What to do with an ugly M29-2?

[Eagle223usa]

I would send it back to the factory for a factory refinish. The factory will do a routine check of the gun and be able to make any necessary repair or replacement of parts that need to be done. They can then put a beautiful blue back on it or a nickel finish or a very functional flat matte finish which is very business-like and still allows the revolver to look very good.
I had a model 28 and a model 19 redone at the factory many years ago with the matte finish and they are still very nice and look very good. And the factory prices are very competitive. I think that you will be very pleased with the factory's work. AND, it will be "factory" for the future....

AC, The revolver is in new mechanical condition, It was fired 12 times and the owner thought it was too much gun, it was then put in a doskicile foam case in a damp basement for years. He only looked at it after a flood, and found it in this condition. It was thrown into a dumpster for scrap, case and all. Insurance paid him for it, he did not care. It was rescued by one of his friends, also a friend of mine who brought it to me to see if it could be fixed. When the owner was advised that it was safe to shoot and salvageable, he told me he didn't really want it anyways. And a very good deal was struck, a bit more than the scrap value of the piece. It is tight and crispy new feeling besides the finish issues. Thanks.

 

[Eagle223usa]

That would be the route I would go as well.



This would only be an accurate analogy if your corvette already had big patches of gelcoat peeling off the fiberglass to the point that it couldn't be restored to any kind of a collectible. Even a factory refinish of this one isn't going to restore this 29-2 to collectible status - whereas a repair of the gelcoat and a repaint of your corvette in factory original paint WOULD restore it to being a collectible. So I really don't see it as being the same at all.

Point taken, But it is a Smith and Wesson, if it was a Taurus I wouldn't be having this conversation.

 

[BC38]

Point taken, But it is a Smith and Wesson, if it was a Taurus I wouldn't be having this conversation.

Gotcha. If it were a well-used example that you'd paid a regular shooter price, say $300-$400 for, then spending the money for a factory reblue would be a case of spending more than the end result would be worth.

Now that you've revealed the rest of the story - that it is otherwise almost new and that you just about got it for free - the idea of a refinish makes a lot more sense. Under those circumstances even I might be willing to spring for a $200-$300 professional reblue or hard chrome job.

Personally, for a non-collectible, working-type gun that will be carried around in a holster, I'd go the hard-chromed route.

 

[Laketime]

Why refinish a beater and buy another one to shoot?



Bingo! Just keep it wax coated.

If you really want it reblued, I don't think a quality job will hurt its value. Neither will hunting afterwards as long as you take care of it. Just wax it to protect from corrosion, and I would put new grips on to save wear on the originals.

I have several guns that have gone many miles holstered in the field. While none could be described as safe queens, all but one if call VG condition. None are ugly.

I think a badly worn ( finished ) gun can become the opportunity have have a special one of a kind.I would never condone sending a gun off to Fords ,unless it was in bad shape.The results will be spectacular,and give the OP something to marval at.He can pick up a 629 series for field use anywhere.

 

[Mblhopo]

I did the very same thing that Gunhacker did, my gun was sent to Magna-port for the Metalife finish. the barrel was cut to 5 inches with the factory sight installed back on the hammer and trigger was jeweled and all the internals were cleaned polished and tuned. The Metalife finish looks fantastic and is very durable looks just like brushed stainless. trust me you will love it. magna-port does great work!.........................M*

 

[gmborkovic]

Its your gun and your money. Im not telling you what to do. Just consider the following. Clean and wax the old girl up a bit. If it gets wet deer hunting, clean and wax. Look, Im ugly and some people love me.
At best, I can get presentable. Enjoy the love affair. Best

 

[BC38]

I did the very same thing that Gunhacker did, my gun was sent to Magna-port for the Metalife finish. the barrel was cut to 5 inches with the factory sight installed back on the hammer and trigger was jeweled and all the internals were cleaned polished and tuned. The Metalife finish looks fantastic and is very durable looks just like brushed stainless. trust me you will love it. magna-port does great work!.........................M*

Yeah, for a nearly free, mechanically nearly new 29-2, I think I'd be on board with this idea too. The porting would be optional, but I'd have it shortened to a nice carry length - 4"-5", then have it chromed (or similar). It would make a great woods gun.

