Hi All,

In my other post about the 1917 and WWB, we started talking about the Model 29 in the 70's and how they were unobtainable
at the time. Figured I'd start a new thread.

As I recall, the Model 29 was always a slow seller until the "Dirty
Harry" movie. The factory list price was around $229. After the
movie came out, everyone was looking for the "most powerful handgun in the world" Now you have to remember that most LEOs were issued .38 specials at the time, and although a lot carried .357, a lot of departments required 38 specials to
be issue ammo. No LEOs carried semi autos in my area.

Only S&W manufactured the .44 Magnum, and it was only manufactured a few months out of the year, not throughout
the whole year. S&W couldn't make them fast enough., or
feed the demand. Waiting lists were over 2 years.


The price dramatically rose at the dealers. If you wanted one, you had to pay the price, pretty much double the list price.
More "Dirty Harry" movies fueled the demand back then.

I found a 4 inch nickel plated Mod 29 for 425 back then, and it
was a LOT of money at the time, and I was lucky to get it. I hated the nickel and the short barrel but I had "the most powerful handgun in the world" (LOL) IN 1976, I found a blued 8 3/8 and traded the nickeled one in (at a loss)

Although its been over 40 years ago, I often wonder where
my 29's ended up since they were traded off. I just picked
up a new 629 and it sure brings back a lot of memories for me over 40 years ago. I just had to go back in time, so to speak.

I'm sure a lot of you guys have the same story, but I cant think of any other firearm that caused this much commotion during its manufactured lifetime. Thanks for sharing.

I became interested in the 44 Magnum in the spring of 1968 while attending graduate school at the University of Montana in Missoula. My neighbor introduced me to the Ruger Super Blackhawk and I bought one of those within a couple of months. I read about the Model 29 in Guns & Ammo and was intrigued by this revolver, but none could be found in Missoula or in the state of Montana (J & G Rifle Ranch had used ones listed for over $400, but would only sell to law enforcement officers at the time). It took me five years to finally buy my first 29-2 (July 1973). I think it was the scarcity of the model that started me collecting it. If I had been able to buy one in 1968, I probably would have enjoyed shooting it over the years and never started collecting the 44 Magnum.

Bill

I remember those days quite well. Dealers were inflating the selling prices on the 29’s, and nobody had them. I bought my first 29 in 75. It was a 8 3/8” version, I really wanted a 6 1/2”, but those were impossible to find. I bought the 8 3/8” with the intent of lopping off a couple of inches. But then I got involved in shooting metallic sil. I shot steel with the 8 3/8” and found that it was well suited for that game, then I hunted deer with it, still do today.
It has shot nothing but 240 grain bullets over 20 grains of 2400.
Bought a 4” nickel 29 from J&G in Prescott in 79. Carried it as a duty gun for a year until I replaced it with a 58. Still have the nickel 4 incher, carry it and shoot it regularly.
Have accumulated several 29’s and 629’s since then. The first two “ brung me to the dance” as far as entering the world of the 44 magnum.

And now look at you Sir!

Heard about them.
Read about them.
Don’t think I ever saw one til a Dude in Ft. Collins, CO showed me his.
I was confused by the black case.
Did it really come in that?

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

I don't remember a black case in the 70's. Both of mine came with the presentation cases. The 4 in. nickel had a padded soft
insert, while the 8 3/8 had a cheap plastic inserts. This was over a 4 year period of high demand. (1972-1976) A lot of guys bought presentation cases from the factory to upgrade their model 27's 57's and 29's which the factory was offering as an upgrade. The cases were for N frames of 4in. 6 1/2 in. and 8 3/8 in.

I was fortunate to live in NE PA relatively near a wonderful store called Sugarman's Eynon Drug (out of business in the mid-90's). When the frenzy for model 29's was underway, Sugarmen's was actually selling them at list price. You had to get on a list and when there was a gun available, and you were at the top of the list, you got the call.

As I recall, the gouging on 29 prices carried over to just about all N-frames, although the 29 was the hardest to get. I was on Sugarmen's "list" for both a 25-2 and a 29-2. I got the 25-2 in July of 1977 for $229.95. I don't remember when the 29-2 came through - it was either later that year or early 1978 - it cost $269.95. They are both still with me languishing in my safe with ten of their brethren.




