29/629... How Bad Did I Mess Up??

[McGrew]

Hi folks, New guy here. I have been an avid shooter/collector for over 30 years and have a question for the masses. In all my gun dealings, I have only sold/traded 2 guns. I bought a new model 29 in October 1979. It was a 6" nickel piece and I enjoyed it for many years. The nickel began to chip off the edge of the cylinder at the forward most edge. The chip was about an eighth inch square. I am a pretty anal about my guns, and in February 1995, I took it to the dealer where I had bought it 16 years earlier. I traded it for a new Classic 629 with a 6.5" barrel. At the time the only disappointment was that I walked in with a gun in a presentation case with all the goodies intact, including paperwork, and walked out with a gun in a plastic case. I really am happy with the 629, but have wondered many times, did I mess up?? From a shooting standpoint, I am perfectly happy with the 629, but what about from a collector? Was the 29 more desireable?? Thanks! BTW, great forum!

 

[McGrew]

Hi folks, New guy here. I have been an avid shooter/collector for over 30 years and have a question for the masses. In all my gun dealings, I have only sold/traded 2 guns. I bought a new model 29 in October 1979. It was a 6" nickel piece and I enjoyed it for many years. The nickel began to chip off the edge of the cylinder at the forward most edge. The chip was about an eighth inch square. I am a pretty anal about my guns, and in February 1995, I took it to the dealer where I had bought it 16 years earlier. I traded it for a new Classic 629 with a 6.5" barrel. At the time the only disappointment was that I walked in with a gun in a presentation case with all the goodies intact, including paperwork, and walked out with a gun in a plastic case. I really am happy with the 629, but have wondered many times, did I mess up?? From a shooting standpoint, I am perfectly happy with the 629, but what about from a collector? Was the 29 more desireable?? Thanks! BTW, great forum!

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Many ways to look at it, you could have sent the cylinder back and had it refinished. Could have paid cash for the 629, or do what you done. When the nickle off the cylinder was a "o" to a collector or 500 bucks today for a shooter. To pass to the family, the 29 would have became a safe queen. Comes down to it, if you miss it then go find one like it.

Plus WELCOME to the forum, best site on the web. We do have a few that talk dirty (about colts) but you just over look thier poor taste.

 

[pace40]

Welcome to the forum, McGrew

Sounds to me like you didn't mess up at all. You traded a shooter for another shooter that you're happy with.

 

[cobra44]

Hello
The same thing happened to me. I bought a 29, plated. When the 629's came out, I decided I wanted a stainless version.
I never looked back, because I wanted a 44 in stainless, and that is what I have now. Neither one would now be a collectors piece, as they were shooters.
I do not think that I could live with a chip of plating off of the gun either.

 

[tom turner]

Bingo!

As a handgun shooter/hunter, I'd much prefer your 629 to take hunting whitetail with. I use very stout, 300 grain Hardcast flat nose bullets that would wear out your earlier Model 29 fast . . . if the deer didn't notice the flashy nickle first.

I hunt with a 1989 Model 29-5. The Model 29-5 and newer, plus your 629 have stronger lock up than the earlier Smith .44 magnums (bigger bolts and longer notches for these bolts cut into the cylinder). They are stronger guns as SHOOTERS!

Every S&W I have is a "shooter." No "safe queens" for me. I ain't got no virgin guns . . . the virgins I get ain't virgins long!

I think you ended up with a stronger revolver that also has a finish that's easy to maintain.

Not bad!

BTW, WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!!


Tom

PS: Some incredible collectors are on this forum, so maybe some of these fine folks can give you more perspective from a collector's point of view.

Stick around, it is a great place!

 

[Allen-frame]

Wait ,, let me get this straight. Your first post is about a trade you made 13 1/2 years ago.??? ? And I thought I was anal

.

Welcome to the forum dude , ,you're in the right place.

With possibly 100 or so trades/purchases under my belt in recent years, ,,some stinkin'
some smokin' I just don't ask that question anymore.
I wouldn't sleep if i worried about such things anymore.


