Found a bargain...I think.

[Glock 'em down]

I was in one of my local toy stores today and he had just acquired a model 29-2. This big bore sported the original blued finish, RR/WO, 4 inch snout, targets all the way around, P&R and lazy ampersands on both sides.

That's the GOOD news.

*sigh* now for the BAD news.

This thing looks like hell. It has significant and considerable saddle wear all along the barrel, worse at the muzzle, the outside of each chamber has much of the finish gone due to about a gozillion presentations from the holster, there's a big spot on the front of the trigger guard hump where it's down to the bare metal and the backstrap has a rich brown patina, deep into the grip's grooves from many sweaty hands with a firm grip. I would say the overall finish is at about 65-70% +/-. It is also a touch out of time on about 3 or 4 cylinders.

What's worse, is that the lock up is pretty sloppy and it has an awful hammer push off. However, the bore looked pretty good. There is no box, docs or tools. It's been shot a lot, but not so much that the bore is smooth...yet.

Is it worth the $400 price tag out the door?

Would S&W fix this little guy's issues on their dime as a warranty problem? Or would I be better off taking it to my local smithy. I wouldn't wanna send this potential heirloom to S&W only for them to tell me it was junk and then they send me a brand new one, complete with a shiny new internal lock and state of the art MIM parts.

For what it's worth, the finish doesn't bother me as much as the mechanics of the revolver. Hell, I'd come closer to totin' it knowing it looks as bad as it does. It's them purdy ones that I have a hard time taking outside.

Your thoughts/comments please.

[29aholic]

Glock
PM or email me, there is one in Arkansas a lot better for $650

[Glock 'em down]

Originally Posted by 29aholic

Glock
PM or email me, there is one in Arkansas a lot better for $650

Now see? I really can't afford $650 for one. The only reason I gave this one a second thought was because of the price.

If I knew for a fact that S&W would fix it ON THEIR DIME I would grab it in a New York minute. The .44 Magnum isn't even on my short list. The only N frames I would care to have is maybe a Registered Magnum, a 27-2 or maybe a 25-2. But...for four bills? Yeah...I'd give it a nice home.

Even if it is ugly.

[ladder13]

Evan, I believe the factory would fix any mechanical issues "on their dime", except if some hacker was inside the sideplate. Sometimes depends on their mood or who answers the telephone, whether or not to charge for the work. Any cosmetics would be on you.

[sceva]

Originally Posted by Glock 'em down

Now see? [img]
If I knew for a fact that S&W would fix it ON THEIR DIME I would grab it in a New York minute. The .44 Magnum isn't even on my short list. The only N frames I would care to have is maybe a Registered Magnum, a 27-2 or maybe a 25-2. But...for four bills? Yeah...I'd give it a nice home.
Even if it is ugly.

I do not believe S&W will or should fix this revolver on their dime. Those are wear issues, not warranty or defect issues. Wear issues have never been warranted by S&W AFAIK. You wouldn't buy a used car with 200K miles and expect the automaker to overhaul the engine and re-paint it on their dime would you?

[Gun 4 Fun]

I know from recent firsthand experience that they won't fix it on their dime. That gun was built well before the lifetime warranty offer that started in 1989, and only applies to guns made in that year, and since.

They will still work on it though, and will advise you as to cost before they begin to do any repair/replacements. Let them. They will make it right, and you'll have a darn good shooter when they are done.

Still, for what it'll cost you to have any work done, and shipping charges of $50 for sending it in, and $14 for return shipping, you should take Curtis up on his offer.

[HAWKEYE10]

Just put the $400 in the bank and save for a good
model 29. Just be patience and things will come. Don

[Glock 'em down]

Good answers so far guys.

As for the cosmetic issues? I don't paln on doing a thing to them. I WANT it to look like hell. I know, I know...but the thing is - I won't be so scared to tote it looking the way it does. If it was all purdy and pristine with a new paint job, I'd be compelled to leave it in the sock drawer and rub on it. I have no room in my life for a safe queen. I doubt that it would ever get refinished.

Thanks for the comments guys. Keep 'em coming!

[CactusCapt]

Prior to the current insanity (which seems to be moderating), I passed on numerous M-29s in the neighborhood of $400. Also M-28s for $300, M-57s for $400 and countless M-10s for $200. I won't elaborate on some of the more foolish things I passed on... I would definitely pass on this one, keep the money close, add a few bucks and wait for the right revolver at the right price. They are out there.

[perrazi]

why would you want to buy something that,in it's current state, is effectively junk? as stated before, with all those issues,it isn't cheap. maybe for 200-250 would be cheap. maybe make an offer telling them what it will cost to fix? a lot easier just to buy a serviceable gun in the first place.

