Smith & Wesson Model 29

The Smith & Wesson Model 29 is a six-shot, double-action revolver chambered in .44 Magnum and manufactured by Smith & Wesson. Introduced in 1955, it was the first commercially available firearm chambered for the .44 Remington Magnum cartridge, developed jointly by Smith & Wesson and Remington Arms.

The Model 29 achieved cultural icon status after appearing in the 1971 film Dirty Harry, where Clint Eastwood's character referred to it as "the most powerful handgun in the world" — a claim that was accurate at the time of the film's release.

History

Development

The .44 Magnum cartridge was developed in the early 1950s through a collaboration between Elmer Keith, a prominent gun writer and handgun hunter, and engineers at Smith & Wesson and Remington. Keith had been experimenting with hot-loaded .44 Special rounds for years, seeking a more powerful hunting handgun cartridge.

Smith & Wesson based the Model 29 on their large N-frame platform, which provided the strength necessary to handle the new cartridge's substantial pressures (36,000 psi). The first production models shipped in 1955, initially priced at $140 — expensive for the era.

Early Production

Early Model 29 revolvers (pre-1958) are particularly prized by collectors for their:

• Five-screw sideplate design
• Pinned barrel construction
• Recessed cylinder chambers
• Diamond-checkered magna grips

These features were gradually eliminated through cost-reduction measures in subsequent decades.

The Dirty Harry Effect

Following the release of Dirty Harry in December 1971, demand for the Model 29 exploded. Smith & Wesson could not keep pace with orders, and the revolver that had been readily available suddenly commanded premium prices on the secondary market. Some dealers marked up prices by 300-400% during the peak of the shortage.

This phenomenon, sometimes called the "Dirty Harry Effect," demonstrated the powerful influence of cinema on firearms sales — a pattern that would repeat with other movie guns in subsequent decades.

Specifications

Specification	Detail
Caliber	.44 Remington Magnum
Capacity	6 rounds
Action	Double-action/Single-action
Frame	N-frame (carbon steel)
Barrel lengths	3", 4", 5", 6", 6.5", 8⅜"
Overall length	11.375" (6" barrel)
Weight	47 oz (6" barrel, unloaded)
Sights	Adjustable rear, red ramp front
Grip	Checkered walnut (standard)
Finish	Blued or nickel

Variants

Model 29-2 through 29-10

Smith & Wesson has produced multiple engineering changes over the decades, denoted by dash numbers:

• Model 29-2 (1961): Eliminated fifth screw
• Model 29-3 (1982): Eliminated pinned barrel
• Model 29-4 (1988): Eliminated recessed chambers
• Model 29-5 (1990): Updated hammer nose bushing
• Model 29-10 (2002): MIM internal parts, key lock

Model 629

Introduced in 1979, the Model 629 is the stainless steel version of the Model 29. It has become more popular than the blued original due to its corrosion resistance and lower maintenance requirements. The 629 is currently in production; the blued Model 29 has been produced intermittently.

Model 29 Classic

A modernized version featuring:

• 6.5" full-lug barrel
• Interchangeable front sights
• Hogue rubber grips
• Integral key lock (post-2001)

Performance Center Variants

Smith & Wesson's Performance Center has produced limited-run Model 29 variants with:

• Glass-bead finishes
• Action tuning
• Custom barrel lengths
• Unfluted cylinders

Practical Considerations

Recoil Management

The .44 Magnum generates substantial recoil — approximately 18.5 ft-lbs of free recoil energy in a 48 oz revolver. Effective shooting requires:

1. Proper grip: High thumbs-forward or two-handed revolver grip
2. Stance: Aggressive forward lean to manage muzzle rise
3. Grip panels: Many shooters replace factory wood grips with rubber absorbing grips (Pachmayr, Hogue)
4. Ammunition selection: .44 Special loads offer reduced recoil for practice

Hunting Applications

The Model 29 remains a capable hunting handgun for:

• Whitetail deer (effective to ~75 yards)
• Wild boar
• Black bear (with proper loads)
• Backup for dangerous game

Heavy-for-caliber hard-cast bullets (300+ grain) are preferred for hunting applications requiring deep penetration.

Collecting

Collectible Model 29 variants command significant premiums:

Variant	Approximate Market Value (2024)
Pre-29 .44 Magnum (1955-1957)	$3,500 - $8,000+
5-screw Model 29	$2,500 - $5,000
8⅜" nickel	$1,800 - $3,000
Standard 6" blued (good condition)	$900 - $1,400

Cultural Impact

Beyond Dirty Harry, the Model 29 has appeared in numerous films, television shows, and video games:

• Magnum Force (1973)
• Sudden Impact (1983)
• The Dead Pool (1988)
• Taxi Driver (1976) — Travis Bickle's "44 Magnum"
• Resident Evil series (video games)

The revolver's association with Dirty Harry remains so strong that Smith & Wesson has periodically released commemorative "Dirty Harry" editions.

See Also

• .44 Remington Magnum
• Smith & Wesson Model 629
• Smith & Wesson N-frame
• Ruger Super Redhawk
• Desert Eagle

References

1. Supica, Jim and Nahas, Richard. Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Gun Digest Books, 2016.
2. Keith, Elmer. Sixguns. Stackpole Books, 1955.
3. Taffin, John. "The .44 Magnum: 50 Years Later." American Handgunner, 2005.

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Read the original article in The Handbook

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Join the Discussion

Have you shot a .44 Magnum, and if so, how does the reality of shooting one compare to what you expected from movies?