S&W Model 29?

[Guest gcrookston]

How much of the performance of this gun is myth and how much fact? Are they worth the money they seem to be demanding these days?

[Westwindmike]

I paid $289 for mine back in the "Dirty Harry" days and that was suggested retail. Really nice handgun. I looked recently for a 4" one and had no luck finding one. They seem to be quite overpriced right now. They used to be the only game in town but now a lot of competition is out there. I just traded for a Taurus Tracker 44 with 4" barrel. I'm looking forward to shooting it.

Good luck in your search.

[musicman]

I love my 629-4! There's s finesse and smoothness that the 29s usually have that just can't be matched by Taurus and Ruger. Colt Anacondas are nice, too.

Is is worth the extra $$ to me? Yes. I won't say they are perfect, though, as my 44 is at Smith getting a firing pin replaced right now!

I prefer a 6" gun to get more velocity, but an 8" barrel doesn't seem to balance well to me.

[Westwindmike]

musicman,

Do you have a favorite 44 Special load for plinking?

[Guest tnmale46]

i really like my 29 6" what kinda prices are they bringing?

[Guest Mugster]

Yeah, a mild load out of a 4" .44 magnum will push a 240gr slug at about 975. You load up from that. The performance level is whatever you care to take recoil wise.

[musicman]

Hey Mike! I actually have never loaded a 44 special case. Factory 44 special always seems to cost just as much or more as 44 mag, so I have never bought any. I've also never gotten any range brass in 44 spc either. However, I do love shooting powderpuff loads in my 629!

I don't really like posting my own load data online as I may make a mistake, or it may be misinterpreted, but I'll be happy to tell you powder and bullets I like to use. When I'm using Tennessee Valley Bullets (you'll see Jesse and his reloading booth at most of the local gunshows, and his stuff is AWESOME!) 240gr cast SWCs, I like minimum loadings using HP38/Win231 so far. I've tried AA #2, but it won't give me a complete burn. If I'm using plated bullets or jacketed stuff I like titegroup OK, Bullseye, and again, HP38/231.

[Guest krater]

Elmer Keith's load was a 250gr 'Keith' bullet over 17.5 grains of 2400. I believe he loaded it in a 44 special case.

his 44mag load was pretty hot iirc, probably well over today's 'lawyer loads'.

[Westwindmike]

Thanks, guys.

Mike

[Guest Mugster]

Hey Mike! I actually have never loaded a 44 special case. Factory 44 special always seems to cost just as much or more as 44 mag, so I have never bought any. I've also never gotten any range brass in 44 spc either. However, I do love shooting powderpuff loads in my 629!

I don't really like posting my own load data online as I may make a mistake, or it may be misinterpreted, but I'll be happy to tell you powder and bullets I like to use. When I'm using Tennessee Valley Bullets (you'll see Jesse and his reloading booth at most of the local gunshows, and his stuff is AWESOME!) 240gr cast SWCs, I like minimum loadings using HP38/Win231 so far. I've tried AA #2, but it won't give me a complete burn. If I'm using plated bullets or jacketed stuff I like titegroup OK, Bullseye, and again, HP38/231.

The minimum listed charge of #2 in accurate's manual runs right at 1000 fps out of a 4" 629 for a 240gr bullet. It burns complete...with all accurate powders you got to put a stiff crimp on the bullet, if its jacketed, to get it to burn off. I dunno why, possibly because its double based but thats just a theory.

In accurate powders, I think a better choice for a 4" .44 is going to be #5. And for a 6", I think #7 or #9. #2 is just for economy in .44, imo.

I like the look of oregon trail lasercast bullets. Few bucks more per K, but they are hard and well built. I don't have much experience with lead or cast bullets though. The bullets at the gunshows (its possible I missed the Tennesse Valley Brand) look like junk and measure poorly compared to a box of lasercasts. Take a caliper.

I'll get some #5 numbers here pretty soon for my 4". When I do I'll probably post them in the ammo section.

[Westwindmike]

Thanks for the insights. I too like AA5. Its what I used in my .44 cowboy loads.

[DaveTN]

How much of the performance of this gun is myth and how much fact?

The round or the Model 29?

Are they worth the money they seem to be demanding these days?

Excellent condition shooters are bringing $600-$700. I don’t think that’s too bad considering 19’s and 66’s have went at or over $500.