Adios,

Pizza Bob

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NRA Benefactor Member

I bought my first Model 29 (a dash 2) in 1973 at the Smith & Wesson warranty service center known as Cheshire & Perez. This non-descript concrete block building was in an out-of-the-way neighborhood in Monrovia, California (east L.A. County) and most of the customers were cops. I used to go there to buy parts and have service performed on various revolvers I owned at the time.

I was standing next in line behind a young plainclothes LAPD officer who had just picked up his new 2-1/2" Model 66. Henry (Mr. Perez) then showed him a brand new blued Model 29-2 with 6-1/2" barrel in mahogany presentation case that had just come in and was now available. The officer could not afford it and Henry put it under the counter.

When the officer finished his business and left, I asked Henry if the Model 29 was available to me (since I was not in law enforcement at that time I did not know if I would be eligible). He stated "of course." I asked him how much. He replied current retail, which was, at the time, $203.50. I tried to act nonchalant when I said I'd take it, and whipped out my wallet in an instant.

I could not wait to get home and tell my best friend and shooting buddy of my good fortune (he'd paid $350.00 at Warner's Gun Shop in our hometown of Fullerton, CA for a used Model 29-2).

Cheshire & Perez did not mark up the prices above MSRP on the guns they sold to the general public. I bought several more guns at great prices from C&P once I entered law enforcement and was saddened when they closed the business some years later.

I sold that Model 29 in the mid-80's for $350. Owned a blued 29-2 with 8-3/8 barrel for many years but sold that one, too. Still have a beautiful Nickel 4" 29-2 as my only S&W 44 Magnum presently.

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FBINA, 204th Session

rbmac52,

The S&W distributor we had in Pittsburgh (Home Town) only sold to LEO's at list price back then. When the .44 craze hit, they continued to sell at list, but you'd have to find a LEO to order it for you. Turned into a 2 year waiting list.

Dealers, on the other hand, pretty much charged what they wanted, and pretty much made a killing. Most were charging double the list price when they had them. Don't believe S&W made anything out of the craze.

Like I said, I cant remember any other revolver causing this much commotion when they were in their prime.

I remember the era well. I bought 2 29s back then, a 4'' nickel and a 8 3/8 blue. Both in those nice wooden boxes.

We had one dealer in the area that always had a couple in stock, of course he was adding a healthy increase to MSRP, like about $200 more) but we had people in the area that just had to have one today and he got his money!

As for me I did a lot of business with this one big dealer in another city and went on the waiting list and I got both my 29s at MSRP. He took care of his better customers and your name could suddenly move up on the list as he controlled it.

Just to add it was just not 29s that were hard to get in that time, many of the "better" Smith's were difficult to find and many went at a Premium. 60s,36s, 15 2'', 19s -2 1/2"&4'' 18s and 27s

Smith at that time had a system of sending guns to the dealer depending on what and how many they were selling. If you sold a lot of 10s and other mostly fixed sighted guns they would send you a couple of "premium" guns (named above) Till the carton was opened the dealer did not know what he was getting.
I know that sounds crazy but that was how it worked back then!

I got real lucky as I was on the list for a 18, and just by luck I was there when the Smith delivery hit the store. I spotted the lettering on the box and removed it from the big shipping box. Like said I did a lot there and was friendly with the owner!

Said to the dealer heck I'm here now and have the money in my pocket (MSRP) just move me up the list and the deal is done. I got the gun, but back them neither I or the dealer talked about the particulars of that sale!

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

nylakesider,

You were very lucky in those days. In my case, money talked. A lot of guys wanted them, but no one could afford them at the dealers' prices. If S&W could have maintained the list prices, they certainly would have sold more.

However, S&W didn't forsee the demand the movies would cause, and limited their production to a few months out of the calendar year. It took them years to satisfy the demand for these revolvers. I really don't remember the Mod 27 or Mod 57 with this much demand. Everyone then wanted "the most powerful handgun in the world" (quote Clint Eastwood) Thinking about this a little more, I'll have to go thru my records and find the serial numbers for the ones I had back then. Maybe someone here is enjoying them as much as I did.

My dad bought one back then. I'll ask him how much he paid and what the buying market was like back then when I see him later. This Polaroid I scanned is all he has left of it now. Sold it long ago.

I ordered mine from Law Enforcement Equipment Co. in Kansas City sometime around the first of January, 1968. It was listed in their catalog at $105. By the time I received it a few months later, the price had gone up to $125 and they asked if I still wanted it. Duh!

