OP
Found a bargain...I think.
- Thread starter Glock 'em down
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Jack Flash
Member
I tried to stay out of this, because my advice on such matters is usually so lousy, but I just can't stop myself.
29aholic has graciously presented you an option that can serve as an upper limit to what you should put into one ($650+shipping+FFLfees). Now you need to see how much you can beat that by, and if the final difference in cost (both money and time) is worth the difference in quality of the finished product.
You get it for $400 OTD. S&W may have a tune up service costing $55, but you should probably allow for this one needing some additional new parts they will charge extra for. Then there is always shipping costs, to and from. Not to mention the amount of time spent screwing around driving it to FedEx or other carrier. I would figure on at least $150, maybe $200 when all is said and done. You said it has "targets all around" so I assume target stocks. What kind of shape are they in? Even beaters go for around $50 these days.
Now for the nicer $650 M29. You will still need to pay shipping and pay an FFL to receive it. Figure at least $50 for that, possibly $100 if the seller insists on using FedEx. So the upper limit now becomes maybe $750.
If you really don't give a hoot about the finish, the cheaper one may be the way to go.
29aholic has graciously presented you an option that can serve as an upper limit to what you should put into one ($650+shipping+FFLfees). Now you need to see how much you can beat that by, and if the final difference in cost (both money and time) is worth the difference in quality of the finished product.
You get it for $400 OTD. S&W may have a tune up service costing $55, but you should probably allow for this one needing some additional new parts they will charge extra for. Then there is always shipping costs, to and from. Not to mention the amount of time spent screwing around driving it to FedEx or other carrier. I would figure on at least $150, maybe $200 when all is said and done. You said it has "targets all around" so I assume target stocks. What kind of shape are they in? Even beaters go for around $50 these days.
Now for the nicer $650 M29. You will still need to pay shipping and pay an FFL to receive it. Figure at least $50 for that, possibly $100 if the seller insists on using FedEx. So the upper limit now becomes maybe $750.
If you really don't give a hoot about the finish, the cheaper one may be the way to go.
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i would skip the gun as you described it..there are to many exceptional 29-2's floating around in great shape for just a touch more money
OP
Glock 'em down
Member
I'm not a collector. I appreciate a beautiful mint condition Smith & Wesson revolver as much as anybody else. They truly are a beautiful thing.
However...
I'm a poor, broke cop. I work three (yeah, that's right...THREE!) jobs - one full time and two part time - just to make ends meet. All of my guns are working guns. I do not have a safe queen. The closest thing I have to a safe queen is dad's Victory model he gave me last Christmas.
I can't afford to lay down $750 for one gun. The most expensive gun in my loot is probably only worth 400 bucks. If I can get this model 29-2 for $375 and drop another $100 or so in repairs, I might be able to swing it. But just plopping down $750 all at once is out of the question.
As for the cosmetics of it? This will make many of you, if not most of you laugh, but the rougher the finish is, the more likely I will carry it. I get kinda nervous about a classy firearm such as the model 29 in PRISTINE condition out in the elements. That's the very reason I sold that 3 inch model 13 I had a few months back. I was afraid to tote it because it looked so damned nice.
Now I realize, a carry gun is a carry gun and all of the assorted saddle wear it sustains is considered beauty marks. I can live with that. But all the carry guns I have started off having saddle wear on them. Does that make sense? I don't think I ever bought a gun that was intended for carry that I worried about.
My J frame model 38 looked gorgeous when I bought it. It still does. It starting to show a little wear here and there but not much. Of course, it rides exclusively in a pocket holster and never sees rain, dust, blowing debris or the elements, because it sits snugly in my front pocket. If it got marred up today, it wouldn't be a big deal, because it is a DEVOTED carry gun. I knew it would be when I got it.
To sum it all up, if this model 29-2 had the mechanical problems and a flawless finish, I probably wouldn't have thought twice about it and we wouldn't be having this discussion. But because it had already seen the street, any marks I would put on it wouldn't bring a tear to my eye.
Make sense?
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i'm very familar with cop pay...several jobs etc.do as you wish...hope it all works out
OP
Glock 'em down
Member
No thanks.
I'll work 3 or 4 low payin' jobs here in the sticks before I'll work one high payin' gig in the metro rat race.
Jack Flash
Member
Looking at it from a purely "poll-driven" point of view:
I'm sure all the Forum collectors would say don't buy one that has seen hard use / possible abuse. A significant number of Forum shooters would agree.
On the other hand, some just want to see a good gun rescued and put back into service -- nice intentions, but they aren't the ones paying the freight. My guess is that if you bought it and put it in good mechanical order for a total outlay of $500 or $550, you would always be able to get most, if not all, of your money back out of it.
There's always another gun. If it goes for you anything like it goes for me, you will see another "must have" within the next two or three months. So do what you want. In these tough times, it may be more important to hang on to your money, but spending money on a hobby is nice too.
I'm sure all the Forum collectors would say don't buy one that has seen hard use / possible abuse. A significant number of Forum shooters would agree.
On the other hand, some just want to see a good gun rescued and put back into service -- nice intentions, but they aren't the ones paying the freight. My guess is that if you bought it and put it in good mechanical order for a total outlay of $500 or $550, you would always be able to get most, if not all, of your money back out of it.
