I have an opportunity to purchase a model 29-2 in nickel finish.The nickel has a cloudy look to one side of the gun,the rest is a very nice finish but needs polishing.I have no opportunity to polish before I buy as that is a point of contention.I realize the cloudiness could be from the nickel wearing thin,but also realize it could be something else.I guess I am hoping it's something else.Could someone.anyone give me advise on this weapon,it locks up very tight and other than appearance seems almost brand new.The price is $500.00,if I buy this gun and it can't be polished up,is it still worth 500 dollars.Sorry but I have no pictures to offer.Is there any way other than polishing that I can tell exactly what the problem is?Worst case scenario is I buy it and can't polish it up,so keep it for what it was intended,shooting and enjoying without worry of scratching.In my opinion,either way,the gun will always be worth at least 500 as a great functioning shooter grade gun.Could some of you members please chime in with advise,thanks in advance.

Buy it! That sound like a screaming deal. One of the various products on the market such as, Simichrome, Flitz or Mothers mag posh should bring that finish back to like new. Either way, you CAN'T possibly go wrong for $500. Don't foget to post before and after pics once you bring it home. Good luck and have fun!

A $500 M29-2 is a good deal even if the nickel is cloudy. If the finish shines up, you made a fantastic buy. If it don't shine up, you have a great shooter at a good price.

I see it as a no lose deal, but its your money. Are you a perfectionist? Yes -- don't buy it because you will never be satisfied!

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S&WHF 366

Buy that one, 5 bills for a working 29 should not be passed up.

I have a 4" 29 that had a "scuffed" appearance on one side of the barrel, which apparently came from being in the presentation case for decades....a bit of semi chrome on my finger tip, rubbing it gently into the affected areas, then polishing it off with an old T shirt brought the nickel back to it's former finish. As pointed out in previous posts, $500. for a 29 in good mechanical shape is a buy....regardless of it's finish.

I agree - you should go for it. If you do get it, you might find this thread insightful:

Rehabilitating a Nickel Model 36 - Finished 11/21

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Dave

Buy it!! I would try FLITZ first, then go a bit more aggressive with Semi chrome-- Go to the dollar store and get some of the pads in the photo--used for make-up -- get a tray and sit down in front of the tube and have at it. A terry cloth bar towel will take you a LONG way here as well-- JMHO
May take a couple sessions- but when done follow up with the wax as shown--

I have used Flitz on a few with good results. Do it by hand only no Moto-Tools!

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Stay safe people!

If you buy the Model 29, and I'd suggest that you do, use your fingers only to apply any polish. You'll learn very quickly not to get to aggressive.

I bought this one a couple years ago for $625. It was very "milky" and there are some minor flecks out of the nickel, probably blood or similar corrosive agent. Went over it with Mothers mag polish and this is probably as good as it's gonna get. bet it hasn't had one full box of rounds through it in it's lifetime. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

Yes, but the cotten pads keep you from doing so as well-- I wore rubber gloves when doing such things.

I've bought several that didn't look to nice (to begin with), but same deal, probably fired a couple of times and put away.

You can bet I put some rounds down range with them, and they all cleaned up nicely!

Found a beat up Security Six 4" (was a great project gun) and a S&W 649-3. Their loss was my gain.

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Criminals don't register guns.

Ok,the deal is done,I traded a newer 870 express 3 inch shotgun and 200 dollars boot,going to pick up the 29 this evening.I will post pics when I get her home.I can't believe I am this excited,it's like Christmas morning when I was twelve.It's a shame as we get older things that make us get butterflies in our stomachs are few and far between but today I have caught myself doing a happy dance twice.I have always wanted a model 29 since the first time I saw Harry Calahan pull his years ago,the look of that awesome revolver has entrenched itself in my mind for eternity.I'll post some pics this evening,then I ask if any of you have experience polishing nickel,any advise you can give is greatly appreciated.

Picked her up this evening,worse than I remember.The guy I traded with removed her wooden grips,which had me to the point of wondering why,anyway needless to say it made me pretty angry.He will probably use them as a bargaining chip later.I almost walked away but I just couldn't.Anyway I picked up some flitz and cotton pads,any hints would be appreciated and helpful.Thanks for all the advise and will post pics later of the"after" but here are some before pics

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I bet that one will shine up with Fitz and a soft cloth, does not look like the nickel is flacked off just dull.

