About Paying Too Much (Long Ago)

[lrb1200]

Just a recollection, and your opinion is welcome, about paying "too much" for what you desire.

Long ago, 1974 as a youth of 21 ( and had been actively
shooting and hunting since 10 years old ) I got the desire to own, and master a 29-2 6 1/2" ( Dirty Harry inspired of course ), hey, I'm 21!

The 29-2's back then were about $228.00 MSRP, you couldn't touch a new one with the presentation case for much less than $500.00, if you could find one.

That is some serious money back in the early 70's, but I have the means, and the desire. I find a LGS that has the 6 1/2" 29 I desire at $475.00. No hesitation.....I take it.

I shot untold rounds out of that 29, mostly 9.5 grains of Uniquie powder with a 240 hard cast swc, and mastered it.
10x all day. That 29 was the tool to master my skills with a revolver, and they will never be forgotten.

Stil have it today, and because it was always cared for doesn't look beat up, no holster wear.

Did I pay too much at the time, yeah probably, did I gain a skill that has followed me my entire life.....yeah.
Any regrets......nope.

Just some reflections from an old guy.

 

[CWH44300]

I like your story and your M-29. Thanks for sharing that with us!

What he said!

 

[Ozark Marine]

lrb1200, I'm a little older than you, but I did the same thing you did in 73. Only mine was a Colt Combat Commander 9mm. A beauty. You kept your 29-2, I traded my Colt for a fricken arc welder a couple years later. Your a lucky man, having the memories AND the 29-2.

 

[packrat2]

mod. 29 S&W

I would say you have enjoyed the S&W at that price, and it is worth a lot more now. I would like to find a nice mod.29 myself.

 

[Mblhopo]

Aw Yes,...I remember those days, I did the same thing with the same gun. I also started shooting guns at the age of 10yrs old [.410ga]..today I have 4 M-29s...never could understand all the hype and stories of the .44-mags recoil. Guess I was really tough at 28..Ha!!!....................M*

 

[rdfact]

I would have done the same but I was just 5 in 1974 so I don't think my mommy would have let me have a 29-2.

I Googled "Inflation rate calculator" and found this site:
Inflation Calculator | Find US Dollar's Value from 1913-2015

$228 in 1974 is equal to $1,097 in 2015
$475 in 1974 is equal to $2,286 in 2015

But you can't put a dollar value on acquired skills, fun, and memories.

 

[Nightowl]

I bought mine in 1968 and paid about $125 for it. Then Dirty Harry showed up and I was offered $400 for it sight unseen. I still have it! I have shot a lot of 8 grains of Unique loads and a goodly number of 20 grains of 2400, mostly with the Keith SWC 240 grain bullet.

It is a great gun, and in fact shot 50 rounds through it last week.

 

[Ashlander]

I never regret paying too much for some of my guns. At my age I forget in 6 months anyway!

 

[loeman]

Same story different gun. In the late 70s I decided I had to have a Colt Gold Cup. I really couldn't afford it at that time but I scrimped and I saved and made it happen! Now here's the kicker. I decided I liked shooting my previously purchased Ruger Security Six more than I liked the Gold Cup. And since money was a factor I put the Gold Cup aside and only shot the Ruger. Consequently, the Gold Cup has had only about 300 rounds through it. I just never "took" to the 1911s. I still have both guns but probably will never shoot the Gold Cup again. Why, because I can't begin to tell you how much I love my S&W Md 4506.

 

[Arik]

Nice gun but I don't see why holster wear = beat up

 

[Old Corp]

I was one of those in the 1970's to just HAVE to have a .44 magnum, but couldn't come close to buying a S&W. So, I ended up with a used Ruger SBH, and like you, shot the daylights out of it. My load was similar, 10.0 gr. of Unique with a 240 or 250 gr. LSWC.
That actually prompted me to get into bullet casting, as I was slinging ALOT of LSWC's.
Years back, traded the SBH off for a M36 Chiefs Special, as I needed a small OD gun for work.

 

[srsmyth]

OP - Thanks for the great story from your younger days, same here except I couldn't land one until 1978. I had the same problem with the model 66's.
Steve

 

[MN2944]

Same story here. $500 in 1979. Still have it today.

 

[69HEMI-R/T]

Another "same story here" except mine was about 1975 and it is a Model 29-2 with the 8 3/8" barrel. I have probably only shot about a box thru it in all this time. Still looks new and the box and tools all are original and unrestored/like-new condition!

 

[Art Doc]

If you keep something long enough inflation will cover paying too much. I bought the same gun in 1976 and they were still hard to find and dealers were still jacking the price on them. I understand capitalism, and making a living, but as far as I am concerned a retail dealer who exploits a bad situation and gouges the price on hard to find items is a pirate...and I hold no romanticized opinion of pirates. I realize that I am apparently the only person in America feels this but that's OK...I'm fine with everyone else being wrong.

 

[Chuck24]

Turned out to be a better deal than my Walkman and Betamax.

 

[ostlund]

Just a recollection, and your opinion is Did I pay too much at the time, yeah probably, did I gain a skill that has followed me my entire life.....yeah.

Any regrets......nope.

Just some reflections from an old guy.

I think the same as you. I remember receiving grief for paying something like ~$320 for a brand new 617. Same thing for about $340 and a 686-3. The 629-4 Classic a little more again. 29-4 LNIB was second hand including box for low $300s. Instead of compromizing what you want to only buy it later is a mistake. Other mistake is selling what you've put together, as long as it was the right thing to begin with! Hunting memories and pictures with all make them priceless (hopefully) for my kids.

 

[steelslaver]

Thing is you can toss inflation, and for that matter the entire cost of the gun. You spent more information on ammo.Toss that too. The Enjoyment was worth way more than all the $.

 

[jsfricks]

I bought my first two revolvers in 1973-1974. I think I paid $95 and $125. It will not look that good when you add in inflation (ammo was cheap), but those revolvers also protected my family for a long time.

Model 10-5:

Detective Special:

Thru the years, I've also paid a little more than I wanted to for a nicer revolver. I sure don't regret that now.

Doc, that Detective Special is a beauty!

 

[shouldazagged]

Some investments can't be measured in dollars. Clearly yours is one of them.

I enjoyed the story, and that's a beautiful revolver. But if you were twenty-one in 1974, you sure don't look like an old guy to me.

Thanks.