Or snatch it up?

Unfired 4" blued in presentation case with all papers/accessories. S serial number dates it to 1968. Condition is like new except for a turn line on the cylinder. Beautiful dark checkered target grips that are not diamond - must have just made it past the diamond grip change. Presentation case is very good condition but not like new- typical wear and scratches. $950.
How many 4' are out there - I haven't seen any but for this one.

That sounds about $100 too high, even for an S prefix gun, but especially since it doesn't have cokes, and you say the case isn't mint.

I agree with Gun 4 Fun.. but that is my opinion,..
If you want it.. then buy it and enjoy it.. we have all paid a bit more than we should over the years.. and for some guns a bit less .. it seems to balance out.. in the end..
Do what makes you happy..

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SWCA #2306
DAV in honor of POP

BOTH THESE GUYS GAVE RIGHT ON information and advice

I agree with the above as there are better deals out there for a 29-2 4 inch with all the goodies. I also agree with the comment if you really want and don't plan on selling anytime soon then buy it.

I would want to pay less but that seems about the going rate for a gun like this with all the goodies. How badly do you want it?

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No life story has happy end.

They only go up! Was in a gun store yesterday purchasing my new, just arrived Ruger Blackhawk Flattop in 44 Special.......that's another story.........and the clerk who I have known for years and who has sold me many many guns over that time asked me if I still had my collection of 1970's 29-2's and 27-2's (I bought as many as I could find back then)? I told him I did and he said that he could sell each tomorrow for $1000 or more. I paid roughly $350 each back in the mid-seventies.

As was stated by several others, if you really like it, buy it. What is one hundred bucks here or there if you want it. Take care of it and you will always get what you paid for it......assuming of course you don't end up treasuring it like the rest of us and plan on being buried with it when the time comes.

I bought my first model 29-2 four inch new in the presentation box, 3 'T's, for $135 from a police warehouse in 1973! So now you have to pay $950......what will you have to pay for it in five, ten, twenty years? I imagine more than the hundred extra you may have to put out to get now. Look what has happened to prices on old beat up Gov't 1911's, Colt SAA's, or even a new Smith revolver today! I feel with the S serial it is probably worth that amount right now regardless, IMO.

To answer your question 'should you pass on this right now?' Nope, you should buy it considering that you don't currently have one and if it is in the condition as described........and most important, you really really want one.

"I bought my first model 29-2 four inch new in the presentation box, 3 'T's, for $135 from a police warehouse in 1973!"

Factoring in 30 + years of inflation , your $135 then
is equivalent to $659.01 today, so only the a sale for more than that would be profit.
Inflation Calculator: Bureau of Labor Statistics

In Contrast , a $100 series E Savings Bond purchased in 1973 ( at less than face value of course ) would now
be worth OVER $500.
http://www.treasurydirect.gov/indiv/tools/sbrt1209.pdf



.

That setup at that price sounds pretty good. It is nice when you can see it in person. I just bought a similar setup off Auction Arms (auction #9600972) for around $900 shipped. It was a little earlier and had the coke grips, but I could not see it in person prior to purchase.

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Kevin Cowherd
SWCA #2271

I bought a 29-2 nickel 5 years ago in the wood box(had to get box restored) 3 T's and no tool kit or paper work. Everything now is correct and i think the gun is worth $1000+. I was at the ogca show last weekend and the prices are just nuts!! what was $400 3 years ago is now $800. I saw a 1917 with a 5 digit serial number 95% condition and he wanted $2300, I'm seeing k22 masterpeice for $1000, just the gun. For you 1911a1 lovers out there, Guy came by my table and showed me a Ithaca WWII 1911a1,Now I go to these shows with a gentilman(Craig B) who has been collecting 1911 and 1911a1 for 40+ years, Helped write the book on them. The guy show us the ithaca and it wasn't bad, He wanted $3000 for it!!! I thought Craig was going to fall over died.

Offer the guy $900, You'll kick yourself if you let it pass...

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George Jamison

Offer $800 plan on paying $950. All he can do is say no. I do this even if it is a good deal to start with. You never know.

Buy it if you want it! The availability of high condition 29's at a lower price is iffy. You may find one online at an auction for less but you can see and handle this one..........not that way with an auction buy. I'd offer $900 and maybe $925 OTD and have the cash in hand. I got a very nice 25-5 for $100 less than they had it marked OTD.

Sounds a bit high to me, i think id pass on it. You can find better deals if you give it some time and look around.

It wasnt too long ago I thought $850 (although with an N prefix) for one like you describe was too high. I turned a fellow forum member on to it and he bought it thanking me profusely in return. Personally I pay a premium for S prefix guns so that gun is in the ballpark. You wont make any money on it next week, but there aint that many floating around...especially 4"ers

You make a good point. Add in the sales tax, DROS fees and such, one would probably have to sell it for $700 to break even when you factor in inflation! However, how much fun is a savings bond at the range?

I don't believe anyone on this forum purchases guns or collects them expecting to get rich. My gun money comes from 30 plus years of purchasing California real estate, residential and income.........choosing to buy low and sell high. Remarkably, 80% of buyers do exactly the opposite and I thank them for it. I then take my profits, buy guns and other fun things!

Uninformed gun buyers are the same people who buy real estate. They panic purchase believing that when the prices are really high, they had better jump in before they go even higher. As a result they often pay too much. We are clearly seeing that action in the gun market today. The difference is they probably purchased a firearm they have always cherished or need for a specific purpose. So, even though they initially pay too much, they still retain the pleasure of ownership and the knowledge that eventually they will get there money back if necessary.

If a comparison is to be made, IMO it is more appropriate to compare gun values/appreciation to gold. Up and down, up and down, up and down. The major difference is both are tangible. Bonds are a paper promissory note......a gamble, yes, like everything else (with admittedly a great track record) but with a zero fun factor!

Not to discuss the point any further, I would like guns even if they were to depreciate to nothing. I still receive all the pleasure of shooting, handling, sharing, personal protection...... it just so happens most Smith's appreciate in value at some level....a bonus in my view. How many things can you use regularly (assuming you take care of them) that will gain value?

I paid $695 a year ago for this 29-3. I have the wooden presentation box that is in 90% condition. I just wanted a .44 Magnum. One of my kids will get it.

^^^ I gotta agree with this completely.

Don't know your geographical location but, I was at the Indy 1500 show yesterday and asking price on this gun looks to be in line with every thing I saw there? I suppose it's all whether you are buying or selling? Personally, I would not pass on this.
Steve

I agree as I've paid high before only to wish I'd see that price again later.

One good example was a NIB unfired Model 57 seven years ago. I couldn't get the dealer to budge from his $450 asking price which I thought a hundred dollars high then. I really wanted it and paid the price and shot it a few times.
I expect several here would take it off my hands should I want to sell it at a nice profit. Had I held out for $350 I'd not have that gun or others like it now.

I would buy it at that price if I was keeping it. A bit high but worth $100 to enjoy it now.

Well, at least you have the advantage of seeing and handling the gun, so there are, or shouldn't be, any surprises.
Unlike some of the guns bought off Gunbroker, or even on this forum, although 99 -to -the -enth -degree times they are represented accurately here.

$100 will be made up in value in 2 years, unless the economy re-tanks, and often, even then, some values stay solid.
Go for it.............but always offer less. You never know.

I would say if you want a 44 mag it's a good buy. If you compare it to a new S&W I think you will think it is a deal. Somebody else on this forum said you did not pay to much you just paid to soon or some such thing.

Show pictures when you get it

Troy