[Glock 'em down]

Originally Posted by perrazi

why would you want to buy something that,in it's current state, is effectively junk? as stated before, with all those issues,it isn't cheap. maybe for 200-250 would be cheap. maybe make an offer telling them what it will cost to fix? a lot easier just to buy a serviceable gun in the first place.

You're probably right.

[Camster]

Sound advice here.If you can't afford 650,you can't afford this gun.You'll be into it for that amount with shipping and work,and it will still look ridden hard-just so much that be can done mechanically with high mileage anything before it gets ridiculous.Look for something else or save some more.We'd all be buying rats if we could get a free rebuild.

[Glock 'em down]

Originally Posted by Camster

Sound advice here.If you can't afford 650,you can't afford this gun.You'll be into it for that amount with shipping and work,and it will still look ridden hard-just so much that be can done mechanically with high mileage anything before it gets ridiculous.Look for something else or save some more.We'd all be buying rats if we could get a free rebuild.

Best advice I ever heard.

You're absolutely right. I can't afford this gun. Hell, a .44 Magnum isn't even on my wish list. I just thought it would be a good buy. I never thought it would take very much to get it right. Now I know better. I also didn't realize that older S&Ws didn't fall under the lifetime warranty. Ya learn something every day.

No prob. I need to use my deniro on a Remington coach gun I've been eyeballing anyhow.

[jimmyj]

Hi:
I would view this weapon as a "Challenge". Talk with the seller and point out the negative aspects of the weapon. If the seller drops the price to $275.00 I would purchase it. With the exception of the finish, the out of time cylinder and "push-off" would not be difficult to cure. You would end up with a "shooter/carry piece".
Jimmy

[Glock 'em down]

Originally Posted by jimmyj

Hi:
I would view this weapon as a "Challenge". Talk with the seller and point out the negative aspects of the weapon. If the seller drops the price to $275.00 I would purchase it. With the exception of the finish, the out of time cylinder and "push-off" would not be difficult to cure. You would end up with a "shooter/carry piece".
Jimmy

I already did. The lowest he would go is $375 OTD.

[jwk]

Call your favorite smith and get an estimate of what he thinks it might cost to fix it. My guess is that you will be glad you did and find that it isn't a bargain.

Could also offer the guy $450 provided he will pay the gunsmith to fix all the problems to your satisfaction.

Jim Keene

[Glock 'em down]

Originally Posted by jwk

Call your favorite smith and get an estimate of what he thinks it might cost to fix it. My guess is that you will be glad you did and find that it isn't a bargain.

Could also offer the guy $450 provided he will pay the gunsmith to fix all the problems to your satisfaction.

Jim Keene

Well...I recently had a model 12 that needed some work. All my smith did was replace the hand and it was $140.

The low price is a reflection of the work it's needing. He said if it didn't need the work done, it would be $700. So obviously, he's already looked into this.

[cxm]

S&W offers a "Tune UP" package that is not widely known...

The T/U will return a gun to as new mechanical condition. This to me is a real deal... unless major parts are needed the price was $55 (and at that price the re-cut the forcing cone.)

Anyway, you might inquire about this service if you decide to have work done...

FWIW

Chuck

Originally Posted by perrazi

why would you want to buy something that,in it's current state, is effectively junk? as stated before, with all those issues,it isn't cheap. maybe for 200-250 would be cheap. maybe make an offer telling them what it will cost to fix? a lot easier just to buy a serviceable gun in the first place.

[akguy1985]

well GED you havent told me about this one yet! thats the cheapest model 29 i've ever heard of, one is on my wishlist though

[ladder13]

I agree with CXM, having returned a gun, matter of fact a 29-2 for refinishing, and they "went over" and returned the gun to specs, including "turning" cutting the forcing cone for a very insignificant fee.

[Glock 'em down]

Originally Posted by cxm

S&W offers a "Tune UP" package that is not widely known...

The T/U will return a gun to as new mechanical condition. This to me is a real deal... unless major parts are needed the price was $55 (and at that price the re-cut the forcing cone.)

Anyway, you might inquire about this service if you decide to have work done...

FWIW

Chuck

Hmmm...maybe there's a future for me and this little hand cannon yet.

[Jack Flash]

I tried to stay out of this, because my advice on such matters is usually so lousy, but I just can't stop myself.

29aholic has graciously presented you an option that can serve as an upper limit to what you should put into one ($650+shipping+FFLfees). Now you need to see how much you can beat that by, and if the final difference in cost (both money and time) is worth the difference in quality of the finished product.

You get it for $400 OTD. S&W may have a tune up service costing $55, but you should probably allow for this one needing some additional new parts they will charge extra for. Then there is always shipping costs, to and from. Not to mention the amount of time spent screwing around driving it to FedEx or other carrier. I would figure on at least $150, maybe $200 when all is said and done. You said it has "targets all around" so I assume target stocks. What kind of shape are they in? Even beaters go for around $50 these days.

