NFrameFred
Member
All I have to add after reading this whole thread is we may see for some names here in future Darwin Awards . . . . 
New guy with a "burned" model 29 needs advice..
- Thread starter cheapbeater
- Start date
Match10
Member
All I have to add after reading this whole thread is we may see for some names here in future Darwin Awards . . . .
I simply cannot believe that anyone would ever try to rebuild a hulk like that. It would be exceedingly unsafe. Though it may fire most loads, the heat treatment of the metal is paramount to the structure of the weapon and the cylinder strength. Just one slight overpressure load (factory ammo has them too) and it would be disasterous for the shooter and anyone near. And this weapon is definately heat affected! (Gazz... You simply have no idea of metals properties to make the statements you do.)
It is simply unbelievable that anyone considers this? I never want to buy another used weapon again! Just the photos and testimony of people who have taken a burned weapon and "fixed" them only turn them loose on an unknowing public, really burns my chaps. Fine, takle risks with your own life and vision and fingers, but good god! ...It's going to be sold to some unwitting person and disaster will occur. It's only a matter of time. It makes me ill.
Gazz
Member
Okay Match10, since you are saying it is unsafe and I don't know anything, please tell me what you know? It seems that since you have made such a statement, you must know all about it. So I ask you, what alloy is used and what are the heat treating specs?
Match10
Member
Read my previous postings in this thread. You do not need to know the proprietary heat treatments to understand the properties of a metal that has been undone by heat exposure. You obviously recognize the springs have to be changed... Tell me how do you know this?
The internal spring within the grip area would actually be less heat affected, as it is shielded by the wood grips, kind of like an insulation. Once that is gone, and it surely was, the entire metal frame had been heated.
The internal spring within the grip area would actually be less heat affected, as it is shielded by the wood grips, kind of like an insulation. Once that is gone, and it surely was, the entire metal frame had been heated.
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Gazz
Member
You mean this one? That tells me nothing.
Match10
Member
Of course it tells you nothing... Read on.
Gazz
Member
Actually, I thought I remembered reading that the springs were gone but I guess that was in somebody else's post. In any case, looking at the pictures of the revolver again, it does not seem as bad as I have been thinking. I can only say that it looks like the hammer spring is still good. If it wasn't, it would have bent the first time the OP tried to cock the revolver and then it would have fallen out. If the other springs are still good I feel it could shoot safely again. You comment about recrystalization leads me to believe that you know what alloy the frame and cylinder are made from and exactly what happened to them while in the burning house. Also your comment that it is perhaps another alloy now is kind of baffling to me. Are you thinking that maybe there was some carbon migration from the burning grips? We actually do not know what kind of shape the grips were in when the revolver came out of the fire - they may have been just charred. It is very apparrent to me that that revolver did not get to 1900 degrees. If it had reached that temp, it would be black with thick scale and most likely not have any moving parts at all. In that case, I would say it would make a fine door knocker.
Have you ever read about the development of the .44 magnum cartridge?
Have you ever read about the development of the .44 magnum cartridge?
I'm with Gazz on this one, that I'd give it a whirl. I stick with my original opinion, that, if you really, really, really would like to see it work again, clean it, replace the springs and safely test fire it. I think that the word "safely" may have been overlooked the first time I said it.
I look at it this way; it's a questionable handgun, not an iffy ICBM missile. If I just had to get this thing working again, I'd clean it, replace the springs, clamp it in a vise and safely test fire it with a string line. If there there was nothing to hide behind or if neighbors were unsafely close, I'd put it put it in a little trench, pointed in a safe direction. Then, I'd cover the trench with something that'll contain any shrapnel. After I'd made sure that all was done with overkill safety, I'd pull my string.
Got any big logs or fallen trees available? Put the mounted gun next to and parallel with the log. Cover the gun by leaning a sufficient cover on the log and over the gun.
We're talking about some possible shrapnel from a handgun here, not from Karl the mortar. Bring a tripod and a video camera. If it blows up, put it on YouTube.
I look at it this way; it's a questionable handgun, not an iffy ICBM missile. If I just had to get this thing working again, I'd clean it, replace the springs, clamp it in a vise and safely test fire it with a string line. If there there was nothing to hide behind or if neighbors were unsafely close, I'd put it put it in a little trench, pointed in a safe direction. Then, I'd cover the trench with something that'll contain any shrapnel. After I'd made sure that all was done with overkill safety, I'd pull my string.
Got any big logs or fallen trees available? Put the mounted gun next to and parallel with the log. Cover the gun by leaning a sufficient cover on the log and over the gun.
We're talking about some possible shrapnel from a handgun here, not from Karl the mortar. Bring a tripod and a video camera. If it blows up, put it on YouTube.
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wheelgun28
Member
I cant believe this is still going...
