According to gun value blue book and another gun price book I have the 29-2 should be about $200 dollars more expensive in 98-100 percent condition than a 27-2. Yet I see tons of gun broker offerings for some really nice 29-2 languishing with no bids. 27-2 however, are hot! Why is that? Because the .44 ammo is much more expensive?
Don't get it. Why are 27-2 much more expensive than 29-2?
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1 old 0311
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27's are built with a bit more 'bling' and most people can handle a .357 but not so with the .44 mag.
Maximumbob54
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More people can afford to shoot .357 and .38 than can afford or enjoy shooting .44 magnum or special?
No idea, I'm just shooting in the dark here...
(pun)
No idea, I'm just shooting in the dark here...
(pun)
Coldshooter
Member
During the holidays there was a cable program on "magnums" in the S&W section they stated that the 29 was popular during the Dirty Harry craze. The commentator mentioned most have very little use and have been in drawers and closets since that publicity died out. Here in Alaska I have found that .357s have not been as popular as some consider it light for bear protection. In 1977 any model 29 sold for $400 here in Fairbanks and the 8 3/8s for up to $500. So maybe there will be more available and yes the .357s are more enjoyable to shoot.
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The checkered top strap on the Model 27 makes it look unique and I think the best looking S&W revolver made. That plus the Registered Magnum was the first glamor magnum and so a sort of developed a cult following began.
The Model 29 is a "johnny come lately" compared to the ".357 Magnum" and the "Registered Magnums." The old timers that like Smiths naturally gravitate to the older classic guns they remember from their past.
Besides that, they don't kick so hard!!!
Besides that, they don't kick so hard!!!
Mainly 'cause Ditrina has a boatload of 27's 
rck281
Member
I think the problem is the gun value books. Example: 31st edition of the Blue Book. It says that the 3 1/2" and 5" barrel models are worth significantly less than the 6 1/2" or 8 3/9" - about 25% less. Does any one believe that? It says a 100% 3.5 or 5 inch is worth $595. Good luck finding one for that. The value books are a guide but you better be careful.
Biginge
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
The Blue Book is just a guideline, if that. Look at the price of a Lew Horton 24 in 3". $395.00 I think it is. I"ll take all you have at that price. Fjestad is behind the curve on some things. Just MHO and it don't cost much.
regards
Bill
regards
Bill
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JCS&W
US Veteran
Like others have said, it is less expensive to shoot a M27. It does have more bling (checkered top strap), it does have less recoil than the M29, and yes it does harken back to the RM's. The reason that I own a M27-2 is simple. It is one of the sweetest shooting guns that I have ever shot! No collection of S&W's would be complete with out a M27, pre models or a -2. I mean really what is not to like. No wonder they are a hot commodity. I have some Kuracs on the way for mine, and cannot wait.
amazingflapjack
US Veteran
Gotta watch them experts. I was watching antiques roadshow, and a guy had a nice old Winchester, but the man who was giving the value on it looked like he was about half scared of it, and told him he didn't know how he would ever find out any pertenant info on the gun, its sale, etc, etc, but as we know, there is plenty of info out there, the Cody museum, etc.
I think there were alot of 29-2's made, and maybe that's a factor, but the bottom line is that your premise might not be the case. It depends on the gun, the buying climate, and the buyer. I don't ascribe to the Dirty Harry blather that's been around 45 years now; how many 460's and 500's is S&W selling? Ooooo, nice soft recoil on that one bud!
I think there were alot of 29-2's made, and maybe that's a factor, but the bottom line is that your premise might not be the case. It depends on the gun, the buying climate, and the buyer. I don't ascribe to the Dirty Harry blather that's been around 45 years now; how many 460's and 500's is S&W selling? Ooooo, nice soft recoil on that one bud!
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
The 27 was always the top of the S&W line, not the 29. They cost more when new and bring more when used. Also the 44 Magnum is too much for many shooters so the 357 remains more popular and that translates into more valuable. I have no doubt that far more 357s were made than 44s but the demand for the 357 is higher. I have eight 27s (and variants) but only one 44 Magnum. I suspect only a 44 Magnum collector would do it the other way around and most folks are like me having more examples of the 357 on hand.
Because Skeeter Skelton told everybody who'd listen or read, back in the day, what a great gun the 27-2 was.
M27s are nicer looking and .357 is the best pistol cartridge ever made. They hasn't been a good reason for a new pistol cartridge since it was made. Larry
Bigger ain't always better. My 5" 27 is a pleasure to both carry and shoot.
Yup, Supply and demand. Someone here starts a thread on the merits of the 27-2 and then everyone has to get one.
The internet has been the cause of many supply and demand gun fads. I'm not saying the 27 is a fad but demand today will probably be gone in a year.
PREDICTION!!!! Get them now because when we get a new president I think the economy will take off and gun prices will surge for a year or two.
John
The internet has been the cause of many supply and demand gun fads. I'm not saying the 27 is a fad but demand today will probably be gone in a year.
PREDICTION!!!! Get them now because when we get a new president I think the economy will take off and gun prices will surge for a year or two.
