Thank you guys. In your opinion when did the model 29 loose the smoothness of the original models???? After the pinned and recessed were gone????
That would be dash 3. The dash 3 (1983) changes (getting rid of pinned barrels and recessed chambers) were largely for cheapening production costs, but some of the changes were legitimately for increasing durability with heavy loads.
If you have a pre-83 Model 29, do most of your shooting with lead .44 "Magnum" light loads, or .44 Special lead loads, and it will last several lifetimes. Save the full power jacketed heavy Magnums for big game hunting or bear defense.
