Found a bargain...I think.

[Glock 'em down]

I was in one of my local toy stores today and he had just acquired a model 29-2. This big bore sported the original blued finish, RR/WO, 4 inch snout, targets all the way around, P&R and lazy ampersands on both sides.

That's the GOOD news.

*sigh* now for the BAD news.

This thing looks like hell. It has significant and considerable saddle wear all along the barrel, worse at the muzzle, the outside of each chamber has much of the finish gone due to about a gozillion presentations from the holster, there's a big spot on the front of the trigger guard hump where it's down to the bare metal and the backstrap has a rich brown patina, deep into the grip's grooves from many sweaty hands with a firm grip. I would say the overall finish is at about 65-70% +/-. It is also a touch out of time on about 3 or 4 cylinders.

What's worse, is that the lock up is pretty sloppy and it has an awful hammer push off. However, the bore looked pretty good. There is no box, docs or tools. It's been shot a lot, but not so much that the bore is smooth...yet.

Is it worth the $400 price tag out the door?

Would S&W fix this little guy's issues on their dime as a warranty problem? Or would I be better off taking it to my local smithy. I wouldn't wanna send this potential heirloom to S&W only for them to tell me it was junk and then they send me a brand new one, complete with a shiny new internal lock and state of the art MIM parts.

For what it's worth, the finish doesn't bother me as much as the mechanics of the revolver. Hell, I'd come closer to totin' it knowing it looks as bad as it does. It's them purdy ones that I have a hard time taking outside.

Your thoughts/comments please.

 

[29aholic]

Glock
PM or email me, there is one in Arkansas a lot better for $650

 

[Glock 'em down]

Glock
PM or email me, there is one in Arkansas a lot better for $650

Now see?

I really can't afford $650 for one. The only reason I gave this one a second thought was because of the price.

If I knew for a fact that S&W would fix it ON THEIR DIME I would grab it in a New York minute. The .44 Magnum isn't even on my short list. The only N frames I would care to have is maybe a Registered Magnum, a 27-2 or maybe a 25-2. But...for four bills? Yeah...I'd give it a nice home.

Even if it is ugly.

 

[ladder13]

Evan, I believe the factory would fix any mechanical issues "on their dime", except if some hacker was inside the sideplate. Sometimes depends on their mood or who answers the telephone, whether or not to charge for the work. Any cosmetics would be on you.

 

[sceva]

Now see?
If I knew for a fact that S&W would fix it [b]ON THEIR DIME[/b] I would grab it in a New York minute. The .44 Magnum isn't even on my short list. The only N frames I would care to have is maybe a Registered Magnum, a 27-2 or maybe a 25-2. But...for four bills? Yeah...I'd give it a nice home. :)
Even if it is ugly. ;)[/QUOTE]

I do not believe S&W will or should fix this revolver on their dime. Those are wear issues, not warranty or defect issues. Wear issues have never been warranted by S&W AFAIK. You wouldn't buy a used car with 200K miles and expect the automaker to overhaul the engine and re-paint it on their dime would you?

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

I know from recent firsthand experience that they won't fix it on their dime. That gun was built well before the lifetime warranty offer that started in 1989, and only applies to guns made in that year, and since.

They will still work on it though, and will advise you as to cost before they begin to do any repair/replacements. Let them. They will make it right, and you'll have a darn good shooter when they are done.

Still, for what it'll cost you to have any work done, and shipping charges of $50 for sending it in, and $14 for return shipping, you should take Curtis up on his offer.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

Just put the $400 in the bank and save for a good
model 29. Just be patience and things will come. Don

 

[Glock 'em down]

Good answers so far guys.

As for the cosmetic issues? I don't paln on doing a thing to them. I WANT it to look like hell. I know, I know...but the thing is - I won't be so scared to tote it looking the way it does. If it was all purdy and pristine with a new paint job, I'd be compelled to leave it in the sock drawer and rub on it. I have no room in my life for a safe queen.

I doubt that it would ever get refinished.

Thanks for the comments guys. Keep 'em coming!

