 with 22 gr of 296 is handled just fine. Very, very accurate too. Most trouble with a Smith is recoil related. Parts inertia from springs. If a cylinder unlocks it is an easy fix.

[44man]

Yes, I used 7 gr with mine for fun. I just say never discount a S&W. You have more then you think.
It was only my grip hold on them that bothered me. Same as a Bisley that I can't shoot.

[Hardcast416taylor]

Got my 29-3 back about the time the `Dirty Harry` movies were going. I installed a Trapper spring kit and an oversized pair of Pachmyer grips - I`ve got large hands. At that time I shot alot of indoors PPC so `Harry` as I named it shot alot of indoor loads. Also at that time I had 2 LEE .44 wadcutter molds that `Harry` seemed to like as it shot them very well.Robert

[rintinglen]

178901
With the loads you describe, you should be good to go virtually indefinitely. This is the second one I have bought, the first wandered off a long time ago when one or the other of my kids needed something and money got tight. The first one had about 4,000 rounds through it, most just like you describe, and was still sound when I sold it. This one hasn't been used as much, as I have several other 44s now, but it still gets a turn at the bench every once in a while.
It is my belief that the problems with the 29 stemmed from the silhouette boys shooting lots and lots of hot loads and having problems develop as a result. Some of the loads used were over the top, even before the Magnums were bowdlerized in the 90's. A friend of mine used to use a load that was almost a grain over the top listed 2400 load--which made it almost 4 grains heavier than today's top listed load for 2400 for the same boolit. His gun eventually needed repair.

My heavy loads are for use only in Rugers, I've a Redhawk and an SBH Hunter for that.

[GWM]

My 29-3 is the Classic Hunter with the adjustable front sight.

I wanted that one... But it was sold out. Had to contend with the 629-3 Classic Hunter 8-3/8", without an adjustable front sight. Still have it and like it very much.

[Joni Lynn]

That one is still a good catch. Does the rear sight have a square front on it or the rounded one?
A photo would be great too.

[gwpercle]

Go find a DVD of a movie called Dirty Harry and one called Magnum Force , fairly realistic of what the model 29 will do .
Watch them...then head to the range.
Gary

[Forrest r]

Very nice!!!
I'd be looking for a wc mold for that 29-3. A 44mag can be just as accurate as a 38spl/wc combo.

If you're looking for range loads/plinking loads you might consider trying clays powder. 6.0gr to 6.5gr of clays paired with any 180gr to 240gr bullet will chew the x-ring out of nra 25gd targets.
6.0gr of clays 200gr wc
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t242/forrestr-photo/200gwcs_zps072309fe.jpg (http://s162.photobucket.com/user/forrestr-photo/media/200gwcs_zps072309fe.jpg.html)

220gr gc swc h&g #142 and 6.5gr of clays
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t242/forrestr-photo/142s_zpsf73eb48e.jpg (http://s162.photobucket.com/user/forrestr-photo/media/142s_zpsf73eb48e.jpg.html)
200gr 429303 sp and 6.5gr of clays
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t242/forrestr-photo/429303_zpsdc534574.jpg (http://s162.photobucket.com/user/forrestr-photo/media/429303_zpsdc534574.jpg.html)
245gr Migec (503 clone) swc hp's and 6.0gr of clays. Put a scope on a beater 629 and got it on paper. Put up that target and shot 3 shots, gave the scope a couple clicks right and shot 3 more shots. Good enough to test loads so I shot the group on the far left/left target testing that load.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t242/forrestr-photo/503clone_zpsf918354e.jpg (http://s162.photobucket.com/user/forrestr-photo/media/503clone_zpsf918354e.jpg.html)

For paper punching and bowling pins you don't need full house loads of 296. Heck I'm getting 900fps from that 6.0gr of clays/245gr hpswc load. I can and do use it for 1 handed bullseye matches and for bowling pins.

[Sasquatch-1]

I have a swage die that I run SWC's through and turn them into wadcutters. They work extremely well in my 7.5" Redhawk. I currently do not have any loaded. I have been reloading for 44 for close to 40 years now some I am familiar with it. I currently have enough unique to keep me going for a while. I also have H110/W296 powders and Titegroup for mag num loads.

