Smith & Wesson Model 29

The Smith & Wesson Model 29 is a six-shot, double-action revolver chambered for the .44 Magnum cartridge and manufactured by the United States company Smith & Wesson.

Smith & Wesson Model 29
Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum Model 629 with 8 3⁄8 inches (21 cm) barrel: a stainless steel version of the Model 29.
TypeRevolver
Place of originUnited States
Service history
Used bySee Users
Production history
ManufacturerSmith & Wesson
Produced1955–present
Specifications
Mass
  • 41.5 oz (1.177 kg) (4 in bbl)
  • 45 oz (1.276 kg) (6 in bbl)
  • Both of these weights are for the traditional S&W style without a barrel underlug.
Length
  • 9.3 inches (24 cm) (Barrel 4 inches (10 cm))
  • 12 inches (30 cm) (Barrel 6 1⁄2 inches (17 cm))
Barrel length
  • 3 inches (76 mm)
  • 4 inches (100 mm)
  • 5 inches (130 mm)
  • 6 inches (150 mm)
  • 6 1⁄2 inches (170 mm)
  • 8 3⁄8 inches (210 mm)
  • 10 5⁄8 inches (270 mm)
Cartridge
Caliber.429 inches (10.9 mm)
ActionDouble-action
Feed systemSix round cylinder
SightsOpen, adjustable rear

The Model 29 was offered with 3, 4, 5, 6, 6 1⁄2, 8 3⁄8 and 10 5⁄8 inches (76, 102, 127, 152, 165, 213 and 270 mm) barrels as standard models. Other barrel lengths were available either by special order from Smith & Wesson's Custom Shop or custom built by gunsmiths. The 5 inches (130 mm) barreled variant had a full length underlug. Finish options available included a highly polished blued or nickel-plated surface.

At the time of its introduction the Model 29 was the most powerful production handgun, although it was later overtaken by handguns chambered for the even larger .454 Casull and .50 Action Express cartridges. It was made famous worldwide by association with the fictional character "Dirty Harry" Callahan.

Design

The Model 29 will chamber and fire .44 Special cartridges, as the .44 Magnum was developed from the .44 Special. The Magnum case is slightly longer to prevent magnum rounds from being chambered and fired in handguns chambered for the .44 Special.

History
Smith & Wesson Model 29s, with 4-and-8 3⁄8-inch (100 and 210 mm) barrels
Smith & Wesson Mountain Gun circa 1995

Elmer Keith's achievements in maximizing the power and performance of the .44 Special was the inspiration and driving force behind the introduction of the .44 Magnum by Smith & Wesson. His intention for the new round was for it to be used in sidearms for hunters of large, dangerous game, rather than for self-defense, though with today's specialty cartridges, it can be a good defensive round.[1]

S&W's production of a large N-frame revolver in .44 Magnum began in 1955; the Model 29 designation was applied in 1957.[2]

At the time of its introduction, the Model 29 was the most powerful production handgun. There were a number of custom calibers that were more powerful, as in the old Howdah pistols of the 19th century.

It remained primarily the province of handgun enthusiasts, some law enforcement personnel and hunters until 1971, when Clint Eastwood made it famous as "the most powerful handgun in the world" in the movie Dirty Harry. After the release of the movie and its sequels, retailers had trouble keeping the Model 29 in stock.[3]

In the late 1990s, Smith & Wesson discontinued production of many models of revolvers, including the 'basic' Model 29; since then, at various times, the model, in limited or 'custom' configurations, has been manufactured in as many as 10 evolutions.[4]

Variants
Smith & Wesson Model 29-2

The original Model 29 was superseded by the Model 29-1 in 1960, with modifications made to the ejector-rod screw. The Model 29-2 replaced it the following year, with one screw that had secured the cylinder-stop spring being deleted. The barrel length was shortened from 6 1⁄2 to 6 inches (170 to 150 mm) in 1979. These two versions are known as "pinned and recessed". "Pinned" means that the barrels are screwed in, and secured by a pin driven through the frame and a notch in the barrel. "Recessed" denotes the rear of the bored cylinder holes being countersunk, so that, when loaded, the cartridge rims are fully enclosed by the cylinder. In 1982, the cost-cutting Model 29-3 dropped recessed cylinders and pinned barrels for crush-fit barrels.[2]

The -4 and -5, produced from 1988 and 1990 respectively had changes to improve durability for heavy use. In 1994 the 29-6 began production, now fitted as standard with rubber Monogrips from Hogue to replace the previous wooden items, standard tapped holes also being provided for attaching scope mounts. The 29-7 started production in 1998 with changes to the locking mechanism, the firing pin's attachment, and a hammer and trigger produced with a metal injection molding process.[2]

ModelYearBarrel LengthsModifications
2919576 1⁄2 inches (170 mm)
29-119606 1⁄2 inches (170 mm)ejector rod screw
29-219616 1⁄2 inches (170 mm), changed to 6 inches (150 mm) in 1979one screw that had secured the cylinder stop spring dropped
29-31982dropped recessed cylinders and pinned barrels for crush-fit barrels
29-41988retention system on the yoke or cylinder crane strengthened, studs in frame were radiused; 8 3/8" version offered with integral scope mts.
29-51990longer cylinder notches to prevent bolt jump, bolt and inner mechanism changed to reduce battering under recoil
29-61994standard with rubber Monogrips from Hogue
29-71998changes to the locking mechanism, the firing pin's attachment, and a hammer and trigger produced with a metal injection molding process.
29-82001new frame design with internal lock
29-9
29-10
Starting NumberYears
N11969-1972
N1000001973
N2000001974-1977
N3000001975-1976
N4000001977-1978
N5000001978-1980
N6000001979-1980
N7000001980
N8000001980-1983
N9000001982-1986

Model 629
A snub-nosed Smith & Wesson Model 629.