Well I have been rubbing very lightly on her with flitz by finger tip,she is coming around,looks so much better,the cloudiness is disappearing and she's starting to shine.Looks like this is going to be the best 500.00 I have ever spent.There are a couple minor spots that are still cloudy,my question to fellow members is,Should I keep going or should I just stop where I am at and be grateful?Should I use any other product over top of the flitz polish or am I good to leave her alone now?

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I didn't notice until I bought her but am I right that there is a target hammer,trigger,and sights?Thanks for any knowledge about this subject.

Here are just some more pics of the trigger,hammer and sights.

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You did good , ressurecting a fine gun, my hats off too you , enjoy your find

STOP POLISHING or you won't want to shoot it ! ! !

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S&WHF 366

Now go find those wood grips. You did well!

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Criminals don't register guns.

Target hammer, trigger and white outline, red ramp sights were standard on Model 29s. She looks pretty good, I think I would stop before I went too far.
Kinda cheap of him to show it with wood stocks and then remove them.

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

Yes it was cheap of him. I would have to send him pics of it polished up with some period grips

Thewelshm

I agree, it was bad business to change the deal by removing the original grips, but you still got the better end of the deal. Let's face it, most of us get rid of the factory grips as soon as possible. I found on old set of Herrett Shooting Star grips were the most comfortable on my model 29. They looked pretty good as well.

looking good...good price...but if those were the S&W target grips in decent condition...he just took like $150+ from that gun

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

My thoughts exactly. If he were to try that with me, I'd have told him either the $200.00 or the shotgun comes back to me. Tnvol44, congratulations on your new revolver.

Regards,

Dave

tnvol44,
Although your pictures are a bit blurry I do not see any significant scratches or defects of the surfaces of your revolver. Given the intactness of the finish I think you can safely continue to gently polish with Flitz until the remaining areas of cloudiness are gone. I think nickel finishes are thicker and more durable than generally perceived. Make sure to avoid harsh solvents remaining on the nickel surface for any significant period of time. Ammonia containing products like original Hoppe's No. 9 have to potential to damage nickel surfaces. Many members have stated they have used Hoppe's No. 9 on nickel guns with no issues but they all state they wipe down the surface carefully and completely as soon as they can. When done polishing finish off with wax. Two popular waxes that seem to have a good track record with S&W Forum members are Johnson Paste Wax and Renaissance Wax. Congratulations on a good buy.
John

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Scoundrel & Ne'er-Do-Well

Pulling the original grips would be an even bigger "point of contention" for me! What a dick.
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

Yes I agree,this guy and myself do a lot of trading,I think he will use them for a later bargaining chip.That's ok because little does he know,I will be keeping this gun forever so I really don't give a **** about those factory grips(only the sake of having the correct numbered grips)but there are other wood stocks I like better.It will do him no-good to hold them because it won't work this time.The thing that it has done,is make me decide to keep my 66-1 he has been trying to get for over a year now,I wouldn't sell it to hime for five thousand dollars now.I agree it was such a dick move that he has destroyed a great friendship and trading place.

Next time you see him, tell him how nice the nickel polished up and that a few minutes of work turned your $500 into $900, I wouldn't even mention grips unless they were cokes.

Wonder what he would have done if you had removed the buttstock of the shotgun and carried it away??

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

This is where I'm at... I agree you got a great gun for a nice price, but I have nothing nice to say about your seller. I would have a hard time dealing with anyone that pulled a bait and switch or any other shady trick no matter how small. That isn't how men do deals.

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Buy USA made.

I use the Simi-chrome polish it removes the milky look and light scuff marks the finish will look new again.

Looks like it is cleaning up nicely! Well worth $500...

Thanks to all for your sharing of knowledge,I am very appreciative.Now that I have her looking good,I decided to take her out to the range and exercise a little.What a sweet shooting tack driver it is.Local ammo was limited to hornady leverevolution 225 gr FTX,this gun loves it.From a bench at 25 yards she shot a ragged hole for twelve rounds,the size of a fifty cent piece.I am more than satisfied with this great revolver.I have other wheel guns to burn magnum loads in but I would like to take it easy on this one for the most part,does anyone have any suggestions for a good 44 special ammo to run in this gun?Is there any drawback to shooting specials in her?Also would you members rather shoot 44 specials or just tame 44 magnum loads,thank you all for your sound advise,I am in awe at what a great group this is.

tnvol44:

Drop me a PM with your mailing address and I will send you a correct set of original target grips for your 29-2 !
I cannot believe someone would remove those grips after showing you the gun !