There's always another gun. If it goes for you anything like it goes for me, you will see another "must have" within the next two or three months. So do what you want. In these tough times, it may be more important to hang on to your money, but spending money on a hobby is nice too.
Speaking from experience, I would recommend a pass on this one.
Several years ago, I had an "impulse" buy situation at a gun show. The dealer had a well worn 4" 2T Model 29-2 for $450. Since I had some money and hadn't seen a 4" Model 29 for sale in a long time, I bought it. It was a well worn holster gun. The finish was as worn as the example you describe and the Magnas had some chips off the bottom of the right-hand stock. No rust and the bore looked good.
Of course, this was before I became more educated in purchasing a used revolver. This gun is the reason I became more educated when purchasing a used revolver.
I took it to the range. After about 18 rounds of .44SPL, the action became very difficult. It order to cock the gun for SA sshooting, I had to manually rotate the cylinder with my off-hand. It ended up non-functional. I took it home and cleaned it well (again) and then back to the range. The same thing happened.
Off to my gunsmith. He sent it to S&W. They charged me to fix the gun (several mechanical issues - apparently a PO dry-fired the living daylights out of this thing). $260 to S&W later, I have a fully functional Model 29-2 that its probably worth $450. It's not pretty, but it's a great gun to shoot, I LOVE the Target Hammer and Target Trigger, and installed a Tyler T-Grip to accommodate my small hands. I really like the gun, but, I'm not pleased with it, if you know what I mean.
So, from experience, if you really want a beater Model 29 that you will eventually have way too much money in to sell and break even, buy it.
Been there, done that.
Matt
Several years ago, I had an "impulse" buy situation at a gun show. The dealer had a well worn 4" 2T Model 29-2 for $450. Since I had some money and hadn't seen a 4" Model 29 for sale in a long time, I bought it. It was a well worn holster gun. The finish was as worn as the example you describe and the Magnas had some chips off the bottom of the right-hand stock. No rust and the bore looked good.
Of course, this was before I became more educated in purchasing a used revolver. This gun is the reason I became more educated when purchasing a used revolver.
I took it to the range. After about 18 rounds of .44SPL, the action became very difficult. It order to cock the gun for SA sshooting, I had to manually rotate the cylinder with my off-hand. It ended up non-functional. I took it home and cleaned it well (again) and then back to the range. The same thing happened.
Off to my gunsmith. He sent it to S&W. They charged me to fix the gun (several mechanical issues - apparently a PO dry-fired the living daylights out of this thing). $260 to S&W later, I have a fully functional Model 29-2 that its probably worth $450. It's not pretty, but it's a great gun to shoot, I LOVE the Target Hammer and Target Trigger, and installed a Tyler T-Grip to accommodate my small hands. I really like the gun, but, I'm not pleased with it, if you know what I mean.
So, from experience, if you really want a beater Model 29 that you will eventually have way too much money in to sell and break even, buy it.
Been there, done that.
Matt
CactusCapt
Member
This sounds like a potentially 'inexpensive' project that could get expensive very quickly and negate all benefit from the initial price. I have some experience with those in both guns and cars (German cars!), and these things tend to get spendy quickly. It might work out for you, but then again... I would call S&W and get a verbal estimate on the work required. That might help in your decision. Sometimes a bargain just isn't.
OP
Glock 'em down
Member
I appreciate all the comments and ideas guys, but I've backed away from this little magnum. Just too many nays and not enough yays. I figure I would be upside down in a hurry on this little feller, so I'm passing on it.
It would be a different story if it were a gun on my list...like a 3.5" Registered or maybe even a 4 inch HP. But the model 29 isn't one of my "want" guns, it just happened to be in the right place at the right time.
Besides...I've got my sights set on a Remington Coachgun anyway.
Thanks again for all the replies!
It would be a different story if it were a gun on my list...like a 3.5" Registered or maybe even a 4 inch HP. But the model 29 isn't one of my "want" guns, it just happened to be in the right place at the right time.
Besides...I've got my sights set on a Remington Coachgun anyway.
Thanks again for all the replies!
I did over-pay for my Model 29-2, and, yes, I'm quite upside-down on it.
But, seeing your "want list," this will tick you off. I paid the same amount ($450) for a 4" Model 28 about a year later. It has only minor wear at the muzzle and several small, light, blemishes in the finish. Mechanically, it appears to have been shot very little. Unfortunately, nasty rubber grips and no box, tools, papers, etc. At the time, folks thought I had paid top dollar. It my area, the Model 28 was more than reasonable. I've only seen one other for sale and I've been offered much more than I paid for it.
So, I guess the S&W revolver karma evens out over time.
Matt
But, seeing your "want list," this will tick you off. I paid the same amount ($450) for a 4" Model 28 about a year later. It has only minor wear at the muzzle and several small, light, blemishes in the finish. Mechanically, it appears to have been shot very little. Unfortunately, nasty rubber grips and no box, tools, papers, etc. At the time, folks thought I had paid top dollar. It my area, the Model 28 was more than reasonable. I've only seen one other for sale and I've been offered much more than I paid for it.
So, I guess the S&W revolver karma evens out over time.
Matt
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