S&W N frames , 453.50

[lowriderfxr]

I remember in 1983, I was 20 years old. Hard to believe it's been 40 years. I worked at a hardware store that was the best gun-shop in the area. It was called Burton Hardware and Sporting Goods. We had lots of N frames in the glass case , displayed in the wood presentation cases for 453.50. I was making 3.35 per hour with a wife and baby so it might as well have been 45,000.00. I spent over 40 hours a week looking and dreaming. I told myself if I ever reached the point that I could have enough money to pay my bills and buy some extra things that I wanted , S&W N frames would be it. That influence is still with me today , and I do have extra money after bills but N frames are surely no longer 453.50 !

 

[jcelect]

AGE ! ?

In 1959 my first job was pumping gas at a local station, that's one gal of gas, check the oil, and wash the windshield! The gas cost $.23/gal, and a local gun shop had a new K32 in the case for $94.00 + tax. If I knew then what I know now, I would have saved the money and bought that K32, not my first car!
jcelect

 

[Photog]

I bought my first M29-2, 6.5" blue at a gunstore that I worked at. We were also a distributor for S&W. I ordered it in February of 1975 and received it in November of 1975. We were normally given a discount on purchases, but since this was still in the "Dirty Harry" fad period, I had to pay full retail of
$289.00 give or take a few bucks. Still have it.

 

[lppd4]

1980 I was in the Police Academy and we ordered our service weapons right away. We were heavily influenced to buy a S&W model 66. We also were allowed to piggy back a model 60 onto the order. I paid $357 for the pair. Still have both of them and still shoot them ovcasionally

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

You have to be lucky, and have cash on hand. Bought my 4" nickeled M-27 used in 1985-$250.00. And it has an action job.

 

[Capt. F.]

I bought my first M29-2, 6.5" blue at a gunstore that I worked at. We were also a distributor for S&W. I ordered it in February of 1975 and received it in November of 1975. We were normally given a discount on purchases, but since this was still in the "Dirty Harry" fad period, I had to pay full retail of
$289.00 give or take a few bucks. Still have it.

Same story here. Fired mine three times, cleaned it, put it back in the case. Still have it.

 

[31FordA]

In 1996 I bought a brand new 625-6 .45 Colt Mountain Gun for $460. At the time I was making $7 an hour as a part time County worker while going to college. These days $460 seems like a bargain, in 1996 it was most of the money in my bank account. I still have the 625-6, it was well worth the money.

 

[Pizza Bob]

I've been an N-frame fan since I was old enough to buy one. Here is the first new N-frame I purchased in 1977 - this included the presentation case etc. Still have it today.

And here's the gun (Guy Hogue made grip)...

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[local_dirt]

I bought my first M29-2, 6.5" blue at a gunstore that I worked at. We were also a distributor for S&W. I ordered it in February of 1975 and received it in November of 1975. We were normally given a discount on purchases, but since this was still in the "Dirty Harry" fad period, I had to pay full retail of
$289.00 give or take a few bucks. Still have it.

Still have it?? God bless you, sir.

 

[Fishinfool]

Bought my first N frame, a model 28 six inch, in 1977. If I remember right, I paid $125 for it, NIB. I would like to say I still have it, but after trying my best to wear it out, I ended up selling it. At today's prices, I have paid more for just a pair of grips then I did for that gun back then....

Larry

 

[S-W4EVER]

I bought my first M29-2, 6.5" blue at a gunstore that I worked at. We were also a distributor for S&W. I ordered it in February of 1975 and received it in November of 1975. We were normally given a discount on purchases, but since this was still in the "Dirty Harry" fad period, I had to pay full retail of
$289.00 give or take a few bucks. Still have it.

When I was in college I made regular visits to the LGS's and one day (in '77) one of the managers called me and told me they'd just received a new 6-1/2" bbl blued M29-2 and they weren't allowed to jack the price up (as was common in those days). I put it on layaway and $289.50 + sales tax later it was mine. I still have it too (I buy guns and I don't sell them.)

 

[bob1956]

My first "N" came from the rifle musket shop in Brentwood NH it was a 6" in the wood box and was a weekly shooter for years. Sent it back to smith in 92 for rebuild. Had them put a 4" barrel on it at that time. The original purchase was 1982 for $ 342. They were scarcer than hens teeth at the time. There were 3 57's in the case but when the 29-2 showed up I grabbed it with my newly received tax return. Wish I still had it but let it go to a friend but I have a couple of others.

