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View Full Version : S&W model 29 gun show purchase. Questions



ghostman1960
12-31-11, 14:36
I bought this today at the gun show. It was an impulse purchase to say the least. I know nothing about these guns. I paid $700.00 from a private seller. Supposedly it is unfired. I cannot find and signs that it has been fired myself. If anyone can give me any information regarding this I would love to read it. I think I have to take the grips off to get to the serial # but have not done so yet as I don't have the right size screw driver to remove the small grip screws. Thanks in advance.

http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/zz159/ghostman1961/2011-12-31145645.jpg

Timbonez
12-31-11, 16:26
What dash, if any, Model 29 is it? You got that revolver for a steal at $700. It has a pinned barrel, which means it should also have recessed chambers in the cylinder. P&R S&Ws were made up until the early 80s. Coincidentally P&R S&Ws command a higher price than non-P&R ones. All in all a very good find.

ghostman1960
12-31-11, 17:06
What dash, if any, Model 29 is it? You got that revolver for a steal at $700. It has a pinned barrel, which means it should also have recessed chambers in the cylinder. P&R S&Ws were made up until the early 80s. Coincidentally P&R S&Ws command a higher price than non-P&R ones. All in all a very good find.
Model 29-2. I have since learned that it was made between 79 and 80.

rm06
12-31-11, 18:03
If it is indeed a 29-2, the model number as well as the serial number should be stamped on the frame where the cylinder swings out. I only occasionally dabble in revolvers but S&Ws are my favorite - these guys will certainly be more helpful than I ever could: http://smith-wessonforum.com/index.php

And $700 seems a good price since it included all the swag. The 8" barrels tend to sell for a bit less than the 6 and 4" models. I purchased a mid-seventies 4" 29-2 a few years ago for $750 which was priced perhaps a bit high but it was available and I had the means and desire.

It looks like a nice piece, congratulations. If you reload, .44 specials are a pleasure to shoot out of these heavy guns.

blasternank
01-02-12, 23:26
Looks like the one the started making after Dirty Harry! "Do you feel lucky punk? Well do ya?"

TiroFijo
01-03-12, 08:31
ghostman1960, that's a BEAUTIFUL revolver, congratulations! :)

Every time I see these beauties I can't help but think "they don't make them like that anymore..."

I would shoot it mostly with mid range 44 mag ammo, you could get a 240 gr @ 1200+ fps easily with in this barrel length with modest loads, and if you use medium burning rate powders (like unique or a little slower) the powder dosage is low and recoil and blast very mild.

Lost River
01-03-12, 18:36
Congrats on a fine looking old Smith! That is a gem of an example.

The 29-2 will handle a steady diet of 44 mag loads. People have repeated what they have read on the internet with little to no personal experience in the matter.


Over the years I have fired 10s of thousands of rounds through various M29 Smiths and Rugers and can attest to the fact that the Smiths will take far more than most folks will realize.

Normally the weakest link in the equation is the shooter. Normally the shooter wll want to back their loads off to a medium velocity load or target load, since there really is no reason to shoot full power loads on a regular basis. It is hard on wrists over the long term.

Eye candy:

All Smith .44s

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/028-4.jpg

Various .44s

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/017-6.jpg

Lost River
01-03-12, 18:48
If you decide to reload, here are three levels I have used for years. Start off at the bottom. When you are at your acceptable level of accuracy, step up to the next level.

The light loads are great for jackrabbits, target practice, etc.

The mid range loads will go clean through mule deer, wild boar, etc. It is an excellent "all around" load.

The heavy load will drop elk.

Three main loads:

Light load: 8.5 grains Unique/ 240 or 250 LSWC

Medium load: 10 grains Unique/ 240 or 250 LSWC

Heavy load: 22 grains H110/ 240 or 300-340 LSWC or LBT wide meplat style.


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/dec2006232-1.jpg

Hogsgunwild
01-04-12, 05:24
Nice blasters. What I wouldn't give for a five inch Model 29 DX...

My three inch, unfluted, full underlug M29-4 (special ordered from Camfor or RSR according to S&W) shoots like a dream.

Lost River
01-04-12, 08:59
I am a big fan of 5" N frames myself, as the picture obviously would indicate.

The 4" ones are great for packing and I do my best shooting with the 6.5" version, but I have found that the 5" seems to be the "sweet spot".

A while back I took a 8 & 3/8ths" Model 29-2 and sent it off to SDM Fabricating. I had him trim the barrel back to 5"s, install an interchangable front sight system just like on the Classic/Classic DX versions and narrow and polish smooth the target trigger.

Results:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/039-1.jpg

Fit nicely in with the Classic and Classic DX, though the DX no longer wears those finger groove grips, which I am not a fan of.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/055-1.jpg

Updated pic of 5" DX with new, shooter friendly grips.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/048-1.jpg

Sorry for the thread drift..

TurretGunner
01-08-12, 15:03
I am a big fan of 5" N frames myself, as the picture obviously would indicate.

The 4" ones are great for packing and I do my best shooting with the 6.5" version, but I have found that the 5" seems to be the "sweet spot".

