S&W Model 29 Classic-Internal Lock [Archive]

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Heavyweight

12-18-23, 10:10

So I’ve always wanted a 4” model 29. But I’ve never been a huge revolver guy and I just never picked up the 29 back when they were affordable. Fast forward to today. The prices on a mint or like new 29 or 29-2 are ridiculous. People are asking stupid money for them. So I’m at a gun show in Ft. Worth and a guy had a new 29-10 on his table. I was able to negotiate $900 cash (wasn’t an FFL). And before you say anything I know it’s apples and oranges to a 29 no dash. Even the later model 29s are still very expensive in new condition. But before I could even get out of the show I must have had 20 people stop me to ask what’s in the blue box and then inform me that new S&W pistols with the lock SUCK and will lock up accidentally when you need it most. I’ve never been so ****ing annoyed in my life! Yes, the lock is ugly and totally stupid. Could the lock malfunction? Sure. Have they malfunctioned? You bet. And I’ve got a buddy who has been struck by lightning. My chances of getting hit are still slim. Do these people realize how much more likely it is for their Glock 19 or 1911 to jam than it is for this lock to seize up at the wrong time?

Except for the lock, this model 29 is very nice. Fit and finish is excellent. I like the thinner style grips. Quite accurate. I really love this pistol. And I’m going to shoot the piss out of it.

But am I the only one who thinks like this? How many of you revolver guys are really afraid the gun will fail vs. hating S&W for caving to Hilary and the anti-gun lobby back in 2001? And I get it! That’s a valid reason to boycott a gun manufacturer. But the quality of this piece still seems very good for the money. I’d love to know the thoughts of the hard core revolver folks. Even if you completely disagree with me. Free country!

You guys stay safe

Heavyweight

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HKGuns

12-18-23, 10:31

Heavyweight

12-18-23, 10:50

If the locks bother a person, they are a very simple part to remove permanently.

I'm not bothered by them in the least, but I did take them out of a couple of my revolvers. Not for any particular reason.

Did you plug the hole with one of the kits that are available? Just curious as at this point I don’t plan to remove it.

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HKGuns

12-18-23, 10:54

Did you plug the hole with one of the kits that are available? Just curious as at this point I don’t plan to remove it.

Nope. Left it with a hole. I was just looking at plugs and they're not widely available, which is a clue as to how much people are really bothered by this feature. They bitch about it but don't bother to do anything about it.

Not spending $40 for a tiny piece of metal just to fill that hole.

Giselle

12-18-23, 15:59

Tile the titties off on the lock so that it will not lock the hammer aln not have a hole in the side, I did that years ago on the Airweight.

anachronism

12-18-23, 20:18

Your -10 will easily outlive an early 29 anyway. They weren't exactly the sturdiest revolvers made.

TBAR_94

12-18-23, 21:52

I could care less about the lock. I’ve got a Model 642 that’s 20 years old, seen hundreds, perhaps even 1000 rounds and carried a ton and it’s always gone bang. I’ve also got a Model 29 Mountain Gun that’s been in a holster for tons of hikes and hunts and always worked for me. I get why the lock annoys people but it’s never been a problem for me.

.45fan

12-18-23, 22:44

I have a 340 that locked at the range. I sent it in, S&W claimed to have fixed it, well it locked again during a class. I removed the lock completely and plugged the hole.
I have a couple other newer j-frames and they have all had the lock removed and the hole plugged before they were even fired due to the experience I had with them.

Everyone is so confident it rarely happens, well it happened twice to me so I will never have a working lock in a gun again.

Your .44mag vs my .357mag, your stainless vs my airlite, not apples to apples but if it were mine that flag (at minimum) would be gone already.

SteyrAUG

12-19-23, 04:16

Seems like it should be easy to neuter a lock, enjoy your 29.

As for myself, I'm a hopeless P&R junkie. Thankfully I grabbed my 29 when mortals could afford them.

https://i.imgur.com/kcP2pd5.jpg

Heavyweight

12-19-23, 08:10

Seems like it should be easy to neuter a lock, enjoy your 29.

As for myself, I'm a hopeless P&R junkie. Thankfully I grabbed my 29 when mortals could afford them.

https://i.imgur.com/kcP2pd5.jpg

That’s the reason I so badly jones for the no dash or dash 2. I kick myself every ****ing day for not buying one….and a model 60. I just can’t bring myself to pay these prices for the vintage guns.

I also traded my 4” Colt Python for a Colt 1911 Gold Cup back in 1988. Not a bad trade back then….but now I throw up in my mouth a little every time I think about it. One thing I’ve learned about guns…..if you like it, keep it. If you want it, buy it. That’s hard when you’re first starting out and cash is scarce. But now I rarely trade. That goddamn Python……uhg!

