best s&w 44 mag?

belveflowslykh20 · September 28, 2012, 07:48 AM

i am looking for a 4-5 inch barrel 44 mag. I am looking for something used and around $500 range. I ahve never owned a smith revolver before and was hoping i can get some suggestions on model and price of what i should pay for a used one in good -great condition. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Ian

Newton24b · September 28, 2012, 08:36 AM

if its in nra "good condition" dont be surprised when the sticker is 80% of current msrp or higher for the crrent production handgun.

coonbait · September 28, 2012, 10:50 AM

smith makes the mod. 29(blued) and 629(stainles) in 4'' to 8'' barrels. go on gun broker or auction arms and you will get a good ideal of what they are going for now, new and used.

Bob Wright · September 28, 2012, 01:06 PM

I don't know if this was ever a cataloged item as is or not. I had a Model 29 set up by the factory with this 5" full lug barrel and it has been my favorite DA .44 Mag.

Bob Wright

DFrame · September 28, 2012, 02:24 PM

Bob thats got to be the purtiest 44 magnum I've ever seen from S&W.

carguychris · September 28, 2012, 03:39 PM

The $500 price range will probably limit you to relatively new S&W M29s and M629s- mid 1980s and earlier. Due to collector interest, and relatively limited production prior to the mid-1970s, earlier .44Mag 'Smiths will generally be priced out of your range unless the cosmetics are poor. However, there's generally no reason to prefer an older model over a newer one if you're after a "shooter".

S&W revolver engineering changes are designated by a dash number stamped inside the yoke cut, e.g. "M29-3" = Model 29 Dash 3 or the 3rd engineering change. Initial versions are known as "no-dash" guns.

Pre-1987 .44Mag Smiths had some problems with lockwork "shooting loose" from recoil when subjected to heavy use with full-power Magnum loads using heavy bullets. S&W cooked up improved lockwork, titled it the "Endurance Package", and installed it in all Model 29s and 629s starting with the 29-3E ("E" for Endurance") and 629-1E. These revolvers have gone through several engineering revisions and successive decades of production since then, all of which have the improved mechanism.

However, the early guns do fine the way most people use them- a diet of mostly .44Spl with a few Magnum loads now and then. This is good, because there are a LOT of M29-2's and M29-3's out there; most of the "shooter grade" M29's I've seen are these versions. Most of the newer ones just haven't been around long enough to accumulate a whole lot of wear.

The 1990s "Classic" and "Classic DX" models feature full-underlug barrels like Bob Wright's gun; these are very well-liked by .44Mag enthusiasts because the heavy barrel mitigates muzzle flip, particularly on short-barreled guns. (Don't confuse the 1990s "Classic" with the post-2009 "Classic"; the latter is designed to look like an older model with a standard barrel, just with "The Lock". The older Classic has a full-underlug barrel that actually says "Classic" on it.)

On the flip side is the "Mountain Gun", which has a lightweight carry-friendly 4" tapered barrel. I've not had the privilege of setting off a Magnum load from one of these guns, but I've been assured it is not the most pleasant experience.

I recommend sticking with the longer, heavier barrels for lots of Magnum shooting. (OTOH the Mountain Gun should make a great platform for launching Specials.)

IIRC models prior to the M29-8 and M629-6 lack the S&W ILS "Infernal" Locking System that many revolver enthusiasts love to hate.

However, the lock can be removed by following instructions you can find in numerous places on the 'Net.

That should get you started.

BigJimP · October 1, 2012, 12:41 PM

There seem to be a lot of 4" and 6 1/2" S&W models 29 ( blued or Nickel) or the 629's ( stainless) around lately....

$ 500 is going to be a little thin...with the average probably being around
$ 750 or so .../ unless you find a very motivated seller at a local gun show or something....but then that's part of the fun of finding a new gun ...so get some notes together ...on the dash numbers within the models you like ...and educate yourself on what you like / what to look for ...how to check the timing, etc...

Standard catalog barrel lengths were 4", 6 1/2" and 8 3/8" ...but there were all kinds of guns made with in between barrel lengths ....like some of the Mountain Guns or Trail Boss models...even down to 3"...some were even ported. But like Chris said, shooting a 3" .44 mag, even ported, is a handfull...and while I like it ...a box of 50 rds thru the 3" Trail Boss I have is plenty for one day.../ where I can shoot a 6 1/2" or 8 3/8" all day long - more or less...

spacecoast · October 1, 2012, 12:48 PM

Quote:

The older Classic has a full-underlug barrel that actually says "Classic" on it.

Like this one...

giaquir · October 3, 2012, 01:43 PM

Did you do any re-finishing to the
Mod 29 grips?
They look dark and blotchy?

