What is going on with the cost/availability of Model 29s?!

[Echo40]

I've been considering finally getting a S&W Model 629 lately, but the cost seems to have gone through the roof. They're selling for upwards of $1000 now which is just crazy considering I was seeing them for $700 last year, less if you bought used.
I know that a lot of folks panicked and bought guns since last year, but I would have never expected the average Joe would buy a .44 Magnum Revolver of all things.

It's not just the 629 either, the 29 and 329 are all crazy expensive or otherwise completely unavailable right now.

I would have I guessed that a lot of panic-buyers bought 9mms and police trade-in .40s, but it looks like many of them must have seen Dirty Harry and decided that if they were going to buy a handgun then they were getting "The most powerful handgun in the world!" at least to the best of their knowledge.

 

[lihpster]

You think that's crazy, I saw a used Hi-Point the guy was asking $250 for it! Although to be fair it came with the original paper bag and a letter of mediocrity.

 

[outta_ammo]

The average price for a used 29 on GunBroker is currently $1,102.92. Add a grand if your looking for a pre-29...

 

[swagmeister]

If you want one, you just have to accept the current insane prices and get it. They will only become harder to find in the future and more expensive.

 

[Danpd66]

Not just 29s, it's difficult to find basically ANY S&W revolvers right now. I recently picked up a 29 4" engraved model for a bit under MSRP and consider myself fortunate.

Still trying to find a 629 6", 586 4", 460XVR 5" and 500 4", and theres VERY little out there. I just can't bring myself to pay 30-50% over MSRP that most of these are going for on GunBroker.

Considering how anti-2A the current administration is, and the constant statements of how they want to ban anything with over 10 rds of capacity, I think you're going to continue to see revolver prices climb and availability drop.

 

[Narragansett]

I have a 629 NIB no dash that i considered selling, but not any more. It goes up every day. I have no idea why, but I bought a 629-1 4" a couple weeks ago and that was a grand for lightly used example. I think I did good?

 

[outta_ammo]

For a quick antidote to the going price of 29s, look at Anacondas (and don't look at Super Redhawks).

 

[Univibe]

What may be happening is Smith could be cranking out ARs and M&P line of same auto pistols. Thereby neglecting the revolvers, which are less in demand in a Panic.

3 years ago I paid $775 for a brand new 6.5 inch 629.

 

[Echo40]

If you want one, you just have to accept the current insane prices and get it. They will only become harder to find in the future and more expensive.

I couldn't afford to if I wanted to, I'm afraid. Besides, that's too expensive regardless, so even if I could, I wouldn't. The only way that I would drop $1000 on a 629 is if it was a Performance Center model.

I'll keep my eyes open in case I get lucky and find one that is more reasonably priced.

 

[Invictus357]

Prices are crazy all around with guns.

I saw LCRs selling on GB for $700+ with multiple bids.

I'm ever thankful I bought my 629 before this panic buying.

Hopefully it will simmer down eventually.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I have a 629 NIB no dash that i considered selling, but not any more. It goes up every day. I have no idea why, but I bought a 629-1 4" a couple weeks ago and that was a grand for lightly used example. I think I did good?

N frame revolvers are becoming dinosaurs...very expensive dinosaurs. I've got a 625-8 that I was considering selling until I heard they were discontinued. I paid $900 for it new about 5 years ago. The N frame market has gone absolutely crazy. I would bet that S&W discontinues all of their N frames in a few years. Ammo prices are going to kill the big bores. $1.40/rd for 44 mag is no joke. Soon it will be nothing but a reloaders cartridge.

 

[Oracle]

The market only goes as high as the market will bear. There has to be people buying them at these ludicrous prices. I am very happy I bought what I have and when I did.

 

[Bullet Bob]

I think the OP should change his user name to Rip van Winkle - he's obviously been asleep for quite about a year.

 

[raisedin99]

Neighbor down the road from me stopped by the other evening to show off his 629-6, 6 1/2" barrel factory wood grips. He ordered the gun back in July of last year, cash register receipt in box $962.00 otd. Fine looking gun.

terry

 

[Echo40]

I think the OP should change his user name to Rip van Winkle - he's obviously been asleep for quite about a year.

Nope, I just haven't looked at the prices of Smith & Wesson Revolvers in a year and assumed that folks would be more into wonder 9s than wheel guns.

In fact, the only guns I've really been looking at have all been .40cal pistols, and most of those are still cheap.

 

[jaguargolf]

I can't remember when an "N" frame was going for much less than $800, most closer to $900.
Lots of interest in no dash and early and "no lock" models. Also 5" and Mountain Guns of all calibers. These guns have style, beauty and craftsmanship that plastic guns just don't have and never will.

S&W should make more of them.

 

[jaguargolf]

The desire and price of S&W 3rd generation semi-autos is also increasing.

Maybe people are tired of plastic.

 

[Donn]

Bought my Model 29 in 1978. Prices and availability were out of hand then too, the Dirty Harry phenom being in full effect. Got mine for MSRP, which was a heck of a deal back then.

 

[SuperMan]

Bought my Model 29 in 1978. Prices and availability were out of hand then too, the Dirty Harry phenom being in full effect. Got mine for MSRP, which was a heck of a deal back then.

..in 1973 the average wait time for a 29-2 was 9 months. Even as a LEO it was close to 3 months. A friend who was a local LEO ordered a 6.5" and was lucky as the next one that came in 3 weeks down the road was turned down by the two LEOs on the list ahead of him...

 

[mbliss57]

Prices are reasonable or insane it depends on who is selling it or what auction day brings. I put 4 guns up in the last month for auction and all 4 brought double what I paid 1year to 18 months ago! But I also sold a pre model 39 at auction that I actually lost $1k on! I am still way ahead but it is an unpredictable market. Certainly a sellers market.
As far as 629s go it totally depends on barrel length, dash number, special runs etc. I have bought several 629s in past year but none were under $1k.
But all we’re older models, 3 inch models or collectible long tubes.
In summary.. prices are higher than they used to be.. they will not go back!


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