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Wildcat

12-19-23, 10:09

I have a couple of guns with the lock. I'm not fond of the lock but the models were not available until after the tragic lock debacle occurred.

At this point, one gun has nearly 5 cases of ammo through it and the other one has close to three. No issues with either lock; hopefully that's a good indicator.

Good luck with your 29. Keep looking for a sweet deal an early one but in the meantime you have a gun you can simply enjoy shooting.

G woody

12-19-23, 12:39

I've finally forgiven S&W for their sins. I expect all the Honcho's that bedded with the Clinton's are long gone !!!

StainlessSteelRat

12-19-23, 23:01

I have a sample of one, a 629-6 6" I bought some years ago to keep from putting too many rounds through the 29-2. I'd not intended to ever have a Hillary Hole revolver, but after handling it I found the action and balance surprisingly good and plunked down the cash. I mainly use it for a knock-around, and I've not had the lock actuate over (hundreds) of rounds. I had planned to remove it, but I am just curious to see if it ever fails.

Ron3

12-20-23, 11:30

Heavyweight

12-20-23, 11:44

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20231220/ed719a9a4f85c1756c067f215ae182f0.jpg
I have no intent to alter this beauty. The chances of a lockup is somewhere between slim and none.

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Pappabear

12-20-23, 15:13

Every time old cool guns come up SteyrAUG rocks the thread with 10 each of said weapons. Damn.

HW, the lock never bothered me too much, I wouldn't stress. quick story: I have an old Dirty Harry special in mint condition, been fired at the factory twice. Mint mint mint and when I bought it, the pawnshop shipped the gun in the wooden box in a Priority mail bag. So the wood box is broke to shit but the gun is the most beautiful blueing on the World. I have a couple of Recessed wheel, barrel pinned, firing pin guns that I treasure. Revolvers are just so cool. I even went new school and bought the New NYC SWOT 8 shot banger. Revos are very cool, good luck with your new gun. Enjoy shooting that bad boy and dont let those haters get in your head.
PB

Pappabear

12-20-23, 15:21

Good grief.

I have a new make 686+ that's been great.

I paid $40 for the machined & polished button, removed the lock and plugged the hole.

Now I don't have to worry about it and it looks fine.

Guys will spend $700 on an electronic optic, $250 for an optic cut & custom refinish, $250 on as rail, $100 for a rail fitting that holds a flashlight on, $40 for an HK pistol magazine.

But $40-$50 to prevent their $600-1000 S&W from malfunctioning and make it look like it hasn't been altered? NO!!!!!! It's SO hard! I CAN'T afford it! Why God?!

:blink: :sarcastic:

I don't think its the money, its the hassle and worry someone is going to mess up your nice gun. Do tell where you got it done, what parts you bought/where and where you sent it to get done. The entire process lined out.......and shoot us a pic. Im interested if it aint no thing.

PB

HKGuns

12-20-23, 16:09

I don't think its the money, its the hassle and worry someone is going to mess up your nice gun. Do tell where you got it done, what parts you bought/where and where you sent it to get done. The entire process lined out.......and shoot us a pic. Im interested if it aint no thing.

PB

Someone with your skills can easily do it yourself PB.

I don't show it explicitly in this video, but if you take it down to this level it will virtually just fall out on its own.

https://vimeo.com/788900871?share=copy

titsonritz

12-20-23, 21:03

Ron3

12-21-23, 07:02

I don't think its the money, its the hassle and worry someone is going to mess up your nice gun. Do tell where you got it done, what parts you bought/where and where you sent it to get done. The entire process lined out.......and shoot us a pic. Im interested if it aint no thing.

PB

Did it myself. I'm no gun smith.

Here is one video. I bought his hole-filling part, too.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kMI8r27Hp90

https://www.originalprecision.com/lock-delete-kit.html

VLODPG

12-21-23, 21:39

I will won't own one with a Hillary Hole!

Ron3

12-22-23, 08:13

I will won't own one with a Hillary Hole!

Ya just gotta...fill that Hillary Hole...:blink:

Then enjoy the gun.

Heavyweight

12-22-23, 18:52

I will won't own one with a Hillary Hole!

It’s like I was telling a good friend of mine…..let it go man! :)

That was in 2001 when S&W was owned by a British firm! Times have changed. The lock is ugly but S&W’s modern revolvers are high quality. Certainly as good as the new Colt Python I bought in 2020. I was also comparing it to my friend’s Ruger Redhawk and GP100 at my club and I think it’s superior to those pieces.

I wish they would remove the lock going forward but I can only imagine the press that would get. S&W now making their guns unsafe! Or god forbid a kid gets hurt with a lockless gun and the family sues. Now they are damned if they do and damned if they don’t.

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