Help! Need advice/direction - CRACK! 1980 S&W Model 29 .44 Magnum

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karma279

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Hey fellow forumites :wave:
So I (my old man and I) have what appears to be a serious problem... My dad bought this .44 Magnum new in 1980 (I've double-checked against the serial #)... It's been inside one of those fancy 6' Liberty safes for as long as I can remember... He said he's put less than 50 rounds thru it... and I can't recall a time he's ever shot it or got it out other than to be sure it was oiled etc, and I'm 37 years old... So... We assumed we had a damned near mint collector's item...
Well... I had to get in the safe today, so I took it out to take a few pictures of it and his Colt Python... Later I zoom in on one of the pics and notice what could be a crack or (was hoping) a scratch. I show my old man and we go get it out of the safe... Sure as hell it has a crack on the right side up near the hammer (pics attached)... Being where this crack is located, and that the frame is nickel... What are his repair options? Does he have any?
Needless to say... He was very surprised to see this and not very pleased... What say you S&W experts? Can a good smith do anything to save this beauty?

Thanks for any and all help/advice...

Nick

*looks like I may have to post the other 2 pics separately... Can't figure out how to u/l more than 1 w/o using photobucket etc
 

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It's those dratted Liberty safes. There is something about the interior lining that causes the frames of Smith & Wesson revolvers to crack in that location. Bet if you check any other S&W revolvers in there you will find they all have a crack in the same place.

Actually, that is the joint between the frame and the side plate. It is completely normal and is not a fault but a design feature. Smith & Wesson revolvers have had a separate side plate held in place by first 4, then 3 screws for just about forever.

John
 
Oh man the frame is ruined, that gun is only salvageable as parts now, I'll be generous and offer you $50 for it.

On a more serious note....

That "crack" is actually just the seam of the sideplate, the part you remove to access the internals.
The gun looks great and seems like your dad took good care of it.
 
:::sigh::: Man that's the best news I've heard in a while!
I'll be damned if it doesn't look like a crack tho (how it's not a uniform shape and appears a bit "jagged")...
:sigh:
 
karma279 said:
:::sigh::: Man that's the best news I've heard in a while!
I'll be damned if it doesn't look like a crack tho (how it's not a uniform shape and appears a bit "jagged")...
:sigh:
Click to expand...

Not to worry, you are not the first one to bring a "crack" in that location to the attention of the forum. . . .and you won't be the last.

Jeff
SWCA #1457
 
So... Having settled that worry for this Walther guy :D (only revolver I own is a '76 S&W model 36 .38 Special)...
What abouts is this model 29 worth in this condition? (I believe he still has box and paperwork somewhere)
 
...and now that I look closer at the pics I posted... It's plain as day lol... We just freaked for a second!
 
karma279 said:
:::sigh::: Man that's the best news I've heard in a while!
I'll be damned if it doesn't look like a crack tho (how it's not a uniform shape and appears a bit "jagged")...
:sigh:
Click to expand...

Not too sure what you mean by "jagged", however, from your pics which are quite good, your Md 29 looks pretty normal to me.

One of my "tests" when I'm considering to buy a used S&W revolver is to run my finger over that seem to feel how good the sideplate fits to the frame. The smoother the seem, the better I feel about the gun. Some of my S&Ws are fitted so perfectly that I can barely feel this seam. Also, if the previous owner has removed the side-plate for whatever reason, I've been told it won't fit as well as it did when first fitted at the factory. I can't confirm this as I've never taken one off.
 
And I know this is a S&W forum... But as a thank-you for calming my nerves... Here is some Colt Python pr0n for you guys (it's been shot less than the .44 Mag)
 

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Glad you got that straightened out. ;)

One more wrong thing the uninitiated do, is pry the side plate off with a screwdriver. :eek:

This short video shows the simple technique for removal and re-installation of the side plate.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhUHVcVb_V0[/ame]
 
Jim Oliver said:
Relax, this is not a crack:)

This is the seam between the side plate and the frame.
Click to expand...

HA! Don't worry, OP, you are not alone. When I got my new-to-me first revolver home & was fondling it I noticed the same "crack" & about had a cow. Took a closer look with a magnifier to relieve me... ;)
 
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karma279 said:
So... Having settled that worry for this Walther guy :D (only revolver I own is a '76 S&W model 36 .38 Special)...
What abouts is this model 29 worth in this condition? (I believe he still has box and paperwork somewhere)
Click to expand...
That determination will take some more photos of the whole gun, including open cylinder, grips, barrel, etc.
You can attach up to 5 photos to each post BTW. Just keep clicking on BROWSE, selecting your picture file, and clicking on UPLOAD.
.JPG pictures work best, and they can't be bigger than 1024 x 767 resolutions.
 
Glad the frame is not cracked :).

You didn't mention the barrel length of the model 29; that has a major influence on value, shorter usually being more expensive as a rule.
 
Several yrs ago I was at a new gun store . The manager complained that they had gotten in a new revolver with a cracked frame and they were going to send it back . I asked if I could take a look at it . Sure enough it was just the seam where the side plate mated to the frame . I pointed out to them that it was not broken . This just happens from time to time . Life is all about learning .
 
All I can say is wow.

At least it isn't cracked though!
 
LOL, don't mean to laugh at you, but I feel your pain, just this week I shot for the 1st time this wonderful Mod 25-2 totally convinced that I had a 45 Colt vs a 45 ACP , my son fires 1 round of 45 ACP I went ballistic (no pun intended) when I tried to load up the 45 Colt rounds and they won't fit. I scolded my son for firing the wrong round and possibly damaging the cylinder. Well there was no damage, my gun was in fact a 25-2 which meant 45 ACP so no harm was done. ***sigh*** is right!! Yes those are side plates lines no worries. Nice gun!!
Regards
Lou
 
The crack is ok, I just hope it doesn't have a hole in the barrel.
 
I once sold a revolver to a casual shooter.
She showed the "crack" to a mutual friend, asking how to break it to me that I had sold her a defective gun and she wanted her money back. He explained the nature of the "crack" and she was happy.
 
Not to drift off, but due to the Elliason sights, do you know if the Python is from the Custom Shop? Super smooth action as well?
The original box would be marked if its still around.
 
Cracked 44 magnum

Hey. I also have a 1980 44 magnum and I just noticed the same crack on mine. My dad gave it to me a few years ago. I was freaking out myself. The gun is a blue steel and it has never been shot. It's a big relief to find that it's not a crack. Thanks to all who posted!!
 
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