Irons or glass on my model 29

Diesel-Dad · May 25, 2021

Just brought home my new to me model 29 won at an auction last week. The gun is missing its rear sight and has a rail mounted instead. I’d love to go to original iron sights but am not having luck finding them any where on line.

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mopar92 · May 25, 2021

What is the porpoise of the gun? Hunting? Target shooting? Defensive?

Diesel-Dad · May 26, 2021

mopar92 said:
What is the porpoise of the gun? Hunting? Target shooting? Defensive?

Target shooting plunking maybe and that’s a big maybe on the hunting side. I like simple. Looking around the internet though it won’t be simple put the rear sight on.

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joppaj · May 26, 2021

Have you ever used a scoped handgun? I personally found it a lot more challenging than I expected it to be.

dontpanic · May 26, 2021

Try an Ultrdot. So

http://www.ultradoteast.com/

outrider58 · May 26, 2021

joppaj said:
Have you ever used a scoped handgun? I personally found it a lot more challenging than I expected it to be.

They aren't that bad if you keep them around 2X. These days, I prefer red dots.

Diesel-Dad · May 26, 2021

joppaj said:
Have you ever used a scoped handgun? I personally found it a lot more challenging than I expected it to be.

I have not.

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Sundancer · May 26, 2021

Check out gunpartscorp.com as they have many of the rear sight parts available for model 29s. Not sure which exact model yours is, but I looked through a few different models and most if not all parts look like they are available there. Search by make, revolver, and the model and they will have a schematic with parts list.

https://www.gunpartscorp.com

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Diesel-Dad · May 26, 2021

Sundancer said:
Check out gunpartscorp.com as they have many of the rear sight parts available for model 29s. Not sure which exact model yours is, but I looked through a few different models and most if not all parts look like they are available there. Search by make, revolver, and the model and they will have a schematic with parts list.

https://www.gunpartscorp.com

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If that is numrichs I looked last night and didn’t see complete assemblies available. It also appeared they were lacking some parts to assemble a rear sight. I’m no expert but I plan to keep checking there and asking locally. I’m also going to ask the auction house if they can put me in contact with the seller so I can see if they have it somewhere.

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Sundancer · May 26, 2021

Yes, that is Numrich. Found a neat chart at http://bowenclassicarms.com/parts_store/smith_&_wesson_height_chart.html that shows sight heights by model and bowen also sells replacement sights. Both Midway and Brownells have sights in stock but not sure if they will work for you based on what you need. BTW - None of it looks cheap.

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ohen cepel · May 26, 2021

Any idea how it was drilled and tapped? If not done well/right the rear sight may not cover the holes so you may want to stick with the rail.

Ultradot is a good suggestion as well as other good dots. 2x scope is also a solid option but do seem harder to use (for me).

John from MD · May 26, 2021

I used to carry a Model 29 6 inch and switched to a Taurus Tracker for a shorter, ported barrel which made it faster to get into action. I initially put fiber optics on it but later switched to Bushnell Fast Fire III optic with a 2 MOA dot. After practicing, I found it was faster to get on target and gave me more than acceptable accuracy (minute of bear, pig).

If I was still hunting today, I would probably put one of the newer optics like the Trijicon RMR, Vortex Venom and the like only I would get a 6 MOA dot. The 6 MOA dots are more defined and you get less star effect.

Magnumite · May 26, 2021

I’ve used scoped pistols in years passed. I still prefer irons, though. Much of it because holding the revolver lower due to the higher line of sight over bore isn’t as second nature as using irons. With today’s mini dots I wouldn’t see that being as extreme, though with the mount, adapter and mini-dot on I imagine line of sight is still pretty high.

As far as precision, using a two power scope long eye relief scope and no gunsmith Weaver Mount I was shooting 7/8” bench rested groups at 75 yards with handloads from my 7.5” Super Blackhawk. With irons at the time I was shooting about 2.0-2.5” rested at the same distance. I still greatly prefer iron sights on a handgun.

Question really becomes how svelte do you want the handgun?

Bountied · May 26, 2021

Diesel-Dad said:
I have not.

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On the long eye relief scopes finding the eye box can be challenging, especially when hunting. I have a scope on my .44 and mostly shoot it off a bag so it's not too bad. I may go back to a red dot.

Pale Ryder · May 26, 2021

From a cursory search on the internet I think you first have to determine if this is an older or newer model. Older had a square cut leaf spring whereas the newer has a rounded leaf. Older, equals harder to find.
If it were mine, I’d put a micro reddot like a Vortex Venom on it first. Then continue looking for a rear sight at some of the larger gun shows, and online vendors. It shouldn’t have to be model specific, any N frame sight should work, provided it is correct as to whether square or round leaf.

Bountied · May 26, 2021

trickg · May 26, 2021

Iron. 100% iron. Restore that gun to what it was (IMO) meant to be. It may take some time and maybe a little extra money to find the correct sight for it (have you tried the Mother Ship?) but it will be worth it to do it right and get it back to what it was.

Diesel-Dad · May 26, 2021

Pale Ryder said:
From a cursory search on the internet I think you first have to determine if this is an older or newer model. Older had a square cut leaf spring whereas the newer has a rounded leaf. Older, equals harder to find.
If it were mine, I’d put a micro reddot like a Vortex Venom on it first. Then continue looking for a rear sight at some of the larger gun shows, and online vendors. It shouldn’t have to be model specific, any N frame sight should work, provided it is correct as to whether square or round leaf.

So I was screwing around with stuff on my bench last night and attempted to
Put this holosun on it but it wouldn’t fit because of the bolt.

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Pale Ryder · May 26, 2021

Maybe it’s a Weaver slot and the Holosun has a Picatinny bolt. There are some differences. I’m not an expert, but it’s sorta like “round peg in a square hole”. If it is a Weaver mount you’ll need an adapter, or RD set for Weaver mount.

John from MD · May 26, 2021

Pale Ryder said:
Maybe it’s a Weaver slot and the Holosun has a Picatinny bolt. There are some differences. I’m not an expert, but it’s sorta like “round peg in a square hole”. If it is a Weaver mount you’ll need an adapter, or RD set for Weaver mount.

Yup, early bases were Weaver and Picatinny won't go into Weaver.

That Holosun is toooooo big anyway.

Irons or glass on my model 29

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