Model 29 .44 Mag made during the 80's for sale - Worth the price?

Chris L.

Chris L.

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One of my LGS that doesn't seem to get frequented very often due to it being out of the way has a Model 29 .44 Mag for sale. It has been sitting there for about six months now.

It appears to be in beautiful condition, almost new looking. Bluing is excellent and wood grips are near perfect. It may even be unfired. It was made sometime during the 1980's. Unfortunately, there is no box, papers, etc.

Price is in the high $700's, but I'm certain I could get it for less, maybe $700 out the door?

Not knowing the value of these things, is it worth it? I know it's not original production, but I'd love to own the Dirty Harry gun!
 
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Which "dash" number is it? The -3 came out in '82 I believe & the change in serial number from "N" to the three letter started around '87. What's the barrel length? If it's a -3 or 4 without the box or papers for me I'd stop at $650, $700 absolutely tops if I was really hot for it (I prefer the 4"). Prices do tend to fluctuate a bit depending on region.

fyi the "Dirty Harry" gun is a 29-2 with a 6.5" barrel if you're trying to duplicate that one. I lucked into one years ago & sheepishly admit it's the only firearm I wanted strictly because of a movie lol.
 
If I was you and I know its been sitting there for that long. I offer him 500-550 see what he does. This could simply be a case of he don't wanna see the gun but if her brings it home the wife will kill him.

I tell you the truth I really dont know the value of the gun only what I would be willing to pay for it. I might be low balling it really bad but the way I look at it is. He payed someone to buy that gun its been sitting around for several months not making him any money.
 
For what ever it's worth, I just bought a 4inch blued 29-3 last week for $675 in pristine condition in a face to face. Here in AZ there have been a number of them listed locally (And I assume sold) in the $650 to $700 range. The ads wanting over $700 seem to keep getting reposted.
 
S&W Fan said:
Which "dash" number is it? The -3 came out in '82 I believe & the change in serial number from "N" to the three letter started around '87. What's the barrel length? If it's a -3 or 4 without the box or papers for me I'd stop at $650, $700 absolutely tops if I was really hot for it (I prefer the 4"). Prices do tend to fluctuate a bit depending on region.

fyi the "Dirty Harry" gun is a 29-2 with a 6.5" barrel if you're trying to duplicate that one. I lucked into one years ago & sheepishly admit it's the only firearm I wanted strictly because of a movie lol.
Click to expand...
It has the full sized, long barrel, same as Dirty Harry. I wouldn't be interested if it didn't.
 
So its a 6.5"barrel M29. If it is in good shape, $700.00 is a fair pice. Anything less is a good deal. I would offer him $550.00 and see where it goes. That is a desirable gun and you won't loose any money on the deal. I picked up a M29-3 with a 8 3/8" barrel in Nike new condition with box/papers for $475.00 a few years ago at a out of the way gunshop. I had a few M29 at the time and flipped it for $900.00.
 
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The 6.5" barrel ended in 1979, the "-3" came out in '82, the "-4" in '88 so it has to be a 6" gun & even in nice shape without the box & docs for me $650 is top dollar, but again a lot has to do with how popular these are in your area and of course how badly you want it. If you intend to keep it & are happy with it then I'd say go for it. Start low, you can always go up. Good luck, hope you make a deal you're happy with & as we love pics make sure you put some up when/if you get it.
 
The -3s are great shooters, just without the panache of the P&R variants so eagerly sought after by the "purists".
Picked up this 4" -3 last year at the LGS for $550. Seems a fair price to me.
Its now my favorite and most shot 44 Magnum.
29-4-4.jpg
 
TheMystro said:
So its a 6.5"barrel M29. If it is in good shape, $700.00 is a fair pice. Anything less is a good deal. I would offer him $550.00 and see where it goes. That is a desirable gun and you won't loose any money on the deal. I picked up a M29-3 with a 8 3/8" barrel in Nike new condition with box/papers for $475.00 a few years ago at a out of the way gunshop. I had a few M29 at the time and flipped it for $900.00.
Click to expand...
I don't know, the barrel is pretty damn long. I'm not an expert but this looks like a dead ringer of the Dirty Harry gun. Maybe it is a 1979? Maybe the LGS owner is wrong?

I'm going back there this week and will check it out again and get some more info. The sellers shop is a bit off the beaten path and tucked away in the lower level of another gun shop, and his number is not in the phone book. They don't seem to sell very much. This gun has been sitting there for at least 6 months, which was the last time I visited. This gun is not high priority or something I really need, but without box and papers, maybe I could get a great deal? If I can flip it for a few hundred more that would be fine.

They also have a beautiful Remington 1100 auto-loading shotgun for $300 I've been eyeballing as well. From what I've seen, that is a great deal. I could probably get it for even less. Maybe I can make him an offer on both?
 
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I, for one, certainly hope they are worth the price as I am currently waiting for a 29-3 I won on gunbroker for 599. Mine is a 4" nickle wearing pachmayr grips(ew) that needs some polishing. According to another forum post response, it has a manufacturer date of 1988. I plan on shooting 240gr lead rnfp's through it mostly, with occasional big boomers for range effect. ;)
Dirty Harry is definitely a cool movie to admire the 44mag, but there was also the first movie with Eddy Murphy and Nick Nolte, 48hrs. The scene in the hotel was my favorite with Ganz trying to shoot Cates with his own gun using the 4" 44mag Smith, fun. Almost all revolvers in that movie(my preference). Check it out sometime.
 
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Went back to look at the Model 29-3 today. The first three letters in the serial # are AJC, if that helps in identifying when it was made.

I asked what size barrel, and what they said didn't make sense to me (3 & 3/8?). It has to be at least a 6" barrel.
 
boykinlp said:
They probably said 8 and 3/8s.
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That sounds right. An 8" barrel? After thinking about it guess it could have been. How does that change the value? I originally was asking about the version with the 6" barrel.

They are asking $795 without box and papers, but the gun looks almost new.
 
29-3...

TAROMAN said:
The -3s are great shooters, just without the panache of the P&R variants so eagerly sought after by the "purists".
Picked up this 4" -3 last year at the LGS for $550. Seems a fair price to me.
Its now my favorite and most shot 44 Magnum.
29-4-4.jpg
Click to expand...

Agreed.

My favorite, and most shot 29 is a -3. It "shoots lucky" as my grandfather use to say...

IMG_5098.jpg


I saved this one from a bowhunter that was about to grit blast it and paint it with hot rod primer.. Paid $375 (without the stocks).

IMG_5100.jpg
 
I have a Smith and Wesson Model 29-10 4" Nickel in maybe 90% condition with mint walnut grips. No box or paperwork. I look at current book on it and shake my head. This is a beautiful gun,A dream to shoot. I am finally considering selling, and i know market varies on region, but as just a general gun hobbyist, i use the 2 major gun auction sites and look at the same gun i have and what they sold for. Book says $650-700. I say based on what i see $900-1000 all day long in this condition. Can book values be off, or do i just love my gun too much!?!?!
 
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