I’m waiting for our stimulus check. Then I can purchase a s&w m29 / 44 mg but I’m not sure if new or used? A 6.5” barrel? In nickel?
What do you think?

__________________
Plant garlic in the fall

Used for me. Cheaper and classic.

Where are you going to find a new nickel 6.5 inch M29? Certainly not for the equivalent of one of the promised "stimulus" checks. You might be able to find a nice lightly used 29-2 for that price but maybe not after you subtract the IRS's share of the check. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

I did save up some extra cash for this too. I might have a trade in too. I think I can cover the cost.

I hate having too many options I have a nib m29-10 / 6.5” in blue, still unshot I purchased at a moment of weakness. It was pawned and I got it for $699 with everything plus a presentation case. I could send it to fords to be nickeled much cheaper than buying another nickeled 29?

__________________
Plant garlic in the fall

Just a question “BigBill” just asking. The nickel finish, is it something you just like or want? Why nickel? There are so many better finishes out there today, so many modern alternatives. Including stainless. Nickel peels, yellows with age, certain cleaners are not compatible and rust resistants is marginal compared to other alternatives. Is it the look/feel of nickel plating?

A lot really depends on what you like and what are your intended uses of the .44 Magnum. Personally, I would not buy anything with the lock!! Not that you can't find good guns with the lock, it's just that I don't like them.
For a shooting gun or hunting, I really like my two 629 Hunter Plus .44s, with 7 1/2 inch barrels. They are really tight, heavy enough to tame recoil and accurate as all get out!
But, I really like the 6 1/2 inch 29-2 as well. So, its all good!

Attached Images

IMG_0053.jpg (79.3 KB, 89 views)

__________________
Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

Like blueing, nickel plating is traditional with S&Ws. Other types of finishes just don’t belong on an S&W revolver, IMO, but of course everyone is welcome to their opinion - no matter how misguided. (Just kidding. )

That said, I wouldn’t be afraid to have that 29-10 nickel plated by Ford’s, if that’s what you want. I’d leave the sights black and the hammer and trigger as they are, of course. If you’re going to actually shoot it, nickel finishing your 29-10 might be a good option. If you want one just for looks, I’d buy a 29-2 or earlier gun - and be prepared to spend a LOT of money.

6-1/2” barrel... of course! For shooting, that is my favorite of the three regular lengths by a huge margin - and it’s a great looking revolver, too.

A nice used low dash model 29 with 6.5" bbl. but would take a lot more than the stimulus check , lol !

Here's my 1968 6" nickel M27-2 that I sold.



Here's my 1961 6" blue M27 that I sold.

I certainly understand why you would like to have a nickel M29.



My 1964 6.5" M29-2 is blue and I like it.

__________________
Kenny
Endeavor to persevere.

Why do you think this check will be different from the first two? There was NO tax on those checks and I expect none on this round!

I think You should get a nickel gun. Then You can tell the wife how pretty it is.

A Model 29-2 from the early to mid-1970s is what you need . Click on the photo for a better look.

Bill

I would find an older blued 6.5" gun. That's because I already own an older 6.5" nickel 29

Three important words in making your decision
"pinned and recessed".

You will thank me later.

OP, Not hard to sum up 29's.

There are Pinned and Recessed, and then there's
just every other 29 ever made.

Quality blued 29s are available. Check Guns.com until one shows.

When can I expect this one to start yellowing?
I will be 116 in June

I have never had a nickel Smith & Wesson yellow or peel.

There is no tax on stimulus money. Believe me, I am a tax lawyer

By whatever makes you happy with please do not use the money that I send you to buy a gun with a lock on it

If you want another M29, look for a P&R dash 2. They are affordable and available, and collectible, and shootable. Nickel can be found, brings a premium in pricing on almost any S&W.

My thoughts are, if you already own a .44 Magnum, why not look for something close, but different, like a M57 .41 Magnum?

Used if you can find a good pone, it may cost a little more but I'd bet money it'll be a better pistol. My new 629 has a hitch in the double action pull.

Color is your choice, My preference is my 29-2 P&R. Will outlast my grandkids, and it came down from my Grandpa...

I have the m27-2, the m57, the m24 in nickel I’m missing the m29 in nickel.

I just checked the online prices there much higher now. I need to checkout LGS next.

