4" 29-2, how much should I pay?

[SandSpider]

I know this question probably comes up all the time, but I still could use some help.

Walked into a pawn shop and there's this 29-2 with a 4" barrel. Original grips, no box.

The gun feels good, pretty tight, great trigger. No rust to speak of, no pitting, no deep scratches/gouges, but a good bit of holster wear. I'd call the finish 80%. Just rubbed off around the muzzle and cylinder edges. Clean, bright bore, perfect crown.

They want $700 out the door.

What say you?


Thanks, SandSpider

 

[A10]

Well, if it were me, it wouldn't be in the shop any more. It takes quite a bit of blueing wear to get down to 80%, from your description it sounds a little higher. Not collector grade, but a nice shooter!

 

[Tony Marbury]

I would have left with it, and gave a 200.00 tip....

 

[stmry]

I believe a couple sold here not to long ago for $1000-$1100. They were described as 98%. The one you are talking about seems 90-95%.
Just MO. hope this is of some help.

 

[Tony Marbury]

Anytime I find something like that, I go home and round up the funds go back the next day and its gone. 4 inch 44's are HIGH.

 

[pharmer]

Got this one exactly one year ago for $625 OTD. Not perfect, not a beater. Be patient, lotsa guns out there. Joe

 

[Retired W4]

When some one asks me what my favorite gun is, my answer is the 4" N frame. Beyond that, timing is everything. How is the cylinder timed? If it's good then you might have a good deal.

 

[Marshal Tom]

Sounds OK given todays prices, Sad but True! Not a great price with holster wear as you describe. I purchased several a few years ago for $750 range with wooden box etc in excellent shape.

Tom

 

[Art Doc]

IMO not a great deal given the wear. But don't go by me. You're looking at it. You want it? Buy it. As for me, I think $550 would be right for an 80% gun. But I bet the shop won't sell it for that. They will eventually sell it to somebody at their price.

BTW- Bought this 1976 4" 29-2 unfired in a perfect wooden case 14 months ago for $650. But that was a from a friend...who owed me money from our last deal. Probably worth a couple hundred more on the open market.

 

[b.guggenmos]

I paid $800.00 for this 29-2 4" in January. The people on this forum are very helpful. I had been looking for a 4" for awhile to complete my set of 29-2's. Mine has barely a turn line and the blueing is mint but the trigger was smoothed. Go in with cash in hand and see if they will come down at all but the way things are now someone else will probalby pay the $700.00 and you will kick yourself over 50 bucks. Let us know and good luck. Brian

 

[Laketime]

Since I've been introduced to this sport/hobby of ours in 1982 , I have only run into a total of three four inch barrel version. An un fired 29-2.... New 29-3.... New 629-3. Needless to say I bought each one as soon as I discovered them.Ive lost count on how many 6.5 and 6 inches I've owned over the years, but the four inch version has always been scarce in all the different parts of the country that I have resided in. I would buy it if I were you and not ask others for their approval so to speak.

 

[Tony Marbury]

Since I've been introduced to this sport/hobby of ours in 1982 , I have only run into a total of three four inch barrel version. An un fired 29-2.... New 29-3.... New 629-3. Needless to say I bought each one as soon as I discovered them.Ive lost count on how many 6.5 and 6 inches I've owned over the years, but the four inch version has always been scarce in all the different parts of the country that I have resided in. I would buy it if I were you and not ask others for their approval so to speak.

YES what he said, I second this motion !

 

[A10]

IMO not a great deal given the wear. But don't go by me. You're looking at it. You want it? Buy it. As for me, I think $550 would be right for an 80% gun. But I bet the shop won't sell it for that. They will eventually sell it to somebody at their price.

BTW- Bought this 1976 4" 29-2 unfired in a perfect wooden case 14 months ago for $650. But that was a from a friend...who owed me money from our last deal. Probably worth a couple hundred more on the open market.

The way prices are now, I'd put even money that you could sell it in a day for a grand.....

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Buy it!

That -2 is P&R, AND 4" and IMHO that is a very good price.

