It seems I've always had a soft spot in my heart for 3" revolvers (maybe that soft spot is in my head).

While walking around my gun clubs swap meet this past weekend, I spotted a few nice revolvers - but only one 3" one.


SN:BDZ232X


Very good condition, but has a couple of small rust flecks just ahead of the grip. You can see one to the right of the S&W logo.

It locks up tight, and shows very little wear from firing.

I think these originally came with Pachmayr grips, but not the ones that this one now wears.

Is 1989 correct for these? Only a little over 2500 made?

They started a bit higher, but the best I could do was $950.00 out the door. No box/papers, just a pistol rug. I flipped the coin a lot looking at it multiple times during to course of the morning, then I finally caved in... like I said, I have a soft spot.

I will have to at least try some full magnum loads in this, but I'm guessing I'll enjoy some 44 Special level loads most of the time.

Stay safe,
Bob S.

I think you did good as far as price goes. I’ve seen them sell anywhere from $1300-1600 when you can find the. If I recall the -3 were the lew horton variants and then these came out and these had the pachmayr grips on them.

Hi Bob Congrats on the 3" 29-4. I picked up a 3" 29-3 a while ago S/N ALB7XXX. I believe it was a Lew Horton gun but not positive and came with the S&W Combats. Best I know was DOB 1985. The combats look great on these guns but after my first range session I swapped them out with a set of knock off S&W Targets. Not as pretty but almost painless. The orr. grips are safely salted away.

Enjoy your new "little beauty",

Al

Yep I think you did good, one of these is on my want list.

Nice grab!
I would have dropped $950 for it; the grips would be replaced 1 minute after arriving home.

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213th FBINA

I heard they're putting up a new wing at the Betty Ford clinic for all of us.

Nice pick up for sure and at a great price.

You are correct on the 1989 ship date.

They produced a 5” & a 8 3/8” that same year.
All with the unfluted cylinders…which some folks like & others hate…I’m one of those that like them.

Masterbuck54

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Most call me Pete- SWCA#3248

Nice one! You guys are killing me here with all these decent gun-shop finds lately. I’d definitely give $950 OTD for that one.

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I reckon so

Nice!

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Life Member GOA and NRA

I can relate to the "soft spot in my head". In my case it has spread to my entire head.

Production year of 1989 sounds correct, 2532 units produced if my memory is correct. I believe these were marketed as the "Classic Hunter". I think I have a product profile sheet somewhere. Pachmayr rubber grips would have been standard on this model.

Be forewarned, there are many enablers here. There is no known cure for the 3" bug. Symptoms include a diminishing checking account balance, postponing retirement and staying up late looking for another to join the herd.

Best regards, Bob.

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SWCA #2785
OGCA #35078

I agree with Bob above...I have had the 3" disease for about 38 years...my particular strain was the 3" N frame type...I HAD quite a collection of these, then a heart attack struck in 2006...not knowing when the "Big One" would come as Fred Sanford used to say, I sold most of my collection...I went through a period where I was able to fight the compulsion off for awhile...but it was to NO avail...the disease came back again and now I am in the process of building up my collection again...maybe they should start a treatment center (as Aukula1062 says above) for this OR come up with some kind of a vaccine...Roger

I have only one snub n frame, it’s a 3 inch 29-10 bounty hunter. Was a stocking dealer special back in 06. It’s a lock gun but it’s one of my most accurate revolvers I own.