My main shooting is a 2x4 and bowling pin shoot. I have no problem knocking the pins from the front of the table using 7 grns. of Unique with the 260 grn WC. It also wreaks devastation on the 2x4 (when I hit it.)

GWPercle, I saw Dirty Harry in the theater when it first came out. One of the reasons I wanted the Blued 29 in 6 inch.

[pietro]

.

I bought a new M-29-3, ca.1981, with the 8-3/8" bbl, but it was a factory special that included Millett scope rings and the corresponding machine work on the barrel rib to accept the rings.

It was simply beautiful, with S&W perfect polishing/blueing, and a wonderful trigger.

I bought a Cordua nylon Bianchi 4101 Ranger H.U.S.H. (Hunting shoulder/cross-chest holster), mounted a red dot sight on it, and hunted deer with it for 8 years w/o any issues - but I was shooting only factory 240JSP loads.

When I wanted a more powerful revolver, a decade later, I bought a .454 Ruger Super Redhawk.


.

[44man]

I don't think you can harm a S&W unless you shoot boolits too heavy. Even if I don't like the grip, it is a wonderful gun.

[jonp]

A lifetime of enjoyment? :mrgreen:
And a huge grin when you pull the trigger.

[LAH]

I shot a 4" M29-3 for 8 years using the Lyman 429421 & 20 grs. of 2400. It shot well as I could hold. Didn't keep a track of the rounds but it did loosen up as I hardly shot anything else during that time frame. Sold it at a gun show. You'll have no trouble with yours.

[skeettx]

With the loads you intend to use, the gun will outlast you!!!
Mike

[Joni Lynn]

Most people should never experience any problems with a 29/629. They're a very well made/designed revolver. The best thing you can do to help shoot these is to get grips that fit your hand really well. Rubber wood, whatever. If the grip is right for you it will transform the gun. Keep it properly lubricated, especially a bit of lube on the extractor star on the ratchet part. Also lube the back of the yoke/crane where it contacts the cylinder with a really good lube.

[44man]

Most people should never experience any problems with a 29/629. They're a very well made/designed revolver. The best thing you can do to help shoot these is to get grips that fit your hand really well. Rubber wood, whatever. If the grip is right for you it will transform the gun. Keep it properly lubricated, especially a bit of lube on the extractor star on the ratchet part. Also lube the back of the yoke/crane where it contacts the cylinder with a really good lube.
Nothing to add but STP my friends---plain old STP.

[Porterhouse]

I don't know how many rounds you folks are talking about but they don't last forever.
My observation;
Yoke end shake & cylinder end shak are the most annoying issue for me.
With older model, cylinder stop spring is weak and sometime it allows cylinder to rotate backwards during recoil. You may have heard but never experienced this. Wait until it actually happens to you during hunting! Yes, you can replace it with stronger spring but then, trigger return gets effected and essentially you have to work on the entire action to balance it.
Forcing cone and top strap elosion are well known facts for magnum revolvers. Have you heard elosion on cylinder face? My M29s established this after a couple of thousands of rounds.
Lastly, a friend of mine and member here told me studs broke after about 100,000rds.
Oh, I almost forgot. With heavy load, cylinder tend to get stuck. I think 44man has good explanation on this but it did happened to me with near max load with 300gr boolits.

[44man]

I solved 29 cylinder stop problems with a tiny lock spring inside the cylinder stop spring. I did locksmith work and have many. Did nothing to trigger pull.
But you must lube a S&W to prevent wear.
Almost every gun brought here is DRY. CLEAN is obsessive. There is no BALANCE it is the S&W trigger pull that is great that runs it all. But you can make the hammer spring stronger and the cylinder stop spring. Trigger is controlled by the spring in the slide. Make it lighter and the trigger will not reset.

[GWM]

That one is still a good catch. Does the rear sight have a square front on it or the rounded one?
A photo would be great too.

The rear sight base has the old square front. I have replaced the front sight, otherwise all original.

179674

[Joni Lynn]

I have the 29-4 version of that gun. It's one of my favorites.

[Texas by God]

The only problem you will have is people trying to get it from you.... Wonderful revolver!

