[Georgvus]

During what year did S&W change cylinder throat to 0.429" from the oversize 0.434".

 

[William Iorg]

In 1989 S&W incorporated many performance enhancements on the Model 29.
If your library has any old Shooting Times magazines look for the article from the September 1989 issue by Dick Metcalf titled: “S&W’s Model 29, Redesigned With strength in Mind.” At this time all of the tolerances were tightened up and these are fine revolvers. I have one of the 5” Classics and have shot it quite a bit with 300-grain bullets. I wish I could shoot up to the potential of this revolver’s accuracy but I will say that after many years of practice the Model 29 shows no sign of wear, has lost none of its accuracy potential and is seemingly: indestructible.
One of the things I did early on was to buy several different heights of front sights. I adjusted my loads so I could change bullet weight and velocity while maintaining the same (approximately) point of impact.

 

[Boxhead]

My earliest M29 was bought new in 1977 and its throats measure .430".

 

[GBertolet]

My 29-2 purchased new in 1977 has .433 throats. I'm lucky my molds cast that large. Shoots good with the right size bullets.

 

[William Iorg]

The transition to the “enhanced” Model 29 took a few years. Brian Pearce wrote a good article covering the transition period for Handloader No. 241 (June 2006) titled: “Handloading the Smith and Wesson Model 29.”

Dick Metcalf wrote: “S&W’s .44 Magnums for the March 1991 issue of Shooting Times.

Wiley Clapp wrote and article titled: S&W’s New .44 Magna Classic for the October 1990 issue of G&A.

These articles cover the enhancement process pretty thoroughly.