A little over a year ago I bought my 4" 29-2, came with box, dox, cleaning rod, targets AND factory combat grips. It is in %98 plus condition. I paid $800 plus the devil's cut and everyone here said I did awesome.

Granted, mine came with more goodies but still, $700 for a mechanically sound -2 with minor blueing wear??? Have you seen the prices on P&R m19's with 4" bbls lately??? If you want a 4" 29-2, buy it......buy it NOW! They don't make em any more and anything P&R is only going to increase in price over time as we get farther and farther along from the last P&R's to leave the factory....Your money is more secure in that fine weapon than it is in a bank these days.

 

[ikor]

IMO not a great deal given the wear. But don't go by me. You're looking at it. You want it? Buy it. As for me, I think $550 would be right for an 80% gun. But I bet the shop won't sell it for that. They will eventually sell it to somebody at their price.

BTW- Bought this 1976 4" 29-2 unfired in a perfect wooden case 14 months ago for $650. But that was a from a friend...who owed me money from our last deal. Probably worth a couple hundred more on the open market.

I'll happily pay ya $200 more for it ! (not a joke)

 

[SandSpider]

OK, update: I bought it.

BUT, it's not a 29-2.

The pawn shop actually had it labelled as a 29-3. I knew that couldn't be right, because it has a pinned barrel and a recessed cylinder. So I assumed it was a -2, although it doesn't say so on the gun.

Serial number is S1813xx. If google doesn't lie, that's a gun made in '57, right? So, does that make it a no dash?

I managed to get it for $640, looks like I did alright.

Will give it a good cleaning and post some pics later.

Thanks for all the help!


SandSpider

 

[pharmer]

OK, update: I bought it. Serial number is S1813xx., looks like I did alright. SandSpider

I do like a happy ending. Pix soon? Joe

 

[Laketime]

This would have been a haunting memory for you for life if someone else bought that while you are asking advise here. I will never understand the recent trend in the fear of possibly over paying for something. Congratulations, a lot of us are going to be envious of this pick up.Enjoy your new .44 magnum

 

[SandSpider]

Pictures as promised:

Couple of questions.

So this was made before the model 29 designation was put on the guns? Did they call it a "model 29" then?

Any ideas of what it might be worth in this condition?

 

[2hawk]

Whoa, I think you did pretty good there. The experts will be by shortly, but that would just be a ".44 Magnum" if it is a pre-29 model.

Better photos would help on value, but I am sure you did very well.

Wanna make a quick $50?




Welcome to the Forum, and no doubt the addiction!

 

[Laketime]

Looks like a four screw from here. Unless the picture is hiding it a little.

 

[SandSpider]

Looks like a four screw from here. Unless the picture is hiding it a little.

There are two screws on the side and one in front of the trigger guard.

 

[Muley Gil]

There are two screws on the side and one in front of the trigger guard.

There is a third screw under the grips.

The correct grips are nicknamed "Cokes" because they have a Coca-Cola bottle shape. These would have a diamond around the gripscrew and a larger pattern of checkering.

 

[onetonson56]

A 4 Screw 4" pre 29 for $640. Sign me up. Nice catch.

 

[SandSpider]

There is a third screw under the grips.

The correct grips are nicknamed "Cokes" because they have a Coca-Cola bottle shape. These would have a diamond around the gripscrew and a larger pattern of checkering.

There sure is a third screw! Just checked.

So, are these grips not original?

 

[A10]

No, the grips are post 1969.....someone swapped them for the original Cokes, probably sold them for almost as much as you paid for the gun! Very nice .44 Magnum!

 

[69 Camaro Z28]

29-2

I'll happily pay ya $200 more for it ! (not a joke)

I would be thrilled to have that gun at $400 more than you paid!

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Diamond in the rough! Congrats on a nice grab!

 

[69 Camaro Z28]

29-2 4 inch

I would be thrilled to have that gun at $400 more than you paid for it.

 

[murphydog]

It looks to be an original 4-screw .44 Magnum, produced before 1957 and the model 29 stamping. Aside from the later stocks it looks to be original. Doc44 will be along shortly with more specifics about the ship date, etc., but I think you got it at a very good price.