What to do with an ugly M29-2?

[Eagle223usa]

Your guys must hate my favorite guns. Above guns are used every
week-end from March through November. Pistol have been used
since 2001 and can't count the number of rounds. About half the finish
is gone. But, they are my favorite because I shoot them!

No way, used not abused is OK by me. This revolver just looks neglected, and I can't stand it without a dang good story to go with it. My Colt SAA looks alot like yours but still has the black rubber type grips.

 

[Eagle223usa]

It is what it is.

Can't turn a pig 's ear into a silk purse.

Insert your own trite words of wisdom.

If you want to spend an additional $500.00 on a $500.00 gun to create a $ 600.00 gun, enjoy!

It won't work any better than it works now.

Sound like you have a perfectly functional revolver. I'd enjoy it and shoot the. **** out of it.

I understand, but if I can have a funtional good looking M29 for under $400 I think it is a good deal. And if I refinish it, it does not matter what it is worth because it will not be for sale!

 

[Eagle223usa]

I think you meant N-Frames?

HMmm, maybe it is an ultra rare M frame huh?

 

[BC38]

I understand, but if I can have a funtional good looking M29 for under $400 I think it is a good deal. And if I refinish it, it does not matter what it is worth because it will not be for sale!

Yeah, I'd take am M29 shooter for under $400 - and if I could have a decent looking one - even refinished - all the better.

Now if I can just find someone to befriend who has one to throw out in the trash...

 

[Eagle223usa]

Interesting how the opinions run from just wax and use it, to pull out the stops and doll it up.

Given the price paid and internal condition... it's not really a slam dunk really don't need to give a hoot "as-is" shooter.

I myself, if in the same situation, would look upon it as a cheap, blank canvas, and a opportunity to be able do something that I've always thought about or wanted to do, but not willing to sacrifice one of my better (more expensive) guns as a "donor" for the project.

If you have the bucks to devote to it, and an interest in it other than just a vehicle to send lead down range... why not turn this sow's ear into a silk purse... or at least a denim one.

Given the price you paid due to it's storied history, that includes a rescue from summarily being thrown in a dumpster ??!!! The playing field on what to do with it is wide open...

Exactly, Its a M29 regardless, I would never spend the money on a new, perfect or old collectable. This one just kind of fell into my lap, I never knew I wanted or needed one until it did! It just seems wrong to leave it ugly, I know it will shoot the same but I would like it to be presentable. I have until tax return time to mull it over. I love the S&W polished blue look, but also the durability of the Metalife finish also. I can't go wrong either way I guess! I'm glad nobody has cried "Heresy!" yet. Thanks.

 

[Eagle223usa]

Yeah, I'd take am M29 shooter for under $400 - and if I could have a decent looking one - even refinished - all the better.

Now if I can just find someone to befriend who has one to throw out in the trash...

BC, there is a first time for everything...

 

[jtcarm]

I think you meant N-Frames?

Lol, no, that's the new one between L and N

 

[Fishinfool]

Guns with honest wear don't bother me, but I have no love for guns that have been abused. If it were me, I would go with a hard chrome finish, but in satin black. Excellent wear resistances, and non-reflective finish for hunting. A good cross draw or chest holster will make for comfortable carry with that long tom. Agree with measuring the throats to get the best accuracy / least leading with cast slugs.

Larry

 

[Eagle223usa]

Guns with honest wear don't bother me, but I have no love for guns that have been abused. If it were me, I would go with a hard chrome finish, but in satin black. Excellent wear resistances, and non-reflective finish for hunting. A good cross draw or chest holster will make for comfortable carry with that long tom. Agree with measuring the throats to get the best accuracy / least leading with cast slugs.

Larry

Hey Larry, who does hard chrome in satin black? Thanks!

 

[410bore]

Short Answer; Shoot It As-Is.

I have come to realize that guns with condition problems are the perfect guns to shoot and enjoy. I can take out this late S prefix 29-2 and not worry one bit about scratching it, getting caught in the rain, etc. At some point in its life someone must have done some shooting/hunting and was caught in a light drizzle and left in a holster for a day or two afterwards. It has small, smooth specks of missing blue ALL over it! Looks good from 10 feet but not so hot up close. But guess what, I love this revolver! It now sports a set of John Hurst target stocks instead of the rubber.

