|
|
 |
08-19-2016, 03:20 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 8
Liked 5 Times in 2 Posts
|
|
Help! Need advice/direction - CRACK! 1980 S&W Model 29 .44 Magnum
Hey fellow forumites :wave:
So I (my old man and I) have what appears to be a serious problem... My dad bought this .44 Magnum new in 1980 (I've double-checked against the serial #)... It's been inside one of those fancy 6' Liberty safes for as long as I can remember... He said he's put less than 50 rounds thru it... and I can't recall a time he's ever shot it or got it out other than to be sure it was oiled etc, and I'm 37 years old... So... We assumed we had a damned near mint collector's item...
Well... I had to get in the safe today, so I took it out to take a few pictures of it and his Colt Python... Later I zoom in on one of the pics and notice what could be a crack or (was hoping) a scratch. I show my old man and we go get it out of the safe... Sure as hell it has a crack on the right side up near the hammer (pics attached)... Being where this crack is located, and that the frame is nickel... What are his repair options? Does he have any?
Needless to say... He was very surprised to see this and not very pleased... What say you S&W experts? Can a good smith do anything to save this beauty?
Thanks for any and all help/advice...
Nick
*looks like I may have to post the other 2 pics separately... Can't figure out how to u/l more than 1 w/o using photobucket etc
|
08-19-2016, 03:21 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 8
Liked 5 Times in 2 Posts
|
|
And pic # 2...
|
08-19-2016, 03:22 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 8
Liked 5 Times in 2 Posts
|
|
And pic #3...
|
08-19-2016, 03:24 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 1
Liked 17 Times in 6 Posts
|
|
Relax, this is not a crack 
This is the seam between the side plate and the frame.
|
|
The Following 11 Users Like Post:
|
bronco45, da gimp, Fishslayer, JH1951, karma279, lrrifleman, lscocoa, maxjames2, nevada duke, Road Rat, Usmc5811 |
08-19-2016, 03:25 PM
|
 |
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Middle Georgia
Posts: 2,331
Likes: 4,550
Liked 5,572 Times in 1,319 Posts
|
|
Looks like the top of the side plate to me. Unless I'm missing something, they all have that.
__________________
Dr. B
|
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
08-19-2016, 03:27 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Arlington, Texas
Posts: 434
Likes: 150
Liked 582 Times in 218 Posts
|
|
It's those dratted Liberty safes. There is something about the interior lining that causes the frames of Smith & Wesson revolvers to crack in that location. Bet if you check any other S&W revolvers in there you will find they all have a crack in the same place.
Actually, that is the joint between the frame and the side plate. It is completely normal and is not a fault but a design feature. Smith & Wesson revolvers have had a separate side plate held in place by first 4, then 3 screws for just about forever.
John
|
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
08-19-2016, 03:29 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 522
Likes: 313
Liked 523 Times in 249 Posts
|
|
Oh man the frame is ruined, that gun is only salvageable as parts now, I'll be generous and offer you $50 for it.
On a more serious note....
That "crack" is actually just the seam of the sideplate, the part you remove to access the internals.
The gun looks great and seems like your dad took good care of it.
|
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
08-19-2016, 03:56 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 8
Liked 5 Times in 2 Posts
|
|
:::sigh::: Man that's the best news I've heard in a while!
I'll be damned if it doesn't look like a crack tho (how it's not a uniform shape and appears a bit "jagged")...
:sigh:
|
08-19-2016, 03:59 PM
|
 |
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Earth
Posts: 3,222
Likes: 3,749
Liked 3,780 Times in 1,388 Posts
|
|
Yup, I see the crack. Please send it to me for disposal.
|
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
08-19-2016, 04:07 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Dallas-Fort Worth
Posts: 4,239
Likes: 8,074
Liked 12,164 Times in 2,774 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by karma279
:::sigh::: Man that's the best news I've heard in a while!
I'll be damned if it doesn't look like a crack tho (how it's not a uniform shape and appears a bit "jagged")...
:sigh:
|
Not to worry, you are not the first one to bring a "crack" in that location to the attention of the forum. . . .and you won't be the last.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
|
|
The Following 8 Users Like Post:
|
|
08-19-2016, 04:07 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 8
Liked 5 Times in 2 Posts
|
|
So... Having settled that worry for this Walther guy  (only revolver I own is a '76 S&W model 36 .38 Special)...
What abouts is this model 29 worth in this condition? (I believe he still has box and paperwork somewhere)
|
08-19-2016, 04:10 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 8
Liked 5 Times in 2 Posts
|
|
...and now that I look closer at the pics I posted... It's plain as day lol... We just freaked for a second!
|
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
08-19-2016, 04:10 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Denver area
Posts: 6,243
Likes: 20,275
Liked 13,107 Times in 4,172 Posts
|
|
I can fix that for you.
Send it to me.
I'll let you know when I'm done with it.
|
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
08-19-2016, 04:13 PM
|
 |
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 2,637
Likes: 2,354
Liked 3,824 Times in 1,348 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by karma279
:::sigh::: Man that's the best news I've heard in a while!
I'll be damned if it doesn't look like a crack tho (how it's not a uniform shape and appears a bit "jagged")...
:sigh:
|
Not too sure what you mean by "jagged", however, from your pics which are quite good, your Md 29 looks pretty normal to me.
One of my "tests" when I'm considering to buy a used S&W revolver is to run my finger over that seem to feel how good the sideplate fits to the frame. The smoother the seem, the better I feel about the gun. Some of my S&Ws are fitted so perfectly that I can barely feel this seam. Also, if the previous owner has removed the side-plate for whatever reason, I've been told it won't fit as well as it did when first fitted at the factory. I can't confirm this as I've never taken one off.
