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07-27-2017, 11:22 PM
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Found a unfired 29-2
I got lucky! I was looking for a pre-lock 29 for quite some time, but never found a good one that I went for. Now I got lucky and like to share my excitement. A friend of mine had decided to reduce his collection and decided to let me have it along with a hardly fired K-38 8 3/8 barrel and a early model 58 which are both also real nice. He purchased the 29-2 in 1978, keep it in the presentation case with all goodies and receipts. It shows 3 burn rings from factory test firing, perfect blue and a gorgeous grip. Cant wait for the transfer day (darn waiting period). I am already making ammo. Reading a lot and I decided to start with 12gr and up 2400 and HS-6 for light loads with 240gr JSP. Any further load ideas are greatly appreciated!!
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625-7, 69HEMI-R/T, AlHunt, amazingflapjack, Benchrest1, BillyMagg, Breakaway500, daddio202, eb07, EricR, Jackcpat, Jdavis, jringo8769, ki5mc, klind45, LedFowl, Mehutch, mod29, montezumaz, Mr. Wonderful, Old cop, oneounceload, Pef, pharmer, rdcl, RobertJ., S&WsRsweet, sigp220.45, slickracer, tenmikemike, The Norseman, vonn |
07-28-2017, 01:00 AM
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That is sweet. We need pics of the K38 and the Model 58 as well.
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07-28-2017, 01:12 AM
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Congrats on your new gun!
Looks like a good one. Hopefully you'll post a few more photos after you bring it home.
There's a lot of 29-2 handguns out there, but finding them in that condition is getting harder all the time.
Reloading for the .44 magnum with light magnum loads really make an already great handgun that much better.
I consider my 29-2 revolvers to be the crown jewels of my modest collection of S&W revolvers.
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07-28-2017, 01:30 AM
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That is one fine looking revolver.
You are certainly going to enjoy shooting it.
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07-28-2017, 01:48 AM
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I doubt you would find one more pristine than that one for sure. Sometimes it pays off to have patience. Awesome looking blued finish on it.
I would like to see how good the others look also.
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07-28-2017, 05:11 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oysterer
I got lucky! I was looking for a pre-lock 29 for quite some time, but never found a good one that I went for. Now I got lucky and like to share my excitement. A friend of mine had decided to reduce his collection and decided to let me have it along with a hardly fired K-38 8 3/8 barrel and a early model 58 which are both also real nice. He purchased the 29-2 in 1978, keep it in the presentation case with all goodies and receipts. It shows 3 burn rings from factory test firing, perfect blue and a gorgeous grip. Cant wait for the transfer day (darn waiting period). I am already making ammo. Reading a lot and I decided to start with 12gr and up 2400 and HS-6 for light loads with 240gr JSP. Any further load ideas are greatly appreciated!!
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Don't you love it when a plan comes together? What a "BEAUTY"! We need to see the others also. Congratulations! Bob
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07-28-2017, 06:10 AM
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That sure is purty.
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07-28-2017, 06:37 AM
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Congrats on a great set of guns sounds like you make the right sort of friends .
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07-28-2017, 06:54 AM
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The addiction has begun.
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S&WHF 366
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07-28-2017, 07:26 AM
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Thanks
Thank you for the comments.
Indeed, I was content with my model 57, 41 magnum that I bought which is also a 6'' blue gun, and had given up on the 44 mag search. But this one I could not pass up.
I was not able to take pictures of the other two in the heat of the moment.
The K-38 (model 14-3 I think) could pass for unfired. It has large SW target grips. The previous owner said it was extremely accurate. I am curious what it can go.
The model 58 has no serial under the yoke and I did not take the grip off. I think it is a no dash. It was setup as a competition gun, was fired but good condition. It has a light action job and it has a bomar rib installed. The front sight is intact under the rib and I think the gun can be rebuild. But I like the the way it is. Something tells me that will be fun to shoot. Smooth SW target stocks.
Off course images will be coming but doing the transfer of all 3 will take me into mid end October.
Last edited by oysterer; 07-28-2017 at 07:28 AM.