John
There are as many differing opinions of S&W values as the many models, barrel lengths and finishes produced. The value books are so general they are useless, IMO.
I've been buying and collecting S&W handguns for over forty years and I've seen may changes based on fleeting popularity and often hyped demand for different guns.
Factors that haven't been mentioned in this thread are issues like factory production numbers, region of the country, CC, target shooting or hunting use, unusual barrel lengths, urban or rural owners, politically driven issues like threatened ownership rights, and today the ever present fear we may have to protect our families our homes and our assets from the results of a collapsing economy. All these factors contribute to drive values up or down for different frame and barrel length guns.
As for the .357 vs the .44 mag issue -- publicity gleaned from films (Dirty Harry and Magnum Force), and gun writers (Elmer and Skeeter) have always been a major factor influencing what we want and what we eventually buy. It seems many of us are prone to buy what we believe everyone else wants or are told we should want.
I, like many others on this board have often stated the Mod 27 5" is my favorite S&W handgun. Why? For me it's because I love the P&R period 5" N frame, its finish, its balance, its look.
Would I chose something else as a favorite had they been available in the P&R period of production? Without a doubt! The same frame in a .41 or .44 mag 5" barrel length, which were only produced in numbers close to the finger count on both hands would have been the hottest selling S&W guns of all time, IMO, and the .41 would have been my first choice.... If you'd really like to see what desirability and scarcity can do to handgun values check those two rare N frame 5" guns out. I believe Doc 44 has the only 5" 41. A very elite few have the 5" 44's, and they ain't sellin'.....!!
Bottom line is to disregard what is "hot" or what "everyone else wants." Both the 44 and the 357 have a huge, well earned following and it is deserved. The "hot" guns and calibers of today will surely change tomorrow as they have so many times in the past...
JMHO
I've been buying and collecting S&W handguns for over forty years and I've seen may changes based on fleeting popularity and often hyped demand for different guns.
Factors that haven't been mentioned in this thread are issues like factory production numbers, region of the country, CC, target shooting or hunting use, unusual barrel lengths, urban or rural owners, politically driven issues like threatened ownership rights, and today the ever present fear we may have to protect our families our homes and our assets from the results of a collapsing economy. All these factors contribute to drive values up or down for different frame and barrel length guns.
As for the .357 vs the .44 mag issue -- publicity gleaned from films (Dirty Harry and Magnum Force), and gun writers (Elmer and Skeeter) have always been a major factor influencing what we want and what we eventually buy. It seems many of us are prone to buy what we believe everyone else wants or are told we should want.
I, like many others on this board have often stated the Mod 27 5" is my favorite S&W handgun. Why? For me it's because I love the P&R period 5" N frame, its finish, its balance, its look.
Would I chose something else as a favorite had they been available in the P&R period of production? Without a doubt! The same frame in a .41 or .44 mag 5" barrel length, which were only produced in numbers close to the finger count on both hands would have been the hottest selling S&W guns of all time, IMO, and the .41 would have been my first choice.... If you'd really like to see what desirability and scarcity can do to handgun values check those two rare N frame 5" guns out. I believe Doc 44 has the only 5" 41. A very elite few have the 5" 44's, and they ain't sellin'.....!!
Bottom line is to disregard what is "hot" or what "everyone else wants." Both the 44 and the 357 have a huge, well earned following and it is deserved. The "hot" guns and calibers of today will surely change tomorrow as they have so many times in the past...
JMHO
zelda
Member
A Model 27 has the look and feel of elegance.
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The Model 29 is a fine gun, but there is a very limited market for it. Most guys shoot the M27's with 38 special loads at the Range and can shoot all day long without getting beat up or going deaf. When they need a stronger load, they will use the .357 Magnum in the same gun. .38 Spl.ammo is plentiful and inexpensive, as well as being easy and affordable to reload. Zillions of components are available for it as well.
The .44 magnums are very loud, very expensive and other than for hunting gun, they serve little purpose - other than braggin' rights of course. I know you can shoot the down loaded .44 Specials, but again they are not as popular as is the 38/357 stuff. The .44 Magnums while they are devastatingly powerful, are actually not as good a MAN stopper as the .357 is, so unless you are shooting a large 4 legged animal, most people don't want the over penetration of the .44 Magnum bullet.
The .44 Magnum M29's that are owned by the friends I have RARELY ever bring them down and shoot them, but they always have 38/357 with them. Well........that's my .02 cents anyway.
Chief38
The .44 magnums are very loud, very expensive and other than for hunting gun, they serve little purpose - other than braggin' rights of course. I know you can shoot the down loaded .44 Specials, but again they are not as popular as is the 38/357 stuff. The .44 Magnums while they are devastatingly powerful, are actually not as good a MAN stopper as the .357 is, so unless you are shooting a large 4 legged animal, most people don't want the over penetration of the .44 Magnum bullet.
The .44 Magnum M29's that are owned by the friends I have RARELY ever bring them down and shoot them, but they always have 38/357 with them. Well........that's my .02 cents anyway.
Chief38
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