Cal, Lew Horton was a gun dealer in Massachusetts who contracted with S&W for a number of different 'special run' guns. The shop is long gone but his name lives on in obscurity.

Lead wheel weights is still around here, but mostly replaced by zinc weights. My neighbour is in the tyre business and offered me some of their scrap weights but unsorted.

Weighing up time against money I eventually ordered 3% tin and 3% antimony alloy from a commercial lead distributor.

So after more than 2 years of learning a heap about bullet casting, reloading for revolvers and shooting revolvers the S&W has tasted blood.

The gun was sold to me as a 29-2 but after reading John Taffin's Book of the 44 I realised something was amiss. Now the date of manufacture according to the serial number has been pushed back to 1957 or 1958, my next question to explore is whether it maybe a pre-29 designation 44. I don't have the box, paperwork or orignal grips, had it drilled and tapped for a red dot so no serious collectors value anyway.

This prompted me to decide two things: continue shooting it but with gentle loads and buy a Ruger to abuse as a regular shooter.

My load ended up with a 250gr MP WFN type cast bullet cast from a 3% tin and 3% antimony alloy weighing 243gr over 11,7gr of Hodgon CFE Pistol, giving met 1140fps.

I can now shoot 1,5" groups at 25yds all day long.

During the past week I connected on a warthog at 28yds and a impala at 30yds. Both one shot kills that ran about 50yds before expiring.

All in all good fun and I intend to continue hunting with this grand old revolver.

Thank you
What is next for him

If it is a pre 29 it will have a 5 screw frame.

Look in front of the trigger guard is there a screw there? If yes, you have a pre 29.

5 screw frames were used until 1957

The Model 29 (no dash) is from 1957-1962

That is a nice for the shooting load
I use similar on the 45 Colt
250 grains at 1000 fps.

What are the numbers under the crane. they started putting numbers model number under the yoke cut June of 12th 1957.

It is a three screw side plate that took place sept 7 1956 some 4 screw frames were used into 1958.

Pm me the serial number and I will see if I can date it a bit better for you
or better yet Pm a picture of the numbers in the crane cut.

29–1 started w sn S179000.

The fountain of knowledge that is AR always amazes me.

It is a 4 screw frame with the 4th screw in front of the trigger guard. From what you guys say probably a 29 no dash then ,p dog shooter pm incoming.

I am very happy with the load, total penetration and good wound channel - not going to fiddle with that, will rather spend time educating the monkey on the trigger more!
Next I want look at wildebeest, zebra or kudu.

Managed to pick up a 1981 manufacture Super Blackhawk, Cerakoted with a Leupold 2x20 in Leupold mounts for the princely sum of $550, I will use that more on the range and as a better longer distance gun compared to the 4" tube on the S&W. I have already told my 15 yr old son that the S&W is his to inherit and he understands the value of owning such a wonderful piece of firearm history.

quote:

It is a 4 screw frame with the 4th screw in front of the trigger guard. From what you guys say probably a 29

The 4 screw frames refer to the 4 screws holding the side plate on.

I do not see a forth screw at the top of the side plate just in front of the hammer.

You have a 4 screw gun with a screw bring in front of the trigger guard.

It acts on the trigger spring if my memory is right.

I could break out the books.

These dates are guidelines.

4 on the right side of the frame plus one into the trigger guard equals a 5 screw revolver.

The screw that went away to make 4 screw the top screw on the frame 56-58z The next screw to go away was the trigger guard screw in 1961.

Now, K frame serial number revolvers were 4 screw in the beginning.

If I understand John Taffin's descriptions correctly the 4 screw frames have got 3 side plate screws and the screw in front of the trigger guard that retains the spring that actuate the cylinder bolt.

I had a 4 screw pre 29 built in Mar/Apr 1957. Sold it about 15 years ago for 5 times what I had in it. I've always been more of a shooter than a collector, and replaced it with two other 44 mags and had money left over. My 629 Classic 6½" shoots way better than the pre 29 ever did.

I've been shooting model 29's & 629's since the late 60's & have taken a lot of game with them. Took this cow elk 3 weeks ago on a depredation hunt with my 629 & a 4X Leupold at 158 yds through both lungs. Cow went about 10-15 yds. & down. This was my 6th elk with my 44 magnums.
Both of the test targets are at 100 yds.






Dick

That is very good shooting! Maybe one day when I grow up I'll get those kind of groups

I seldom shoot double actions, scopes or jacketed bullets but this was a special occasion. Good friend Mark Hampton sent me these Cutting Edge bullets a few years ago & I had never loaded any but after I learned of his sudden death in Tanzania I kept a few & passed out the others to 4 friends & we are doing a tribute to Mark, using the bullets he gave me.
Balule, you are doing very well with your 44 magnum, I wouldn't change a thing! Good Luck!
Dick

quote:

I seldom shoot double actions, scopes or jacketed bullets but this was a special occasion

I very seldom shoot single actions. The only one I own is a single six.

With my double actions I use the double action mode almost exclusively.

With good training and practice it can be as accurate as shooting single action.

I agree most of me S&Ws have the hammer bobbed and a trigger job but even with a bobbed hammer and a little practice you can cock it and shoot well enough..

Outstanding targets, Dick.
You have been an inspiration for years.
Balule, I am impressed!

Bill, thanks for the kind words.


3 things have helped me a lot
- a standing date to go shooting with a friend every Sunday afternoon
- shooting at longer ranges
- 200 rounds with my ruger MKIII 22LR every time


I am even starting to get groups at 50m

Balule, that warm-up with the Ruger .22 is the mark of a serious handgunner.