September 28, 2012, 07:48 AM	#1
belveflowslykh20 Member Join Date: November 2, 2008 Posts: 77	best s&w 44 mag? i am looking for a 4-5 inch barrel 44 mag. I am looking for something used and around $500 range. I ahve never owned a smith revolver before and was hoping i can get some suggestions on model and price of what i should pay for a used one in good -great condition. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance Ian

September 28, 2012, 01:06 PM	#4
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,987	Magnum ever since. I don't know if this was ever a cataloged item as is or not. I had a Model 29 set up by the factory with this 5" full lug barrel and it has been my favorite DA .44 Mag. Bob Wright

September 28, 2012, 02:24 PM	#5
DFrame Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2008 Location: central Illinois Posts: 451	Bob thats got to be the purtiest 44 magnum I've ever seen from S&W. __________________ Mark Lane to William Buckley: "Have you ever referred to Jessee Jackson as an ignoramus?" Buckley: "If I didn't, I should have"

September 28, 2012, 03:39 PM	#6
carguychris Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2007 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 7,523	The $500 price range will probably limit you to relatively new S&W M29s and M629s- mid 1980s and earlier. Due to collector interest, and relatively limited production prior to the mid-1970s, earlier .44Mag 'Smiths will generally be priced out of your range unless the cosmetics are poor. However, there's generally no reason to prefer an older model over a newer one if you're after a "shooter". S&W revolver engineering changes are designated by a dash number stamped inside the yoke cut, e.g. "M29-3" = Model 29 Dash 3 or the 3rd engineering change. Initial versions are known as "no-dash" guns. Pre-1987 .44Mag Smiths had some problems with lockwork "shooting loose" from recoil when subjected to heavy use with full-power Magnum loads using heavy bullets. S&W cooked up improved lockwork, titled it the "Endurance Package", and installed it in all Model 29s and 629s starting with the 29-3E ("E" for Endurance") and 629-1E. These revolvers have gone through several engineering revisions and successive decades of production since then, all of which have the improved mechanism. However, the early guns do fine the way most people use them- a diet of mostly .44Spl with a few Magnum loads now and then. This is good, because there are a LOT of M29-2's and M29-3's out there; most of the "shooter grade" M29's I've seen are these versions. Most of the newer ones just haven't been around long enough to accumulate a whole lot of wear. The 1990s "Classic" and "Classic DX" models feature full-underlug barrels like Bob Wright's gun; these are very well-liked by .44Mag enthusiasts because the heavy barrel mitigates muzzle flip, particularly on short-barreled guns. (Don't confuse the 1990s "Classic" with the post-2009 "Classic"; the latter is designed to look like an older model with a standard barrel, just with "The Lock". The older Classic has a full-underlug barrel that actually says "Classic" on it.) On the flip side is the "Mountain Gun", which has a lightweight carry-friendly 4" tapered barrel. I've not had the privilege of setting off a Magnum load from one of these guns, but I've been assured it is not the most pleasant experience. I recommend sticking with the longer, heavier barrels for lots of Magnum shooting. (OTOH the Mountain Gun should make a great platform for launching Specials.) IIRC models prior to the M29-8 and M629-6 lack the S&W ILS "Infernal" Locking System that many revolver enthusiasts love to hate. However, the lock can be removed by following instructions you can find in numerous places on the 'Net. That should get you started. __________________ "Smokey, this is not 'Nam. This is bowling. There are rules... MARK IT ZERO!!" - Walter Sobchak

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September 28, 2012, 08:36 AM	#2
Newton24b Junior member Join Date: February 10, 2009 Posts: 974	if its in nra "good condition" dont be surprised when the sticker is 80% of current msrp or higher for the crrent production handgun.

September 28, 2012, 10:50 AM	#3
coonbait Member Join Date: May 15, 2011 Posts: 28	smith makes the mod. 29(blued) and 629(stainles) in 4'' to 8'' barrels. go on gun broker or auction arms and you will get a good ideal of what they are going for now, new and used.

October 1, 2012, 12:41 PM	#7
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	There seem to be a lot of 4" and 6 1/2" S&W models 29 ( blued or Nickel) or the 629's ( stainless) around lately.... $ 500 is going to be a little thin...with the average probably being around $ 750 or so .../ unless you find a very motivated seller at a local gun show or something....but then that's part of the fun of finding a new gun ...so get some notes together ...on the dash numbers within the models you like ...and educate yourself on what you like / what to look for ...how to check the timing, etc... Standard catalog barrel lengths were 4", 6 1/2" and 8 3/8" ...but there were all kinds of guns made with in between barrel lengths ....like some of the Mountain Guns or Trail Boss models...even down to 3"...some were even ported. But like Chris said, shooting a 3" .44 mag, even ported, is a handfull...and while I like it ...a box of 50 rds thru the 3" Trail Boss I have is plenty for one day.../ where I can shoot a 6 1/2" or 8 3/8" all day long - more or less...

October 3, 2012, 01:43 PM	#9
giaquir Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Deerfield,New Hampshire Posts: 512	Did you do any re-finishing to the Mod 29 grips? They look dark and blotchy?