Well after my 29-3 deal sorta fell thru...i kinda got the bug that i wanted a Model 29 and Dad just found himself a nice one sp that even further pushed me to find one...well i was looking around and found this 29 no dash 4" unloved one...someone tried their handiwork to it...i know i can repair the trigger guard and if i got it...it would be the first thing i would want to do...the gun is from the late 50's...so i think it would be worth putting the time to source a used trigger guard and have it tig welded back in...or Am i just crazy?...here is some pics of our favorite site...i know the grips are wrong and expensive...would it be worth doing it?...any help will sure be appreciated...God Bless John..they want 650 USD

Attached Images

	smith model 29 no dash a.jpg (71.3 KB, 437 views)
	smith model 29 no dash b.jpg (71.8 KB, 427 views)

Trigger guards are forged along with the rest of the frame. I doubt cutting one off another frame to weld on could be cost effective. However, the right craftsman could fashion a new piece and weld it on. If I was considering the project I’d start with shopping for that craftsman/gunsmith and estimating what the repair and reblue would cost. My guess is the work will cost so much that the revolver’s attractive price will be negated.

After the repairs to collectors it would never be anything more than a shooter any way so I would only consider buying it to use as a shooter as is. If you can repair it yourself without warping the frame or degrading the frame’s heat treatment then prep it for rebluing so you only have to pay for its dip in the blueing tanks go for it.

Well I bought a 28 for one-half that price. But it is a 28. Shoots great and I'm happy with it. The question is if you spend $650+?? to have a repaired 29 is it that much more valuable than a cheaper gun that isn't a 29? I can't answer that one for you.

I wouldn't even consider it.

You do what you want...but you invited my opinion so here it is.

I wouldn't touch that 29 with a 10 foot pole. It's ruined as far as I am concerned. The moron who cut it made it into junk. Impossible to make it whole again and have it look good. The money involved would make it a bad deal. Period.

After 48 years of gun dealing I have learned never buy a restoration project. Always way too expensive and in the end 98% of the time you are unhappy with the results.

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No life story has happy end.

I'd buy it but they would never come down far enough from the current price. And it would be safe but ugly when I got done.

Take a look at this thread, turned out quite nice. Early 1950 Target .45 Updated

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John. SWCA #1586

I'd only buy that one if I could get it for about $300 or less.
In that case I'd start by selling the grips for around $75 or so. Then I'd take it all apart down to the bare frame. I'd fab & weld on a replacement piece for the missing trigger guard, grind & polish the repair out as smooth as I could with a Dremel, and then do a cold blue job on it.

If you properly protect the rest of the frame from excessive heat and only spot heat it at the front where the new trigger guard piece attaches, you wouldn't compromise the strength of the rest of the frame, so re heat-treating wouldn't be necessary.

After all that, it would make a great shooter/knock around in the woods gun, but that's all it would ever be. But I'd love to have it for that purpose for a couple of hundred bucks and a few hours worth of work.

EDIT: I see that while I was typing hsguy posted a link to a thread where tennexplorer has already done just exactly what I suggested with another gun.

Don't waste your time and hard earned money. There are more fish in the sea.

Hey, Dood, it's been Fitzed, how kewl.
You need to cut off more, not add back.
Just think how Bad A it will look with the barrel shortened and the butt rounded.

Not really, but there are people who would think so.

That's the only 'Fitzed' 29 I've seen. While it isn't valuable, it's unique. If I got it for a decent price, I'd leave it as-is. It can never be made 'right' so might as well keep it. What's done is done.

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

No way - too many out there to buy that one.

