Fixed site 44 Magnum?

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Yes they did. My buddy has one and I believe that there's one for sale in the classifieds. It hads a 2.5 or 3" bbl. I don't recall which.

The S&W fixed sighted .41 is called the model 58 BTW.
 
The only 44 magnum fixed sight I'm aware of is the 629-5 2 1/2" barrel prelock & 629-6 W/Lock. If I'm missing something others will chime in...And maybe you meant Model 58...Notime2
 
S&W made three of these in 1974...the first 44 Magnum with fixed sights.

Bill
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In the early 90's I bought a Performance Center 629 which had a three-inch lugged heavy barrel with a built-in compensator and a round butt, with fixed sights. It was called the "Carry Comp."
 
Originally posted by Doc44:
S&W made three of these in 1974...the first 44 Magnum with fixed sights.

Bill
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I was just about to post that Doc probably has one but you were faster than me Bill
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Originally posted by Doc44:
S&W made three of these in 1974...the first 44 Magnum with fixed sights.

Bill
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OMG!!!
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That is fantastic. Would you be interested in some sort of a trade? Like my first born male child? How about if I throw in my right arm?

Do I detect a semi-Fitz TG?
 
sub-moa...the front half of the trigger guard has been thinned and the 44 has a smooth, combat trigger and target hammer. The round butt is custom and was shaped at the factory and then the stocks were made to fit it.

Bill
 
I saw a fixed-sight 4" .44 Magnum at the big Tulsa gun show last spring. It had been made by combining a Model 29 barrel and cylinder with a Model 58 frame. It was priced at $700 but as I had just spent a buncha money I passed on it. Looked nice, though.
 
Three in 1973? What a beautiful revolver!
There must be more to the story .... what happened to the other two, and what prompted S&W to run up the original three revolvers?

Originally posted by Doc44:
S&W made three of these in 1974...the first 44 Magnum with fixed sights.

Bill
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9303...The three revolvers (N153333 (the one picture), N153444, N153555) are in the hands of collectors. They were ordered by the owner of American Firearms Warehouse, who had connections in the S&W factory. Each revolver was made by combining a Model 58 frame with an extensively modified Model 29 barrel. The box for this revolver indicates the gun is a 29-58. It is stamped simply MOD. 29 in the yoke cut. In order to avoid paying for the extensive work that went into creating these guns, they were invoiced as regular Model 58s. Eventually, S&W became aware of what was going on and took appropriate actions to put a stop to it.

Quite a few specials were made this way before the practice was stopped. I have a Model 25-2 with an 8 3/8-inch barrel and target stocks made of birds eye maple that was made for the same person. It was invoiced as a regular Model 25-2 with a 6 1/2-inch barrel. Othe examples are various guns with serial number 3 (K3, N3, etc.).

Bill
 
9303...The three revolvers (N153333 (the one picture), N153444, N153555) are in the hands of collectors. They were ordered by the owner of American Firearms Warehouse, who had connections in the S&W factory. Each revolver was made by combining a Model 58 frame with an extensively modified Model 29 ba
 
9303...The three revolvers (N153333 (the one picture), N153444, N153555) are in the hands of collectors. They were ordered by the owner of American Firearms Warehouse, who had connections in the S&W factory. Each revolver was made by combining a Model 58 frame with an extensively modified Model 29 barrel. The box for this revolver indicates the gun is a 29-58. It is stamped simply MOD. 29 in the yoke cut. In order to avoid paying for the extensive work that went into creating these guns, they were invoiced as regular Model 58s. Eventually, S&W became aware of what was going on and took appropriate actions to put a stop to it.

Why this gun was requested is a mystery and will probably remain so.

Quite a few specials were made this way before the practice was stopped. I have a Model 25-2 with an 8 3/8-inch barrel and target stocks made of birds eye maple that was made for the same person. It was invoiced as a regular Model 25-2 with a 6 1/2-inch barrel. Other examples are various guns with serial number 3 (K3, N3, etc.).

Bill
 
Bill,

You are quite correct and these were not the only cases of "specials" which left the factory through the years. Not illegal, as they were properly serially numbered and recorded. But the factory bigwhigs, including Bill Gunn and his successor, did not want these "deals" going on as they made it appear that management was not in full control. Then again, the "BIG BOYS" themselves knew where the bread was buttered and did special deals for certain S&W distributors.
 
Originally posted by Doc44:
sub-moa...the front half of the trigger guard has been thinned and the 44 has a smooth, combat trigger and target hammer. The round butt is custom and was shaped at the factory and then the stocks were made to fit it.

Bill

Thanks Bill...That really is an interesting and well executed piece, congratulations. Beyond collecting, I'd look at it as a practical gunbag piece for day hikes in NW Wyoming and fishing the Shoshoni in the Wapiti Valley.

The semi-Fitz TG is a nice touch too.

If I could ever bring myself to cut-up an M58, I might just build a Frankengun version of yours. Cut the frame round butt and re-bore the cylinder, NBD, but 3" no ramp .44 Magnum barrel?
 
Originally posted by sub-moa:
Originally posted by Doc44:
S&W made three of these in 1974...the first 44 Magnum with fixed sights.

Bill
OMG!!!
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That is fantastic. Would you be interested in some sort of a trade? Like my first born male child? How about if I throw in my right arm?

QUOTE]

Wow - I had heard the price of guns was going up, but jeez. . . .
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This particular 44 Magnum belonged to a well known collector and S&WCA member whose collection was auctioned to members of the S&WCA after his untimely death in the mid-90s. That is how I eventually acquired the revolver.

I have carried this revolver in the Scapegoat Wilderness on several hunting trips to Montana. Its short barrel makes it an idea gun for horseback.

Bill
 
Originally posted by Tom K:
I saw a fixed-sight 4" .44 Magnum at the big Tulsa gun show last spring. It had been made by combining a Model 29 barrel and cylinder with a Model 58 frame. It was priced at $700 but as I had just spent a buncha money I passed on it. Looked nice, though.
Now, why haven't I thought of that before?
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I love fixed sights and always wanted a 4" fixed 29 to shoot, and there's a old nickel 58 here some place! NOW ya got me thinking again
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Its short barrel makes it an idea gun for horseback.

Bill


I'm not sure the horse would agree. The muzzle blast must be horrible for the poor animal.

If I were a horse and ya fired that snub nosed hand cannon in my ear , I'd rear up and dump ya onto the nice soft pile of fresh road apples I just made.
 
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I'm not sure the horse would agree. The muzzle blast must be horrible for the poor animal.

If I were a horse and ya fired that snub nosed hand cannon in my ear , I'd rear up and dump ya onto the nice soft pile of fresh road apples I just made.

He did not say for shooting while on horseback.
If he was to fire from the saddle,it would probably be to
deter something both the horse and Doc would be afraid of.

That said,I know by his nature that Doc is a careful and
considered man.He better darn well take good care of that beauty!;)
 
Firing any gun (revolver or rifle) from horseback would only result from a set of very unusual circumstances (life threatening!!). My reference to horseback refers to the ease of carry because of the short barrel.

I have carried 6 1/2-inch 44 Magnums on horseback and they are more problematic than the short one.

Bill
 

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