Regards and good luck! Allen

 

[McGrew]

Wow, Thanks for the welcome! Ok, I feel better now, but let me comment on some of the responses. I'm glad to hear about the "dirty" talk... I own a couple of Colts as well. None of my guns are safe queens. I shoot every one of them when I get the chance. I did get away from shooting for a few years, but now go to the range about once a week. Regarding being anal... OK, I admit it! But it has been a few years since I did any buying or shooting, (life got in the way...) the subject of the 29/629 trade popped back into my head. I have always bought the best quality pieces I could afford, and don't like wasting money. Thanks again for all the responses and welcomes!

 

[okie john]

You're OK on the trade. My guns tend to get used hard, and they look like it, but a chip in the nickel would ruin that one for me.


Okie John

 

[tom turner]

Glad to have you here McGrew,

I confess lusting for a Model 27 about the time you were trading your M29.

Then, lo and behold I stumbled into one of those little old gunshop owned by an old man who was soon to retire. His prices were always sky high so he had lots of nice eye candy. We all remember shops like this!

He had a pristine 5" nickle-plated M27 there from the late 60's. I asked about it. He sold it to a lady for her husband's Christmas present when it hit the shop. Turned out that the guy really wanted a Model 66 so he brought it back and exchanged it a few days later.

"I can't sell it as new, since it was technically sold, but the guy didn't even shoot it," he told me. It truly looked brand new.

The price was a tad high on the gleaming Model 27, but it was too nice to pass up that day. Yep, it had all the materials, box, tools, etc. All were new too.


WHAT DID I DO WITH IT . . .

I immediately shot the heck out of it!

<span class="ev_code_BLUE"> Confucius say . . . "Safe Queen like a Virgin, One Bang and POOF, All Gone." </span> 'Tis true!

I was shooting a lot of pin matches and truly enjoyed the revolver! Sure, I tried to baby it . . . but one day the nickle on the front edge of the cylinder flaked just like yours did in a little spot. It was never the same after that to me . . .

Alas, as I went into another shooting phase, some other gun was luring me . . . and I needed an ATC (yep . . . and I still have that Honda Big Red 3-Wheeler!!!) . . . so I traded off a bunch of guns and got other things.

I still regret trading off that M27 (made in the Bangor Punta era). Gorgeous gun . . .


T.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Originally posted by McGrew:
Hi folks, New guy here. I have been an avid shooter/collector for over 30 years and have a question for the masses. In all my gun dealings, I have only sold/traded 2 guns. I bought a new model 29 in October 1979. It was a 6" nickel piece and I enjoyed it for many years. The nickel began to chip off the edge of the cylinder at the forward most edge. The chip was about an eighth inch square. I am a pretty anal about my guns, and in February 1995, I took it to the dealer where I had bought it 16 years earlier. I traded it for a new Classic 629 with a 6.5" barrel. At the time the only disappointment was that I walked in with a gun in a presentation case with all the goodies intact, including paperwork, and walked out with a gun in a plastic case. I really am happy with the 629, but have wondered many times, did I mess up?? From a shooting standpoint, I am perfectly happy with the 629, but what about from a collector? Was the 29 more desireable?? Thanks! BTW, great forum!

It is difficult for the rest of us to say if you messed up. I can assure you that I could write a book on good guns that got away for one reason or another. So, if you feel you messed up, just understand we have all done it and you are in good company.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Pontiaker]

No you didnt. A 79 Vintage nickle 29 is no big score today. They made a bunch of them and the prices are not crazy. Now if it was a nickle 29-1 then yeah it would have been a mistake! Sounds like you did fine.

 

[Raider]

The 29 had no collector value; you wanted the stainless model. I would have done the same... and welcome to the forum.

 

[RedBerens]

I'll bet that 629 is one straight shooter too.

 

[McGrew]

Thanks again for all the responses! I had very few regrets when it comes to guns, as I have only sold/traded two. I really don't miss the M29, as the 629 Classic just "feels" better to me. Plus I REALLY like stainless guns. The last 3 I bought have been stainless, and I doubt I will buy another that isn't... Back in 1982, I sold a Colt .45 WWII commemorative... I had the presentation case, manuals, seven silver bullets, the original box, the whole enchilada... I bought it for cost (worked at a wholesale sporting goods distributer), but at the time, did not own another 1911. I got the itch to shoot it, but could not bring myself to do it. I finally sold it to a collector and used the proceeds to buy a new series 70 Gold Cup. I have never regretted that decision, and after talking to you folks, I now have zero gun regrets. Thanks for that! Now, lets not get started on the cars I'd like to have back....