[44man]

Oh, I almost forgot. With heavy load, cylinder tend to get stuck. I think 44man has good explanation on this but it did happened to me with near max load with 300gr boolits.
Yes. pin gets peened. Can't push the cylinder release button anymore. The S&W was designed around the lighter to 240 gr bullets and I found a 265 gr is tops.
I have a problem with wear reported after more heavy loads then you can imagine. All of my guns held up just fine with no wear.
I have no idea what the enhanced model has but I suspect a harder pin and a stronger stop spring.
What I found was reported to S&W from a gun writer friend and they rejected it to blame the shooter. But I think they changed things. What influence did I have?

[Joni Lynn]

I got to see some of the research that S&W did on the issues including the high speed photography. When they decided to address the issue they appear to have done just about everything possible to update the design in every way possible without a total redesign.

[Drm50]

I've got 4, 29-2s and a Ruger SBH. I've had the Ruger since 1964, fired approx 5000 full power
240HPs / 21 1/2 gr : H-2400. Problems, a couple sheared frame screws & broke main spring.
29-2s, I shoot only 240gr SWC: 8 1/2 gr Unique, my 8 3/8" is a couple years newer than Ruger
I have no idea rd.count but at least twice that of Ruger. My two 6 1/2" guns have been shot many
thousand, bought both used and know owners, both guns had less than 250rds of factory ammo
run through them. I keep them cleaned and oiled and have had no trouble with any of them.
I have a NIB. 4" 29-2, that I've had 15yrs and have never fired. I just got a 24-3 couple months
back(NIB) looking for WC mold for it to develope bullseye load. I have always felt that it was not
smart to wreck a target class gun with heavy magnum loads. That's what they make Rugers for.

[44man]

Not so, can't count heavy loads shot through a smith. Not boolit weight though, just very heavy loads with say a 429421 and 22 gr of 2400.
A ruger can take heavy boolits and mine has around 81,000 heavy loads through it. Up to 330 gr boolits that I love.
I have owned 5 or 6 S&W's and they took hell without a problem. I never shot Bullseye loads. I wanted to see checkering on my hand.
With a few small problems I will forever love a S&W. You ruin you own guns.

[44man]

Drm50, sheared screws were loose. All Rugers had coil mainsprings, they never break but take a set to reduce accuracy. You will NEVER break one.
In a S&W, you might break one, flat spring. Needs to be strong with the strain screw tight. That screw is to take the gun apart, never to reduce the trigger pull.

[Dale53]

I have an early Model 29 with 8 3/8" barrel. I had .44 Specials for "light" loads so never really loaded mine to "mid range". However, my most used bullet was an original H&G #503. I determined that a max load would be 25.0 grs. of H110 or Win 296. That chronographs at 1400 fps with my revolver. However, I had NO desire to beat up my Smith. I settled on 23.0 grs. of H110 with the #503 for practice. This chronographs at 1200 fps. I gives me enough recoil for meaningful practice but reduces the wear and tear on the revolver. My hunting load was 24.0 grs. of H110. That chronographs at 1300 fps. This load will put most shots on a playing card at 100 yards and I have taken several deer with this load.

Once, the night before a hunting trip, I discovered I was out of my hunting load. I took my practice load. A nice six point buck presented himself at 75 long steps. He was facing me, stomping his feet and shaking his head. One shot broke his neck and traveled the full length of him and exited. So much for needing "mega power"...

I shot it just a bit with the Lee 300 gr. RF that Frank Siefer and I designed and had Lee make the molds. I realized that the recoil might be hard on the Smith with that heavy bullet and my chosen load (21.5 grs. of H110 seated LONG with the crimp groove closest to the base). I only shot a few of them in the Smith and then used them with my Ruger 7.5" Redhawk.

At any rate, I have right at 10,000 rounds through my Model 29 and it is just as tight as the day I bought it.

Treated properly, as mentioned above, your Smith will give you great service. Just don't abuse it.

Here is my MOdel 29:

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Dale53/DalesPistolsRevolvers5Selects-2.jpg (http://s269.photobucket.com/user/Dale53/media/DalesPistolsRevolvers5Selects-2.jpg.html)

Dale53

[LAH]

Good looking sixgun Dale.