S&W 29-2 44 Magnum, I think it is cool...

30 June 2021, 22:46

Bought a S&W 29-2 44 Magnum today.

I am not a collector but I think this is a cool handgun: S serial number put this gun at pre 1970 manufacturing date, 4" barrel and blued.
Paid the equivalent of a 1000US $ here in South Africa

The gun is absolutely pristine with absolutely no wear marks from handling or carrying.

Would I be a sinner if this gun is shot and used as a plinker and hunting gun???

30 June 2021, 23:31

whelenite

You could shoot the heck out of it and it would still be worth way more than you paid for it. I think it'd be a sin to NOT shoot it. I have a 4" nickel 29-2, but a later mfg. date (1979), and it's a hoot to shoot. Have at it!

01 July 2021, 06:36

p dog shooter

Nice gun

01 July 2021, 18:09

sep

Shooting, plinking and hunting with a 29-2 44 magnum puts you in very good company. Shoot it and enjoy it.

01 July 2021, 22:17

Balule

I am really forward to owning and shooting this gun!!

02 July 2021, 07:29

LHeym500

Please post a report of chasing bush pigs and warthogs with it?

02 July 2021, 07:53

NormanConquest

Nice gun indeed. I had a 4" 29-2 years ago that was ported like yours + it was a dream to shoot.

03 July 2021, 04:54

Hogbreath

I currently have 9 model 29's. My original was an 8 3/8 blue. I probably have put at least 20,000 rounds through it and love it. Have taken mule deer, Aoudad sheep, badger, and I can't count the number of rabbits I shot. I love it.
Shoot it and enjoy.

04 July 2021, 21:04

Atkinson

Your not a collector, you don't need a closet queen, go shoot it and enjoy what it is designed for..That model isn't all that collectable as a matter of fact, its just scarce and that adds to its value..

05 July 2021, 11:23

Balule

Thanks for all the replies, gentleman.

This gun is going to slot in well with my Ruger 22 pistol, 38SP snubby and Kimber 45. Planning on casting lots of bullets for a warm 44SP load for practice and then some full house Magnums loads for hunting and paddling in croc country.

05 July 2021, 15:36

p dog shooter

The only thing that would make it better was if it was a 629.

Stainless steel handguns hold up to every day use. A lot better then blued ones.

05 July 2021, 22:23

Balule

quote:
Originally posted by p dog shooter:
The only thing that would make it better was if it was a 629.

Stainless steel handguns hold up to every day use. A lot better then blued ones.

a 44 revolver has been in my sights for a couple of years now. For some reason single action just don't do anything for me and I was thinking of a Redhawk. We have got a multitude of other Rugers - no1's, 2 22LR handguns and a 77/44 in the gunroom. Obviously I was thinking of a companion handgun for the 77/44.

In the 2nd hand market most of the Redhawks have 6" or longer barrels and I want something to pack when paddling and hunting. On your side of the Atlantic I would have bought a new Redhawk or 629.

On this side I am just going to shoot and enjoy one of the USA's most iconic handguns and calibres!

06 July 2021, 04:57

p dog shooter

I have Rugers, Smiths and Taurus's 44's in the house.

All double action.

I had two Blackhawks put sold them both as I do not like single action revolvers'

My 5.5 inch Redhawk is the most liked it is a could compromise in barrel length

Plus it gives be the best velocity of them all.

Yes it is nice to live in a free country.

09 July 2021, 08:56

NormanConquest

It certainly is. Let's hope we can keep it that way.

11 July 2021, 08:12

cal pappas

quote:
Originally posted by p dog shooter:
The only thing that would make it better was if it was a 629.

Stainless steel handguns hold up to every day use. A lot better then blued ones.

I traded into a 629-5 a few months ago. Have $1200 in it. It has a 3" barrel and Lew Horton (whoever the hell he was?) wood grips. It is my walking and hiking carry gun here in Alaska.

_______________________________

Cal Pappas, Willow, Alaska
www.CalPappas.com
www.CalPappas.blogspot.com
1994 Zimbabwe
1997 Zimbabwe
1998 Zimbabwe
1999 Zimbabwe
1999 Namibia, Botswana, Zambia--vacation
2000 Australia
2002 South Africa
2003 South Africa
2003 Zimbabwe
2005 South Africa
2005 Zimbabwe
2006 Tanzania
2006 Zimbabwe--vacation
2007 Zimbabwe--vacation
2008 Zimbabwe
2012 Australia
2013 South Africa
2013 Zimbabwe
2013 Australia
2016 Zimbabwe
2017 Zimbabwe
2018 South Africa
2018 Zimbabwe--vacation
2019 South Africa
2019 Botswana
2019 Zimbabwe vacation
2021 South Africa
2021 South Africa (2nd hunt a month later)
______________________________

11 July 2021, 08:29

NormanConquest

Cal, you got a good deal. Those Lew Horton's bring a premium.

