S&W Model 29

Smith & Wesson Model 29
Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum Model 629 with 8⅜" barrel: a stainless steel version of the Model 29.
Type	Revolver
Place of origin	United States
Service history
Used by	See Users
Production history
Manufacturer	Smith & Wesson
Produced	1955–Present
Specifications
Weight	41.5 oz. / 1.178 kg (4 in bbl) 45 oz. / 1.276 kg (6 in bbl) Both of these weights are for the traditional S&W style without a barrel underlug.
Barrel length	4 in (102 mm) 6 in (153 mm) 6-1/2 in (165 mm) 8⅜ in (214 mm) 10⅝ in (270 mm)
Cartridge	.44 Magnum .44 Special
Caliber	.429 in (10.9 mm)
Action	Double-action
Feed system	Six round cylinder
Sights	Open, adjustable rear

The Smith & Wesson Model 29 is a six-shot, double-action revolver chambered for the .44 Magnum cartridge and manufactured by the U.S. company Smith & Wesson.

The Model 29 was offered with 3", 4", 5", 6", 6½", 8⅜" and, later, 10⅝" barrel lengths 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" 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. It was made famous by association with the fictional character "Dirty Harry" Callahan.

The Model 29 will chamber and fire .44 Special cartridges, as the .44 Magnum was developed from the .44 Special. The Magnum case is slightly longer to prevent magnum rounds from being chambered and fired in handguns chambered for the .44 Special.

Elmer Keith's achievements 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. His intention for the new round was for it to be used in sidearms for hunters of large, dangerous game, rather than for self-defense, though with today's specialty cartridges, it can be a good defensive round.

S&W's production of a large N-frame revolver in .44 Magnum began in 1955; the Model 29 designation was applied in 1957.

At the time of its introduction, the Model 29 was the most powerful production handgun. There were a number of custom calibers that were more powerful, as in the old Howdah pistols of the 19th century.

It remained primarily the province of handgun enthusiasts, some law enforcement personnel and hunters until 1971, when Clint Eastwood made it famous as "the most powerful handgun in the world" in the movie Dirty Harry. After the movie's release, retailers had trouble keeping the Model 29 in stock.