 

[UNCLE PAULY]

In 1985, I was a newlywed and had just bought a small 1st house.
Coworker tells me he wants to sell his 1972 S&W 29-2,8-3/8" barrel with presentation case and leather shoulder holster. After some haggling the final price was $250 !!!! It was the hardest thing to convince the young bride that this was a great deal and the gun was needed to go wild boar hunting with the older men in the hunt club.

Turns out at about $0.75 a bullet and a baby on the way, I seldom shot the the big 44 Mag and never got to go wild boar hunting.

Many years later sold the N frame, holster and box for $250 to a different coworker who knew the price I paid years before.

Now older and divorced, with plenty of money I could buy another M29-2, but chose to buy an unfired S&W model 520 NYSP 4" 357 mag. which went straight to the range and got shot a lot.
.
1980 S&W 520 NYSP 4" 357 N frame
.

 

[Pine_Worker]

I remember in 1983, I was 20 years old. Hard to believe it's been 40 years. I worked at a hardware store that was the best gun-shop in the area. It was called Burton Hardware and Sporting Goods. We had lots of N frames in the glass case , displayed in the wood presentation cases for 453.50. I was making 3.35 per hour with a wife and baby so it might as well have been 45,000.00. I spent over 40 hours a week looking and dreaming. I told myself if I ever reached the point that I could have enough money to pay my bills and buy some extra things that I wanted , S&W N frames would be it. That influence is still with me today , and I do have extra money after bills but N frames are surely no longer 453.50 !

My first N frame was a model 28-2 bought new for $128 in the '70's.

 

[Narragansett]

Bought my first N frame, a model 28 six inch, in 1977. If I remember right, I paid $125 for it, NIB. I would like to say I still have it, but after trying my best to wear it out, I ended up selling it. At today's prices, I have paid more for just a pair of grips then I did for that gun back then....

Larry

My first handgun was a 1968 M28-2. $ 101.00 OTD. Had it 3 years, and traded it fo a 94.00 dollar 1971 Browning Hi Power. Gave that to # 1 son 4 weeks ago. I am glad I did, but I feel naked without it

 

[Fishinfool]

My first handgun was a 1968 M28-2. $ 101.00 OTD. Had it 3 years, and traded it fo a 94.00 dollar 1971 Browning Hi Power. Gave that to # 1 son 4 weeks ago. I am glad I did, but I feel naked without it

Well Pete, I hear that Springfield Armory P35 clone is supposed to be pretty nice....

Larry

 

[rbmac52]

I bought my first Model 29-2 in 1973 and paid retail for it ($203.50) at Cheshire & Perez in Monrovia California who, at the time, were also Smith & Wesson's West Coast Authorized Service Center. It was largely a police supply shop and hardly looked like a gun store from the outside. Block wall construction and no windows. I was next in line at the counter and the cop ahead of me was checking out the gun but decided against buying it. I snagged it immediately and Mr. Perez got a chuckle out of my delight when writing out my check. Most all of the customers in that shop were cops. I was a few years away from getting into law enforcement. My best friend and shooting partner bought his Model 29-2 on the used market and paid $350. He was pretty jealous of my score!

 

[brucev]

First S&W was a four inch nickled 19 w/ WORS, RRFS. Wonderful revolver. Later bought a new six inch 28-2 for about $175 OTD. Shoot the hound out of it with anything I could get my hands on. Lots of handloads as well. Had a TT and TH fitted to the 19 which I gave to my father upon my graduation from seminary. Stupidly traded the 28 for some sort of a SA 1911-A1. Now, about 40 years later ... have a four and six inch 28-2 in primo condition. Also have a five inch 625-2 that is superbly accurate. Deeply thankful for these fine revolvers. Sincerely. bruce.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Bought my first N frame at Tementos in Marerro, Louisiana. It was an 8 3/8 blue Model 27 in presentation case that I paid $299.00 plus tax. This was back in 1976 just turned 21. Long ago sold for something long forgotten.

 

[Narragansett]

Well Pete, I hear that Springfield Armory P35 clone is supposed to be pretty nice....

Larry

I went down a different path. Picked up a NIB Sig 1911 match elite in 9mm