I wish I could find an article I just read last week. It was talking about S&W making the 44 mag and how the heat treated frames had to be just right.
Again the M29 is a fine gun but its not really over built in many ways. I dont think that there is much of a safety factor in this case.
Test firing the gun, well, just because it does not blow up now, does not mean it wont later. How many rounds do you test fire? Steel is a very elastic material that can instantly find it yield point. So it might fail on the first round or the five hundredth round, who is to know.
Its always better to error on the side of safety. If that thing fails in a violent way and injures someone, you will be very very sorry in many ways.
I am glad on one said clean it up and sell it to the gun store as in good condition....
I wish I could find an article I just read last week. It was talking about S&W making the 44 mag and how the heat treated frames had to be just right.
Again the M29 is a fine gun but its not really over built in many ways. I dont think that there is much of a safety factor in this case.
Test firing the gun, well, just because it does not blow up now, does not mean it wont later. How many rounds do you test fire? Steel is a very elastic material that can instantly find it yield point. So it might fail on the first round or the five hundredth round, who is to know.
Its always better to error on the side of safety. If that thing fails in a violent way and injures someone, you will be very very sorry in many ways.
I am glad on one said clean it up and sell it to the gun store as in good condition....
redhawk444
Member
Call S&W and see what they say about it.
They have the equipment to check it out and the experience to know what is safe and what is not.
Where is the problem with that?
They have the equipment to check it out and the experience to know what is safe and what is not.
Where is the problem with that?
Duke426
Member
Go ahead and call S&W to hear what they say.
Living in this Golden Age of Litigation, I can virtually guarantee you will receive one of two possible responses:
1. "The gun is unsafe and shouldn't be fired under any circumstances."
2. "Send it in and we'll take a look at it." After receiving the gun their follow-up call will mimic answer #1 above.
There is absolutely no way S&W is going to open themselves up to any potential liability by telling you the gun is safe or can be made safe again.
Living in this Golden Age of Litigation, I can virtually guarantee you will receive one of two possible responses:
1. "The gun is unsafe and shouldn't be fired under any circumstances."
2. "Send it in and we'll take a look at it." After receiving the gun their follow-up call will mimic answer #1 above.
There is absolutely no way S&W is going to open themselves up to any potential liability by telling you the gun is safe or can be made safe again.
No. No. No. No way, no how, not ever. You're not gambling on the price of a Model 29, you're gambling on your life and the life and safety of anyone and everyone who will ever shoot it or be around when it's shot. Would you want your son or daughter to be next to whoever was shooting this at the range? If it's sentimental, have it deactivated and then made pretty and mounted on a plaque. Other than that, turn it in to a Bloombutt buyback and get some of his money, or torch it.
redhawk444
Member
You are likely right, but at least the owner of the gun will know the answer to the question and all this specualtion will be over.
Hell, for all we know, S&W just might offer him something for it just to be sure it never hits the street again with their logo on it.
blackpowder30
Member
I can't believe how many folks are still talking about sending this gun to S&W. Read the posts. THEY DON"T WANT IT!!! DON"T SEND IT!!!
Kingshouse41225
Member
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A little while back I put a coat of linseed oil on a stock. I was wondering what I was going to do while waiting for it to dry. Now I'm sure it's dry but I would still like to know what ever became of that revolver.
R Cubed
US Veteran
Gun & Ammo TV did a report on revolver and fires - see if you can find it - As I recall, They advised against shooting it, (as already mentioned) due to the heat stress for the fire...
I would make a wall hanger out of it without any touch up... I think it would become a focal point on the wall, tells an interesting story, and will surely be the cause for questions.-
I would make a wall hanger out of it without any touch up... I think it would become a focal point on the wall, tells an interesting story, and will surely be the cause for questions.-
blackpowder30
Member
I like that Cubed. If it were mine I think I'd polish it up, get it nickeled of chromed, connect one of a variety of electrical switches to the hammer spring, wire it up, mount it on a nice walnut base with little brass plaque saying "Made in America", put a lamp pipe through the base with the gun leaning against it, and a lamp shade with the Don't Tread on Me logo. Cock the hammer, lights on. Pull the trigger, lights off. Then donate it to my local Friends of NRA to be auctioned at their next banquet. Bet it would bring more than the cost.
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cowart
US Veteran
You might want to consult with someone who actually has considerable experience repairing fire-damaged firearms, such as
Handgun Repair Shop, Gunsmith for modern and antique handguns, rifles, and shotguns.
A quick scan of completed auctions at GB indicates that you should be able to purchase a good used replacement 29-3 for about $500, FWIW.
Handgun Repair Shop, Gunsmith for modern and antique handguns, rifles, and shotguns.
A quick scan of completed auctions at GB indicates that you should be able to purchase a good used replacement 29-3 for about $500, FWIW.
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