M-29-2, nickel, age? And more...With Pics now!

[Texas Star]

A relative who's more into autoloaders bought a four-inch nickel M-29-2 today. Called to brag and ask app. age.

He was driving and couldn't look up the serial no., which he knows I'll need to check the books. But if someone can just say when M-29-2 was made, that will do for now. I think it's one of the longer-lived dash numbers? Made for years?

Please don't ask to buy it, even after I tell you it has a fitted wooden case from S&W and is almost like new. He bought in person, after a careful exam, and all seems as it should be. Was sold by a widow who needed the money, and she's a friend of his FIL.

My opinion of nickel guns is about like that of Gen. Patton, so I'm not especially thrilled. I did caution him about what he cleans with and to use a soft, lined holster. And to look for a nice M-629-3 instead...

He plans to reload, although it means setting up for another caliber,and wants to use mainly Keith's 250 grain lead SWC at about 1,000 FPS. Is that mild enough for frequent use in guns that don't have the Endurance Package? Full loads will be for very occasional use.

I figured that some of you will know the dates of M-29-2 production off the top of your heads. ??

Is Break-Free CLP okay to clean and lube? I've read that Hoppe's No. 9 and similar solvents damage nickel.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

The M29-2s cover a wide time frame, 20 years, 1962 to 1982.

1000 fps shouldn't be a problem in that model.

If he'll be handloading cast bullets for the 29-2 keep in mind they all had large throats, ~.432". Typical sized lead bullets, .429-.430", don't seal up in the large throats & cause leading issues. Finding the right combination can be trying. I suggest he go with plated bullets for target practice & save some grief. Jacket bullets are fine too, of course.

I used Hoppe's #9 on my nickel plated 29-2 forever & never had any troubles with it but Hoppe's also now makes an ammonia free version you could use, just to be safe.

I recently added some bearings/shims to mine to adjust the excessive end shake it developed after years of use.

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still looks okay..
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(-04b)

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[Texas Star]

The M29-2s cover a wide time frame, 20 years, 1962 to 1982.

1000 fps shouldn't be a problem in that model.

If he'll be handloading cast bullets for the 29-2 keep in mind they all had large throats, ~.432". Typical sized lead bullets, .429-.430", don't seal up in the large throats & cause leading issues. Finding the right combination can be trying. I suggest he go with plated bullets for target practice & save some grief. Jacket bullets are fine too, of course.

I used Hoppe's #9 on my nickel plated 29-2 forever & never had any troubles with it but Hoppe's also now makes an ammonia free version you could use, just to be safe.

I recently added some bearings/shims to mine to adjust the excessive end shake it developed after years of use.

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still looks okay..
.

(-04b)

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Thanks! What ammo and how much caused your cylinder endshake?

Are throats and bore better sized on the stainless S&W .44 Magnums? If I get one, it'd be M-629-3 with six-inch bbl.

I had a M-29, but we didn't pay attention to dash numbers back then, and I don't know that on the gun I sold long ago. I do know it shot exceedingly well with Remington 240 grain JHP and JSP ammo. My gun was especially well fitted and finished and prob. dated from about 1960. It had the wooden case and smooth rosewood stocks. I deeply regretted having to sell it when a GI Education Bill check was late.

Of course, mine was blued.

 

[bigmoneylewis]

See if you can talk him out of debasing / degrading the gun by shooting it
(and cleaning it) . Explain to him that a mint condition nickel 29-2 four inch isn't something you find everyday . If he wants to go shooting ,he should buy a 629-1 , you can shoot it and clean it and shoot it and clean it and it will not drop in value . Their is a reason beautiful 29-2s are hard to find, that's because very few were kept unfired . To find one that made it 40 years in mint condition, only to get it out and shoot it is insane.
You have to respect and preserve these rare finds .
Their are collectors out there who would pay a huge premium and drive a thousand miles to get their hands on a mint nickel -2 , and your friends first though is to debase this gun. I know at the end of this day, it is HIS gun and he can do whatever he wishes with it , but man , it just makes us collectors cringe to read these stories . These 29-2 and 27-2 guns are right on the heels of the Pythons and will be bringing todays Python prices 5 years from now, trust me. Encourage your friend to Preserve the history and savor in the privilege of owning such a beautiful example of such an American firearms Icon .
His first trip to the range will turn that $ 1,400 gun in to a $ 1,100 gun .
Just my facts , take them for what they are worth , or not .