After I shot it a few times, I had to put it away and spent about three months getting my trigger finger to quit jerking the trigger. We were shooting a bullseye course with model 15s back then and I had a lot of trouble getting back to where I was before the .44 arrived.

I set up for reloading and started with light loads and worked up to the 20 grains of 2400 and 240 grain cast bullets. Shot a lot of those and also 8 grains of Unique.

I still have that Model 29-2 and its in great shape. Its mostly retired, but I get it out and shoot it on occasion.

After the move came out, I was offered $400 for it sight unseen. No deal! I once saw one at a gun shop in Illinois for over $600 during that era. Right at 3 times list price!!

Very few people who shot it that .44 back then could get through 6 rounds!

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

I paid $450 for an new 8" nickle 29-2 in 1975. At the time I was an Airman 1st Class in the USAF. Had to get a loan from the base credit union to purchase it. Not sure but I think I was paid 300 a month. In 2018 dollars that 29-2 cost about $2100. By todays prices I still overpaid!

I also remember those days.
At the time, I was captain of the Ft. Huachuca pistol team.
One of the members has just transferred in from Ft. Wainwright.
He brought with him 3 new 29-2s. 4". 6-1/2" and 8-3/8".
Purchased them at the R&G club there.
Was keeping the 6-1/2 so he offered me my pick of the other two.
I chose the 8-3/8, which was my second S&W, after a Model 60.
Paid him $400 for it. A lot of money at the time.
Carried, hunted and competed (IHMSA) with it until it shot loose.
A few years ago, I shipped it back to S&W for an overhaul.
Came back like new.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

I got my first 29-2 around winter of 1977/78 - don't remember exactly when. The place I got mine (blue 6 1/2") is long out of business, I don't remember the name. But, to get the 29 you had to buy a "package" deal. For my 29, I had to also buy a black powder rifle kit. I had no intention of building that thing and sold it to a friend. I had the 29 for a few years until I got bit by the 1911 bug and traded it off. I have been able to accumulate a few other nice ones, so I made up for that mistake.

The reason I remember it was wintertime is that I was so excited to bring that 29 home I slid into a ditch turning too fast onto my snow-covered street. I had to walk home and get a shovel to dig my car out.

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Tony

Back in the '70s, there a small hardware store near Auburn University that sold at suggested retail. Harris Hardware in Notasulga, Alabama had been a S&W dealer for many years. As mentioned above, dealers received whatever the distributers decided to send them. HH seldom got more than one M29 at a time, so there was a waiting list. I never did get to the top of the list.

I have owned several M58s, a M57, a Ruger Super Blackhawk and a new .44 Magnum flattop. I finally got a S&W .44 Maggie, a M629 Mountain Gun, about 12 years.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

As stated above, I purchased my first Model 29-2 (8 3/8-inch, bright blue, in the presentation case) in July 1973. I was stationed at an Army Research Center in Watertown, MA and subscribed to the Shotgun News. I saw an ad saying a person in Springfield, MA had a mint Model 29-2 in the mahogany case and wanted $375 for it. I made an arrangement to meet in Springfield (about 100 miles from where I lived) and purchase the 44 Magnum. I had a Massachusetts carry permit so all the papers were in order. I was the proud new owner of my first 44 Magnum in late July 1973. I kept that revolver for over fifteen years before using it as partial trade on a mint 4-screw in the dark blue case.

Bill

Bill if you dont mind being asked.What was it that attracted you away from your 3 screw to the 4 screw model.Was it a shorter barrel length,or was this just the start of collecting the older pre 29's for you.

I got mine in 1980 or 81 while serving in the Army in Germany.

Another soldier bought the 6" 29-2 (shipped May 79) for $400 from the Post Rod and Gun Club in June 1980. (I have the receipt) The paperwork process to take it back to the US required 4-6 months. This soldier did not do the paperwork and had to either sell it or abandon it to the MP's.

I bought it in 80 or early 81, but don't remember how much I paid. I think I got it for $250 or $300, in new condition, with the box and tools.

Still have it though I threw away the disintegrating box inserts years ago.

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Mike SWCA 2865 NRA Benefactor

Laketime...My interest in the 44 Magnum shifted in the 1980s to the earliest guns I could find. The 4-screw was shipped in 1958 and fit well with my collecting interests. Early 44 Magnums (both S&W and Ruger) are still my main interest.