11 July 2021, 15:15

p dog shooter

quote:
Lew Horton

Was a big dealer/wholesaler out of the MPLs St. Paul area.

12 July 2021, 08:31

NormanConquest

I had one of his 3" 44 spls. years ago that was stolen. I recall when S+W put out their Texas Wagon Train commemorative in the 80s in 44-40 I contacted them to see if they were going to offer a new N-frame in that caliber since they were already tooled up. They said no, but if I wanted to order 50 of them they would sell them to me + stamp on any name I wanted. Obviously that didn't happen. I believe that Lew Horton bought way more than 50 when he made his run.

21 October 2021, 01:04

Biebs

Still have my 29-2 with 3Ts and 8 3/8" barrel. My Dirty Harry revolver.

21 October 2021, 08:07

NormanConquest

Those are great guns + inherently accurate using the 250 G. Keith bullet. I have had several over the years + still kick myself for ever selling any of them.

21 October 2021, 09:40

eezridr

Have 6" 629.
Always considered porting it?
Any comments on those that have? positive / negative?

EZ

21 October 2021, 19:22

whelenite

You can see my ported 4" in post number 2. It definitely keeps down muzzle flip for faster follow up shots. Recoil does NOT feel much different to me.

25 October 2021, 07:03

crshelton

Balule,
I have a ported 44 mag with 4 inch barrel, and I will give you a tip so you do not make the mistake that I did.

While servicing a deer feeder, my buddy spotted a large rattlesnake sunning right below the feeder and decided to shoot it with his pistol.
A few shots later the snake was awake and looking for an escape route, so john told me to shoot it.
So, out of the holster came my 44 ( all Texans ae packing in snake country) and I began shooting the snake with snake loads (#12 shot) and slowed it down to a slow crawl (pun intended) the next shot turned out to be a full house 240 grain anti personnel load which split the snakes head from the eyes forward.
Snake dead and my left ear almost dead. It still rings often.

So the moral is to remember you ear protection with short barreled magnum handguns.

25 October 2021, 09:22

NormanConquest

One of mine was a ported 4" 29-2. It was a sweet revolver. My son who is now 43 years old, but at the time was in junior high decided to take it to school + show it off. Thank God, he didn't take any ammo. Today that would be the crime of the century but back then I just had the piece seized (I got it back) + he had to do 3 days in juvy.

26 October 2021, 00:15

Balule

quote:
Originally posted by crshelton:
Balule,
I have a ported 44 mag with 4 inch barrel, and I will give you a tip so you do not make the mistake that I did.

While servicing a deer feeder, my buddy spotted a large rattlesnake sunning right below the feeder and decided to shoot it with his pistol.
A few shots later the snake was awake and looking for an escape route, so john told me to shoot it.
So, out of the holster came my 44 ( all Texans ae packing in snake country) and I began shooting the snake with snake loads (#12 shot) and slowed it down to a slow crawl (pun intended) the next shot turned out to be a full house 240 grain anti personnel load which split the snakes head from the eyes forward.
Snake dead and my left ear almost dead. It still rings often.

So the moral is to remember you ear protection with short barreled magnum handguns.

I appreciate learning from other peoples experiencs! These days I seldom shoot anything without protection even when hunting.

Now I am cooling my heels waiting for my license for this revolver, probably still 6 months.

My vision is that a lot of shooting with this gun will be reloads at 44 Special level.

26 October 2021, 10:35

DCS Member

I know there was mention of SA v. DA. I love my two .44 mags. One is a 629 Classic Hunter 8 3/8” and the other is a Ruger SBH 4 3/4” that was basement custom. Throw the same loads in each, the Ruger is much more pleasant. I know the grip helps.

I’m also the guy that hates .357 because it’s just violent with the blast, but I’ll shoot any .44 over .357 and thinking about one of those 629 PD mountain or whatever, but may want a Casull. That should explain my disdain for the .357.

That gun should serve you well.

26 October 2021, 12:11

NormanConquest

I was a K-frame 357 lover in the early 70s until I discovered the 44. I still have model 19s in the safe but there is no exemption to performance.