Lewis

 

[muddocktor]

If your relative loads lead at around 1000 fps, that 29 he just bought will be good to go pretty much from now on and won't loosen up appreciably. It was made for much hotter ammo than that. And since it sounds like your relative reloads already, you can pass along to him that the 44 Mag seems to be a pretty powder-friendly caliber, with many different powders working well with it.

As for the 629-3 guns, I have a 629-3 Classic with the 6 1/2" barrel and the throats on it are much tighter than the older guns. I checked mine with pin gauges and IIRC, none were larger than around .430 or .4305 on the throats.

 

[Spook76]

I'm the OP's relative...Thanks for the input, Y'all! While I'm more into 1911s and BHPs--insofar as knowledge, doing my own work, etc.--I do have a "thing" for certain revolvers (I have a New Vaquero and a couple older-than-me Colt SAAs, all in .45, and all get shot). I've only owned a couple Smiths, prior to this M29-2, so am trying to finally get smart on them; your input helps.

Reloading: I currently only reload for .45 Colt, but will shortly be adding a few calibers. Thanks to recently getting a Colt in .38 Super, getting tired of paying so much for .45-70 (a Marlin Guide Gun), and now this .44, it seems the best route. I have a set of pin gauges, and this one's throats are .432 (on a minus type gauge), FWIW. I plan to mostly shoot 240-250 grain stuff around 1000-1200fps, depending on what specific load the gun ends up liking.

As to keeping the gun a safe queen, IMO, that's often less respectful to its intended use (within reason). Though I understand and respect that others' opinion differs, my wife and I see no point in owning a gun that won't be shot at least a little. We use them, but never abuse, so there's that. I have a presentation grade Colt 1911 with ivory stocks, and another in 98% condition made in 1934, and I still sometimes shoot/carry them. That, and we don't buy to resell, much as I (again) respect that others' situations/tastes/opinions vary.

Oh, the age, and a bit on price...Based on reading other posts, this M29-2 seems to have most likely been born in late '79 or 1980. On price, I gave $600 for it. The seller is a friend of the family, and only asked $500, but I told her I'd feel better giving her at least the $600; she refused to accept more, but agreed to the extra hundred. I flatly told her I wasn't sure how much these go for, these days, though I was pretty sure it was notably more. In any case, we both parted happy.

This thread is "worthless without pics", but please excuse the quicky phone pic. The gun itself looks the same in person, though the stocks color is somewhat darker than the picture reflects. Btw, I'm already plotting getting a nice set of Keith Brown Magnas for her.

 

[Doc44]

Assuming the case is original, the 29-2 dates from 1979 to 1981. The value is somewhere in the neighborhood of $1200. Magna style stocks will not make the 44 Magnum pleasant to shoot. A nice set of KB smooth target stocks would be best.

Bill

 

[Spook76]

Assuming the case is original, the 29-2 dates from 1979 to 1981. The value is somewhere in the neighborhood of $1200. Magna style stocks will not make the 44 Magnum pleasant to shoot. A nice set of KB smooth target stocks would be best.

Bill

Thanks for the input! Having read many of your informative posts, and recognizing you're a SME on these, I really appreciate it.

Based on my research, this one's serial of N765xxx puts it square in the range you suggested for that particular version of the case, so I imagine it's original. On the stocks, my reasoning for the Magnas is as much a looks thing as to better accommodate hand shape/size/handling factors, for me. Given that I'll mostly be running warm Special level loads through her vs Magnums, I'm hoping it'll be pleasant enough, even with the trimmer stocks.

 

[bigmoneylewis]

Beautiful gun . I'd say if it doesn't have a turn line, it's a $ 1,400 gun minimum (I'd pay that in a split second ) and 10 years from now it's a 3k gun IF you keep it mint. Start putting wear on it and that's a different story . It's just the collector in me that realizes how rare these finds are today, and how if I were in your shoes I would simply lock this American icon away to preserve it's value. P&R N frames this nice just do not come up for sale often , and finding a nice one in nickel is ten times as hard .
We have a mint unfired Belgium made Browning Hi power circa 1970
that I could never bring myself to fire , you can probably appreciate that.
To me it would be like buying a rare uncirculated coin (like a 1916 Standing Liberty quarter ) and putting it in your pocket with your other change because hey ..coins were meant to jingle jangle around in your pocket right ? Or score a garage kept 1967 427 L71 Corvette with 12 miles on the odometer and take it to the grocery store and rack up some miles, and chips in the paint , etc.
Your gun, do what you want , but if it were mine I would treasure it .
I have a Python I paid 3k for that is unfired except 3 rounds at the factory, and I have never touched it without wearing cotton gloves ,
but your 29-2 nickel 4" is more exciting to me than the Python .
I have two 29-2 nickel 4 inchers that I paid about a thousand each, but neither is as nice as what you just picked up .
I hope you grow to appreciate the gun .

