44 magnum

[napawino]

While the newest versions shoot just fine, I'm partial to the older ones, like my 29-2. They just have a "feel" to them than no other revolver has. And that applies to all of the older N frames.

[ultra12]

Good call there. I never would have purchased my 44Mag when I did had I not planned to reload. Same with the M500 I bought a few weeks ago.

Which 550 are you looking at? The RL 550 or the BL 550?

i want RL for automatic priming and powder system

[ultra12]

While the newest versions shoot just fine, I'm partial to the older ones, like my 29-2. They just have a "feel" to them than no other revolver has. And that applies to all of the older N frames.

i am yet to figure out what changed from earlier models to modern

[napawino]

i am yet to figure out what changed from earlier models to modern

Here's a nice long read on the 29.

21. A HALF CENTURY OF THE MODEL 29

[Gus54]

Thank you! Nice read man! Gus

[EXNJCOP56]

Ultra12....Welcome....Good Folks on this Forum, they even like us East-Coast Guys and the GIANTS....I've been shooting a 44 mag since 1979...I own a Anaconda and have had several S&W 29's....Napawino is 100% correct that the early Smith's are wonderful weapon's...Now that being said "Money and the future use of the gun", becomes a factor...The older S&W Pre-29 and 29's are not cheap anymore...and have turned into the market place as "Collector" piece's ...and the $$$$ has gone way up.I recently purchased a S&W 29-5 Full Underlug built in 1990 and it's perfect , this a pre-lock model and having a full underlug Smith did this to withstand the more powerful cartridges produced for the 44 mag. A 29-5 will run you between $400-$650 depending on condition and box,paper's Etc.....I hope this help's you...and if your a JETS fan I can't Help you...

25-5 Classic 001.jpg

5 inch is perfect for the 44 mag

[USAMP]

Well sir there is a lot of collective knowledge here for both firearms and reloading. The first revolver I got was a 44 Mag, like has been said before you can have a whole lot of room to load up and down the spectrum. My first, and current reloader, is a Lee Single Stage. Not fast, but I kinda like it that way. Maybe if we live past Dec 2012 I might buy a progressive, but for now it works just fine

[revolverman]

For a shooter I would recommend a 29 or 629 classic with five inch barrel.
Model numbers would be I believe 29-5 or 29-6, 629-3 or 629-4.

These are pre lock guns with no MIM parts .

These guns have the endurance package that was implemented on the N frames to increase durability.

These were also available in the DX version but will cost more.

My second choice would be the standard six inch barrel pre lock/endurance package guns 29-5 and 29-6, 629-3 and 629-4.

The 29-2, 629 no dash guns are better for collecting but less desirable for shooting with full power .44 magnum ammo.

[ultra12]

if it was between 29-5 w/ improved performance (lockin problem fixed) or 29-2 (and there are a lot more of them for sale) what would you recommend. i just dont want to worry about unlocking cylinder

[ultra12]

this thread died