Smith & Wesson Model 29
revolver
The Smith & Wesson Model 29 is a six-shot, double-action revolver chambered for the .44 Magnum cartridge and manufactured by the United States company Smith & Wesson.
The Model 29 was offered with 3, 4, 5, 6, 6+1⁄2, 8+3⁄8 and 10+5⁄8 in (76, 102, 127, 152, 165, 213 and 270 mm) barrels as standard models. Other barrel lengths were available either by special order from Smith & Wesson's Custom Shop or custom built by gunsmiths. The 5-inch (130 mm) barreled variant had a full-length underlug. Finish options available included a highly polished blued or nickel-plated surface.
At the time of its introduction, the Model 29 was the most powerful production handgun, although it was later overtaken by handguns chambered for the even larger .454 Casull, .460 S&W, .50 Action Express, and .500 S&W Magnum cartridges. It was made famous worldwide by association with the fictional character "Dirty Harry" Callahan.
Design
The Model 29 will chamber and fire .44 Special and .44 Russian cartridges, as the .44 Magnum was developed from the .44 Special and the .44 Special was developed from the .44 Russian. The Magnum case is slightly longer to prevent magnum rounds from being chambered and fired in handguns chambered for the .44 Special.
History
Cartridge developer Elmer Keith's achievement in maximizing the power and performance of the .44 Special was the inspiration and driving force behind the introduction of the .44 Magnum by Smith & Wesson.
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