New (to me) 29-2

[Big Dave in WNC]

As I mentioned in my LONG introduction post, I only recently got back into "old" Smith revolvers, and decided for my first one I decided on trying to get a Model 29, and I was 100% certain I wanted pinned and recessed. I *initially* looked for a 4" nickel model, as I had a long love affair with one that laid in a display case at a local store. After a while however, I started thinking a 6" or 6.5" blued model would be more to my liking.


I began the hunt but missed on a few due to not having the funds, or missed them on auctions on GB.


I finally lucked (blessed?) into one in Georgia and got it. I got it for a deal also-WAY less than I'd seen lesser guns go for more money. Had it shipped to NC and finally got it Thursday. I'd give the shop in GA five stars on everything (price, CS, etc) except packaging and shipping.


I'll upload some images for you folks.

 

[Big Dave in WNC]

Packaging and Shipping

Purchased the gun on a Saturday, and clerk assured me it would be packaged that day, but wouldn't go out until Monday. Label was not created until Tuesday. Package arrived at my FFL on Thursday, and two employees and the owner noticed the box was compromised in the lower corner. They were expecting this for me and immediately checked the hole to see if there was anything visible and they see the wooden grip (butt) of the gun visible against the hole-indicating no wrapping or packaging around the grip (gun did not have a box or case, but I assumed they would wrap it or put it in a generic box.)


The guys opened it and found it less than half full of packing peanuts and the cylinder and barrel wrapped with one wrap of fine bubble wrap. The gun was laying in the bottom of the box. There was also a cigarette butt in with the packing peanuts. I first thought the guys were exaggerating or pulling my leg about that but three of them (one being the retired Chief of Police for a 100 officer department) assured me they were not kidding. They even started looking in the top of their trash can to show me and prove it to me, but they'd opened several boxes and couldn't find it on the "top" of the trash. I did confirm however there was NO additional damage to the gun. Other than this-which I can laugh about NOW-I am very happy with the shop and overall purchase. I did feel like NOT mentioning this would be wrong-but I'm not trying to put them in a bad light or get them the wrath of the Internet either.


In one pic, the package as arrived is shown. In another, the hole has been pulled back as they did in the store. In the other, the gun is shown as they received it, MINUS the inadequate amount of packing peanuts (they agreed it was less than half full).

 

[Big Dave in WNC]

(Not sure why the one pic is being displayed upside down-it's correct in my photo app) (?)

 

[Big Dave in WNC]

The gun itself:

 

[Big Dave in WNC]

More gratuitous photos:

 

[Big Dave in WNC]

One final image (turn line/ring):

 

[Rusty parrot]

Very nice example and congratulations on the beginning of your new voyage.
Appreciate you posting the pictures.

 

[22hipower]

Nice 29-2, certainly hasn't seen many rounds through it. Packaging can be a huge issue. An LGS I frequent, a few years back had a nice pre-29 four inch with tools and the original box. I was interested but at the time $4k seemed too high. They sold it on line and one of their clerks packaged and mailed it; but didn't bother to wrap the gun separately from the box and tools. In fact didn't wrap any of it, just put the tools and gun in the original box and dropped that in to a cardboard box. They ended up refunding the $4k and after seeing the gun after it was returned, I didn't want it any more. That clerk is doing something else now. Enjoy that nice 29-2.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[WCCPHD]

About 12 years ago I bought a Registered Magnum on gonebroker. It arrived at my FFL several days later. I was there waiting on the mailman.

It was in a "USPS Quick Ship" box wrapped in a towel. Luckily no damage.

 

[A10]

Nice gun! Looks like it spent a lot more time being dry fired than sending rounds down range. Correct grips in fine condition can be found, though I personally never appreciated those style of targets. some customs from John Culina or a good set of factory combats would certainly do your firearm proud!

 

[Big Dave in WNC]

Correct grips in fine condition can be found, though I personally never appreciated those style of targets. some customs from John Culina or a good set of factory combats would certainly do your firearm proud!

Are these correct for that year model (1980 from what's posted on Wikipedia but I've heard that isn't always right)?

 

[Retired W4]

Are these correct for that year model (1980 from what's posted on Wikipedia but I've heard that isn't always right)?

Those targets are period correct.

 

[22hipower]

Are these correct for that year model (1980 from what's posted on Wikipedia but I've heard that isn't always right)?

Same ones that are on my 4 inch 29-2 (SN N768847) from 1980.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2oj6LSM https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[Big Dave in WNC]

Same ones that are on my 4 inch 29-2 (SN N768847) from 1980.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Very Nice!

 

[Hair Trigger]

Dave, considering your years in LE you should look for one of these if you want a nickel version. They're not really easy to find but are out there. It's a 50th Anniversary NCHP Commemorative, issued in 1979. They were originally only available to active or retired Troopers, but with the passage of 45 years they show up at estate auctions or private sales now and then. I found this one in Wagram, NC at Mid South Guns back in 2019, just before I retired. Wagram is a little crossroads about 11 miles north of Laurinburg on US 401. The store is pretty remarkable for the amount of inventory they have considering they're in the middle of BFE.

 

[JP@AK]

Are these correct for that year model . . . ?

If you were thinking they should have the speed loader cut, no. On the N frames, that didn't show up until about 1982. It came a few years earlier on the K frames.

The stocks shown are correct for that revolver, as Retired W4 stated.

 

[stansdds]

Nice shooter grade Model 29-2. Based on the pictures, it has not been live fired much, but probably dry fired a fair amount. The peening on the cylinder stop notch suggests either a good amount of rapid double action and/or fast single action cocking. The packaging was beyond poor, I'd say you are fortunate that the revolver did not receive additional damage.

 

[Baxter6551]

Great gun and congratulations! I joined the .44 Magnum club last year with a 29-3.
You are extremely fortunate that it did not suffer damage during its voyage especially the grips. Somebody was on your shoulder. Two guys I worked on the PD with own a small gun store and do internet sales and buying for store inventory. They are very very anal about their packing and shipping. They have both have been on the receiving end of poorly packed and damaged shipments. They say that filing a claim with whatever shipper was used is a total waste of time and have resigned themselves to having to spend more money to have the damage repaired. Most commonly broken rifle / shotgun stocks.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Welcome back to the Forum, Dave! I don't think that you can go wrong with a nice Model 29, and yours is definitely a nice one. I think it's better than Shooter grade condition except for that damage to the stocks. Shame about the packaging, but at least there was no damage to the revolver. I don't buy many firearms online, but years ago I did purchase a nice Model 27-2 with 3-1/2" bbl. from a Forum member. Although it was fairly well packaged, it arrived at my FFL with a broken rear sight blade. The seller and I were able to work out an amicable fix, so all is well. Unfortunately for you, you've now crossed the line into the S&W vintage revolver collecting world! There's no escape, and I see a growing collection in your future. I started with a Model 29-2 6-1/2" ("Dirty Harry"), and progressed into 6" and 4" versions...but I'm not a long tube guy so no 8-3/8" for me. And of course there are 4-screw and 5-screw .44 Magnums, too. There are lots of .44 Magnum fans here on the Forum, so you're in good company. Enjoy!

 

[A10]

Are these correct for that year model (1980 from what's posted on Wikipedia but I've heard that isn't always right)?

My comment was just based on condition, which IMO detracts from the gun. As others pointed out, that style is period correct and are probably the originals it came with.

Some folks (including me) have referred to that era as "plow handle" target grips, as there isn't much shape to them. For me, they are uncomfortable to shoot with magnum rounds.