I am constantly amazed at the lengths people will go to when it regards distorting a fine piece of equipment in order to suit their needs. Whether that means taking an amazing piece of machinery like a Porsche Carrera and painting it in some garish fashion in order to scream "Look at me" or absolutely ruining an equally well made tool like a fine S&W revolver. Beauty is ultimately in the eye of the beholder.
I am in agreement with the folks that line up behind finding yourself another pistol unless your personal skill set involves fine welding techniques or you have a good friend with those skills willing to perform the task at hand. I have a couple of close friends that are competent professional gunsmiths that have done amazing restoration work for others and the work is not cheap by any means.
The Model 29-2 and others is not a very expensive pistol and there are many out there priced quite reasonably, keep your eyes open for a better example is probably the best bet, IMHO. Good Luck....I'm on a similar search for the right 25-2 or earlier non numbered piece.

well i want to thank all of you...the only reason i was interested was due to it being the older S serial number....i agree that 650 is way out there for this one...that thread that shows the 1950's Target was such a Godsend...thank you ...if i were to get it...i would Tig Weld it back together...it looks very difficult...but you would be shocked what can be done...if i could not do the work myself..i would not even consider it...i have a very soft place for anything old and in need of repair....God Bless John

No way! Run a way! Run a way very fast!

Like BC38 the 0nly way I would buy that if it was way cheap and I have a tig welding setup, a milling machine and a couple industrial type belt grinders. I wouldn't cut another gun for the trigger guard repair either. I would also worry that who ever did the guard had some other bright ideas on the internals.

If you have the equipment and talent to do this I say "Go for it". I only wish I had the talent and equipment to do this type of work.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

If I got it really, really cheap, I might attempt some sort of DIY restoration. I haven't tried a trigger guard transplant but I can weld, so it might work. Paying someone to do a restoration correctly just to end up with a non-original gun is a sure way to lose money. It's almost never a sane idea. Sit down, crack open a Miller, and the urge will pass.

"...i have a very soft place for anything old and in need of repair....God Bless John"

Well, you would like ME.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

The price is a little high for a re-do, frames get weld on all the time.

It's not rocket science, or a lobotomy.

Anything can be fixed....All it takes is money.


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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

The question is, a wheel barrow load or a dump truck full?

Listen to SaxonPig.... He always has good advice. And I'm usually a sucker for lost causes, but I vote no, not at that price, with not just the wrong grips, but a major restoration? Nope, nope, nope!!!

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

I'd go as high as 300 and use it for extra parts.

The barrel, cylinder and grips are worth it, I would offer $300, and go as high as $350, IF you need the parts.

If you don't, walk away. Lightly used 29s are out there.

I got a very clean, very nice 6" 29-2 at my LGS for less than $800 recently.

I think the classified section on this forum has one too.

They are out there.

Let this pic be your inspiration to find one:

While I realize it truly appeals to some, I loathe the Fitz trigger guard conversion. Hate it with a deep passion. $200 is about all I'd spend to part it out because I'd want to make a bit in the process.

well all I can hope is that I can find one like this that I can afford...I not any fan of the Fitz conversion myself...I like them all original ...but very accurate and very reliable....

For an affordable yet decent looking 29 look at 29-3s. They fall in between the P&R era and the endurance package upgrades.

I agree with those who say it's a parts gun. So only pay a parts gun price.

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You're shy a few manners.

I would consider it at $450. I went and viewed the rest of the pics and the gun isn't ever going to be more than a shooter. If you want a decent model 29 spend another $150 and you should be able to get something much better.
If it was mine I'd leave it as is and call it good. Who cares if the trigger guard is missing? As long as you aren't planning on carrying the gun it isn't going to effect the function.

It is repairable. A oversized piece of flat bar heated and formed to fit with the ends that meet the cut off guard beveled so you get a full penetration weld. Clamp the frame in some pieces of aluminum to act as a heat sink and bleed off the heat. Then use a slack belt grinder to finish shaping the new peice and blend in the weld. Then it would be time to clean up the rest of the gun for a reblue. I could do it but it would take most of a day just to get the guard right. I saw the gun in the other thread and it came out well but also had free help and a lot of time and effort into it. I bought 2 629s in the last few years for less than $650 each.

For awhile, 29-3s were pariahs and it seemed no one wanted them because they are not pinned and relieved, therefore, cheap, shoddy, and worthless, like something made in China. I have noticed the price on them has rebounded quite a bit in the ast few years. Recently saw a very nice nickeled 29-3, seller was stuck at $800 for it. I thought it was a little high, but he didn't.