 

[CactusCapt]

Prior to the current insanity (which seems to be moderating), I passed on numerous M-29s in the neighborhood of $400. Also M-28s for $300, M-57s for $400 and countless M-10s for $200. I won't elaborate on some of the more foolish things I passed on... I would definitely pass on this one, keep the money close, add a few bucks and wait for the right revolver at the right price. They are out there.

 

[perrazi]

why would you want to buy something that,in it's current state, is effectively junk? as stated before, with all those issues,it isn't cheap. maybe for 200-250 would be cheap. maybe make an offer telling them what it will cost to fix? a lot easier just to buy a serviceable gun in the first place.

 

[Glock 'em down]

why would you want to buy something that,in it's current state, is effectively junk? as stated before, with all those issues,it isn't cheap. maybe for 200-250 would be cheap. maybe make an offer telling them what it will cost to fix? a lot easier just to buy a serviceable gun in the first place.

You're probably right.

 

[Camster]

Sound advice here.If you can't afford 650,you can't afford this gun.You'll be into it for that amount with shipping and work,and it will still look ridden hard-just so much that be can done mechanically with high mileage anything before it gets ridiculous.Look for something else or save some more.We'd all be buying rats if we could get a free rebuild.

 

[Glock 'em down]

Sound advice here.If you can't afford 650,you can't afford this gun.You'll be into it for that amount with shipping and work,and it will still look ridden hard-just so much that be can done mechanically with high mileage anything before it gets ridiculous.Look for something else or save some more.We'd all be buying rats if we could get a free rebuild.

Best advice I ever heard.

You're absolutely right. I can't afford this gun. Hell, a .44 Magnum isn't even on my wish list. I just thought it would be a good buy. I never thought it would take very much to get it right. Now I know better. I also didn't realize that older S&Ws didn't fall under the lifetime warranty. Ya learn something every day.

No prob. I need to use my deniro on a Remington coach gun I've been eyeballing anyhow.

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
I would view this weapon as a "Challenge". Talk with the seller and point out the negative aspects of the weapon. If the seller drops the price to $275.00 I would purchase it. With the exception of the finish, the out of time cylinder and "push-off" would not be difficult to cure. You would end up with a "shooter/carry piece".
Jimmy

 

[Glock 'em down]

Hi:
I would view this weapon as a "Challenge". Talk with the seller and point out the negative aspects of the weapon. If the seller drops the price to $275.00 I would purchase it. With the exception of the finish, the out of time cylinder and "push-off" would not be difficult to cure. You would end up with a "shooter/carry piece".
Jimmy

I already did. The lowest he would go is $375 OTD.

 

[jwk]

Call your favorite smith and get an estimate of what he thinks it might cost to fix it. My guess is that you will be glad you did and find that it isn't a bargain.

Could also offer the guy $450 provided he will pay the gunsmith to fix all the problems to your satisfaction.

Jim Keene

 

[Glock 'em down]

Call your favorite smith and get an estimate of what he thinks it might cost to fix it. My guess is that you will be glad you did and find that it isn't a bargain.

Could also offer the guy $450 provided he will pay the gunsmith to fix all the problems to your satisfaction.

Jim Keene

Well...I recently had a model 12 that needed some work. All my smith did was replace the hand and it was $140.

The low price is a reflection of the work it's needing. He said if it didn't need the work done, it would be $700. So obviously, he's already looked into this.

 

[cxm]

Factory Tune UP

S&W offers a "Tune UP" package that is not widely known...

The T/U will return a gun to as new mechanical condition. This to me is a real deal... unless major parts are needed the price was $55 (and at that price the re-cut the forcing cone.)

Anyway, you might inquire about this service if you decide to have work done...

FWIW

Chuck

why would you want to buy something that,in it's current state, is effectively junk? as stated before, with all those issues,it isn't cheap. maybe for 200-250 would be cheap. maybe make an offer telling them what it will cost to fix? a lot easier just to buy a serviceable gun in the first place.

 

[akguy1985]

well GED you havent told me about this one yet! thats the cheapest model 29 i've ever heard of, one is on my wishlist though

 

[ladder13]

I agree with CXM, having returned a gun, matter of fact a 29-2 for refinishing, and they "went over" and returned the gun to specs, including "turning" cutting the forcing cone for a very insignificant fee.