Now for the nicer $650 M29. You will still need to pay shipping and pay an FFL to receive it. Figure at least $50 for that, possibly $100 if the seller insists on using FedEx. So the upper limit now becomes maybe $750.

If you really don't give a hoot about the finish, the cheaper one may be the way to go.

[kennyb]

i would skip the gun as you described it..there are to many exceptional 29-2's floating around in great shape for just a touch more money

[Glock 'em down]

Originally Posted by Jack Flash

I tried to stay out of this, because my advice on such matters is usually so lousy, but I just can't stop myself.

29aholic has graciously presented you an option that can serve as an upper limit to what you should put into one ($650+shipping+FFLfees). Now you need to see how much you can beat that by, and if the final difference in cost (both money and time) is worth the difference in quality of the finished product.

You get it for $400 OTD. S&W may have a tune up service costing $55, but you should probably allow for this one needing some additional new parts they will charge extra for. Then there is always shipping costs, to and from. Not to mention the amount of time spent screwing around driving it to FedEx or other carrier. I would figure on at least $150, maybe $200 when all is said and done. You said it has "targets all around" so I assume target stocks. What kind of shape are they in? Even beaters go for around $50 these days.

Now for the nicer $650 M29. You will still need to pay shipping and pay an FFL to receive it. Figure at least $50 for that, possibly $100 if the seller insists on using FedEx. So the upper limit now becomes maybe $750.

If you really don't give a hoot about the finish, the cheaper one may be the way to go.

Originally Posted by kennyb

i would skip the gun as you described it..there are to many exceptional 29-2's floating around in great shape for just a touch more money

I'm not a collector. I appreciate a beautiful mint condition Smith & Wesson revolver as much as anybody else. They truly are a beautiful thing.

However...

I'm a poor, broke cop. I work three (yeah, that's right...THREE!) jobs - one full time and two part time - just to make ends meet. All of my guns are working guns. I do not have a safe queen. The closest thing I have to a safe queen is dad's Victory model he gave me last Christmas.

I can't afford to lay down $750 for one gun. The most expensive gun in my loot is probably only worth 400 bucks. If I can get this model 29-2 for $375 and drop another $100 or so in repairs, I might be able to swing it. But just plopping down $750 all at once is out of the question.

As for the cosmetics of it? This will make many of you, if not most of you laugh, but the rougher the finish is, the more likely I will carry it. I get kinda nervous about a classy firearm such as the model 29 in PRISTINE condition out in the elements. That's the very reason I sold that 3 inch model 13 I had a few months back. I was afraid to tote it because it looked so damned nice.

Now I realize, a carry gun is a carry gun and all of the assorted saddle wear it sustains is considered beauty marks. I can live with that. But all the carry guns I have started off having saddle wear on them. Does that make sense? I don't think I ever bought a gun that was intended for carry that I worried about.

My J frame model 38 looked gorgeous when I bought it. It still does. It starting to show a little wear here and there but not much. Of course, it rides exclusively in a pocket holster and never sees rain, dust, blowing debris or the elements, because it sits snugly in my front pocket. If it got marred up today, it wouldn't be a big deal, because it is a DEVOTED carry gun. I knew it would be when I got it.

To sum it all up, if this model 29-2 had the mechanical problems and a flawless finish, I probably wouldn't have thought twice about it and we wouldn't be having this discussion. But because it had already seen the street, any marks I would put on it wouldn't bring a tear to my eye.

Make sense?

[kennyb]

Originally Posted by Glock 'em down

I'm not a collector. I appreciate a beautiful mint condition Smith & Wesson revolver as much as anybody else. They truly are a beautiful thing.

However...

I'm a poor, broke cop. I work three (yeah, that's right...THREE!) jobs - one full time and two part time - just to make ends meet. All of my guns are working guns. I do not have a safe queen. The closest thing I have to a safe queen is dad's Victory model he gave me last Christmas.

I can't afford to lay down $750 for one gun. The most expensive gun in my loot is probably only worth 400 bucks. If I can get this model 29-2 for $375 and drop another $100 or so in repairs, I might be able to swing it. But just plopping down $750 all at once is out of the question.

As for the cosmetics of it? This will make many of you, if not most of you laugh, but the rougher the finish is, the more likely I will carry it. I get kinda nervous about a classy firearm such as the model 29 in PRISTINE condition out in the elements. That's the very reason I sold that 3 inch model 13 I had a few months back. I was afraid to tote it because it looked so damned nice.

