New S&W 29-2

[vanfunk]

Hi All:

I picked up this S&W 29-2 after looking for one locally for a long time without success. It came into my LGS as part of a fairly large collection of shooter-grade revolvers. This one’s beautiful with about 98% bluing but there’s one catch - whoever the nitwit previous owner was, he saw fit to engine turn the hammer and trigger! All that lovely color case is gone, repalced by swirls. Well, better to have a 29-2 in the hand than not, so it’s mine. This one shows signs of maybe a box or two of ammo through it. Actually, I kind of like that it’s been “molested” so I can do as God intended - shoot the thing! Tell me, anybody know of a shop that will re-case harden S&W hammers and triggers?

 

[Bazoo]

Congratulations. Could be a lot worse. At least it’s reversible. They could have done the whole gun!

 

[vanfunk]

Haha! THAT would be interesting. Yes, thank goodness for that.

 

[Ethan Verity]

Did they polish the sear notch as well? Hopefully not, but if so I would just make sure the hammer doesn't fall when pushed on while cocked (hammer push off test).

 

[vanfunk]

Nope, the trigger works perfectly. DA is 10lbs and SA is 3lbs, no movement when the cocked hammer is pushed. Serial is N337XXX which I think is mid-70’s production? The Dirty Harry phenomenon?

 

[.38 Special]

Several places offer gun-specific bone charcoal case hardening. The only one I can vouch for is Turnbull Restoration. They are neither cheap nor quick, but the result will be perfect.

You may also consider just buying a new hammer and trigger. A quick eBay search reveals both are available.

And congratulations on the gun! I am green with envy!

 

[243winxb]

Factory should have parts. Sent my M29-2 back on April 27, 2018.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Hi All:

I picked up this S&W 29-2 after looking for one locally for a long time without success. It came into my LGS as part of a fairly large collection of shooter-grade revolvers. This one’s beautiful with about 98% bluing but there’s one catch - whoever the nitwit previous owner was, he saw fit to engine turn the happmmer and trigger! All that lovely color case is gone, repalced by swirls. Well, better to have a 29-2 in the hand than not, so it’s mine. This one shows signs of maybe a box or two of ammo through it. Actually, I kind of like that it’s been “molested” so I can do as God intended - shoot the thing! Tell me, anybody know of a shop that will re-case harden S&W hammers and triggers?

View attachment 1191293

that’s a shame what they did to the trigger & hammer

 

[halfmoonclip]

Liked it when first opening the thread; still like it.
Let it alone; it's fine.
Moon

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I'd rather have swirley forged bits than new MIM.
Nice Magnum, sir!

 

[vanfunk]

Just found a bea-U-tiful N frame hammer and trigger for my 29-2 so those will arrive Feb 2. I just didn’t think I could live with the jeweling. I *should* be able to fit the trigger but if not, I have a good local smith who can do it. This gun’s going to be so nice. Oh, forgot to mention it came with the mahogany presentation box. I don’t really care about that but it’s nice to have. It’s not as strong as my Anaconda but it should be able to handle my handloads of 240 grain LSWCs in front of 18.5 grains of 2400.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Just found a bea-U-tiful N frame hammer and trigger for my 29-2 so those will arrive Feb 2. I just didn’t think I could live with the jeweling. I *should* be able to fit the trigger but if not, I have a good local smith who can do it. This gun’s going to be so nice. Oh, forgot to mention it came with the mahogany presentation box. I don’t really care about that but it’s nice to have. It’s not as strong as my Anaconda but it should be able to handle my handloads of 240 grain LSWCs in front of 18.5 grains of 2400.

I’m a sucker for wood cases. look up the prices on mahogany gun cases and you will be SHOCKED

 

[Col. Harrumph]

anybody know of a shop that will re-case harden S&W hammers and triggers?

Yup. www.fordsguns.com. They did a fine job on my 1896, the hammer and trigger of which had been nickeled by bubba.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Yup. www.fordsguns.com. They did a fine job on my 1896, the hammer and trigger of which had been nickeled by bubba.

 

[357smallbore]

S&W Blued 29-2 are awesome. Congratulations on the buy.
I have a mint 4in blued 29-2
Ain't going anywhere

 

[vanfunk]

Nice! Ford’s does awesome work; I had a beat up .22 masterpiece reblued there a thousand years ago but didn’t know they do case colors/hardening too. I’ll look them up if my inbound trigger and hammer don’t cut the mustard. Meanwhile I’m going to shoot it on Monday, yay!

 

[halfmoonclip]

I'd rather have swirley forged bits than new MIM.
Nice Magnum, sir!

I have newer, MIM Smiths, but, on balance, I agree.
Moon

 

[bangswitch]

Oh, forgot to mention it came with the mahogany presentation box. I don’t really care about that but it’s nice to have.

They're worth over $400 in good condition. Not sure what you gave for the package, but that's a very nice revolver, congrats. It dates to 1975-76, as you surmise. I can think of worse things than the engine turnings, but I'd want Case-color on mine. Oh, yeah, I have case color. I've got a nickel M29-2 from 1979. I don't shoot it because it was new in the box and I wanted to keep it that way. I have a M57 I shoot instead.

 

[Mark_Mark]

They're worth over $400 in good condition. Not sure what you gave for the package, but that's a very nice revolver, congrats. It dates to 1975-76, as you surmise. I can think of worse things than the engine turnings, but I'd want Case-color on mine. Oh, yeah, I have case color. I've got a nickel M29-2 from 1979. I don't shoot it because it was new in the box and I wanted to keep it that way. I have a M57 I shoot instead.
View attachment 1191475

YEP! even the regular oak presentation cases goes for $200+

 

[vanfunk]

Thanks guys, good to know! The box is in good shape and the “flocking” on the top and bottom liners is 90% intact, though the accessories and papers are AWOL.

I looked into a couple of shops that will re-color case harden the hammer and trigger and the prices are consistent but exorbitant- $450. I ordered a like new N frame hammer and trigger set off of Ebay that should arrive in a few days. Hopefully they’ll drop in but if not, I have a decent local gunsmith who can fit them. It could be worse, for sure, but I really can’t stand the jeweling; it totally disturbs the subtle beauty of the revolver. We’re getting a storm tomorrow and Monday so it’ll have to wait ‘til Tuesday to shoot. I have some hot .44 Special/light Magnum 240 grain LSWC loads that my Anaconda and 629 really like, so I’ll start with those and see how she does.

 

[bangswitch]

Thanks guys, good to know! The box is in good shape and the “flocking” on the top and bottom liners is 90% intact, though the accessories and papers are AWOL.

If you plan to store the revolver in its case, wrap it with a silicone cloth first so the flocking doesn't come off and stick to the gun. The silicone also helps keep moisture at bay, and you'll also have a cloth to wipe the gun down after handling.

 

[lightman]

Very nice! Its a shame about the hammer and trigger but it sounds like you have a fix for them in the works. "Harry Callahan" caused me to spend a few hundred dollars back in the day!

 

[vanfunk]

Thanks! Good advice on the box, I’m sure. I don’t think I’ll store it in the box; more likely it’ll be well-oiled and sleep on the top shelf of my gun safe (surrounded by Colts!).

 

[Mark_Mark]

Thanks! Good advice on the box, I’m sure. I don’t think I’ll store it in the box; more likely it’ll be well-oiled and sleep on the top shelf of my gun safe (surrounded by Colts!).

Colt Guy! I knew it!

S&W guys are like “Keep it as is, period correct ”

Colt Guys, are cowboys and don’t hold their feelings in “Merica ”

 

[243winxb]

Have this M29-2 from new. Shot a lot.