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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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  #1  
Old 09-10-2009, 10:32 PM
garandman garandman is offline
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Default Model 29-2 with 4" barrel -rare ?????????

I have been looking for over a year now for a S&W model 29-2 blue with a 4" barrel. I have found lots of 3.5", lots of 6" and one 8 -3/8" but not any 4" models. Question : Is a 4" blue 29-2 rare ? Or are they real popular in that barrel lenght that most owners just keep them forever ? The reason I want the 4" barrel is because a good friend of mine is a S&W collector and he has every barrel length model 29 made except for a 5". I have fired them all and to me the best balanced model 29 is the 4".Can anyone out there answer my questions. THANKS.
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Old 09-10-2009, 10:45 PM
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I'd say that a 3.5" 29-2 would be a lot more scarce than a 4".
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Old 09-11-2009, 12:27 AM
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Can't answer your question on rarity of the 4" barrel but I would assume they made less 4" than 6" and 6 1/2". Pre-29's I'm certain are rarer in 4".

I will agree the 4" 29-2 is one well balanced handgun. It comes up on target every time and feels good in the hand. My thoughts are the heavy barrel has quite a bit to do with it. The M13 has a similar balance and it has the heavy barrel.

Rod
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Old 09-11-2009, 12:31 AM
shawn mccarver shawn mccarver is offline
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I'd say that a 3.5" 29-2 would be a lot more scarce than a 4".
I would definitely agree with that!
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Old 09-11-2009, 02:36 AM
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I would like to know where these 3 1/2" M29's have been seen.



Bruce
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Old 09-11-2009, 02:52 AM
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I would like to know where these 3 1/2" M29's have been seen.



Bruce
May be like Big Foot, talked about but rarely seen. My understanding for barrel options was - 4" -6" - 6 1/2"- 8 3/8" - 10 5/8".

I remember hearing or reading about Elmer Keith having a 4 1/2", M29, but I don't think it was ever offered by S&W.

Rod
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Old 09-11-2009, 09:18 AM
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S&W (to my knowledge) never offered a 29-2 with a 3 1/2-inch barrel. There are lots of 4-inch guns around, although they may be less plentiful than the 6 1/2-inch guns.

S&W offered a Model 29-3 with a 3-inch barrel in 1985. It was called the "44 Combat Magnum".

EMK's 44 Magnum with a 4 1/2-inch barrel was made by cutting down a 6 1/2-inch gun. S&W only shipped one Model 29-2 (in 1963) with a special order 4 1/2-inch barrel. It was also made by cutting the barrel on a 6 1/2-inch gun and the factory charged extra for doing so.

Bill
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Old 09-11-2009, 10:03 AM
garandman garandman is offline
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Correction to my original post about not being able to find a model 29-2 with a 4" barrel. All the 3.5" N frames that I have fired and seen at gun shows were model 27's. I have never seen a 3.5" or a 5" model 29 in in real life. I still wonder why it's so hard to find a 4" model 29-2 used. Of all the 29's I have seen for sale, if the tag says model 29 it is almost guaranteed to be a barrel length in the 6 inch range. S&W must have made a zillion of the 6" and 6 1/2" model 29's and very few 4" models. Does anybody know what the production numbers are in reference to the model 29 in all the different barrel lengths. I would bet that the 5" is the lowest and the 4" is next. What do you think ?
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Old 09-11-2009, 10:34 AM
feralmerril feralmerril is offline
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My 1st 29-2 was a 4" I bought new around 1972. I heard of 5"s and bought one used out of the shotgun news and sold the 4" to help do it. For 35 years I assumed my 5" to be original. I even seen another at a gunshow that was about 7 #s off. Then I thought I would letter it a couple years ago. I was amazed to find it started life as a 6 1/2"! Absolutly everything on the gun looks original. Lettering well centered, crowned perfectly, numbered right! Sometimes I want to belive mistakes were made in the records. I also used to own a 29-2 8 3/8" in nickle that also bought new. Here is my 5". I do own the original cokes, but prefer the smooth presentation on some of my N frames.
This one was shipped to stoger arms june 24th 1964 in 6 1/2"!
Kind of like finding out your wife was playing around 35 years back and your kid aint "boneified", I now dont like my 29 any less than I did!

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Old 09-11-2009, 10:42 AM
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Default Welcome to the forum

Garandman,

Here lately there have been a ton of 4" 29-2's on Gunbroker. I just bought this one.