Introduced in 1978, the Smith & Wesson Model 629 is a stainless steel version of the Model 29.

The 629 model designation derives from Smith & Wesson's practice of denoting a stainless steel version of one of their already existing designs by placing a 6 in front of the model number of the original weapon. The 629 Classic variant features a full-length barrel underlug, other variants include the 629 Stealth Hunter.

.44 Magnum S&W Model 629-6 Deluxe Talo Edition
ModelStart YearBarrel LengthsModifications
6291979
629-11982dropped recessed cylinders and pinned barrels
629-21988changed yoke retention, radius studs, floating hand
629-31989hardened yoke and frame, longer stop notch, bolt block, fixed hand
629-41993changed rear sight leaf and extractor
629-51997Eliminate cylinder stop stud and serrated tang, MIM trigger and hammer, floating firing pin
629-62001Internal lock added
629-72005Two piece barrel
629-82006Slab sided barrel

Quiet Special Purpose Revolver

Some S&W model 29s were rebuilt by the AAI Corporation to make the Quiet Special Purpose Revolvers (QSPR). These had new, short, smoothbore barrels 35 millimetres (1 3⁄8 in), with 10 millimetres (0.39 in) bore, with cylinder chambers reamed to accept special QSPR ammunition which externally resembled metal-cased .410-bore shotgun shells but internally worked as a piston to trap the gases. This special ammunition was made by AAI.[5]

This pistol was developed from 1967 to 1971 to be used by tunnel rats in the Vietnam War. The QSPR was tested on the battlefield in 1969, and an improvement and testing program ran from 1970 until 1971. At least officially it never entered service. The US withdrawal from Vietnam reduced interest in the QSPR weapon, and the program ended in about 1972,[5] although unsubstantiated rumors claim the QSPR may have been used by CIA assassins during the Cold War, and continues to be used by so-called "Black Book teams".

A Russian handgun introduced in 2002, the OTs-38 Stechkin silent revolver, is described as using a system virtually identical to the QSPR.

Mountain Gun Variation
Mountain Gun engraved by John K. Pease and Wayne Di'Angelo through the Smith & Wesson Custom Engraving Shop.

The Mountain Gun was introduced in 1989 as a lightweight version of the Model 29 designed to be "carried often and shot little".[6] The barrel profile is a reprise of the original design. Early version 29-4 backpacker with 2.5" barrel, (Very rare).

A Smith & Wesson Model 629 with a 3" barrel called the "Trail Boss" was produced for the distributor, RSR.[7]

Other variants
Smith & Wesson Model 629 Performance Center, a competition-oriented variant with a weighted barrel for reducing recoil
  • On January 26, 2006, Smith & Wesson announced the 50th Anniversary Model 29.[8] Identical to the previous models except for the gold inlaid trademark on the side cover, the new internal lock mechanism, and a non-fluted cylinder.
  • On January 1, 2007, Smith & Wesson announced the reissue of the Model 29 as an engraved model in S&W's Classics line.[9]
  • The Smith & Wesson Model 629 Stealth Hunter has a 7 1⁄2 inches (190 mm) ported barrel with a full-length under lug for increased stability and recoil reduction.The barrel-cylinder gap is 0.006 inches (0.15 mm), with a ball-detent lockup between the frame and cylinder crane that provides increased strength. The entire revolver is made of a stainless steel, with a glare-reducing matte black finish. It comes with slip-resistant synthetic grips.[10]
  • The 329NG is a scandium-framed revolver with PVD-coated cylinder and tritium sights. It is part of the NightGuard line.[11]

Users

See also

References
  1. Campbell, R. K. (December 2011). "General Purpose Handguns". The Complete Illustrated Manual of Handgun Skills. Zenith Imprint. p. 90. ISBN 978-1-61059-745-6. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  2. John Taffin. Gun Digest Book of the .44. pp. 147–150. ISBN 0-89689-416-9.
  3. Hornaday, Ann (Jan 17, 1999) "Guns on film: a loaded issue", Baltimore Sun
  4. Smith, Clint (2007). "The do-all death-ray: SDM's custom .44 Magnum". American Handgunner. 24 (4).
  5. Popenker, Max R. "Smith & Wesson/ AAI Quiet Special Purpose Revolver/ QSPR/ Tunnel Revolver Archived 2010-04-18 at the Wayback Machine", world.guns.ru. Retrieved 2010-04-05.
  6. Egusa, Alan (April 2010). Martial Art of the Gun: The Turnipseed Technique. Dog Ear Publishing. p. 55. ISBN 978-1-60844-226-3.
  7. Shideler, Dan (10 May 2011). The Gun Digest Book of Guns & Prices 2011. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 918. ISBN 1-4402-1890-0.
  8. Smith & Wesson press release announcing the Model 29 Anniversary Edition Archived 2006-11-13 at the Wayback Machine.
  9. "Smith & Wesson Classics: Model 29 Engraved" (PDF). Smith & Wesson. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-09-27.
  10. Shideler, Dan. The Official Gun Digest Book of Guns & Prices. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 918. ISBN 9781440218903. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
  11. Mann, Richard Allen; Lee, Jerry (20 November 2013). The Gun Digest Book of Modern Gun Values: The Shooter's Guide to Guns 1900-Present. Iola, Wisconsin: F+W Media. p. 220. ISBN 978-1-4402-3752-2.
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