[Deanimator]

Years ago, I sold my 4" Model 29 to a friend. I'm badgering him into selling it back since he doesn't shoot it anyway.

The forcing cone is not square, so it has a tendency to spit when you shoot magnums. Other than that, it's in excellent shape. He can't afford to get it fixed, so he's selling it back.

I've got somebody who can mill the rear of the barrel square, but cannot lathe the shoulder back if it needs it.

Any recommendations on how to proceed?

Send it to S&W?

Commercial gunsmith? Any names?

Thanks.

[dfariswheel]

Send it to S&W.
First, they have all the RIGHT tooling and equipment and any parts that might be needed.
Second they know more about it than ANYBODY.

They way it usually works out is, S&W's pricing is usually well in line with other gunsmiths, AND their turnaround is almost always faster.

Last, with S&W you KNOW it'll be done RIGHT, with none of the usual foolishness that often goes on with local people, like using hammer handles to unscrew frames from barrels.

[Deanimator]

Send it to S&W
Thanks for the suggestion. I will probably end up doing that.

[Onmilo]

$150.00 and Smith and Wesson gunsmith will set your barrel back, square the forcing cone, tighten the barrel/cylinder gap, clean up the end shake and correctly headspace the cylinder.
If there is any timing issues that will cost you a bit more to repair.
The Factory backs up all the work too.

I sent a model 28 back to have this work done because the factory charges less for this amount of work than I would.

It is a bargain in my book.
The drawback is you will wait longer than I would expect to get your revolver back

[Powderman]

Just a personal experience with Smith and Wesson:

My 29-3 had been through a lot--well over 17,000 cast bullet reloads, and about 4,000 jacketed bullets. Its timing was shot, and it needed re-bluing.

Off it went to Smith and Wesson.

The gun came back about 3 months later.

First thing I noticed was that the finish looked like black glass. Sweet!

While admiring the almost sublime look of the blued steel, I turned the gun on its side.

The barrel was pinned. :confused: Last time I checked, M29-3's did NOT have pinned barrels.

Next, I noted that distinctive Smith and Wesson engraved trademark on the sideplate. :confused: :confused:

My M29-3 did not have such a nice sideplate.

I opened the crane. Well, the serial number was there, and it was the right one. BUT--all the numbers were neatly stamped in a straight line. MY revolver's serial number was kinda offset.

Final check--

In my earlier days, I had removed the sideplate by prying :eek: it off. This had scarred the inside of the frame. This time I removed the plate in the proper way.

NO SCAR.

I called Smith and Wesson. I told them I was pleased as punch with the revolver, and was not complaining--but I wondered what had happened?

Well, they said, the forcing cone had been eroded. They were going to remove the barrel, recut the angle, set it back a taste, and re-install it. Unfortunately, when they were removing the frame, it cracked. :eek: :(

So, they searched, and got a BRAND NEW 29-2 frame. Onto the barrel it went. :)

Of course, they just could not use any of that old lockwork, so they installed all new innards--EVERYTHING. :) :)

Of course, new sights came along with it. :D :D

So, I am the proud owner of a M29-2/3 hybrid--FROM THE FACTORY!!!

Send it back--Smith and Wesson will do it right.

[Deanimator]

OK, I'm sold. Back to S&W it is.

Now, if I can only get the nitwit with the gun to stop screwing around and sell it...