4" #N61195 shipped May 1972


I will say it actually measures 3 3/4" from cylinder to the end of the barrel. It is not unusual for barrels to be slightly short of advertised length (usually by 1/8") as I believe the barrel stock is cut to the exact length (4, 6, etc.) and then the crowning and finishing accounts for the shortening. 1/4" must have been a newbie and it took him a bit to get the barrel right

No 4" guns in the -2 arent rare, but I have seen more -3's
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Old 09-11-2009, 10:44 AM
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Default Nickled one for sale

There is a 4" Nickle 29-2 for sale at a small gun shop where I live. Looks about 98% in a presentation box with all tools. He's asking $950, and as much as I would like to have it, it's a little beyond my financial range. If anyone is seriously interested, I would volunteer to take a few pictures and email. I know him well, (and he is on our Friends of NRA committee and just donated two guns for our dinner next month, so he is one of the good guy's).

Email in profile.
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  #12  
Old 09-11-2009, 11:43 AM
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Default u guys got me wondering if I should quit carrying my 4" 29

handles swell, points where I want it to, easily concealable with a light jacket or heavy shirt, & can be handloaded up or down as needed. A 240gr Keith Style LSWC with 6.5 grains of Unique is pleasant to shoot for even smaller kids, and makes for a good defense load too.

We bought it from a lodge bro who was a veternarian/surgeon, he'd hurt his wrist handling his labrador(slammed on the leash when he felt his master was threatened) for $200.00, no box or tools, wearing Pachy's.

He'd wanted $300, I offered to flip him, if he won $300, if I won, $200. derned if I didn't win, got a slew of brass with it.

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  #13  
Old 09-12-2009, 12:08 AM
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Here's mine, with smooth targets, Ross leather and Randall Model 23. This one has a bad place on one cylinder flute, looks like someone dropped it once upon a time. Had Goodyears on it when I got it, but for $400 it's been a good shooter. Keep looking, Garandman, they're out there...

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Old 09-12-2009, 02:27 AM
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Yea, I've seen several 4" 29-2s on GB in the last several months. I searched for 3 or 4 months earlier this year and found this one. I've never run across one in a gun store, but I don't get to town that often.

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Old 09-13-2009, 02:08 AM
Jimmymac46 Jimmymac46 is offline
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I bought my 29-2 4" blue new from the then Smith and Wesson Distributor Chesire and Perez in Monrovia, California in 1973. As a peace officer, all you needed was a department letter and you could get as many as you want, same day delivery. Police price then, as I recall, $147.00. Came in a presentation case, with target hammer, trigger and Goncalo Alves target grips. Carried it for many years as my duty gun in a Safariland suede lined Jordan high rise (anyone remember those). Still have the gun, box and paperwork. But, that was then, and this is now.

I don't believe the 4" barrel was/is particularly rare. Perhaps fewer than the 6 1/2 inch, but not hard to find, even in the 'Dirty Harry' era.

A funny recollection is when I would qualify as required, every three months in those days, they would make me stand on the line alone or at the far end of the covered 16 position 25 yard range because shooters on each side would complain about the muzzle blast during the timed shoots. It recall using ear plugs AND head gear when shooting under cover.....a practice I continue to use today.

Sorry for being off subject, but though you might enjoy the story.
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Old 09-13-2009, 09:30 AM
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HI:
It would be great if the Model 29-2 4" was "RARE" as I have an NIB Blued 4" with all the "Goodies" even the brown cardboard shipping carton.
Jimmy
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Old 09-13-2009, 09:40 AM
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Hello
I have seen quit a few blued ones, But Nickel does not seem to come along often...Here is mine, Note the Pinned front sight not seen Often. Hammerdown





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Old 09-18-2009, 08:44 PM
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My favorite length of 29, I have both a blued and nickel -2. Great guns. - dan
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Old 09-19-2009, 06:40 PM
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ferralmerril:

There is a pretty good chance that your gun was rebarreled with a factory-made 5 inch barrel. S&W had them in stock for a few years and sometimes their warranty repair centers had them, too.
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Old 09-20-2009, 12:46 PM
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I know this isn't the place for it but if you are interested in one email me, i've been thinking of letting mine go for awhile.
Details upon request.
Russ Donegan
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Old 09-20-2009, 05:12 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc44 View Post
S&W (to my knowledge) never offered a 29-2 with a 3 1/2-inch barrel.

Bill

Many people wrongly measure barrel length from the front of the frame instead of the front of the cylinder. There's an Auction House by me that constantly does this.
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Old 10-03-2009, 12:59 PM
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Default My opinion of 4 in rarity

I thought about this very issue as well, "how rare is the 4in barrel?" I thought about this because I have an opportunity to buy a 29-2 4 in NIB and also my uncle has one without even a turn line. Here's my opinion which couples research, what I've seen in life and the concept of the 44 magnum itself...

