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Post by Burnston on Jul 18, 2020 15:03:33 GMT -5
Good afternoon all,
I shall give you the short version. I bought a 4in 29-3 that was discovered by a reputed smith to have a cracked frame across the threads where the barrel sits. Assuming his reputation and relationship with Smith was in play, Smith sent a NIB 29-10 as a replacement. I was advised that many smiths do not work on these newer guns, and that most likely the thing to do is to sell this brand new gun and use its proceeds to hunt down a 29-2 or so, but this was “only his opinion,” given that these newer guns have plastic parts, poorer finish, and an unsightly lock.
I prefer the old classics, but my daily work rig includes a 90s produced m21, so I am not opposed to newer Smiths provided they do their job and will last a lifetime with reasonable, non-abusive use. What do you old hands think? Keep what I have or sell it and hunt down and oldie but goodie?
I would like to base my decision on practicality and function, nostalgia and appearance (the lock) taking a second tier position.
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Post by ezekiel38 on Jul 18, 2020 21:22:10 GMT -5
Don't know what a plastic part in a M29-10, but I have owned Pre 29s a five inch, a 6.5" 29-2, a 4 inch 29-2, a 3 inch 29-3, 3 629-1&2 and I still have one of the Mountain Revolvers, the Pre 29 and a 4.2" Model 69. I say all that to let you know Smith 44s are great revolvers, I take heart in the replacement of your defective framed 29. I signals integrity.
I don't shoot my older Smith 44s as they are given to family, but I do love my 69. I would not be afraid of the 29-10 use it and enjoy it. Worse comes to worse, trade it for a 4" Redhawk.
29-2s are an old platform that is difficult to find parts for, stick with the newer 29 or a 69. Look up Paul 105 on this forum, he is a great salesman for a 69. I love mine because it is an L frame shooting 44 Mag without penalty.
The L frame sized 44s that Ruger and Smith made did not hold up well to hot 44 Special loads, the 69 handles 44 Mag without problems due to engineering by Smith.
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Post by matt56 on Jul 18, 2020 21:46:02 GMT -5
The newer guns are not as nice fit and finish wise but they are leagues tougher than the older. If you have taken possession of the new 29-10 I would say at least shoot it first before you trade it off. If it’s in your name it’s already a used gun and shooting it a few times won’t hurt the value. If it doesn’t shoot then by all means get rid of it.
I had a 29-3 that I had to dump because it couldn’t even be fired reliably. I was extremely disappointed because at the time I assumed older is better. What I found out later is the 29-3 is the red headed step child of the 29s. No pinned and recessed features and no upgraded parts. Basically S&W was cutting costs and at the same time not listening to the problems customers were having.
The truth is now that the 29-2s are collectors guns and the 29-5 and -6 are the shooters guns. I think I have seven model 29s at last count
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Post by taffin on Jul 18, 2020 23:15:20 GMT -5
CURRENT 29-10  |
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Post by Rimfire69 on Jul 19, 2020 7:49:47 GMT -5
Keep it and shoot it.
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Post by x101airborne on Jul 19, 2020 9:12:51 GMT -5
I would keep it and shoot it. With that ugly lock and knowing what you are going to be putting it through, at least you wont worry about scratching it up or getting it dirty or rained on.
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Post by bogusbill on Jul 19, 2020 9:37:40 GMT -5
I have smith`s triplelock, 1950 target, 29-2, 27-2 (5"), 24-3, 25-5, 1917, 66-3, etc. Never had a problem with any of them. Had a bunch more that passed through my hands years ago too. I did have a hammer spur break off a model 36 I was packing a couple years ago. I snubbed the hammer. That was the only problem I can think of. My model 66-3 3" is a favorite. I bought most of them many years ago. Also own a old american, model 40, model 34, a old M&P, a HD I converted to .44 special etc. I am not into the newer stuff.
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Post by elgriego on Jul 19, 2020 14:08:28 GMT -5
I don't have a problem with the new Smith & Wessons. Frankly, they're about the only S&Ws that I shoot anymore. They just get shipped directly to my gunsmith and they're perfect when I put my grubby little hands on them. My older S&Ws are safe queens.
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44guru
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Post by 44guru on Jul 21, 2020 18:12:40 GMT -5
I shot enough hot loads in a 29-2 until it would not lock up reliably, we were shooting every weekend somewhere and it takes a healthy load to topple those rams at a 100 yards. It needed a complete overhaul when I got rid of it. I love the old N frame Smith's but the later ones more robust!
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ispy12
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Post by ispy12 on Jul 29, 2020 16:51:23 GMT -5
Time for my first post!
Nothing wrong with the new Smiths from a shooting standpoint. I shoot them regularly and with a few tweaks and trigger time they smooth up nicely.
Older 29's without the endurance package can be shot loose over time...I hear about it more than I see it. 29-5 guns are like the 25-9 to me, I buy them when I can.
I shoot mostly .45 colt and lead...can't seem to wear any of them out, and I don't need more than 1200 fps to do any job...and usually 8-900 fps will do nicely. Concerning the 44 mag, if you are after top tier loads in a double action, Ruger is the answer... but if they are occasional loads the Smiths are fine. If you roll lead, even hardcast, stick with Smiths in the double action.
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Post by Burnston on Jul 29, 2020 17:16:04 GMT -5
Time for my first post! Nothing wrong with the new Smiths from a shooting standpoint. I shoot them regularly and with a few tweaks and trigger time they smooth up nicely. Older 29's without the endurance package can be shot loose over time...I hear about it more than I see it. 29-5 guns are like the 25-9 to me, I buy them when I can. I shoot mostly .45 colt and lead...can't seem to wear any of them out, and I don't need more than 1200 fps to do any job...and usually 8-900 fps will do nicely. Concerning the 44 mag, if you are after top tier loads in a double action, Ruger is the answer... but if they are occasional loads the Smiths are fine. If you roll lead, even hardcast, stick with Smiths in the double action. Thanks for making this your first contribution. Side question; I handled an m19 “classic” today at a hardware store and noticed, contrary to the originals, that the square cut grips fit over a round butt frame. Is this also the case with the new m29s, that the square grips conceal a round gf? This would be very disappointing, and I cannot check as I do not yet have the gun in hand. |
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ispy12
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Post by ispy12 on Jul 29, 2020 18:28:22 GMT -5
In my experience with N frames, no, it is a square frame...at least on the 25-15 I have and the 29 classic my cousin has.
The 19 is smaller frame so I don't know if they all do, but I despise that configuration...round is round and square is square.
However if you get grips/stocks you don't like, John Culina can fix your troubles.
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