__________________
Plant garlic in the fall

A P+R 29-2 is always a good choice. How do you feel about stainless steel? Keep an eye out for a decent 29-5, -6 or 629-3, -4 with standard 6" barrel. These have the desirable endurance enhancements and tighter cylinder throats. Here's my square butt and round butt 629-4's shipped in 1994. Just for grins I've added my beater-grade, but all original and still functioning, 1956 .44 Magnum 6.5" with coke stocks. Ya never know what you'll find out there once you start looking!

Gila's 629-4 pair_SB and RB.jpg 44 Magnum S147233_July56_right_adj.jpg

__________________
Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

They say the new m29-10 with all the upgrades is suppose to be the best m29 ever produced. But going looking may pay off. I do have a few n frames with the mim/loc for $699 nib I couldn’t pass them up. My new m58 shoots awesome the n frame with the 4” barrel is well balanced.

__________________
Plant garlic in the fall

Here is my .2 cents; if I am on the market for 44 Magnum S&W, my absolutely top choice would be M29/629-3 or -4, Classic DX, period!

With DX models you are getting the most accurate S&W-s ever, tested in factory for accuracy and making 1,5" on 50 yards. Only those receive DX marking.

With M29/629-3 and -4 you are getting endurance package, and also no MIM parts. Earlier dash number or no dash number, no endurance package. With -5 and up, mechanism parts are made using MIM process. Some say that MIM parts are OK, however, top notch custom smith Clements refuses to work on them:

"I am currently only accepting N-frame cal. conversions. I cannot do action work on newer guns with MIM parts. If the back of the trigger has cavities cast in it, then the gun is a MIM gun and not suitable."

Clements Custom Guns

I will take his word as the most relevant statement.

I have 2 S&W 29-10's . One has a 4" barrel , the other 6.5" . I have had an earlier 29 , that is long gone . These 2 - 10's I will always keep . As far as action jobs , neither one needed it as they were quite smooth from the factory and have only gotten better . My 4" sees the most use , it's my " old workhorse " . I would trust my life on either one . That was NOT the case with the earlier one I had . As far as I'm concerned , pinned and recessed is irrelevant , simply a matter of personal choice . The 29-10 has the best of the upgrades , is stronger and just a better gun than the earlier ones . Yes , that guy says he has over 75000 rounds through his 29-2 with the 8 3/8" barrel and I'm sure that is true . But when he did a video using his " magnum loads " with a chronograph , they were only doing about 950-975 fps . That's hardly a " magnum load " . More like a 44 special +P load . Nothing wrong with it but it's much weaker than a real 44 magnum load , easier on the gun . If you want a 6.5" that is nickel plated , then " stick to your guns " (pun intended ) and don't settle for anything less or different . Regards Paul

Nothing wrong with a Model 29-10, 6 1/2-inch, nickel.

Bill

You made me look 😁, since I own a 29-3...

But if I read the 4th Edition correctly, all 29-3’s didn’t have the endurance package, looks like the 1982-86 didn’t, it came out in 1987 with the -3E, so my 1984 would not have been upgraded.

In any case, doesn’t matter to me that much, besides, it looks so good next to my 19-3.

Attached Images

10F9EC9E-2E76-4218-B87D-5C3C1F3B07C6.jpg (150.2 KB, 25 views)

__________________
Danny
SWCA #3370 - SWHF #672

Moly the action inside and cycle it 75 to 100 times with snap caps. It should smooth it out.

My two new s&w m57 & m58 had two different sear let offs in single action. Applying moly to the rougher one made them pretty much equal. I like all my triggers to have as close to the same feel as I can get them. When I switch guns I know it’s easier to adapt to shooting it accuracy wise.

__________________
Plant garlic in the fall

As far as the OP hunt goes, check the prices of getting your 29-10 nickel-ed vs trying find one for a decent price right now, unless you have patience to hold up to see if prices change for the better(if ever). I own a 29-10 that the wifey got me (knew it was a bucket list gun),6.5"barrel, blued, presentation case and all the goodies (of course the ugly lock), but ever since I was a young kid and seen the Dirty Harry movies, I wanted it. I love the .44 mag round (own 4 pistols & 1 lever action at the current moment), I have probably owned more than a dozen of them so far and can never have just 'one' at a time. My 29-10 has never given me any issues,the best double action trigger and one of the better single action triggers of all my .44's (sorry my Ruger Hunter is better in single action). As far a nickel goes, each to his own, freedom of choice, blue is better looking in my opinion, but your choice not mine, so i say go get what you want. just one man's opinion....

Personally i would go for an older 29-2 or 29-3. Pre lock.