Just post a photo once you get them installed.

Very nice job !

Jerry

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.38/44 Outdoorsman Accumulator

You,my friend,have just restored my belief that there are some good people left in this world.That's the most generous,kind thing anyone has ever done for me without knowing them at all.I sure do appreciate your kindness and I will pay it forward when possible.I sent you a pm with my mailing address,your gesture has changed the way I have been thinking about people in general.Thank you so much,and of course I will take several pictures and post them as soon as they arrive.This is the most awesome thing that's ever happened to me online.I am a true believer that the good things we do in life always come back to us seven fold.Thanks once again!!!

Your gonna find that here a lot...........

And not to criticize, but hit the space bar a little more often, makes it easier for us old guys to read your posts.

Welcome aboard. Again, great job on the cleanup!!!

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Criminals don't register guns.

Thank you sir,I have waited a long time on a model 29 and it was well worth the elbow grease to clean her up. There's just something special to me about the feel of a quality revolver.I know the semi's have their place and I do use one for every day carry,but there is a difference between a tool and a work of art.
In my state of Tennesseee,as long as you have a handgun permit we have the option to carry concealed or open.I think once I get some nice wood on her I will lug her along with me now and again.
This group is by far the best that I belong to,everyone is helpful and willing to answer questions that may be a little basic in nature without being sarcastic.
I have managed two different outfitters businesses in my career,one in which I gained a lot of knowledge of semi-auto handguns and trigger work on bolt action rifles.These revolvers are new to me as far as in depth mechanics,so if anyone needs any help from me and I can help,I am more than willing to do whatever I can for anyone.

I had the same problem around 40 years ago with my nickel model 27. Not knowing any better, I used some silver polish, with a very light hand. The cloudiness was removed, and the problem did not reoccur. Now that I know better, I use Flitz cleaner and wax.

Thought all week about how nice the people in this group are,it isn't everyday someone offers to help you out with some knowledge,advice,or even some nice wood grips.I can't wait to put some nice period wood grips on this beast****bber shoots soft but there's just something about nice wood stocks that add a touch of class to a solid workhorse.Thanks for letting me in this group,I wish more were like this one.

they told ya!! You did good!

I have a nickel Model 29-2. It got a few cloudy spots on it that I suspect were from failing to get all of the Hoppe's No.9 nitro powder solvent cleaned off; it is bad for nickel finishes. I used jeweler's rouge and very lightly buffed it. I am talking very lightly. Jeweler's rouge is very, very fine and it brings out a nice polish, but it is still an abrasive. Nickel is really hard, but it is still really thin, too. I also waxed it with car wax. It looks great, 20 years later. I recommend natural carnauba wax, not silicone. If anyone ever needs to refinish it, that silicone will be a nightmare.

I bought a NIB Combat Masterpiece a little while ago and when I put the first round downrange I actually giggled. Grown men do that

I received the stocks from GLL saturday,they need a little fitting and as soon as I get them straightened out will post some pics.Thanks once again GLL I appreciate you kindness and hope to pay it forward soon.Glad to be part of such a great group of gun owners and enthusiasts,there are none better than reside right here.

tnvol44:

Drop me a PM about the fitting issue. The grips came off of an old 27-2 so should have dropped right on your gun. We can just try another set rather than mess with those.
Curious ! By any chance is the problem at the frame pin and the fit tight?

Jerry

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.38/44 Outdoorsman Accumulator

Still curious about the fit problem?

Jerry

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.38/44 Outdoorsman Accumulator

I wouldn't say a word about how it cleaned up or the grips. Tell him to let you know if he ever has any more S&W's he wants to sell. When or if that happens, ask him if the grips come with the gun before you talk price. Then try to talk him down a hundred bucks for removing those grips.

What is the status of the fit problem with the grips I sent for your 29-2?

Jerry "GLL"

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.38/44 Outdoorsman Accumulator

WOW, Realistically you have about $400 into it. A used 870 express and $200. Look for N frame magnas if you have small hands like I do. The targets are way too big for me. Great deal, incredible shooter. Don't mention it to your seller until you have those wood stocks in hand. Welcome to the best forum on the net.