Bill

I remember those days after the movies, but only from reading about the craze in the magazines. I had never fired even a 22 pistol at the time, so I knew the "mighty" 44 was out of my league. That and the fact that they might as well have cost a million dollars as whatever they were selling for. I had about as much chance of paying one as a I did the other.

I've owned a few 29's since then, and liked them, but always managed to find something else I wanted more. These days the only 44 magnum I have is a Model 69, but I do have a Model 57, with a 4" barrel, that came in a presentation case. The S/N dates it to 1973. I hadn't thought about it until reading this thread. I wonder if someone originally bought it, because they couldn't find "the worlds most powerful handgun." It's still pretty much in NIB condition.

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John 3:16 .

The Model 29 to me is as an iconic piece as a Colt .45 SA, although folks did not stake their lives on a 29 the way folks staked their very existence on a Colt 45 when it came out.

That being said, in my lifetime at least, there is no other firearm that has such an allure as a Model 29 .44 Magnum at this point in my life.

I bought a Model 57 in 1981, a nickled P&R no-dash. To this day I do not know if it was a 6” or a 6.5.”

I’d like to think it was a 6.5” because I used to just admire it as one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen. And I had some pretty hot girlfriends, more than I deserved. It was later stolen in college when my apartment got broken in to while I was at class.

In recent years I have acquired a 6” 29-3, a P&R 8 3/8” Model 57, a 6” 629 and a 8 3/8” 629, but none invoked the same internal feeling - like it did in the day - until I acquired a P&R 6 1/2” nickle Model 29-2 a couple of months ago. And now, I find myself doing the same thing as I did back in the early 80’s. I sometimes watch TV with it (unloaded) sitting on my coffee table with a prop rod through the trigger guard. Just looking at occasionaly makes me smile and still feel it is one of the most incredible things ever invented.

That has to come from watching “Dirty Harry” with my next-door neighbor numerous times back then and just thinking I had to have one someday.

I still love the .41 Magnum cartridge, and have that beautiful 8 3/8” P&R 1978 Model 57 I really, really like.

But if it came down to it, my 1979 Model 29-2 would be the last firearm I’d ever let leave my possession. From watching Dirty Harry, to looking at it on my coffee table, a 1970s Model 29 .44 Magnum in my mind is as good as it gets.

I bought my first 44 magnum a five screw in 1959 or 60. My mother had to pick it for me from a pawn shop as I was only 15. Dad did not like revolvers but living on a farm it was possible to get far enough away from the farm house to shoot. I own it to this day,

I grew up in Central California. All new S&Ws were hard to find as I recall. If a dealer had anything it was a Model 10. Once in a while a 19 would show up.

In 1976 I was just 21 and walked into my favorite gun store. "Glad you're here. I've been holding something for you" the clerk said as I entered. I guess I spent more money there than I realized. Anyway he pulls out a 6.5" 29-2. I never wanted a 44 until I saw that one. How much? I asked. The clerk turned to the onwer standing behind him and asked the price. The owner thought for a moment and said "350" and walked away. I think the MSRP was $287.50 but I could be wrong. Anyway, the clerk said that was a great price. They had been getting $500 for them when they came in. How much money was I spending there anyway?

So I bought it. Shot 50 rounds through it and then looked at it until it was stolen in 1986. N306868 if you happen to see it. Bought an identical revolver of 1978 vintage (this time used of course but looked to unused) in 1987 and I think I paid the same $350.

Still have it. Shot 50 rounds through it. I can't tolerate the recoil.

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No life story has happy end.

I got my 29-2 in 1974 after a year long wait from the time I ordered it through a local hardware store. The owner did not mark it up at all, nor did he discount it. If I recall, I paid around $249.50, including tax, give or take. It was blue with the 6 1/2 inch barrel.

Art Doc, sorry to hear you had one stolen. That is terrible.

I will say the one you have is very fine, and glad you have that one!

Those days and my 29-2 are why I am here tonight. Grew up in the Appalachian Mountain Valleys of the Tennessee River. In the 1970's, a bunch of us guys in our 20's lived in the deer woods in the fall and winter and the bean fields in the summer shooting woodchucks and crows. Running buddies had a ruger in 44 mag, so I purchased my first hand gun, a Blackhawk in 357. It did not take long to decide that old single action grip was not for me and that 357 hurt the ears if you shot it without hearing protection. It went away quickly.

