What would you do?

USMC586 · #1 10-22-2010, 10:20 PM

Asking here I almost know the answer but here it goes anyway. What would you do given the following scenario?

I live in a ban state that severely restricts hand guns. There are more brands than not that we cannot buy new. Glocks are one of them.
I own a pre ban G 26 that sells for about $700 used. And is very difficult to replace.
I have come across a nice S&W 29-2 4" for $600 and I am on the fence about selling the G for it.

I had a Ruger Super Red Hawk in 44 Mag that I almost never shot. Only because we can't hunt anything but bear with a handgun. (more or less) But the 29 is a thing of beauty and I would love to own such a classic.

So would you give up a great sub compact carry piece for a beautiful 29 that more than likely would not be shot or carried very often?
At 6'3" 270 I could realistically get away with carrying the beast. But what say you? Keep they carry G or go with a classic?
FYI my 340 is my most common carry piece anyway.

Bullseye Smith · #2 10-22-2010, 10:28 PM

BYE-BYE GLOCK

torotoro · #3 10-22-2010, 10:32 PM

I would keep the pre-ban and save up for the next 29, especially if its your carry piece.

Allen-frame · #4 10-22-2010, 10:42 PM

I am 5'9" and 150#s and carry an N frame of one form or another
regularly.
There is a 4" 25-9 in an Alessi N4 holster on my hip as I write this.

Evil black guns trade among friends here all the time for $300.
So I cannot imagine your situation.

All that said ,you knew coming in what MY opinion would be.

Tupperware gun so ugly you have to sneak up on it to shoot it,
OR blued steel work of art.

You know your mind. You know what to do.

Good luck and God bless you in your quest.

Regards ,Allen Frame

ColbyBruce · #5 10-22-2010, 10:49 PM

Wow!! I thought I was a huge S&W fan. Very nice.

P&R Fan · #6 10-22-2010, 10:50 PM

Allen, I notice over on the right there's a Colt that snuck in there, do I get a prize for noticing?

As to the original post, a choice between a classic M29-2 and Glock? That's not a choice at all. There will be millions more Glocks made, you won't see any additional M29-2s.
I have nothing against Glocks, in fact a have a G27 on right now. They're great guns, but they're tools. The Smith is a piece of art. (One that makes a really BIG boom).

K&Nframe · #7 10-22-2010, 11:02 PM

Move to another state

ranger7 · #8 10-22-2010, 11:44 PM

I like Smiths and have quite a few but if I were in your situation, I'd keep the G26.

sbcman · #9 10-23-2010, 12:02 AM

This is a tough one, but I think I would ditch the Glock. If it was your only carry peice I wouldn't do it. But since you mainly carry the 340 (one of the best carry peices, in my opinion), I would go for the 29. If it's in nice shape, $600 is a very good price.

Torotoro does give sound advice though. If you thought you could lay the 29 away and pay it off in a couple of months while keeping the Glock, that would be the way to go. I understand this can be hard to do, though.

sbcman · #10 10-23-2010, 12:04 AM

Forgot to add, I think with your build you could easily carry and conceal an N-Frame.

Bullseye Smith · #11 10-23-2010, 12:13 AM

Allen you do have a colt in that bunch, you know what they say about a rotten apple in the peck !!!!!!!!!!1

bountyhunter · #12 10-23-2010, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullseye Smith

BYE-BYE GLOCK

Best $300 gun you can buy for $700......

bountyhunter · #13 10-23-2010, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMC586

Asking here I almost know the answer but here it goes anyway. What would you do

Another option is to marry a rich girl whose father owns a liquor store. If she's rich, you could afford both guns.

The liquor store would just make your life happier in general.......

bmcgilvray · #14 10-23-2010, 01:48 AM

Here's what I have done in that situation. I've owned a Model 29-2 for many years but have yet to own my first Glock. Don't foresee any Glocks in future either.

The Model 29 is a lovely gun which would be much more gratifying to possess.

gr7070 · #15 10-23-2010, 09:25 AM

You are considering selling a quality gun you like and use often for another gun that you won't use.

Sounds like a bad idea. I would not get rid of any good gun I use especially to add one I won't use.

SW357Addict · #16 10-23-2010, 10:01 AM

If you think that you would ever regret selling the Glock, don't so it.

However, considering that it is getting rid of a Glock for a Smith and Wesson, for me it would be a no-brainer and I would definitely get rid of the Glock for the Smith.

ar15ed · #17 10-23-2010, 10:06 AM

i have a 19, a 23, a 26, and a 27, and, yes, i love my glocks! but around here they are a 400-450 gun. that being said, i would trade one for a nice 4-inch 29-2 in one heartbeat! then i would move to a friendlier state, and get me another glock!

MoPoPo · #18 10-23-2010, 10:10 AM

In a situation like yours, I would keep the glock.

USAF385 · #19 10-23-2010, 10:44 AM

I'd keep the Glock... especially in your situation. Trading a nice carry gun for something that you wont use all the much... I dunno about that...

As far as carrying goes, I have a 3in .44 Mag I could carry.. but my G27 is much more comfortable and practical.

MajorD · #20 10-23-2010, 10:53 AM

what state are you in?
I'd keep the glock-especially since you indicate it would be very difficult to replace- and save up for the mod 29. perhaps consider the more practical 357 mag n frames for a number of uses?

Anton Chigurh · #21 10-23-2010, 01:01 PM

Twisting the topic a little, but what kind of G26 sells for $700 USED? Or new for that matter. Or is that price related to the state in which you reside?
I could drive 50 miles and get 2 used G26s or G27s for $700 in NC.
Well, maybe $800 with tax.
When a used G26 is worth more than a 29-2 of any barrel length, something wicked this way comes..............

