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02-05-2012, 02:43 PM
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1970's 29-2
A couple of years ago I bought a very nice 29-2 fully intending that this would be my hunting sidearm and a knockabout woods gun. I outfitted it with custom Cocobolo targets from our own Kurac, sized 1/4" shorter than normal targets to balance better with the 4" barrel. I wasn't going to fuss over it or care if it received wear or minor scratches and dings.
Well, it seems all I do is care whether the bluing gets worn or the beautiful targets get dinged or if it gets wet, etc. I'm forever wiping it off and I'm extremely careful in handling it and last time it snowed when I was hunting I couldn't bear to even carry it for fear I'd be cleaning rust from it by day's end. I know these are made to be used and fired, I have a nice walnut stocked Remington 700 which has been with me when I went *****-over-tea kettle on a steep scree field or pitched headfirst into the underbrush when hunting the dark timber and it bears the scars from these encounters as well as many others. I seem to have a mental block with the 29-2 knowing they just don't make these anymore and those they do have none of the features which endear it to me.
Should I simply man up and accept the fact it will one day be a bruised and battered warrior but ever-faithful companion? Or should I pass it on and get into a stainless Mountain Gun? I don't do safe-queens, I have two and they came from family members now passed on and I keep them as I received them (of course I feed them on rare occasions, but only at the range).
Thoughts, suggestions?
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02-05-2012, 02:57 PM
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Use it, enjoy it, and accept that it won't and/or probably shouldn't be pristine forever.
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02-05-2012, 03:04 PM
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If it's mint...
maybe get another more beater gun for the woods. Keep the mint one as money in the bank or cash out on it for something you will be able to enjoy. I have one mint gun and I never use it for the same reason, net result, I don't really enjoy it that much.
But if it's not mint use the heck out of it and if you care for it along the way I don't think it will lose much value.
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02-05-2012, 04:17 PM
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I only see two forms of S&W handguns....NIB guns like I collect or those like my hunting/shooting guns showing great "character" by the bluing wear, cylinder ring, gouged custom grips and various battle scars that confirm ---"this gun has been around the block".
There is nothing so appealing as a gun in beautiful mechanical shape that shows the evidence of being used for many decades the way it was intended....but for me it must also show evidence of having great functional care.....
JMHO
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Terry
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02-05-2012, 04:24 PM
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Obviously, many schools of thought here. First of all, your 29-2 is one of the best fire-arms ever made. Aesthetically it is a beautiful handgun.
If you want a museum piece, treat it as such. If you want a working gun, treat it that way. These guns were not made to be babied, and we are not collecting stamps or gold coins here.
I say shoot it, carry it, and let your survivors sentd it to the custom shop for a new blueing job and new grips.
If the gun laws of the future even allow them to have it.
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Fuego
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02-05-2012, 04:39 PM
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You say "I don't do safe queens" and I believe that says it all. Your 29-2 probably isn't considered a "safe queen" any longer by the people that have and collect true safe queens. I have one 29-2, 6 1/2" barrel, "S" prefixed gun in its original wood box that in most people's eyes would be considered a shooter. I don't want to shoot it however because I'd like it to remain as is. That's why God, along with S&W, makes the modern day 629 - so I can go out and beat it to death all day long and not worry about keeping it pristine!
So sir, as I see it you have two choices - take care of and shoot the 29 you have OR put it away and buy a used 629 to shoot and hunt with. That makes it a win - win situation !
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02-05-2012, 05:18 PM
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Okay, already. Quit agonizing. Save that beauty for low-risk use, and get a butt-ugly stainless steel 629 with Hogues on it. Beat the snot out of the 629, save your 29-2 for BBQ.
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02-05-2012, 05:48 PM
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Wornout jeans. Wornout cars. Wornout guns. All in style.
A couple of wars. A kid. l'm wornout too. Maybe l'm in style
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02-05-2012, 06:07 PM
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If it were mine I'd put a coat of wax on it and then use it however I wanted to. Enjoy it.
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Lynnie, Professional Pest
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02-05-2012, 06:22 PM
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Absent Comrade
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I'm kinda lookin' for a used 629 for the same reason that you state.
f.t.
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South Carolina-God's country
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02-05-2012, 08:09 PM
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Save this and other P&R guns..... Pre dash 3 Mod 29s in all barrel lengths are just becoming
too collectible and sought after. They will become more so.
Use something like this..... many of us do. Functional but ugly rubber grips, stainless, lifetime
factory warranty....updated and prepared for heavier use. And don't worry about it....
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Terry
Last edited by TDC; 02-05-2012 at 08:28 PM.
Reason: changed picture
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