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07-28-2017, 07:32 AM
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Crown Jewel the S&W Model 29 44Mag
Congratulations on your new Revolvers.
Thank you for sharing your story on how
you came about them.
For Reload ideas, just research like you are
doing now. I Reload 44Mag with Old and New Unique,
Red Dot, American Select, Long Shot,
Winchester 296, and there is so much Data out there.
For Bullets, I use a Jacketed Bullet for breaking in
the barrel (box of 100). Then I just reload with
Lead Bullets. Lead Semi Wad Cutters are usually
better for penetration anyway, for Hunting.
Thank you for the Picture too!
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07-28-2017, 11:38 AM
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I would recommend lead bullets for light loads. Light loads can cause jackets to remain in the bore. NOT GOOD!
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WAR EAGLE!
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07-28-2017, 12:06 PM
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A while back, while perusing the Ruger for sale forum, I spotted a very nice M29-2 with the 6 1/2" bbl. Goodyear grips and no box. $675. I jumped on that like ugly on an ape. Have yet to shoot it. I reload all my 44's very light. Best of my shooter 44's is a 50th anniversary 6 1/2" Ruger Flat top. Big Larry
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07-28-2017, 01:45 PM
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Be careful with HS-6, it's easy to double charge case with it. I'd opt for 10 grains of Unique under 240 SWCs, goes around 1000 fps in most of my .44s.
Steve
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07-28-2017, 01:51 PM
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Have had a bunch of 29's and 629's and have always preferred a 230 grain LSWC hard cast bullet over 10-12 grains of Unique.
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07-28-2017, 01:55 PM
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loads
Starting recently loading for the 41 magnum, I am doing 12.5 gr 2400 as well as 7.0 gr W231 with my 41 magnum. 14.5 gr 2400 was too hot already for my taste for target shooting.
I think I'd start something similar with the 29 in 44 spl cases. All my books show rather little difference between 44 and 41 magnum.
I like how unique shoots but I can't get that stuff to meter whatsoever.
2400 however is great.
I read great things about HS6 and I like how it flows. I expect that to meter great as well. I was looking for something a bit slower than W231 to not get much peak pressure.
Thanks for your comments.
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07-28-2017, 02:19 PM
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29-2
Beautiful hand gun.
Concerning the choice of 2400, I run 22 grs for my .44 mag which if my memory serve me 19.8 grs is the starting load for this caliber with 22.4 grs. the max. I may be wrong but 2400 needs to be closed to a compressed load. There's not much difference between the stating load and the max.
Stay safe
Last edited by Jackcpat; 07-28-2017 at 06:28 PM.
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07-28-2017, 02:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oysterer
I think I'd start something similar with the 29 in 44 spl cases. All my books show rather little difference between 44 and 41 magnum.
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I would rethink using 44 Special cases for reloading for your 29-2.
They are a bit shorter than 44 magnum cases and will put a powder-ring in the charge holes that the longer 44 mag cases will over-lap.
I use 44 magnum brass and just reduce the powder charge to where I want it.
Of course, make sure you are referencing a reloading manual while you are cooking up your personal recipe.
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07-28-2017, 04:21 PM
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Congratulations!
Great finds. Did I understand the seller/friend had stored the 29-2 in the wood presentation case? Many of us have found damage to guns stored long-term in those cases. Did the owner live in a dry climate?
I would encourage you to store the gun separate from the case.
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07-28-2017, 04:32 PM
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stored
You see the gun sitting on the case. The case is a bit beat up but the gun not at all. He lives in a very humid part of SC. He told me the gun sat in the wood box 40 years to the day. The case looks like having been moved around in the safe and stuff stored on it. The blue plastic inside had broken down some from the oils. The gun was heavily oiled. The safe had a desiccant dryer can in it. The blue is perfect, no rust spots anywhere, the stocks are not overly dried out, very good actually. The gun looked like factory fresh after a wipe down. You could still see the 3 rings on the cylinders fired from the factory. I think the presentation case must be ok as no condensation gets trapped in it as much as in a plastic case.