USMC586 · #22 10-29-2010, 08:31 PM

Thanks for all the thoughts folks. I decided to wait it out for a week and see what I felt...... it doesn’t matter anyway, the 29 was sold. I was going to trade a 686 instead of the G, oh well.

In regards to this awful "state" of affairs. mASS has horrid handgun laws. The short version of our handgun law is that we cannot buy many new production hand guns. Used handguns that are not "approved" have to have been manufactured before 10-21-98 and fetch huge coin.

This link will give you a more through explanation. State and National News

The link below is to a great local shop that spells out the law for you that are interested. The condensed law is located about half way down the linked page. The whole page is very informative as well.

This link gives you some insight as to the painful cost of a used Glock in mASS

http://www.fsguns.com/used/?action=l...ndx=4&model=23

As you can see "banned" guns fetch sickening amounts of money. You want to really puke? Check out the cost of a used HK USP in the used gun section......

I know move. Don't think I haven’t tried to convince the wife and kids to pull pole and move out!
I might hit a fun show this weekend and see what's out there.

millbilly · #23 10-30-2010, 05:53 PM

Keep the Glock !!! Go to the bank and borrow the money (if you have to) and buy the Smith.........You will be glad you did.......you can't have too many........

timbo813 · #24 10-30-2010, 07:13 PM

How difficult is it to import a pre-ban gun into the state? In OH we can buy out of state and pay an FFL fee (generally around $25) to transfer it to our name.

Oh, that would be a tough decision. For me, the Glock would get more use but I would like the Smith better. Not sure what I would do.

Anton Chigurh · #25 10-30-2010, 08:19 PM

There aren't a lot of people that could or would move just to buy guns in a less restrictive envirenment.
Family, nature of job, current economic conditions, Celtics..........lots of factors to keep you where you are.
NC is OK, getting used to being a Yankee. I mean, really? Yankee? That war ended nearly 150 years ago.
And the Yanks won.

Marshall 357 · #26 10-30-2010, 08:19 PM

I would keep the Glock, even at 270 lb. the N-frame is going to get heavy if you carry it all day long. I find everytime I trade a gun for another gun I always miss it and regret doing it. But do what you think is best. Good luck

Sportsterguy · #27 10-30-2010, 08:33 PM

Glocks are a very reliable weapon, but are Butt Ugly. That 29 is a work of art and easy to pack, especially for a big gent like yourself.

Buy the 29, a quality belt and holster and never look back. JMO

Cruiser RN · #28 10-30-2010, 09:32 PM

To me a Glock is a tool,nothing more but the Smith is a work of art.If it were me I would buy the Smith and invest in some good gun leather to carry it.Glocks come and go but the 29 may not come your way again.In the final analysis you have to see what makes the heart beat a little faster and which gives you the biggest smile and go with that..Good luck and God Bless....Mike

GatorFarmer · #29 10-31-2010, 12:25 AM

A gun that you carry around and rely on might save your life. A gun that you just have to look at, or stick up in the closet. Eh.

I've actually toted N frames, a Model 58 and a 629. It can be done. Not as easy as pocketing a Glock though.

As a shooter... the 29-2 lacks the improvements for durability that later models had. Heresy I know, but while pretty, they have their limits.

Muley Gil · #30 10-31-2010, 12:49 AM

"NC is OK, getting used to being a Yankee. I mean, really? Yankee? That war ended nearly 150 years ago."

Not down here, it hasn't!

"And the Yanks won."

You sure 'bout that? When was the last time you heard a man tell his wife, "Dear, I'm retiring and we're moving to Lansing!" Nope, they almost all come South and spend those Yankee pension dollars down in Dixie.

JohnAC · #31 10-31-2010, 10:04 AM

I love how people say "move to a better state" like it's as easy as changing underwear...

I also live in Mass so I feel your pain. Keep the Glock. Save your $$ and keep your eyes peeled for a nice 29. They do pop up.

One poster asked about transferring a 'non compliant' handgun from another state. Can't do it. Unless the gun was here before 1998, it is illegal for the FFL dealer in this state to transfer the gun to you.

Tuesday is election day. Vote Jim McKenna for Attorney General. It's the only way to start ending this nonsense.

Jim McKenna for Attorney General | Vote for Jim McKenna - Attorney General

scooter123 · #32 10-31-2010, 10:49 AM

What state are you living in? I just checked the approved weapons list for both California and Massachusets and the G26 is approved in both states.

If it's a pre-ban magazine thing, keep your pre-ban magazines. As far as I know the pre-ban magazines are perfectly legal in post ban handguns, however I'm not a lawyer or resident of either of these states. Personally, I think this whole mag capacity and approved gun list thing is pretty stupid. Makes me wonder it there aren't lead deposits in the water table or something similar making people dumber than dirt.

As for your question, can you afford to shoot the 44 Magnum and do you enjoy a weekly or twice monthly range day? If yes to both, dump the Glock and get that model 29. If you can't afford to shoot the 44 Magnum a lot, keep the Glock. I have no doubt that the Glock is far far easier to master and 9mm ammo is cheap. BTW, if you have to trade one gun to purchase anoother, it's pretty likely that you can't afford to feed a 44 Magnum.

BTW, I shoot the 40 S&W and the 38 spl. partly because they are calibers I can afford to shoot. It also happens that I enjoy shooting these calibers but the initial impetus was cost, plain and simple. I'd like to try the 45 ACP and actually shoot the 357 Magnum more often, however going in either direction would mean fewer trips to the range. Sometimes it stinks having to live within a budget but when I'm putting holes in paper that doesn't bother me one bit.