New un fired model 29-2 look at it or shoot it?

[Boxer rox]

I have been looking for a like new pre lock model 29 blued with a 6.5 barrel for a long time. Yesterday it all worked out and I got a 29-2 new un fired in the box with the tools, manuals everything. It looks like it left Smith yesterday.

I have been looking for this with full intentions of shooting it and enjoying it. Now that I have it I'm not so sure. It looks like a piece of art. I've read all the they are weak and don't hold up stuff and I would never fire full house loads in it whatever I decide to do. I hand load and have other guns to shoot heavy Magnum loads in.

Here's my question. What would you do in my shoes? I showed it to some friends today and one said shoot it and the other said I'd be crazy to. I have a pretty good idea of what I'm going to do,
but what would you all say?

 

[M29since14]

I say it's your gun, do as you please.

 

[mscook]

29-2

Let's see it

 

[bigggbbruce]

Picture or two, and we'll see if it's unfired or just clean. I shoot every gun I own, no pleasure for me to just look at them.

 

[Laketime]

Keep it like it is unfired. The world is full of used guns you can always get.

 

[oysterer]

shoot 44 spl and clean afterwards..no harm done. Load cast bullets matching the throats otherwise its a waste.

 

[Bangler]

If I had a mint, original Plymouth 'Cuda with a 426 Hemi in it, I'd drive it. In fact, I'd drive the doo-doo out of it. You only live once man!

 

[ameridaddy]

Depends on what you paid and how much you need collector value money down the road. If I were going to shoot it, I'd remove the cylinder stop and ever so carefully ease and polish the edge that rides on the cylinder, then shoot .44 or mid-range .44 mag loads.
Those two acts will minimize the cylinder line and assure the gun's long life. A diet of max loads will eventually cause timing and bullet shaving problems. Been there and done that on two 29-2's shooting metal silhouette matches.
Both were also very accurate once I worked up loads they liked and fun to shoot with mild loads.

 

[rubiranch]

I have two guns that never have been shot and I never will shoot them.

I like having a couple guns that have never been shot.

Buy another one just like it that has been shot and shoot it.

 

[mrchick]

I would shoot it. Post some pics.

 

[Boxer rox]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=370135&stc=1&d=1544243105

 

[rubiranch]

That's really really nice. I might not shoot it either.

 

[Boxer rox]

The pictures don't do it justice. First I'm having trouble loading good pictures and this was before I took a silicone rag to it. It was pretty dry when I got it. I'm a shooter and I shoot everything I have but this one is just really making it hard. The guy I got it from bought it brand new and put it away. He was having a hard time handing it over actually. I will own this forever no matter what I do with it as far as shooting it.

 

[llowry61]

My 02, for what it is worth, I would not shoot it. That is a great example that won't ever be NIB again if you shoot it. If you didn't pay a NIB premium the value will increase over time. There are plenty of shooter grade guns to have fun with. As others have stated it is up to you. It is a good puzzle to solve ! Thanks for sharing the pic.

 

[Benchrest1]

Go ahead and shoot it. You know you want too.

 

[redglare]

Don't shoot it for now, you can always change your mind later.

Unless you shoot it. Then you can't change your mind later.

 

[mod29]

It is a surprisingly difficult decision.
No right or wrong answer.

Nothing wrong with shooting it and caring for it. You'll still have the gun and the memories created.
And there's nothing wrong with keeping it unfired and enjoying the pride of ownership of a classic revolver in that high condition.

I have that exact model in unfired condition, along with the cardboard outer wrap with the label and presentation case.
I have yet to shoot it, though I have been tempted. I'll have to check my records, but I figure I've owned it for probably 15 years or more.
Since I have several .44 mags to shoot, it ain't a big sacrifice on my part.
But still, I sometimes ask myself what am I saving it for? I have no intention of selling it, so why not shoot it and make some memories?

Let us know what you decide, and post a few more pics of that beauty!


...

 

[RobertJ.]

and I would never fire full house loads in it whatever I decide to do.

I understand you have others to shoot full-power ammo through, but these were made to be fired with factory .44 Magnum ammo.

People tend to treat them like they're a Model 19. I don't get it.

If you fired nothing but full-power ammo through it, I have a feeling you'd give out before the gun.

Shoot it, clean it, put it away. Repeat as necessary. They're not delicate, and they were meant to be fired.

 

[sigp220.45]

Unless you have it buried with you, somebody is going to shoot it someday. It might as well be you.

 

[muddocktor]

I've bought 4 different model 27's that were unfired over the last 5 years or so. One is a 27-5 that I bought off GB with the idea that I would shoot the snot out of it anyways and I have done that. The other 3 are 27-2 guns, a 4", a 6" and an 8 3/8", all in nickel. I bought the 4" first and kept it unfired for a few years. Then I got to thinking on why I was keeping it so. I know it was fired on every other chamber at the factory, so it really wasn't "unfired", but unfired since leaving the factory. So I decided to bring it to the range and shoot it a little and make a nice memory of the outing with it. I shot around 75 rounds through it and found I really enjoyed myself. The others didn't last nearly as long before they made a range visit. Hell, I bought them because I appreciate a high quality gun and don't plan on selling them, so why not enjoy them by occasionally bringing them to the range and toss some rounds downrange with them. And after I bring them to the range they get a very thorough cleaning and polishing and I put them back away.

Anyways, that's my rationale for shooting them.