Model 29 Opinion

[JayBird686]

Good morning all,

I have a bit of a conundrum. I am finally getting around to purchasing a Model 29. I want a Blue, 6.5 gun(yep just like Mr. Callahan). The debate i have is old vs new.

I have found a 29-2 in Virginia, looks to be fired but in good condition. I like it because it comes with good grips and its case and accessories.

I have also found a brand new 29 Classic.

Usually, I go with an older, no lock gun. But with a big guy like this, It would be nice to have the piece of mind of knowing its new and not ever mistreated. Plus the blue will be uniform and factory fresh.

From anyone who has a newer 29. If you could go back and buy again, would you go new or used.

 

[smithra_66]

The new model 29s pale in comparison to the 29-2.

This is an easy one for me. You'll spend more money but it will be infinitely worth it.

I can't have a model 29 with a keylock and transfer bar and MIM parts. Yuck.

 

[Dump1567]

I say buy the original. That's the Dirty Harry gun. Not the current production gun. And the bluing will look better.

Here's my mid 70's 29-2.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I have 2 of the newer 29's . A 4" and 6" in 29-10 . Truthfully I wouldn't trade them for one of the older ones . You don't know the history , how many hot loads has it had to digest ? The older ones don't handle full power loads well . The cylinder can / will spin backwards , the frame will stretch with powerful loads . The older ones don't have the " endurance package " . S&W developed that for a reason , the older ones just didn't stand up . The mim parts of today is just fine . My 4" has the smoothest action I have in a revolver , and I have quite a few . I have passed on the chance to buy several older ones because of the above reasons for actually very reasonable prices . If I was going to shoot just 44 special type loads , then the older ones are fine . My first 29 was a -3 . It spent more time at the gunsmith than it did with me . I will never / ever again buy an older one . I got rid of it , for a big loss . Cosmetically , the older ones look nice , internally they are a " weak sister " . I load mine on the warmish side , the newer ones was / is definitely the way for me to go . So , would I buy an older one -- NO ? I'm not looking for a 44 special type gun . Regards Paul

 

[colt_saa]

As you mention, it is a personal preference.

While I hate the look of the lock, I would not let a lock stop me from buying a Smith & Wesson configuration that am looking for

I currently own several revolvers' with the lock, I never use the ke and ignore it

One advantage to a NEW revolver over a Used one is that the NEW firearm will have a warranty. that is an important consideration to some folks

 

[smithra_66]

I have 2 of the newer 29's . A 4" and 6" in 29-10 . Truthfully I wouldn't trade them for one of the older ones . You don't know the history , how many hot loads has it had to digest ? The older ones don't handle full power loads well . The cylinder can / will spin backwards , the frame will stretch with powerful loads . The older ones don't have the " endurance package " . S&W developed that for a reason , the older ones just didn't stand up . The mim parts of today is just fine . My 4" has the smoothest action I have in a revolver , and I have quite a few . I have passed on the chance to buy several older ones because of the above reasons for actually very reasonable prices . If I was going to shoot just 44 special type loads , then the older ones are fine . My first 29 was a -3 . It spent more time at the gunsmith than it did with me . I will never / ever again buy an older one . I got rid of it , for a big loss . Cosmetically , the older ones look nice , internally they are a " weak sister " . I load mine on the warmish side , the newer ones was / is definitely the way for me to go . So , would I buy an older one -- NO ? I'm not looking for a 44 special type gun . Regards Paul

I disagree with a lot of this. The older guns absolutely will handle any normal 44 Mag load, full power or not. The "endurance package" is probably just marketing that doesn't mean much.

If you're passing up old classic model 29s because you think they aren't durable, you're making a big mistake.

There are millions of people who have put tens of millions of rounds through the older Model 29s from 1955 until these new "classics" came out without much issue.

 

[brainflood]

Get the older 29-2 and live the moment!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[22hipower]

Get some close up pictures of the 29-2 or better yet handle it in person. Either way you'll be able to tell if it was mistreated. I have new and old and shoot the newer ones more but if I was limited to one or two they would be the P&R 6.5 inch guns. Here are two, the nickel (1977) I bought at a gun show a few months ago and the blue one is the first 44 Mag (1969) I purchased back in 1976. Buy a new one if you want to, nothing wrong with them, but you'll likely not be satisfied until you have a -2 or pre-model 29. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Claymore33]

BUY THE OLD ONE

I would not have a Hillary hole gun , BUY THE OLD ONE !
I have two MOD 29-2.

 

[KevinHee]

I say stay with the older ones.

29-2 Nickle

29-3 Blued

 

[PALADIN85020]

Not even a choice. Get a nice condition original 29-2, 6 1/2" blued, with factory target stocks. Inspector Callahan would be very proud of you.

John

 

[glenncal1]

IMHO the -2 29's and 27's are some of the finest hand guns ever produced. When you feel the action on one of these.... As someone else mentioned the bluing is better on the -2.

My opinion only.

 

[Roofuss]

I currently own 2 older model 29's , one I bought new many years ago, and never had any issues.....Personally, I prefer the old guns. Like they say...opinions are like butt holes, everybody's got one !

 

[arjay]

My first S&Ws were the modern version with the lock,a 629 and a 586.Solid,accurate guns,but the further I went down the rabbit hole,I ended up replacing them with much older guns. My newest Smith is a -3 from the early 70s. I like the look of the old ones better

 

[ruger 22]

I think you need both. The older model for a holding/polishing gun and the new one for a shooter.

 

[Laketime]

If you are in the guns are just a tool camp , then get one of the new Classics. But if you want a real nice one that you will be passing down to someone with pride ,get an original version.

 

[fishwishin]

In all likelihood for as much as you will shoot it go with the 29-2. You will never have to say "This is just like Dirty Harry's gun. Well, I mean his does not have this hole".

 

[rolandj]

I cannot help myself

when it comes to choosing old firearms over the new models, the old ones seem to win out almost every time. Like a new condition 29-2!

 

[k22fan]

Some how we got through 17 replies without the two or three things that I think make the most difference to most shooters being mentioned, cylinder throat diameters, bluing, and barrel weight.

While the endurance improvements were needed for heavy loaded 300 grain bullets most owners shoot little or none of those loads. The tighter throats and smaller forcing cones that were part of the endurance package make it easier to find accurate loads. That matters more to me.

About 2000 or a few years later S&W stopped all bluing. Their substitute for real blueing is gradually rubbed off with a soft rag and any cleaning solvent that contains ammonia. It is so dark that the color difference can be spotted from across the room. Selling it as blueing is a fraud. Since the O.P. wants a blued revolver this might matter most to him.

Off hand all the 6 1/2" modern 29 Classics I can recall have thin barrels. They're going to recoil more. Whether that's good or bad depends on your use for the gun.

Most collectors of most stuff want older examples and can rationalize how the older stuff is better. Sometimes it is. Sometimes it's not. I bought my first S&W .44, an 8 3/8" 29-2 new in 1975. It never did group as tight as my first .44, a Ruger Super Blackhawk.

 

[Protocall_Design]

There are + and - things in both camps. The older guns look better, with nicer blued finish and no lock, and have nostalgia of the past. The newer guns have the endurance package (good if you're shooting heavy loads), better metallurgy and all the latest upgrades.

It's mostly which one you like better. They are both high quality guns, each in a little different way. The lock never bothered me, I have put thousands of rounds through both kinds with no problems. I prefer the advancements of the newer models, though I can certainly appreciate the older ones as well. I was shooting the older ones when they were the newer ones.