Lewis

 

[Muley Gil]

"My opinion of nickel guns is about like that of Gen. Patton, so I'm not especially thrilled."

I don't remember Old Blood & Guts saying anything about nickel sidearms. He DID dislike pearls grips however.

 

[Spook76]

Beautiful gun . I'd say if it doesn't have a turn line, it's a $ 1,400 gun minimum (I'd pay that in a split second ) and 10 years from now it's a 3k gun IF you keep it mint. Start putting wear on it and that's a different story . It's just the collector in me that realizes how rare these finds are today, and how if I were in your shoes I would simply lock this American icon away to preserve it's value. P&R N frames this nice just do not come up for sale often , and finding a nice one in nickel is ten times as hard .
We have a mint unfired Belgium made Browning Hi power circa 1970
that I could never bring myself to fire , you can probably appreciate that.
To me it would be like buying a rare uncirculated coin (like a 1916 Standing Liberty quarter ) and putting it in your pocket with your other change because hey ..coins were meant to jingle jangle around in your pocket right ? Or score a garage kept 1967 427 L71 Corvette with 12 miles on the odometer and take it to the grocery store and rack up some miles, and chips in the paint , etc.
Your gun, do what you want , but if it were mine I would treasure it .
I have a Python I paid 3k for that is unfired except 3 rounds at the factory, and I have never touched it without wearing cotton gloves ,
but your 29-2 nickel 4" is more exciting to me than the Python .
I have two 29-2 nickel 4 inchers that I paid about a thousand each, but neither is as nice as what you just picked up .
I hope you grow to appreciate the gun .

Lewis

I understand and respect your position, and appreciate your thoughts. Were this gun clearly unfired post-factory, I might feel differently, but as it is there's enough evidence it's already been shot a very wee bit. Well cared for though it obviously is, there's a very slight turn ring, and the bore had a little fouling still in it (which cleaned up perfectly). According to the seller (she shoots, too), it wasn't shot often, but a guesstimate puts it at about 50-100rds.

I think my biggest "problem" with this one is it doesn't really address what I was attempting to do in its purchase...Though I'll shoot it, even I don't really like the idea of sweating on it/having brush kiss it while checking our fences. As we all know, these things tend to multiply, and I'm already plotting getting a slightly less-pristine sister of this one. The seller also has a nice 629-3 4" available, which I hope is still there in a month or two, once I again have some funds to cover it.

When I got this one, given the options and money available, it seemed wisest to get it first of the two.

 

[muddocktor]

Spook76, that is a real nice 29-2 you got there. Since you pin gauge around .432, I would suggest you run some Hit Tek coated or powder coated (if you cast your own) bullets instead of traditionally lubed cast bullets. I've had pretty good luck with Hi Tek coated bullets from Bayou Bullets and Missouri Bullet Company for shooting lead, especially in the speed ranges you are looking at. No leading to speak of in my 629 or in 357 caliber in several model 27's I own.

If you want to get some aftermarket stocks for your revolver, I highly recommend you look at the Culina LLC offerings. They are a husband and wife team that are members of these forums and make some excellent stocks for N frame pistols. They aren't cheap, but they are both beautiful and extremely comfortable for shooting with.

 

[Texas Star]

See if you can talk him out of debasing / degrading the gun by shooting it
(and cleaning it) . Explain to him that a mint condition nickel 29-2 four inch isn't something you find everyday . If he wants to go shooting ,he should buy a 629-1 , you can shoot it and clean it and shoot it and clean it and it will not drop in value . Their is a reason beautiful 29-2s are hard to find, that's because very few were kept unfired . To find one that made it 40 years in mint condition, only to get it out and shoot it is insane.
You have to respect and preserve these rare finds .
Their are collectors out there who would pay a huge premium and drive a thousand miles to get their hands on a mint nickel -2 , and your friends first though is to debase this gun. I know at the end of this day, it is HIS gun and he can do whatever he wishes with it , but man , it just makes us collectors cringe to read these stories . These 29-2 and 27-2 guns are right on the heels of the Pythons and will be bringing todays Python prices 5 years from now, trust me. Encourage your friend to Preserve the history and savor in the privilege of owning such a beautiful example of such an American firearms Icon .
His first trip to the range will turn that $ 1,400 gun in to a $ 1,100 gun .
Just my facts , take them for what they are worth , or not .

