S&W Model 29 Classic-Internal Lock

[Heavyweight]

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]

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.

[Heavyweight]

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]

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]

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]

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

[TBAR_94]

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]

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]

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.

[Heavyweight]

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.

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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