In order from rarest to most popular:

5 in - 4 in - 6 in - 6.5 in - 8 3/8 in

The only places that could be switched in my opinion are the 6.5 (4th) and 8 3/8 (last).

When considering the barrel lengths vs the caliber itself, I believe that the 8 3/8 barrel made the most sense since originally the largest group of people who took interest in the 44 mag were hunters, not policeman or other people who carry side arms. The 8 3/8 barrel is the most practical for hunting/long range shooting. I personally have a 6 in (29-2) and I think it offers great balance but the 6.5 in seems to be much more popular.
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Old 10-03-2009, 06:25 PM
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Here is a 4-incher from 1973. Rare? Maybe, maybe not, but that hasn't stopped me from putting over 400 rounds through it since I bought it this past March.

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Old 10-03-2009, 07:06 PM
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I need to have one now!!!!
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Old 10-03-2009, 08:01 PM
Marshal tom Marshal tom is offline
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I have purchased and sold several of them over the years. Most were in the 98%-99% range with box, docs, etc. Now they are not around much. I kept trying to go older and kept a 4" 4 screw. I also have a 5 screw in 6.5" that I am thinking of selling. I just like shorter barrel guns better. Most of them that I had and sold were in the $450-$550 range. Hard to believe that they are now bringing $900 for a dash 2.

T
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Old 10-03-2009, 08:15 PM
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44 Magnums with a 4-inch barrel are not rare or even scarce as S&W made thousands of them over the years. They are only rare if you are looking for one and can't find one for the price you want to pay.

Bill
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Old 06-02-2010, 02:11 AM
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This is an old thread but gunsamerica.com have the Model 29-2 in 4inch
all the time!!!!
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Old 06-02-2010, 02:52 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc44 View Post
S&W (to my knowledge) never offered a 29-2 with a 3 1/2-inch barrel. There are lots of 4-inch guns around, although they may be less plentiful than the 6 1/2-inch guns.

S&W offered a Model 29-3 with a 3-inch barrel in 1985. It was called the "44 Combat Magnum".

EMK's 44 Magnum with a 4 1/2-inch barrel was made by cutting down a 6 1/2-inch gun. S&W only shipped one Model 29-2 (in 1963) with a special order 4 1/2-inch barrel. It was also made by cutting the barrel on a 6 1/2-inch gun and the factory charged extra for doing so.

Bill

+1 on the 29-3 3"combat magnum...mine shipped in jan.85 and is a fun one for sure
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Old 06-02-2010, 03:03 AM
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come to think of it...my local gun dealer just sold a nickle 4" and had in a blue one recently as well
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Old 06-02-2010, 06:04 AM
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I have seen a few 4" 29-2s at gun shows but the price tags on them don't
prompt me to even bother to pick them up. I have five 4" N
frames, a 29-2, 27-2, two 28-2s and a 38-44 HD. The 29 and
38-44 both measure 4" from cylinder face to end of barrel and
all three 357s measure 4-1/8".

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Old 06-02-2010, 08:59 AM
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I hit a lucky streak and found three in one week. The other one came along some time later.


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Old 06-02-2010, 09:19 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc44 View Post
They are only rare if you are looking for one and can't find one for the price you want to pay.
Bill
That is too good not to repeat.

In the late sixties, when I wanted a 6.5-inch 44 Magnum so bad I could hardly stand it, a 4-inch came in on my order instead, and the dealer told me to take it - hard telling when he would see another S&W 44. So I did.

Back then, here in Indiana anyway, I would see probably ten, maybe twenty, 4-inch guns for every 6.5-incher. I wonder if the short barrel models stayed here, east of the Mississippi, and maybe the longer barrelled guns went west?

Most of the folks I know who wanted long barrels bought the 4-inchers when they could find them, and sent them back to Springfield to be re-barrelled. My 4-inch gun eventually became a 6.5-incher and I still prefer that length to all others. I think the 4-inch guns are too mean to be used much with magnums! You can just tell that by looking at them. ( )
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Old 06-02-2010, 09:52 AM
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Model 29-2 with 4" barrel -rare ????????? Model 29-2 with 4" barrel -rare ????????? Model 29-2 with 4" barrel -rare ????????? Model 29-2 with 4" barrel -rare ????????? Model 29-2 with 4" barrel -rare ?????????  
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garandman,

Don't give up the ship. Keep diligent and don't be afraid to utilize the gun auctions and gunsamerica.com.

