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

[stratplexi]

I’m still on the hunt for a 66-3 with a 2.5” barrel and a 629-3 with a 4” or 6” barrel. I have been watching gunbroker but prices are very high for a gun that is near mint. I don’t really want anything that isn’t close to mint. Haven’t been able to get anything for $1000 or less. I did get a 686-3 with a 4” barrel for less than that but it didn’t have the original grips or box.

 

[TheHobbyist]

@ the OP, if you had occasion to buy locally in the $700 range for a number of years, you may have 'missed the boat' my friend.

Used S&W .44's, with the exception of modern, have been min. $ 850+ in this area for about 4 years. The ones typically found are 'well loved' and not what I would be interested in at that price, but geez, if you could find one even well used but mechanically sound, you're likely north of $750 ish.

Most I have came across in this time are right around $1K. Obviously, certain variants command more.

On the subject of the price going down, my opinion is that it is rather unlikely. Hunters prefer S&W used .44's and our money isn't worth what it used to be (no political statement, don't read more than is said); it is simply a fact that annual the purchasing parity of the dollar goes down.

Are all .44's, used at $1K? No. Have to use our best judgement from experience and talk to like-minded-folks, such as the team here. Best, TH

 

[BigBill]

I just went looking online at GI and found the prices were even higher then I previous thought. It’s $2,000 for an older s&w m29, the prices are still climbing. There is no price limit.

I came from the c&r guns because of the rising prices, about two decades ago. Now the prices on the modern guns are up. I’m mainly a browser now I just look. Paying $2 k for a nickel 29 isn’t me it’s not important I have a new blue one.

 

[ME94]

Here my 629-4 mountain gun I bought for $375, plus about 60 round. I bought it around 2011-12. Definitely not mint but in good shape. I actually take it backpacking and when we go up to Minnesota canoeing in the boundary waters.

very happy to have it!

 

[Echo40]

I'm still keeping an eye out for a good 629 at a decent price. The closest I came was a VG Performance Center 629 UDR for $869, but it sold within a couple of days. I would have bought it, but didn't have the money.

 

[Narragansett]

All I know is that I am looking for a 4" and it is slim expensive pickins, I do not think they will stay at this level. I have a 4 and 6" 629, and 29-5, but want an earlier 29 in 4"

 

[biku324]

Shooter or safe adornment? I have a really nice 4" 29-3, no blemishes, low rounds through it, Magnaport, and Hogues.

 

[grip frame]

I happily paid $900 recently for a local private sale 629-4 classic in 6.5", mint condition. No box or papers. Needed a range toy/shooter .44 mag. My other .44's are now worth too much to shoot and put wear on.

629-3 Classic 5" 99%
29-6 Classic 5" 99%
629-3 Classic hunter 6" non fluted one of 2000 98%
629-3 Classic DX 5" 98%
629-3 Classic DX 6.5" 100%
629-3 Classic DX 8 3/8" 98%
629-4 Mountain Gun 96%
629-3 4" 95%

 

[rubiranch]

-

I doubt that anyone would be willing to pay what it would take for me to part with my only .44 Magnum.
My 6.5" 29-2 was shipped Jan 14, 1964.

 

[DukeSoprano]

Me either


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lihpster]

I happily paid $900 recently for a local private sale 629-4 classic in 6.5", mint condition. No box or papers. Needed a range toy/shooter .44 mag. My other .44's are now worth too much to shoot and put wear on.

629-3 Classic 5" 99%
29-6 Classic 5" 99%
629-3 Classic hunter 6" non fluted one of 2000 98%
629-3 Classic DX 5" 98%
629-3 Classic DX 6.5" 100%
629-3 Classic DX 8 3/8" 98%
629-4 Mountain Gun 96%
629-3 4" 95%

And when the new one appreciates? What exactly is your cutoff for shooting?$1500? $2000?

 

[Bumpus13]

About two years ago, I paid $785 for my 629-3. Glad I didn’t wait.

 

[grip frame]

And when the new one appreciates? What exactly is your cutoff for shooting?$1500? $2000?

It will be too late. Its going to be a shooter like I stated.

 

[BubbaShakers]

Costs and prices for (6)29's and pre-lock N frames across the board are getting more ridiculous by the day. Right now there is a 629-0 4" on GB with incorrect grips, no (original) box/papers, and what appears to be a rather inexpert scotchbrite refinish job. Probably a nice shooter. It's at $2695 and still climbing with 2 days left to go.

Over the past few weeks I've seen the usual overpriced, average grade guns that get relisted for months on end slowly dry up (inflation finally caught up I guess).

In addition to the all of the drivers to date (covid, riots, election and its fallout) this latest price surge can probably blamed on yet another factor -- stimulus checks burning a hole in everyone's pockets.