I store mine upside down in the safe with RIG grease or Rem Wax on it, action inside sprayed down with Ballistol, wrapped in either a kitchen towel or a gun sock. Safe is in air-conditioned part of the house, no dryer in it. They get fondled once per month on average including shotguns/long rifles which are in long gun socks. The 29 and 57 as well as my shooter 28 6'' and 4'' come out to play a lot more. I have a 1955 Colt which has not seen daylight in 2 years plus.
Last edited by oysterer; 07-28-2017 at 04:36 PM.
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07-28-2017, 04:42 PM
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Are those real Cuban cigars in the pic?
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07-28-2017, 05:07 PM
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Great find!! Very nice looking, and you will find the k-38 is the most accurate gun you will have the pleasure of shootingt! In my 29- i like trail boss powder 5 to 6 grains will about fill up case and is only 700 to 800 fps. Great cowboy loads that are very gentle on the gun. Have fun!!
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07-28-2017, 05:40 PM
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Do You Really Want to Shoot It?
I well remember the old days when those beautiful S&W revolvers had three proof fire burn rings, especially on the stainless and nickel guns. I've had two 29-2's. Still have one, but if it was truly N.I.B. with no cylinder line or burn, I would have a tough time touching off that first very expensive round. I would not disparage anyone for doing so, but my choice would be to get an equally nice L.N.I.B. 29-2 and enjoy shooting it and hold on to that N.I.B. for caressing only. They will last forever in pristine condition if cared for, but N.I.B.'s are special and hyper rare. At that first pop, there's one less.
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07-28-2017, 06:18 PM
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I've been debating that same question, possibly leaving this one alone.
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07-28-2017, 06:51 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oysterer
Starting recently loading for the 41 magnum, I am doing 12.5 gr 2400 as well as 7.0 gr W231 with my 41 magnum. 14.5 gr 2400 was too hot already for my taste for target shooting.
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May I ask the bullet weight you are using? Thanks.
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07-28-2017, 06:55 PM
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210 sierra JSP for the 41 mag
Last edited by oysterer; 07-28-2017 at 07:01 PM.
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08-02-2017, 01:46 PM
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You are going to walk in to the shooting range with a $1,300 gun and walk out with a $ 900 gun.
Lewis
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08-04-2017, 11:37 PM
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29-2
I found a beautiful unfired 29-2 4" on GB, and I have no plans on shooting it, so I just ordered a very nice later model 29 6" for shooting.
Anyhow OP, we're both very fortunate to have a 29-2, and especially if it's unfired! I know you will love it either way!
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08-05-2017, 04:06 AM
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Congrats on the nice find!! If we ever should meet, be sure to shake hands in hopes your good luck passes to me.
Can't recall the numbers from memory but I've been loading my 29-2 using 1970's 44 Special data having good results using HERCO. The older data way to hot for my Charter Bulldog but comfortable in my 29 and 24-6. If you're like me you won't be satisfied until you've hopped it up with 2400 a few times. I worked it up to max for Javalina hunting but as luck would have it never got a shot. I shot up the hot loads in a Rossi rifle and have gone back to the older 44 Special data using gas checked home cast.
EDIT: As a precaution if you should follow my lead using the older data. Double check from another source. Since I started hand loading in 71 I've come across a few mistakes or misprints in older manuals.
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Last edited by Qmark; 08-05-2017 at 04:14 AM.
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08-10-2017, 07:15 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigmoneylewis
You are going to walk in to the shooting range with a $1,300 gun and walk out with a $ 900 gun.
Lewis
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Very true Lewis, but I am not in the gun business and do not need to make money on this gun nor do I want to sell it, not even in the long run. Joy of ownership to me means loading for it and shooting it as well as caring for it.
I bought a unfired 1962 Python fully complete set with test target. Unfortunately it had someones full name engraved on the side plate (too bad). Shot it and enjoyed it for 2 years and sold for quite a bit more than what I had in it. Don't miss that gun. This Smith is another story...it's going to stay with me.
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