FWIW I've never liked the look of the "Fitz specials". I wouldn't want to carry one without a holster with that trigger hanging out there unprotected like that - and I'd be afraid to try to shove one into a belt holster on my hip. I'd be afraid of the trigger getting hung up on the edge of the holster opening and accidentally pushing it far enough to discharge. Same with pushing it into your pocket unholstered. I know it sounds unlikely, but I've always thought they just looked like a good way to shoot your own foot off. Guns come with trigger guards for a good reason.

If you're just wanting a M29-anything shooter,,the gun isn't worth it. There are shooters in complete condition available.

If the fact that it's a 1950's era M29 (no dash) means something to you that's a different story.

Being able to do the necessary weld and refinish repairs yourself is a big plus. You do it because you like to do it, you're not paying someone else to do it nor tallying hours on the job.
Some of us actually like doing this stuff!

The only thing left is deciding what you want to pay for the 'project', what your top limit is and go at it from there.
I've payed more for a project gun than others may have,,they've told me so! I don't care, it's my business, it's what I do.

Good luck and have fun!

Dude its steel not plastic like a glock. It can be repaired to as new by the right guy, or repaired to nice by a few more less trained persons. No disrespect some are Mozarts some are not. I have a friend who rebuilds machine guns to museum quality, they are perfect. while 600 maybe a little high. the only tricky problem is getting the blueing to match if you dont use the same steel for the weld and replacement parts

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"I'm feeling MUCH better now"

$650? American dollars? There are 95% 29-2s around here for $850-$900.

I think a re-weld would be way more work that it's worth. Cut off the rest of the trigger guard and fab a new one (maybe chromed or nickled steel?). Tap the frame and screw it in. You'd have quite a conversation piece. But it would only be worth it at $300-$350 maybe. If the seller can find someone to buy it for more I'd definitely let it go.

The way I see it....

Trigger guards are there to guard the trigger from damage, it's not some safety embellishment.

Trigger guards get stretched, thinned and removed to suit the user's fancy.
There are as many ideals of who, what and or why as there are gunmen that use them.

If I like the practical uses of the 'Fritz' style of trigger guard alteration,
like for deep artic weather where thick gloves were a must, maybe.

It's kinda each to his own, I guess.


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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

well just a little update...looks like the seller will not respond...not sure why...maybe they want to keep it more than sell it...the search continues...not sure why someone would list something and not respond to questions about their sale....God Bless John...maybe it is just me....but if i am trying to sell something...i talk to the people who want to buy my stuff

That happens a lot. Perhaps some questions offended him. Or perhaps some people offered unsolicited opinions about the quality of his offering.

Sellers do sometimes get in a snit then take their ball and go home. It happens so you just move on.

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You're shy a few manners.

I would opine that the reason behind the "Fritz" conversion was to allow it to be operated with heavy gloves on, perhaps a winter hunting scenario?

Never really did understand the conversion on smaller caliber weapons, perhaps for the same reason in a SD situation?

$650 doe$ $eem $orta HIGH!!!

Cheers!

I have modified only one revolver (1972 model 29-2, 4") in all the years I've been accumulating guns, and it was only to put a brushed hard chrome finish on it. It did not need refinishing, but I did it anyway. It turned out really well, and I still have it, shoot it and really like it. I have declined many offers to buy it. Since then, I have never modified any revolver because I wised up and realized that truly classic guns should remain original. That 29 may be fixable, but it will probably be a costly proposition because the person who does it will have to be a magician and a craftsman, and that doesn't come cheap. Add to that the cost of a quality refinish and you're talking about real money. The pity is that such an iconic revolver was butchered. I'd walk away, but good luck with whatever you do.

Sorry but I love my Model 28 shoots 357 mag , its really a keeper 4 inch in /blue with dark walnut finger grove grips Had couple issues but sent it back to S& W came back NEW !!!

Sounds about right. Either he's already sold it or has decided to keep it. I've been guilty of not replying to emails/texts once I've sold a gun.

well i just got a response...looks like they are a college student and been busy...so we will see....i totally agree that it is overpriced...but we will see if they really want to sell it....i think it would be a great one to start with...
i always follow up no matter what...it drives me crazy when i do not get answers....God Bless John

Update well it looks like they are firm at their price and they think it is priced low......i think this one will be for sale for a while...Well i made my offer...so the search continues....any help will so be appreciated...this one might take me a while to find..