Wanting a deer hunting handgun, I am off to see Larry's in Huntsville. He is still a very large gun shop there. I wanted a Smith and Wesson in 44 mag to hunt with. They told me they were only made "once a year" and I could get on the waiting list, which I did. This is 1977. Every month or so, I would drop buy and remind Larry I was waiting on my S&W to arrive. It was almost a year later in 1978 that they called and I am off to pick up my gun. I paid list price. Somewhere around that $ 268 amount someone else posted. They accused me of wanting it because of the Dirty Harry movies and I told them, no, I want it to shoot and hunt with. Larry apologized for the price increase as the 1977 price was in the $240 range and that new one was the 1978 price. was I every lucky, I knew they were in great demand.

I made it all the way to 2006 before another S&W came here, they stopped making the 396Ti and I found one, it has been a constant companion for 12 years now. I still have the 29-2, quite a bit of holster wear and a lot of 44 specials down range. It started the trend and must be lonesome. Last month three 357's showed up in the safe, all pre lock, to keep the old gal company. Dang, this stuff is habit forming.

That 29-2 is still shot some and goes to the woods in the fall.

She may get replaced in the deer woods this fall, that new to me 1950 Target in 44 special thinks it needs to take one of these Alabama deer for the freezer. Yep, bought them to shoot and these 44's are learning the mountain side of the Appalachian mountains.

They were still in short supply in 1977-78. I always thought the factory caught up by 1975-76.

I had this very nice 29-2. But it was too nice - I never even shot it in the 3 years I had it. I sold it and used the $ to buy 4 other good shooters. I still have and shoot my 29-3 Classic Hunter though. It was only about a 90% gun to start with, so I'm not afraid of devaluing it it.

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Hi Guys,

I still cant remember any other firearm that attracted this much attention during its production lifespan. Dealers doubling the MSRP, waiting lists,
deposits to get on a waiting list. I think someone did a conversion of money and found the $229 of 1972 is like $2100 today. I was only able to afford the $425 in 1972 because I was young, dumb, unmarried, and lived at home. It was nothing to me to spend a whole paycheck on a firearm THEN and then some. BUT you have to remember, I had "the most powerful handgun in the world"

When I look at my new 629 (couldn't afford the new classic 29 today) I think back to those days when no one could find one or afford them. Brings back a lot of memories.

I always regretted trading off that first 29-2. In the mid 1980's I got a 6" 629-1 with plans to use it for Ohio deer hunting when handguns were first permitted. A very nice gun, but for some reason it did not have the appeal of a blued 6 1/2" P&R 29.

We hunted the woods of my in-laws southern Ohio property. The evening before the season opened, I went to town to buy my deer tag. In the gun case was a nice shooter grade 6 1/2" blued 29-2 and I asked to see it, but put it back. The next day, sitting in my deer stand, I kept thinking about that 29. So, at lunch, I drove into town and traded the 629 for the 29. I was back in my deer stand about an hour and a half later with a 29-2 that I had never even shot. Thursday of that week, I took a small buck with that gun.

My son now owns that gun - given to him as a gift when he graduated the police academy. It was his choice of three guns; another 29-2 and a 629.

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Tony

My story with the Model 29 doesn’t go back as far as most of you, I was around 7 when the Dirty Harry movie came out.
I had mostly new guns and decided to get into some vintage. First one that came to mind was “The most powerful handgun in the world” I’m in Canada and soon discovered they weren’t very easy to come by. There was a nickel 6.5” for sale but it was on consignment and overpriced. After a month I never came across another one so I bit the bullet and bought it. Soon after I came across a 8 3/8” for a much better price. Here's my two 29-2's: 1978 nickel and 1975 Blued:

After seeing that probably Pre-29 up in CO, for a long time only saw a very few more of any vintage.
During that time, I did buy a few guns but not a 29.
Then I was in-out of the country, had a lot going on.
When I got back stateside, I noticed there were a lot more 29s for sale.
Pretty soon they were everywhere!
Got more involved buying-selling, lots of later model 29s showing up.
Mostly 6, 61/2, and 8s.
This is the 29-2 that I kept.
My only regret is I didn’t get my paws on a 4 incher.
Later, I did get a pre -29, but I’ll do a separate thread on that beauty!

