Hey guys, new to the forum but thought I'd see what you guys thought about a new .44 I had in mind. I've been set on getting a model 69, but a relative has a model 29, 6.5 inch barrel, unfired with the box and papers. I'm not sure of the date as I haven't seen it in awhile, but I know it's an original one from the 80s I would assume. The gun is 100% new no rust or signs of use of course, he said he would sell it to me for $850 which I thought to be a very good price. Would this be a good investment to get and shoot, or would I be better off buying a model 69 for this price? If I bought it I would never sell it, unless it would be worth much more than this, so I would likely fire it and use it forever. If I were to get it would I be better off keeping it unfired? Thanks for your opinions

This is a no brainer!

The Model 29, hands down, over the Model 69.

__________________
FBINA, 204th Session

Would you jump on it at this price and then shoot it? Or put it up and get one to shoot down the road?

Jump on it and shoot it.

No turn mark? Then it's not worth shooting, or even dry-firing.

Beyond that, one would need to inspect the gun in question. But even in good-but-fired condition, the gun is worth the asking price.

IF it has no QC or other problems get the M-29. Shoot it, care for it, and enjoy it. Don't use it a lot with full Magnum loads and t'll last well.

I'd buy a M-629-3, but prefer stainless guns.

If this gun has a 6.5 inch barrel, not six inches, it's older and may be more of a collector's item. I think 1975 was te last year the longer barrel was offered.

Why do you want a .44 Magnum? The M-929 is a five-shot on the smaller L-frame and is meant for carry by those in need of a lighter weight .44 that may be needed for a bear or cougar, etc. emergency and who don't want the weight of an N-frame gun. The finish is poor, compared to older S&W's and recoil will be heavier and it has The Lock.

If the M-29 you mentioned is as it should be, that's a bargain price today. Get a a GOOD belt and holster, like from El Paso Saddlery, with a lined Model 2 holster.

I regard a Model 29 much as I do a Model 19 .357. Use full loads only when warranted and practice wth .44 Special ammo. It'll last well.

If you'll fire mainly .44 Magnum ammo, get a Ruger Redhawk or a Super Blackhawk.

If you buy a .44 Magnum, you really should be a handloader. Load the Keith bullet to about 900 FPS and it'll deal well with most things a revolver is called on to deal with. And it'll last much longer than if you pound it with full loads. If you don't know what the Keith bullet is, you're not ready to own and shoot a .44 Magnum.

Magnums are not casual range guns. They are for KILLING things. If you stay out of bear country and don't hunt deer or pig with a handgun, you don't need a .44 Magnum.

LOL, what the **** does "need" have to do with it?
I didn't even see where the OP asked for advice whether he "needed" a 44 mag, just that he asked WHICH one to get - 69 or 29....

I occasionally go where bear encounters are theoretically possible, though I haven't seen one in years, and I don't hunt with a handgun. But I still have a few 44 magnums that I don't really "need" anyway.

aOWENc, for $850 I'd go for the 29. Even though I prefer the 4" barrels, a 6 or 6.5" makes a great range gun. Pretty good for hunting too - especially with a chest rig.

If it is indeed an older classic 29 with a 6.5" barrel and in new or as-new condition, $850 is a bargain.

It's probably a 29-2, if it has the 6.5" barrel.
It would be nice to know exactly what the model dash number is.

Assuming it is a 29-2 with the 6.5" barrel in like-new condition, the asking price is more than fair. It would be a great buy at that price.

It is something of a collector item, especially with the box and paperwork.
However, the real value in my mind is shooting and caring for these fine revolvers. The model 29-2 isn't exactly rare, but unfired condition with the box, etc, makes them pretty desirable. The 4" and 6.5" barrel seem to be the most popular, followed by the 6" and 8 3/8".
(measure from the front of the cylinder to the end of the barrel)

As others have mentioned, the .44 magnum is a great cartridge to reload.
It is relatively easy, and loading light magnum loads for shooting in that great revolver will make you smile for many years to come.

I generally avoid shooting full-house magnum loads in my 29-2s. Yeah, they'll handle it, but I like to baby them with light magnum loads.
Plus, the light loads are a LOT more fun to shoot!
You simply don't need full-power to target shoot.

You can also buy factory .44 Special rounds for that revolver, too.
Those also make great target loads, very soft-shooting in the model 29.

Get the 29!!!!!!! Post some photos!!!!!!

Speak for yerself, m8. I have absolutely no "need" for my 629--but I send a lot of lead downrange with it. Hitting things and making pretty groups is easy with a .45, .38, or 9mm. The .44 takes real technique to do the same with, while not hurting oneself. It takes even more to do it shot after shot.