Now I realize, a carry gun is a carry gun and all of the assorted saddle wear it sustains is considered beauty marks. I can live with that. But all the carry guns I have started off having saddle wear on them. Does that make sense? I don't think I ever bought a gun that was intended for carry that I worried about.

My J frame model 38 looked gorgeous when I bought it. It still does. It starting to show a little wear here and there but not much. Of course, it rides exclusively in a pocket holster and never sees rain, dust, blowing debris or the elements, because it sits snugly in my front pocket. If it got marred up today, it wouldn't be a big deal, because it is a DEVOTED carry gun. I knew it would be when I got it.

To sum it all up, if this model 29-2 had the mechanical problems and a flawless finish, I probably wouldn't have thought twice about it and we wouldn't be having this discussion. But because it had already seen the street, any marks I would put on it wouldn't bring a tear to my eye.

Make sense?

i'm very familar with cop pay...several jobs etc.do as you wish...hope it all works out

[Camster]

You should be working in my county.They all make 100k+. Then again,it's a pricey county/state to live in.

[Glock 'em down]

Originally Posted by Camster

You should be working in my county.They all make 100k+. Then again,it's a pricey county/state to live in.

No thanks.

I'll work 3 or 4 low payin' jobs here in the sticks before I'll work one high payin' gig in the metro rat race.

[Jack Flash]

Looking at it from a purely "poll-driven" point of view:
I'm sure all the Forum collectors would say don't buy one that has seen hard use / possible abuse. A significant number of Forum shooters would agree.

On the other hand, some just want to see a good gun rescued and put back into service -- nice intentions, but they aren't the ones paying the freight. My guess is that if you bought it and put it in good mechanical order for a total outlay of $500 or $550, you would always be able to get most, if not all, of your money back out of it.

There's always another gun. If it goes for you anything like it goes for me, you will see another "must have" within the next two or three months. So do what you want. In these tough times, it may be more important to hang on to your money, but spending money on a hobby is nice too.

[Matt G]

Speaking from experience, I would recommend a pass on this one.

Several years ago, I had an "impulse" buy situation at a gun show. The dealer had a well worn 4" 2T Model 29-2 for $450. Since I had some money and hadn't seen a 4" Model 29 for sale in a long time, I bought it. It was a well worn holster gun. The finish was as worn as the example you describe and the Magnas had some chips off the bottom of the right-hand stock. No rust and the bore looked good.

Of course, this was before I became more educated in purchasing a used revolver. This gun is the reason I became more educated when purchasing a used revolver.

I took it to the range. After about 18 rounds of .44SPL, the action became very difficult. It order to cock the gun for SA sshooting, I had to manually rotate the cylinder with my off-hand. It ended up non-functional. I took it home and cleaned it well (again) and then back to the range. The same thing happened.

Off to my gunsmith. He sent it to S&W. They charged me to fix the gun (several mechanical issues - apparently a PO dry-fired the living daylights out of this thing). $260 to S&W later, I have a fully functional Model 29-2 that its probably worth $450. It's not pretty, but it's a great gun to shoot, I LOVE the Target Hammer and Target Trigger, and installed a Tyler T-Grip to accommodate my small hands. I really like the gun, but, I'm not pleased with it, if you know what I mean.

So, from experience, if you really want a beater Model 29 that you will eventually have way too much money in to sell and break even, buy it.

Been there, done that.

Matt

[CactusCapt]

This sounds like a potentially 'inexpensive' project that could get expensive very quickly and negate all benefit from the initial price. I have some experience with those in both guns and cars (German cars!), and these things tend to get spendy quickly. It might work out for you, but then again... I would call S&W and get a verbal estimate on the work required. That might help in your decision. Sometimes a bargain just isn't.

[Glock 'em down]

I appreciate all the comments and ideas guys, but I've backed away from this little magnum. Just too many nays and not enough yays. I figure I would be upside down in a hurry on this little feller, so I'm passing on it.

It would be a different story if it were a gun on my list...like a 3.5" Registered or maybe even a 4 inch HP. But the model 29 isn't one of my "want" guns, it just happened to be in the right place at the right time.

Besides...I've got my sights set on a Remington Coachgun anyway.

Thanks again for all the replies!

[Matt G]

I did over-pay for my Model 29-2, and, yes, I'm quite upside-down on it.

But, seeing your "want list," this will tick you off. I paid the same amount ($450) for a 4" Model 28 about a year later. It has only minor wear at the muzzle and several small, light, blemishes in the finish. Mechanically, it appears to have been shot very little. Unfortunately, nasty rubber grips and no box, tools, papers, etc. At the time, folks thought I had paid top dollar. It my area, the Model 28 was more than reasonable. I've only seen one other for sale and I've been offered much more than I paid for it.

So, I guess the S&W revolver karma evens out over time.

Matt