Accurate and Ugly is a pretty good combo for a hunting/range revolver.....

 

[viceunit]

Whatever you do - nickel or reblue - chop 3-3/8" off the barrel and have the 5" model 29 everyone seems to want.

 

[Fishinfool]

Hey Larry, who does hard chrome in satin black? Thanks!

I may have spoken a little too soon. I was curious myself, so did a little checking. From what I have read, black chrome finishes are different than the silver type, and not as durable. The Desert Eagle, for example, is a gun offered with such a finish, but owners claim it is does not hold up as well as silver hard chroming.

When I started as a trooper in the early 1980's, the issue weapon was a S&W 66, with a factory "Blackened" finish. I am not sure what process they used, but it did not hold up well to holster wear.

Hard Chrome, Nickel, blued, or one of the new bake on miracle finishes, just depends on how you want your gun to look when it is done....

Larry

 

[Eagle223usa]

Whatever you do - nickel or reblue - chop 3-3/8" off the barrel and have the 5" model 29 everyone seems to want.

I'm not so sure it would be that easy, the front sight is milled out of the barrel. I'm thinking I would have to buy a shorter barrel if I went that route.

 

[Art Doc]

Leave as a beater shooter or refinish to blue or nickel.

Do not do this: "I also am considering a Metalife hard chromium finish, very durable and hunting capable."

 

[Troystat]

I think you can't go wrong with rebluing it or sending it to magna port for a hard chrome finish. Also like the idea of one of the spray on finishes I would think you could remove that finish if you got tired of it and then re-blue it What ever you do let us know and show us pictures.

 

[SuperMan]

Before you refinish the gun I would have the cylinder checked. I had a 29-2 that leaded badly with cast bullets no matter if there was a gas check on them or not. A few years ago I read that many of those guns had oversize cylinder throats so the only real cure would to be have the cylinder replaced.

As to refinishing...for a hunting gun hard chrome would be hard to beat. My daily carry 1911 now has 8 years of daily carry and still looks like new. A matte blue or parkerizing would also make the gun nice looking but not so nice that you would not want to hunt with it.

I have a 57 8 3/8" that has a few little blood stains on it that I hunt with regularly...not going to worry about what it looks like when I am done...life is getting too short for that.

Bob

 

[Eagle223usa]

Leave as a beater shooter or refinish to blue or nickel.

Do not do this: "I also am considering a Metalife hard chromium finish, very durable and hunting capable."

Why should I do this?

 

[Eagle223usa]

I think you can't go wrong with rebluing it or sending it to magna port for a hard chrome finish. Also like the idea of one of the spray on finishes I would think you could remove that finish if you got tired of it and then re-blue it What ever you do let us know and show us pictures.

I thought about that route also. I really like the look of the older Smith&Wesson's deep Blue/Black but I don't need a safe queen. I want a .44 mag I will use and a spray on finish would work for now I guess. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Eagle223usa]

Before you refinish the gun I would have the cylinder checked. I had a 29-2 that leaded badly with cast bullets no matter if there was a gas check on them or not. A few years ago I read that many of those guns had oversize cylinder throats so the only real cure would to be have the cylinder replaced.

As to refinishing...for a hunting gun hard chrome would be hard to beat. My daily carry 1911 now has 8 years of daily carry and still looks like new. A matte blue or parkerizing would also make the gun nice looking but not so nice that you would not want to hunt with it.

I have a 57 8 3/8" that has a few little blood stains on it that I hunt with regularly...not going to worry about what it looks like when I am done...life is getting too short for that.

Bob

Bob, Thanks for the reply. Mine didn't lead much at all, accuracy wasn't that great. It shot into 4 to 5 inches at 25 yards. That load in my Super Blackhawk shoots into less than 2 inches. I haven't had a chance to slug the bore and chambers.

 

[Art Doc]

The finish is bad enough to warrant refinishing in blue or nickel. A 29 should be in blue or nickel. I also like the 5" idea.

"Hard chrome" or some other industrial finish would be an abomination. Rather leave it as is. That's how ugly "hard chrome" is in my opinion.