29 October 2021, 17:47

Clayman

The wife bought me a factory engraved 29-10 with a 4" barrel as a wedding present (yeah, she's mine). After admiring it for a while, I proceeded right to the range to blast away with it! Even the new production models are pretty well made. It's certainly a good bit fancier than the Redhawk I have (though not as rugged).

I'd love to take a deer with it - will have to remember ear pro if I do!

31 October 2021, 04:08

Michael Robinson

Mine's the Dirty Harry 6½ inch barreled Model 29-2. Blued, with target hammer and trigger, red ramp front sight and white outlined adjustable rear sight. Goncalo alves target grips.

I love it.

I once traded a 4 inch Model 29-2 for a S&W 4-inch Model 63 .22 caliber revolver and an Ithaca Model 37 deluxe 12 gauge pump actioned shotgun.

Back in the '70s, everybody wanted a Model 29.

01 November 2021, 06:29

NormanConquest

They sure did! After Dirty Harry came out, S+W couldn't make them fast enough.

01 November 2021, 17:05

Clayman

quote:
Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
I once traded a 4 inch Model 29-2 for a S&W 4-inch Model 63 .22 caliber revolver and an Ithaca Model 37 deluxe 12 gauge pump actioned shotgun.

I would have done the same thing! Pretty sweet deal right there.

02 November 2021, 00:48

Atkinson

What little hunting Ive done with a pistol was with a Mod 29, 44 mag with a 6" barrel and aMod 57 41 mag with a 6" tube..Liked them both and come to think of it I had a mod 58 41 mag and shot a buck mule deer with it at 40 yards in the head and it took out about 8 inches of spine, thats penetration for sure, very impressed..Today I only have a Browning HP and a 1911, and a chief special. My kids and grand kids have the rest..

2-12-22, today I picked up a near new mod 57 S&W 6" in 41 magnum, always been a favorite of mine. Back in the game..

14 December 2021, 05:23

els

One of the best memories I have is taking my M-29 44 mountain revolver to South Africa. I wish I could do that again. H-110 + Lyman devastator and young eyes was a pure delight on plains game.

But I guess I would have to rent/ borrow some young eyes

17 December 2021, 19:35

buckeyeshooter

quote:
Originally posted by crshelton:
Balule,
I have a ported 44 mag with 4 inch barrel, and I will give you a tip so you do not make the mistake that I did.

While servicing a deer feeder, my buddy spotted a large rattlesnake sunning right below the feeder and decided to shoot it with his pistol.
A few shots later the snake was awake and looking for an escape route, so john told me to shoot it.
So, out of the holster came my 44 ( all Texans ae packing in snake country) and I began shooting the snake with snake loads (#12 shot) and slowed it down to a slow crawl (pun intended) the next shot turned out to be a full house 240 grain anti personnel load which split the snakes head from the eyes forward.
Snake dead and my left ear almost dead. It still rings often.

So the moral is to remember you ear protection with short barreled magnum handguns.

now that is funny! I never bother with the shot loads, but I would probably be using a 250 grain cast at about 1000 fps if just out working on the farm. My ears have been ringing for years, so I don't pay too much attention to it.

18 December 2021, 04:17

p dog shooter

quote:
the next shot turned out to be a full house 240 grain anti personnel load which split the snakes head from the eyes forward.

I when hog hunting I shot a 5'5"" inch rattler.

With my 44 loaded with 315gr WFN at about 13000fp

Took it on the tip of the nose and split the head front to back.

18 December 2021, 08:43

NormanConquest

Yes, that would do it!

20 December 2021, 15:42

packrattusnongratus

I traded my 6" 629 for a 9.5" SRH and never looked back. Wanted a 10" gun and didn't find it as I was happy with the Ruger. Built like a brick outhouse. Be Well, Packy.

17 February 2022, 17:37

Balule

At last some good news. After 8 months the powers that be decided today that I am not a threat to national security and my license for the 44Mag has been approved.

Now I can get excited, probably still 4 - 6 weeks to get the license card in hand.

250lbs of lead in the workshop is in my way, good stuff for the 44!

18 February 2022, 03:29

p dog shooter

quote:
250lbs of lead in the workshop is in my way, good stuff for the 44!

If one casts 240 gr bullets 7291 with out waste for the 25olbs of lead.

There is always some waste so lets say 7200.

That is a good start.

18 February 2022, 09:43

NormanConquest

That is a good start. I hope it is not pure lead. Wheel weights are ideal + so is linotype. To make a Lyman # 2 alloy you need 9 lbs of wheel weights to 1 lb. of 50/50 solder. But straight wheel weights will work just fine. If you are getting pig, then you will need to add tin + antimony (which is already there in wheel weights).