Two months ago one of my cousins was killed in a motorcycle accident. He was like my big brother growing up and is the person who kindled my interest in firearms. He always wanted a Model 29 with the famous Dirty Harry quote engraved on it. So my question is If I get a model 29 classic where would the best place be to get it engraved. And what should I look for in a revolver to buy size's etc I want as close to dirty harry as possible without having to find a 29-2. SO does smith offer a current model to get a close match off of. I talked to his wife today about it and it will have to be a shooter too because as she said if he could see me putting it in a display and never using it he would probably shoot me with it . So ill need holster ideas, I am putting off a ar purchase for this because it holds alot of personal meaning for me. So to the good folks of G&G who are my best source for this info what say you?
__________________ "Till The Battle Is Won" GO CATS
KF, S&W's current production Model 29s still look like Harry's Model 29. The biggest external difference is the grips. Beginning with the 29-6 in 1994, the pistol went to Hogue molded rubber grips. If you don't like those, I daresay a gun shop could find you a set of traditional walnut grips for a Model 29 without much trouble and without breaking the bank for you.
However, an internal difference which matters (to me, at least) is that commencing with the Model 29-3, the barrel is a crush-fit barrel instead of the traditional screw-and-pin barrel of the Model 29 and 29-2. I don't like crush-fit barrels. I'd want a 29-2, if it were me.
As far as barrel length: if you watch the movies closely, the barrel length varies from 6 1/2 inches to 8 3/8 inches depending on the focus of the scene and the effect the director wants. (Example: in the famous "Go ahead. Make my day" scene in Sudden Impact, Harry is using an 8 3/8 inch barrel. In the crook's point of view shot, Eastwood wanted to give the effect that the crook was staring down the barrel of a cannon.) Unless you plan to hunt with it, I'd recommend a 6 1/2 inch barrel. There is more than enough room on the barrel to engrave "Go ahead. Make my day." I have an N-frame Model 25 chambered for .45 ACP in 6 1/2 inches, and it is a sweet-shooting pistol. I'm presuming you want to shoot the gun, of course, and not have it be a safe queen.
Bottom line: I feel the gun you want is a Model 29-2 with a 6 1/2 inch barrel and walnut grips.
Same concept . maybe going with a stainless finish though she found out today fro, her brother that he actually wanted a 629 classic, still with the Dirty Harry quote. I appreciate the help guys I really do.
__________________ "Till The Battle Is Won" GO CATS
KF: While I admire your devotion to the memory of your special cousin, I for one would not have the metalwork of the handgun engraved in any manner. IMHO, you ought to consider custom-made grips with the cousin's name inlaid on one side and the Clint Eastwood saying on the other. That way the value of the handgun is retained and when the handgun goes away or needs to be replaced the custom grips could be displayed in a memorial shadow box. Just my thoughts. ........... Big Cholla
KF: While I admire your devotion to the memory of your special cousin, I for one would not have the metalwork of the handgun engraved in any manner. IMHO, you ought to consider custom-made grips with the cousin's name inlaid on one side and the Clint Eastwood saying on the other. That way the value of the handgun is retained and when the handgun goes away or needs to be replaced the custom grips could be displayed in a memorial shadow box. Just my thoughts. ........... Big Cholla
^THIS!^
__________________
Ever feel like the world's a tuxedo, and you're a pair of brown shoes? - George Gobel
KF: While I admire your devotion to the memory of your special cousin, I for one would not have the metalwork of the handgun engraved in any manner. IMHO, you ought to consider custom-made grips with the cousin's name inlaid on one side and the Clint Eastwood saying on the other. That way the value of the handgun is retained and when the handgun goes away or needs to be replaced the custom grips could be displayed in a memorial shadow box. Just my thoughts. ........... Big Cholla
I might have to look into this as well.
__________________ "Till The Battle Is Won" GO CATS
FYI as I understand it, some of the scenes in Dirty Harry were shot with him using a Model 27. You'd have to pay attention and look close to tell.
Actually, it was a Model 25 shooting either.45 ACP blanks or 5-in-1 blanks, which would fit a Model 25 chambered for .45 colt, aka ".45 Long Colt." No one seems sure which. 5-in-1 blanks will shoot in something chambered for .45 Colt, and there was plenty of blank .45 ACP ammo around because of 20 years of making war movies set in World War II.
In 1970 no one was making blanks in .44 Magnum, and the Model 25 is built on the same N frame as the Model 29. You have to look really closely at the cylinders to tell them apart by sight. So what Don Siegel, the director of Dirty Harry, did was this. Any time you see Harry's pistol up close, like the scene where he draws down on the wounded bank robber and delivers the "Do I feel lucky?" speech, Eastwood is holding a Model 29. But in any scene where Eastwood fired his pistol, it was a Model 25 loaded with blanks.
By the way, Siegel owns one of the "hero guns" Eastwood used in the movie. It's currently on loan to the Natioanal Firearms Museum, where it can be seen in their "Hollywood Guns" gallery.
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. So ill need holster ideas, I am putting off a ar purchase for this because it holds alot of personal meaning for me. So to the good folks of G&G who are my best source for this info what say you?
