would you? Buy a S&W 29 for...

Status
Not open for further replies.
P

PT1911

Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2009
Messages
3,139
Location
alabama
would you jump on the opportunity to get a smith model 29-? 44 mag in nickle...98% condition, factory wood stocks, and estimating barrel length at the 8 3/8 inch option?

all for the pretty price of $600.00....

what do you think?

I have flirted with the idea of getting a 44 mag recently but always leaned toward a Ruger SBH in the caliber; however, I do not think I will be able to pass on this opportunity instead. I guess I will just have to live with the shame....:D
 
Um, yeah...Duh!! I just bought a Ruger Redhawk in 44 mag, but I have always flirted with owning a S&W 29. The main reason I haven't was the price.
 
kinda surprised as to the direction this seems to be heading.


barrel length is not really an issue. I actually think I would prefer it in shooting and possibly hunting with it. not exactly going to conceal carry it...
 
I agree PT. The 29's I was eyeing were 8-3/8 and 10-5/8. Great for all-around shooting fun and not for any carrying. Although my new Ruger Redhawk has a 4" barrel, I would only use it for backpack carry (but it is HEAVY) in bear country, never for CCW. Makes me tired just thinking about that...
 
I just traded a guy locally for a 629 stainless with 6.5" barrel. The guy had never fired it and it was manufactured this past June. I gave him a Taurus P85 stainless .38 spl and and Taurus PT111 Millenium NIB. I had $460 tied up in those two guns. I feel like I ripped the guy off, but he's a big boy and initiated the trade.

I say "go for it", if it's what you are looking for and can justify it to yourself. The cost is about right.
 
Right now, I'd pass... I don't like anything over 6" in a handgun unless I was going to be using it for hunting only.

I can get a brand new Ruger SBH 5.5" stainless for under $500 out the door :) In fact, I'm getting one for myself for Christmas. So, I'd get the SBH, and use the extra $100 on ammo.
 
If I wanted an 8 3/8" bbl for long-range target work or hunting, then I'd buy it, Yes.

But I don't need a gun like that, so I'd pass. If it were any shorter bbl, I'd really be interested. Nickel N frames are gorgeous. If it were a nickel 5" - I'd sell a kidney to get if I needed too. Just gorgeous.

kinda surprised as to the direction this seems to be heading.
Click to expand...

I think that's because you are surprised how little loved the long barrels are and the discount barrel length brings. A 3" or 3.5" N frame magnum these days is a solid $700/$800 or even higher:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=145314374

Price goes down from there by each barrel length beyond that. It's a function of supply/demand - no surprise. In the "old days" - cc was not common. Guns were sold without that in mind and people chose long barrels. Now that carry is widespread, older guns with short barrels are highly prized and longer ones trade at a big discount.
 
Last edited:
If it's a P&R'ed M29 I would buy it with out hesitation. Obviously not a concealed carry piece, but the N frame in any barrel length is not the ideal carry piece. It would be great for range work and hunting. Short barrel N frames are in demand now but it's a passing fancy.
 
Do you hunt or reload and target shoot at long distances?

If not, spend your money on something more useful.
 
Yes I hunt, I will be getting into reloading soon enough (though kinda late), and always up for some target shooting... my experience with the 44 mag is limited although I enjoyed every second of it.. As previously stated, there will be a 44 mag in my not too distant future, of the super black hawk variety, if this deal falls through. I am not sure how I will be able to pass on it though. A big bore single action is classic but when something falls in your lap...


Once again, as to barrel length, it is a non-issue. It would actually be more of an issue with a short barrel as I would find the gun to be useless... any carry the gun will see will be in the woods where concealment is not necessary in the least.
 
Smith 29

A lot of people seem to not like the long barrels.
I do most of my shooting at a indoor range and like the long barrel.
I find it makes the gun , yes a 44 magnum a pussycat to shoot.
Mine is a 629-1 That has been polished up to a Ultimate Bright Stainless type finish.
 

Attachments

  • 629 front.jpg
    629 front.jpg
    104.5 KB · Views: 37
  • 629 Right.jpg
    629 Right.jpg
    138.9 KB · Views: 25
that is a beautiful gun Pattontime.... I really liiike the grips. If the looks are any inclination, I bet that is a hell of a shooter.
 
I'm not much into 8"+ barrels but for six bills I'd be sorely tempted, 'specially if it was a post -2E, pre -5 sort of thing.

I'm not much into hunting but if I was the barrel length wouldn't be problem. Shiny nickel might be a problem as would a too-early model.

If I didn't already have several 29s, I'd be all over it. They're getting harder to find. If you don't already have one in a more desirable barrel length ...

Procrastination doesn't work well with older S&Ws.
 
This is my S&W 29-2 (built in 1971) 8 3/4" barrel I got trading a POS EAA Witness (a.k.a. The Jammingmaster) + $300 and never looked back.

Tight as a vault, it always draw admired stares at the range.
The wooden grips are original.
I used it as hiking handgun (swapping the orignal grips with Pachmayr rubber grips)

I would trade it only for an identical model blued in the exact same conditions (98%....I have no original box or cleaning kit) with no extra money.

The 44 Magnum cartridge really shines out of longer barrels, their "natural" environment IMHO....that round has never been intended to be used in easy to carry/conceal handguns. a 4" or less 44 Mag revolver doesn't make sense, in my opinion.

S%26W%2029%20side.jpg
 
it is a 29-3 as it turns out... I will decide for sure tomorrow whether or not to bring er home.... I am definitely having a difficult time thinking of any justification to NOT get the gun... As hawk said, it isnt like they are getting any easier to find.

that is pretty sweet saturno...one of the greatest thrills I have had at the range was shooting a friends Smith .44 mag ( I forget the model) I have wanted one since.
 
$600 is far more than I have paid for any of the more than 1/2 doz that I have had.
I am down to a blued Classic 5" but the best I had was a 629 8 3/8 but I traded it to a friend who loved it and promptly had it stolen.
I could hit the 300yd plate about 60% of the time with the 629, it was a hell of a gun.
 
Don't let that make you hesitate vs. a 29-2. The -3 models were on average very well built on newer machinery
Click to expand...

No hesitation whatsoever... just giving more details of the gun in question.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

D
  • Locked
S&W Model 29-4 Performance Center
Replies
4
Views
609
Standing Wolf
S
J
  • Locked
S & W Model 29-3 barrel issue
Replies
8
Views
1K
JohnnyB
J
MidRoad
  • Locked
Whats the deal with S&W 29/629
2 3 4 5
Replies
103
Views
13K
MrBorland
MrBorland
M
  • Locked
pondering my big revolver purchase
Replies
7
Views
781
10-Ring
1
1
  • Locked
Opinions needed on S&W 29 in nickle
Replies
7
Views
820
Archie
Archie
Back
Top