 

[mr-mom]

Its your gun and your money. Im not telling you what to do. Just consider the following. Clean and wax the old girl up a bit. If it gets wet deer hunting, clean and wax. Look, Im ugly and some people love me.
At best, I can get presentable. Enjoy the love affair. Best

Bingo! It really is up to you. Figure out how you want to use it and go from there. If it were me, I would do the clean and wax route, then hunt, shoot, and love the old beauty, just as it is. If you change your mind in the future, and decide to have it refinished, you aren't out much at all.
Dave
SWCA #2778

 

[Leatherhead23]

Wax that ol girl up and use her as is! You won't worry about her as much if she isn't perfect.

 

[Gunhacker]

Interesting how the opinions run from just wax and use it, to pull out the stops and doll it up.

Given the price paid and internal condition... it's not really a slam dunk really don't need to give a hoot "as-is" shooter.

I myself, if in the same situation, would look upon it as a cheap, blank canvas, and a opportunity to be able do something that I've always thought about or wanted to do, but not willing to sacrifice one of my better (more expensive) guns as a "donor" for the project.

If you have the bucks to devote to it, and an interest in it other than just a vehicle to send lead down range... why not turn this sow's ear into a silk purse... or at least a denim one.

Given the price you paid due to it's storied history, that includes a rescue from summarily being thrown in a dumpster ??!!! The playing field on what to do with it is wide open...

 

[jtcarm]

Gotcha. If it were a well-used example that you'd paid a regular shooter price, say $300-$400

Please share where you can find shooter-grade M-29s at that that price. I'd buy 3 or 4.

 

[BC38]

Please share where you can find shooter-grade M-29s at that that price. I'd buy 3 or 4.

OK, so $500 or $600 or $700 - whatever. A higher number just makes my point more relevant.

I was just throwing out a number as an example.

EDIT: Here's one for $450. Not a common price but not as impossible as you implied either.
Smith & Wesson 29-2 .44Magnum Revolver : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

 

[Nightowl]

Before investing any money in it, I would want to make sure that it shoots whatever loads you plan on shooting through it. Check the throats, 29s routinely had .432 throats, so you might have to work up some loads for it, or shoot jacketed bullets.
If I were refinishing a working gun, I would go with the industrial hard chrome finish. I might even finish the internal parts for corrosion resistance.

 

[Bobbysixkiller]

I'd shoot it. Let it wear it's scars with pride. Just keep it oiled/waxed up good. New stuff is purdy. Old beat has character.

 

[jtcarm]

OK, so $500 or $600 or $700 - whatever. A higher number just makes my point more relevant.

I was just throwing out a number as an example.

EDIT: Here's one for $450. Not a common price but not as impossible as you implied either.
Smith & Wesson 29-2 .44Magnum Revolver : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

Holy cow. Guess I should spend a little more time looking at M-Frames.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Your guys must hate my favorite guns. Above guns are used every
week-end from March through November. Pistol have been used
since 2001 and can't count the number of rounds. About half the finish
is gone. But, they are my favorite because I shoot them!

 

[Rpg]

It is what it is.

Can't turn a pig 's ear into a silk purse.

Insert your own trite words of wisdom.

If you want to spend an additional $500.00 on a $500.00 gun to create a $ 600.00 gun, enjoy!

It won't work any better than it works now.

Sound like you have a perfectly functional revolver. I'd enjoy it and shoot the. **** out of it.

 

[BC38]

Holy cow. Guess I should spend a little more time looking at M-Frames.

I think you meant N-Frames?

 

[Eagle223usa]

I did the very same thing that Gunhacker did, my gun was sent to Magna-port for the Metalife finish. the barrel was cut to 5 inches with the factory sight installed back on the hammer and trigger was jeweled and all the internals were cleaned polished and tuned. The Metalife finish looks fantastic and is very durable looks just like brushed stainless. trust me you will love it. magna-port does great work!.........................M*

I was thinking that also, the front sight is actually milled out of the barrel. That would cost to get the barrel shortened I bet...I'm just dreaming, trying to get a nice 29 for under $400 bucks. I'm a civil servant living on a fixed income...

 

[Eagle223usa]

If you buy, slug the bore & throat to make sure the latter isn't too tight, that may explain the bad performance with cast. Those can always be opened up. If it's due to a rough bore, you can fire lap to smooth it out. Check out Lead Bullet Technologies fire lap compound.

I've never had a gun refinished but for hunting I'd want something durable & non-reflective.

Copy that, the handloaded cast 255 Lyman was engineered for my Ruger Super Blackhawk.