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

...Dirty Harry premiered the year I graduated from high school...

...I became a gun owner two years later with a Remington 870 Wingmaster...I was a pump shotgun guy for the next twenty years or so collecting several more...

...then one day in the early '90s...my wife of about 15 years at the time said..."they're talking about banning guns...shouldn't we get some more before they do?"...

...I didn't hesitate...and bought a couple of 45 semi autos before I decided to watch Dirty Harry again on the VHS...that was it...I had to have a 44 Magnum...

...I shopped mostly gun shows back then...and came across a good deal on a Ruger Super Blackhawk...and took it home...but I still wanted the Dirty Harry gun...

...finally spotted a nice one at another show...seller wanted $325...I offered $275...and he agreed!..****shed out to find an ATM machine...got it bought and brought it home..

...it was a 29-3...I didn't know anything about pinned and recessed or the fact that the barrel was a half inch shorter than Harry's was...it had...and still does have the best double action trigger of any DA I have handled...

...I wouldn't mind owning an older model to match Harry's more closely...but I still like this 29-3...and it will probably remain my example of the breed...

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A Country Boy Can Survive

Anyone who lived in the Denver area in the late 70's and 1980 might remember Swanson's Custom Firearms. As said above, like other dealers, SCF received shipments directly from S&W every 4 to 6 weeks. I was on the Model 29 waiting list and got the call in April of 1979 that mine had come in. I was mildly disappointed that mine has a 6 inch barrel instead of 6-1/2.

I was stationed in the USAF in Germany from the mid '70s. I went back to the US for training and leave in 1977. Everyone I talked guns to was looking for a Model 29, and none seemed to be available at any reasonable price. When I got back to Germany, the next time I went to the Rod and Gun Club at Bitburg AB, I was looking at the display and there was a 6 1/2" Model 29-2 in a presentation case (they actually had two). I decided I needed one and purchased it for $202.40. Didn't get to shoot it too much as the German Gun Club I belonged to frowned on fringing such a large caliber. I also picked up a Model 52 and two model 41s, a Model 14 that I shot in competition. The R&G Club did let me shoot the 52 and 14 but everyone else competed with 32s in the center fire class. I still have the Model 29 today, and shoot it occasionally, It's a great gun. Word was that the American R&G Clubs had first choice on any manufactures commercial offerings if the US Government had a contract with them. My issue gun and what I had to qualify with was a S&W 38 revolver.

A good friend and gun collecting buddy asked me what gun I’d want that I didn’t already have and I answered I’d like a 4” model 29. My wife gave me this 29-2 for my next birthday, sometime in the late 1980’s. I know, I’m a lucky man.
Regards,
turnerriver

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turnerriver

Guys,

There are some interesting stories and beautiful revolvers in the post. Thanks for sharing.

Turnerriver -

You've got a couple of keepers there - both the revolver and the wife.

Bought one with a box of 50 rounds that was missing 6.

Got my first S series 6.5" 29-2 in the early 80's. Still have it. Got 3 others, a 3" 629-2 custom made for me by Mag-Na-Port, then a 29-3 Classic Hunter, then I found my way into a Mountain Revolver by happenstance.

A proper and well fitting set of grips is important. Cokes, Kurac Cokes, Hogue, anything quality that fits your hand.

I cast and roll my own, so I lob a 265g from a Lyman/Thompson mould @ 1200fps and it does bring down game!

It is very unusual to have a Patridge sight on ant 8 3/8. Did it come that way, or did you change it?

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

Do recall the craze.
1974, age 16, I'd gotten my first 'real job' (not cutting grass or farm work) at a large sporting goods/LGS in Raleigh, NC, store was 'Hill's Inc.' and was THE definitive shop in a many-county area for quality guns and loading gear.
Recall M29's being what's now called 'allocated stock', meaning yes, they were available, but most wholesalers required the dealer to order a quantity of S&W gear to get, ie, S&W holsters, ammo, grips, various M10's, M36's, etc.
4" M29's seemed to be the easiest to get. I also remember us getting a LOT of 4" models back in on trade or consignment sale, usually having been shot very little. Ammo cost was considered a negative, and shooting the factory LSWC ammo resulted in leading that was epic.

Remember buying a co-worker's used Ruger SBH 7.5" .44 mag. ($150) after I got started handloading, and that got me into bullet casting and becoming an Elmer Keith wannabe.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275