29-2 Question

[ABN 70]

I just acquired a beautiful 6" nickle 29. How common were 6" 29-2's compared to 6 1/2?

 

[M29since14]

More 6-1/2” guns were made.

 

[Art Doc]

I think the change was made in 1978 so the 6" M29-2s were made 1978-1981. The 6.5" M29-2s were made 1962-1978. I would assume the much longer production run of the 6.5 would mean far more of them were produced. But that doesn't mean the 6 is rare, just aren't as many of them. And many S&W lover don't care for the 6 including me. Traded into a beautiful nickel 6" 29 years ago. Couldn't figure what looked wrong. Then I learned of the barrel change and mine was the newer length. Traded it away. Could not get used to it.

 

[BigMuddy]

And then some like 6” better Took me a while to find mine.

Dan

 

[stansdds]

Between the 6 inch and 6-1/2 inch Model 29-2's, the majority were 6-1/2 inches. The 6 inch barrel became standard near the end of the 29-2 production.

 

[Doc44]

The Model 29-2 with a 6 1/2-inch barrel was made from late 1962 until being replaced by the 6-inch version in 1979 when S&W standardized barrel lengths for this model at 4, 6, and 8 3/8 inches. In 1982, the Model 29-3 was introduced. Even though it was made for a much shorter period of time, many collectors and shooters favor the 6 1/2-inch barrel length over the 6-inch barrel length.

Bill

 

[Neversink n Klapperthal]

the six inch barrel was also a transition model. Some were pinned and recessed,most were not.The six inch P&R ,though made in smaller numbers,dont command the prices the 6 1/2 inchers do.In my collection is an unfired 6 inch P&R,and a beautiful 8 3/8 3rd change. That 3rd change is smooth as silk.

 

[WCCPHD]

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol ordered a 50th anniversary commemorative Model 29-2 in Nickel for the anniversary in 1979. I'm told they used up all the left over 6.5 inch barrels on this order and somewhere in the production they started using six inch barrels. The guns arrived in Raleigh, NC at the end of August/first of September, 1979, so the change over was sometime before that date.

The guns' serial number had no significance; however, they did have a "seniority number" that started with NCHP 0001. The guns were assigned based on years of service, not rank. I have NCHP 0941 and it has a six inch barrel.

A couple of gratuitous photos.