Buy the M29 and shoot it -

Thanks for all the replies! I want a 44 to mostly just shoot and have fun with. I plan on going on a western hunt someday and would likely take this 44 as a sidearm. On a rare occasion I would deer hunt with it. I just started handloading, and am familiar with the Keith bullet. So basically I would shoot specials with it 90% of the time, and then magnums for a rare hunting occasion.

get the 29 , then anytime later you can get the 69 . That is a very good price . I would shoot it and enjoy it . We often mention restraining on shooting very many magnum loads . That is true , to a point . The magnum load that Mr Keith used should be avoided as it was meant for " his " bullet only(short shank , long nose ) not just any 240gr bullet . The load data today is reduced quite a bit , so I have often thought that it should not cause any undue problems of wear in the older S&W 29's . THat is just my opinion , I have no factual info to back it up but to me it seems reasonable .
The thing with the 44mag is that it doesn't have to be shot , full power to enjoy and to do a very acceptable job , whatever role it is to perform . A 240 gr bullet sitting on top of 8 grs of W231 or 10 grs of Unique is a great load with lots of power but is not stressing the Smith . Mr. Keiths " everyday load " was 8.5grs of Unique using his bullet in his 44, 4" barrel . He actually shot very few of his hi power loads .

It's a no brainer. For an unfired M29 of that vintage, $850 is a steal! Buy it, shoot it, and enjoy it! And as others have said, get into reloading if you aren't already.

I will echo this sentiment.

Buy the vintage model and shoot it till your hearts content. If you ever tire of shooting it, you will still have a special piece of blue steel with walnut. Can't really say that about any new productions.

BUY THAT GUN, IMMEDIATELY ! ! ! LOAD UP SOME MILD RANGE AMMO, AND ENJOY IT FOR YEARS TO COME.....

WITH SOME SERIOUS HUNTING AMMO, IT WILL KNOCK DOWN ANYTHING WALKING IN NORTH AMERICA---IF YOU DO YOUR PART ! ! !

__________________
'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

I work up 44 Russian loads for my Dan Wesson 44 , makes it a lot of fun on the range . If you can reference a reloading book(mine is a very old Hornady book) you will find a lot of info on the .44 mag .

That is a bargain for a 29-2, 6 1/2 barrel! You can shoot those all you want and it will last a lifetime if properly cleaned and stored. I bought my 29-2 in 1968, shot several thousand rounds of 20 grains of 2400 loads with 240 Lyman 429421 bullet. And several thousand more with 8 grains of Unique. It is still a good looking gun but it is still good as new functioning. I have other .44s, but this one is still my favorite.

The old load was 22 grains of 2400, which I thought was too much for me. So, I loaded 20 grains, which was enough! Now, the recommended max load is 20 grains. I now have been using 19 grains of 2400 as my max load.

I have also always used 8 grains of Unique for my light load, but Layne Pierce recommended going no lower than 9 in one of his articles, so that is what I will be loading in the future. I do not at this time remember hsi reason for the recommendation.

__________________
Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

I'd buy it in a heartbeat,for that price.

__________________
Life is short,live it fully.

That's an investment grade firearm at a buy now price. Buy now, or pm me the contact information for the seller.

The poster of this thread doesn't know for sure which era the 29 is from. could be a 29, 29-1, 29-2 any of these is a bargain at $850. Buy it and shoot it, the early guns have the sweetest actions. I have a 4 screw 29 6 1/2 inch and that baby shoots good.

I had no thoughts of ever buying a s&w m29 in blue, but my LGS had a 29-10 nib in blue that was traded in with the presentation case, blue plastic case with all the papers for $699. I really wanted a nickel finish, really. I saved but it wasn't at Geico on my car insurance. I have a few nib still unfired but someday a quick trip to the range can fix that. I wasn't going to fire any but the next owner will fire them for sure. I say fire everything even if it's just once.

I been saying here for many years any used or new s&w n frame that's under $1k is a good buy. If you don't think so look at the online prices.

Jump on that 29 like a rat on a Cheetos before you do anything else.

Buy it!!!
I stopped using the old Keith load of 22 of 2400 after an old-timer who I bought Keith 240 gr. from explained to me how 18 gr was more than efficient.
So that's the heaviest I us in my old 29-3.
I still use 8 gr. Unique for a mild load under that same bullet and under 180 gr cast and JHP.
Ad you can use that lighter load in a magnum case so you don't have to scrub your chambers so much.
Enjoy that new revolver!!!