Here's mine. One of these days I'm going to shoot a few full house loads just to see if I can be as tough as Elmer Keith.

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Old 06-02-2010, 04:25 PM
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Model 29-2 with 4" barrel -rare ????????? Model 29-2 with 4" barrel -rare ????????? Model 29-2 with 4" barrel -rare ????????? Model 29-2 with 4" barrel -rare ????????? Model 29-2 with 4" barrel -rare ?????????  
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Default 4" 29

Four inch twenty nine at work.
Somewhere NW of nowhere...



Su Amigo,
Dave

P.S. Will be working on buildin' a 3 1/2" .44 mag. soon...~smile~
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Old 06-02-2010, 07:57 PM
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Model 29-2 with 4" barrel -rare ????????? Model 29-2 with 4" barrel -rare ????????? Model 29-2 with 4" barrel -rare ????????? Model 29-2 with 4" barrel -rare ????????? Model 29-2 with 4" barrel -rare ?????????  
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If anyone is interested I have a 28-2 44 magnum 4". It appears to be an old conversion



Comes with Smith grips $575.00 plus shipping.
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Old 06-02-2010, 08:15 PM
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A couple of months ago one of the Forum members placed two of his model 29-2 4" barrel guns for sale in the classified section. One was Nickel and one (the one I bought) was blue. Both offered for $800.00 with all documents, tools and presentation cases in like new condition.
So they are out there, just have to keep looking. Here is a photo of the one I bought:



As you said, excellent balance and very accurate. And they really bark! Good luck in your search, Bob
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Old 06-02-2010, 08:56 PM
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Su Amigo,
Dave

"P.S. Will be working on buildin' a 3 1/2" .44 mag. soon...~smile~"


Mi Amigo Dave,

Go ahead and cut it alllllll the way back. Here is a 3" M29-4, round butt, unfluted cyl. Great gun to look at, not bad to carry, and a real handful with full house loads. Shoot it after dark if you like looking at Roman Candles! I'd guess that anybody/anything standing downrange wouldn't want more than one of them launched in their direction.
Bob

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Old 06-03-2010, 08:34 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by keith44spl View Post
P.S. Will be working on buildin' a 3 1/2" .44 mag. soon... ~smile~
I know, you're probably wanting a 3.5-incher to go with your scratched-up M27/.44 Special ( ) but I think you're going the wrong way - and Bob's encouraging you!

After Bill mentioned a 4.5-incher, I have always wondered what one of those would be like. Elmer Keith said his was much better than the factory 4-inch gun, but of course Elmer thought everything he came up with was way better than everything else.

I doubt it would be possible to notice the difference between a 4.5- and a 5-inch gun, so I guess I won't bother, but these things do make a guy wonder. Maybe that extra 1/2-inch of sight radius over the 4-incher would...
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Old 06-03-2010, 04:00 PM
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Model 29-2 with 4" barrel -rare ????????? Model 29-2 with 4" barrel -rare ????????? Model 29-2 with 4" barrel -rare ????????? Model 29-2 with 4" barrel -rare ????????? Model 29-2 with 4" barrel -rare ?????????  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M29since14 View Post
I know, you're probably wanting a 3.5-incher to go with your scratched-up M27/.44 Special ( ) but I think you're going the wrong way - and Bob's encouraging you!

After Bill mentioned a 4.5-incher, I have always wondered what one of those would be like. Elmer Keith said his was much better than the factory 4-inch gun, but of course Elmer thought everything he came up with was way better than everything else.

I doubt it would be possible to notice the difference between a 4.5- and a 5-inch gun, so I guess I won't bother, but these things do make a guy wonder. Maybe that extra 1/2-inch of sight radius over the 4-incher would...
With Garandman's permission for the thread highjackin'.

Bob,
You know I like them 3" .44's as well...
38/44 now a 3" .44Special.



M29-14,
I personally find an N frame .44 with a 1950 tapered tube in 4 3/4 inches to balance out quite nicely. But, a three and a half is what I carry and use the most...Ah hell, who am I kiddin', I'll pack and shoot just about anything that starts with a .44 !

Converted N frame .44 maggie with a 4 3/4" 1950 Spl. barrel.


Just cause I like 'em all...