A while back I took a 8 & 3/8ths" Model 29-2 and sent it off to SDM Fabricating. I had him trim the barrel back to 5"s, install an interchangable front sight system just like on the Classic/Classic DX versions and narrow and polish smooth the target trigger.

Results:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/039-1.jpg

Fit nicely in with the Classic and Classic DX, though the DX no longer wears those finger groove grips, which I am not a fan of.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/055-1.jpg

Updated pic of 5" DX with new, shooter friendly grips.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/048-1.jpg

Sorry for the thread drift..

Chopping down a 29-2 should put you in jail. Why not sell it any buy a 6"?

Timbonez
01-08-12, 15:14
Because he likes the 5" barrels, not 6". Very nice, Lost River. I prefer 5" barrels on revolvers in general as well. They definitely balance for me better than other barrel lengths.

TurretGunner
01-08-12, 17:08
Yea but its a P&R Smith. They aren't made anymore. Why not butcher something that is replaceable.

Hogsgunwild
01-08-12, 21:00
I seriously considered doing a "Buy It Now" on this myself. I guess I don't need one that badly (yet):

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=268347170

Lost River
01-09-12, 13:06
Chopping down a 29-2 should put you in jail. Why not sell it any buy a 6"?

Chopping an 8&3/8ths" 29-2 should put me in jail eh? :rolleyes:

I am guessing you have not spent much time in the field packing one. BTW, I already own a 6" 29-2, as well as a 6.5" 29-2.

I find the 5" N frames to be the perfect balance between shootability and packability. I find the barrel length to be the most practical of all.

I spend a good bit of time handgun hunting. It might be fair to say, a little more than most...

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/125-1.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/dec2006213.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/009-2.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/026-1.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/001-6.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/dec2006035-1.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/montanaIdaho085.jpg


Look at it this way, if the 8&3/8ths" 29-2s are such a prize, (which they are the least sought after by collectors)and I cut this one back to a more practical length, it made all of yours that much more valuable...:D

Artos
01-09-12, 14:46
Yea but its a P&R Smith. They aren't made anymore. Why not butcher something that is replaceable.

agreed...can't see any reason to devalue the gun when you can get another. I personallly would not mess with any collectable gun.



I'm so pissed I sold my 4" model 57...I think that 41mag is one of the best six shooters S&W came out with.

Lost River
01-09-12, 15:42
I seriously considered doing a "Buy It Now" on this myself. I guess I don't need one that badly (yet):

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=268347170


Hogs,

If you think $1,350 for the 5" Classic is too rich for your blood right now, wait a few years..

It was not all that long ago that I remember thinking that the prices had gone through the roof, due to the fact that people were asking (and getting) $500 for a used 4" 29-2.

Those 5" Classics are not too common these days.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/Taffin44project037.jpg

TurretGunner
01-09-12, 17:27
Wow thats awsome Lost. I would love to do some handgun hunting like that.

I'm about to buy a 19-3 and will be looking for a .44 big brother within the year. Maybe even a Dan Wesson.

Lost River
01-09-12, 18:02
Well Turret Gunner,

It just so happens that I have a little dry cabin smack in the middle of Elmer Keith country.

You can bring your .357 and/or borrow a .44.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/cabinnov09051.jpg

There is no shortage of country to roam.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/LostRiverRangeOct08006.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/MackayJun16-20008.jpg

We have badgers too. They are not often seen, but be fore warned. They have a bad temper.. :D

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/G19Badger.jpg

Hogsgunwild
01-10-12, 11:35
I didn't think the Classic was too bad of a deal, I just haven't had the time to use my "outdoor guns" much these days. I have paid some premium prices over the years on a few hard to find "like new" guns and always appreciated the fact that you could still find a cherry that hasn't been produced in several decades.

I envy your life-style up there Lost River. I went to a friend's farm for some coyote hunting a few years ago. He has his own 5000 feet runway that doubles as his rifle range. Cruised around in his Jeep,
shot off of his back porch at his pistol range, had a flock of wild turkeys
that had unknowingly surrounded us, take off over us. Really something to have a place to enjoy the outdoors like that.

By the way, life is too short not to chop up a gun so that it is exactly how you want it. The only sense collecting guns ever made to me was so you can make a profit down the road when someone like me wants a brand new Model 29 or Python or whatever so I can actually take it out and shoot the crap out of it.

kaltblitz
01-10-12, 21:36
Updated pic of 5" DX with new, shooter friendly grips.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/048-1.jpg

Sorry for the thread drift..

What grips are those?

Lost River
01-11-12, 10:30
They are out of a small shop in Soda Springs, Idaho. I cannot think of the name off the top of my head and I just looked all over my work bench and could not locate the card.

The gentleman goes by the handle Idaho1945 at 24hourCampfire. He is an extremely accomplished handgun hunter. I bought these 90% finished and shaped and finished them myself.


It is hard to tell in this picture, but the right hand side is designed to fill more of the hand (for a right handed shooter). This gives better control during recoil.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/046-1.jpg