Best place to buy a beater??

[Model29-26.5]

Where would the best place be for me to find a beater to practice my smithing skills on, learn about these things and maybe try to refinish, mess up, make mistakes on the aren't too costly.
I guess I'm looking for a 29, 27, 25, or 19??
Might as well be in keeping with my collection.
Can I get a real old beater for 400 bucks?? Or is that reaching?
5/600 I'm sure but what would you guys do if you were wanting to do this?
Thanks

 

[pasound]

Try your local pawn shops. Ask about police trade-ins. Many may be barely used, but many are shot loose.

 

[Model29-26.5]

Try your local pawn shops. Ask about police trade-ins. Many may be barely used, but many are shot loose.

Thanks. I'll do that.
I doubt the police are using any old Smith revolvers anymore though

 

[huthike]

AIM Surplus recently had 10-8 and 10-10 police trade ins, but it looks like they are out now.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Try Cheap As Dirt, too.

 

[steelslaver]

Center fire systems has quite a few beater revolvers

Firearms - Handguns - Page 1 - Centerfire Systems

 

[rbmac52]

The models you have specified are NOT likely to be found at the places mentioned above.

 

[stansdds]

Where would the best place be for me to find a beater to practice my smithing skills on, learn about these things and maybe try to refinish, mess up, make mistakes on the aren't too costly.
I guess I'm looking for a 29, 27, 25, or 19??
Might as well be in keeping with my collection.
Can I get a real old beater for 400 bucks?? Or is that reaching?
5/600 I'm sure but what would you guys do if you were wanting to do this?
Thanks

For $400, it won't be an N-frame and it won't be a 357 Magnum K-frame, at least not these days. Even for a beater 38 Special K-frame, you are probably looking at close to $400. For a 357 K-frame beater, I'd say $500. A beaten up N-frame is going to be in the $700-$800 area. The times have changed and not for the better.

 

[Bald1]

Search gunsmith special on GB. Stuff pops up all the time.

 

[Model29-26.5]

Just found this as a possible candidate.
Too beaten?
Redeemable?

 

[sigp220.45]

Just found this as a possible candidate.
Too beaten?
Redeemable?

I like it! A beater Model 29 - how much is it?

 

[rct269]

Center fire systems has quite a few beater revolvers

Firearms - Handguns - Page 1 - Centerfire Systems

Ask, and you shall receive!!

WOW!!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[45NUTT]

Just found this as a possible candidate.
Too beaten?
Redeemable?

Truck gun in great shape!

 

[Protocall_Design]

That Nill grip was probably $350 when new. The gun can be saved.

 

[Shotguncoach]

I've gotten a couple of $200 model 10's on Gunbroker. They end up around $250-275 after fees and shipping. Some are more beaterish than others.

 

[rct269]

This goes back something on the order of 60-65 years, but my one and only beater was (still is) a 4" Kit Gun---the victim of a house fire. The finish (blue) was well and truly RUINED!! Beyond that, everything appeared to be in good order. I gave it to a St. Louis Police Sergeant who moonlighted as a Gunsmith, and it came back plated with nickel/chrome/whatever---and was absolutely GORGEOUS---and still is---wearing Fitz Gunfighter grips.

It was never part of my now long gone collection, as the Boss Lady claimed it as HER'S-----and has proceeded to dispatch all sorts of furry critters who had the temerity to invade her gardens!!

Beware the lady with the shiny gun!!

It is, as it has always been, sitting on top of the liquor cabinet in the dining room---loaded and ready to go!!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Model29-26.5]

That gun is $599 opening
I think it's more than I want to pay for what looks like a gun that is too deeply pitted to be redeemed without adding metal with welding.
That will blue differently.
I was actually in Turnbull restoration yesterday as I had to be up in New York state gigging around right now.
I had to pay them a visit.
Nice fellas, who Were very happy to answer questions, and they did tell me that sometimes they have to weld and add metal to some real badly beaten guns And that does not turn out the same due to the different metal.
I also don't want to be into it that far.
I'd probably pay up to 350 For that one, but not 600.
Still, I wanted to get you guys opinion on it.
I may be treading on very dodgy ground here on the forum, but I will be watching this one, and its value.
If it's up for too long, I may make the guy an offer if it does not sell, but I would also be interested to see who does what they do with it.
If it just stays in that shape and is used as a truck gun or beater or whatever then that's the end of it I guess.

 

[Model29-26.5]

In fact, I would love, And I mean, absolutely love to see what somebody who knows what he's doing could do with this one.
If it comes out, looking Pretty decent, then it would give me hope… But I'm not gonna go there just yet at that price.

 

[Model29-26.5]

I may have overstepped the bounds here… Not sure Where the grey area is But it certainly pertains to a project I'm thinking about.
Has anyone here seen an example of a beater in this condition that came out close to really nice?

 

[stansdds]

Just found this as a possible candidate.
Too beaten?
Redeemable?

That's a beater... or at least beaten. The pitting might be a problem for a polished finish, but might not be too noticeable with a bead blasted finish.