Lewis

Take two Tylenol and call your doctor in the morning. You'll get through this.

Seriously, I'll tell him that value. I thought the gun might be worth $1,000 in today's inflated market. If he sees that financial potential, he may sell and get a sensible M-629-3, which S&W reps told me is the first 629 with the Endurance Package.

Thanks for your input. It's why I started this thread, to get full feedback from both collectors and shooters.

Later-

I just read all the above posts and see that Spook 76 has already seen them and is posting.

I could relate to some of what Bigmoney said, as I've owned all the guns he mentioned. And Spook has owned and used several Brownings, including a MK III supplied to him in Iraq and which proved very effective in battle. But he can shoot better than probably 95.4 % of US soldiers who use handguns...

As for Pythons, I'll never again buy one unless as an investment. Both of mine had timing problems, and a friend was told by Jim Clark that he could re-time a Colt and in less than a thousand shots, it might again need his expensive services. Clark is now deceased, so there's one less competent Colt revolver smith. My luck with a couple of M-28's and three M-27's was that they overlapped the accuracy of the Colt and the S&W timing lasts much longer, although not as well as smaller-cylindered Smiths or Ruger DA guns. If I had another M-27, I'd shoot it, but I wouldn't buy a Registered Magnum and wear it routinely. Or, a four-inch pre-27.

Browning collectors may swoon over older Hi-Powers, but if I get another, it'll be a MK III. I like the added endurance and the fine accuracy. Collectors and shooters are often poles apart in preferences.

Well, not always. If I owned a Colt New Model Army (1860) .44 with provenance that it was carried by John S. Mosby, I'd sure put it away and shoot a Uberti repro! And I'd be seriously torn about shooting a nice Wilkinson-Webley Model of 1911 or a cased WG. BTW, another board has a pic this week of a rare commercial MK VI! Actually, at least two, one owned by a foremost authority on Webley arms. And that one is a four-inch one, also uncommon. Webleys sometimes break stirrup lock springs, mainsprings, and hammer noses. So, there are guns that even I won't shoot...

Oh: next time we have a bear pistols topic, that M-629-3 with six-inch bbl. is my suggestion for that role. With a .375 H&H Magnum rifle at hand!

 

[Texas Star]

As for stocks on .44 Magnum S&W's...

How do Culina prices compare to Keith Brown's? I know that both are gifted artists. I very much like the looks of both in pics here,esp. Brown's copies of Walter Roper designs.

Elmer Keith used Magnas, but he had small hands with short fingers. And was largely recoil-impervious. And he told me in person that he didn't always shoot his hot loads!

 

[Texas Star]

"My opinion of nickel guns is about like that of Gen. Patton, so I'm not especially thrilled."

I don't remember Old Blood & Guts saying anything about nickel sidearms. He DID dislike pearls grips however.

Muley-

I think you may be right. I just equate nickel with pearl, both appealing to the same sort of consumer. I can't say more without running afoul of some Rule here.

I know that Patton's famed Colt SAA was silver or nickel plated, so I guess he accepted some plated guns. His others that I've seen were all blued, though, inc. the S&W .357. That includes a SAA that he sold in the 1920's, with carved bone stocks.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

What ammo and how much caused your cylinder endshake?

Are throats and bore better sized on the stainless S&W .44 Magnums? If I get one, it'd be M-629-3 with six-inch bbl.

About 1990 is when the throats were finally tightened up so a 629-3, or 29-5, should be sized right. Always worth checking though.

My normal load was 240/250gr LSWC & 17.0gr/2400. No idea how many were shot thru it; a pretty fair amount. Way less magnum loads but some of the older data was pretty hot compared to today's data.
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M29-2, 6-1/2" bbl.

(-03a)

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Yep, that's a nice looking 4" ! Congrats !

If I buy 'em I shoot 'em, so I'm with you on that one. That's the way I roll too, for better or worse.

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