Absolutely magnificent!!! I'm a die-hard revolver guy - two very nice revolvers.
In the 70's after the Dirty Harry movie was released, everyone wanted a Model 29, 44 Magnum but none were available at any price or at least I never saw one for sale.
The Ruger Blackhawk helped fill the void - a very nice, durable and accurate revolver. I never owned one holding out for the Model 29, but my best friend had one and we shot it a lot. He replaced the trigger springs and added aftermarket stocks which help tame the recoil.
Loaded with 2400 powder and 240 grain jacket soft points, we could regularly hit a pie plate target at 100 yards in the sitting position with arms resting on the knees.
I finally got Model 29 who had a contact with an S&W distributor. It was a beautiful, extremely well-made firearm. I shot it about a year or so then a guy offered me double what I paid for it. So, like an idiot, I sold it figuring I'd get another one.
Never did however - biggest firearm regret of my shooting life. However, the great S&W Model 27, 357 Magnum helped assuage the pain of selling my Model 29. In truth, I shot the Model 27 much better and became quite proficient with it, enough to successfully hunt ground hogs in western PA's hilling terrain.