Su Amigo,
Dave
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Old 06-04-2010, 11:11 PM
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Keith44spl,

I like the guns [especially the converted .38/44] but I love the leather!
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Old 06-06-2010, 10:44 PM
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4" rare? Naw! Sweet? Yesireebob!!
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Old 06-07-2010, 04:44 PM
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Well here is my question, how about a pre 29 nickle with a 4in. barrel. This piece is a 4 screw with cokes on it and is in about 98% condition and was made in 1956. The seller is asking $1400.00 for it. Is the seller in the ball park or is he way out there?
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Old 06-07-2010, 05:47 PM
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Pre 29 in 4 inch nickel with cokes at 98% for $1,400 is definately in the ball park. Actually a pretty good deal sure to go up in value.
I hate to admit that since I would never pay it, but it's true.
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Old 10-20-2013, 02:40 PM
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Model 29-2 with 4" barrel -rare ????????? Model 29-2 with 4" barrel -rare ????????? Model 29-2 with 4" barrel -rare ????????? Model 29-2 with 4" barrel -rare ????????? Model 29-2 with 4" barrel -rare ?????????  
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Price is good, but it was made in 57 or later, not in 1956.

Bill
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Old 10-21-2013, 09:42 AM
yogipogi yogipogi is offline
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took about 3 months of looking daily to find mine
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Old 10-21-2013, 05:41 PM
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I did not realize this thread was as old as it is until just now. Hopefully Garandman has found his gun by now. They are out there. I have owned a few 4" -2's over the years and this is what I have left. It is a great shooter!!
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File Type: jpg 29-2 4 inch 001.jpg (209.7 KB, 140 views)
File Type: jpg 29-2 4 inch 002.jpg (222.6 KB, 111 views)
File Type: jpg 29-2 4 inch 003.jpg (219.2 KB, 94 views)
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Old 12-03-2013, 09:26 AM
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The Model 29-2 was manufactured in three barrel lengths; 4", 6 1/2", and 8 3/8". I have never in my life seen a 3" or 3 1/2"-barrelled 29-2 that wasn't a custom job. There was a variant of the 629 made with that barrel, one of which was prominently used by Steven Berkoff in the movie "Beverly Hills Cop". The 29-2 was the last of the 29's to have pinned barrels and recessed chambers. From the 29-3 on, these features were omitted. Later models also shortened the 6 1/2" barrel to 6". All of these changes were supposed to be cost-cutting measures, but the overall quality of the weapons suffered after that as well. I learned the hard way never to mess with the unpinned revolvers, after a 4" 629 Mountain Gun I owned began exhibiting barrel rotation at the range one day; severe enough to cause misalignment of the ejector-rod lockup and binding of the cylinder. I got rid of it shortly thereafter.
As to the availability of 4"-barrelled 29-2's, they're out there. I always see at least two or three at any gun show I go to here in Kentucky. Of course, getting one's hands on one for less than four figures is virtually impossible nowadays. When you find one, be prepared to shell out the bucks for it. Hope this helps.
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Old 12-03-2013, 09:56 AM
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Since this thread was started (all those years ago), I have learned that one 44 Magnum with a 3 1/2-inch barrel and bright blue finish was made by S&W. It has serial number S177427 and was shipped on January 30, 1959.

This makes the known lengths for this model at: 3 1/2, 4, 4 1/2, 5, 5 1/2, 6, 6 1/2, 7 1/2, and 8 3/8-inches (this is up through the 29-2 model variation).

Bill
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Old 12-03-2013, 11:40 AM
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To me, the balance of the 4" M29 is more natural. My Pre29 4 Screw with Cokes just seems to meld to my hand and is so easy to shoot even with heavy loads.


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Old 01-31-2015, 02:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by garandman View Post
I have been looking for over a year now for a S&W model 29-2 blue with a 4" barrel. I have found lots of 3.5", lots of 6" and one 8 -3/8" but not any 4" models. Question : Is a 4" blue 29-2 rare ? Or are they real popular in that barrel lenght that most owners just keep them forever ? The reason I want the 4" barrel is because a good friend of mine is a S&W collector and he has every barrel length model 29 made except for a 5". I have fired them all and to me the best balanced model 29 is the 4".Can anyone out there answer my questions. THANKS.
I have looked for one for years. Got one this week for my birthday. It looks brand new. It was a safe queen. Looks like the factory was the only one to shoot it. It looks real good next to my Lew Horton 629 3 inch barrel.

Last edited by zzclancy; 01-31-2015 at 02:04 PM.
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44 magnum, fluted, goncalo, jordan, leather, m13, m27, m29, model 19, model 27, model 29, nra, presentation, randall, rosewood, round butt, safariland, smith and wesson, springfield, unfluted

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