__________________
I'm gonna grow fins.
|
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
08-19-2016, 04:17 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 8
Liked 5 Times in 2 Posts
|
|
And I know this is a S&W forum... But as a thank-you for calming my nerves... Here is some Colt Python pr0n for you guys (it's been shot less than the .44 Mag)
Last edited by karma279; 08-19-2016 at 04:31 PM.
|
|
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
|
|
08-19-2016, 05:48 PM
|
 |
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Santo las nubes, Florida
Posts: 9,004
Likes: 9,242
Liked 14,710 Times in 4,706 Posts
|
|
Yeah, but the Colt is cracked on the wrong side. I could take it off your hands so you can sleep OK. Joe
__________________
Wisdom chases me; I'm faster
|
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
08-19-2016, 06:17 PM
|
 |
Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Upstate SC
Posts: 12,990
Likes: 17,229
Liked 41,504 Times in 9,146 Posts
|
|
Glad you got that straightened out. 
One more wrong thing the uninitiated do, is pry the side plate off with a screwdriver. 
This short video shows the simple technique for removal and re-installation of the side plate.
|
|
The Following 8 Users Like Post:
|
|
08-20-2016, 02:08 AM
|
|
US Veteran
Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: San Diego, PRK
Posts: 9,237
Likes: 11,531
Liked 11,249 Times in 3,916 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Oliver
Relax, this is not a crack
This is the seam between the side plate and the frame. |
HA! Don't worry, OP, you are not alone. When I got my new-to-me first revolver home & was fondling it I noticed the same "crack" & about had a cow. Took a closer look with a magnifier to relieve me...
Last edited by Fishslayer; 08-20-2016 at 02:09 AM.
|
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
08-20-2016, 02:28 AM
|
 |
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 13,524
Likes: 1,184
Liked 18,473 Times in 7,310 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by karma279
So... Having settled that worry for this Walther guy (only revolver I own is a '76 S&W model 36 .38 Special)...
What abouts is this model 29 worth in this condition? (I believe he still has box and paperwork somewhere) |
That determination will take some more photos of the whole gun, including open cylinder, grips, barrel, etc.
You can attach up to 5 photos to each post BTW. Just keep clicking on BROWSE, selecting your picture file, and clicking on UPLOAD.
.JPG pictures work best, and they can't be bigger than 1024 x 767 resolutions.
|
08-20-2016, 07:51 AM
|
 |
Moderator
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 26,899
Likes: 987
Liked 19,022 Times in 9,307 Posts
|
|
Glad the frame is not cracked .
You didn't mention the barrel length of the model 29; that has a major influence on value, shorter usually being more expensive as a rule.
__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220
|
08-20-2016, 02:29 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: for now ,Texas
Posts: 2,741
Likes: 186
Liked 3,300 Times in 1,525 Posts
|
|
Several yrs ago I was at a new gun store . The manager complained that they had gotten in a new revolver with a cracked frame and they were going to send it back . I asked if I could take a look at it . Sure enough it was just the seam where the side plate mated to the frame . I pointed out to them that it was not broken . This just happens from time to time . Life is all about learning .
|
08-20-2016, 04:21 PM
|
 |
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 1,565
Liked 1,364 Times in 560 Posts
|
|
All I can say is wow.
At least it isn't cracked though!
|
08-27-2016, 07:16 AM
|
 |
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Upstate NY (Rockland Co.)
Posts: 53
Likes: 58
Liked 37 Times in 16 Posts
|
|
LOL, don't mean to laugh at you, but I feel your pain, just this week I shot for the 1st time this wonderful Mod 25-2 totally convinced that I had a 45 Colt vs a 45 ACP , my son fires 1 round of 45 ACP I went ballistic (no pun intended) when I tried to load up the 45 Colt rounds and they won't fit. I scolded my son for firing the wrong round and possibly damaging the cylinder. Well there was no damage, my gun was in fact a 25-2 which meant 45 ACP so no harm was done. ***sigh*** is right!! Yes those are side plates lines no worries. Nice gun!!
Regards
Lou
|
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
08-27-2016, 07:35 AM
|
|
Banned
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: TN
Posts: 266
Likes: 2
Liked 564 Times in 144 Posts
|
|
The crack is ok, I just hope it doesn't have a hole in the barrel.
|
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
08-27-2016, 07:46 AM
|
 |
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Utah
Posts: 1,310
Likes: 2,916
Liked 3,099 Times in 859 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steely85
The crack is ok, I just hope it doesn't have a hole in the barrel.
|
Even worse if you push the safety on the left side of the frame and the cylinder falls out!
__________________
Join the NRA today
|
08-27-2016, 11:39 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Florence, Alabama, USA
Posts: 2,346
Likes: 40
Liked 1,396 Times in 772 Posts
|
|
I once sold a revolver to a casual shooter.
She showed the "crack" to a mutual friend, asking how to break it to me that I had sold her a defective gun and she wanted her money back. He explained the nature of the "crack" and she was happy.
|
08-27-2016, 12:06 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 776
Likes: 583
Liked 274 Times in 182 Posts
|
|
Not to drift off, but due to the Elliason sights, do you know if the Python is from the Custom Shop? Super smooth action as well?
The original box would be marked if its still around.
__________________
Good shooting.
|
09-07-2017, 01:33 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
Cracked 44 magnum
Hey. I also have a 1980 44 magnum and I just noticed the same crack on mine. My dad gave it to me a few years ago. I was freaking out myself. The gun is a blue steel and it has never been shot. It's a big relief to find that it's not a crack. Thanks to all who posted!!
|
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
