Please edumacate me on S&W M29s

look for -2 models as they were made in the highest numbers. 1961-1988 as I recall. There are many variants of them out there so you shouldn't have much problem finding them for sale. Prices start around $400 and go up from there depending on the variant. Several years ago I paid $400 for a nickel, presentation boxed, 8 and 3/8 barrel, 3 t's with original grips. It's worth at least that now.
Josh

Everything you need to know about the S&W .44 magnum.

http://www.sixguns.com/range/SmithWesson44Mag.htm

I have a m29-2 in 4 inch blue and love it. With the Eagle Grips, Secret Service grips, it's still managable with full 240gr JHP mag loads but can be concealed. Here's a pic of it.

The 29-2s were made from 1962 until 1981, not 1988. The classic "Dirty harry" gun is the 6.5" model. After 1978 S&W made it an even 6" and I for one missed the .5".

A nice but not perfect 29-2 can be had for $400-$500 give or take. See the other current thread about the 29 for more info.

I found my 29-2 this past fall at a pawn shop for $350. Then, I paid another $250 to send it back to the S&W Performance Center for some action work and to be re-blued. So, $600 to get the revolver I REALLY wanted.





Yeah.

The John Taffin article is great. I've re-read several times.

That Taffin article was good. Thanks for the link. A buddy of mine has a 29 for sale. I'll have to check the exact dash number.

If you have a hard time getting the cash together, Taurus makes the virtually the same gun new for less.

i have no nitty gritty details on M29s, even tho i am fortunate to own two, a 4" and a 6". if i were to get another, it would be a 629 just for variety. if i had none, i would get a 629 cause i have come to appreciate stainless. both guns, 29 and 629, are gorgeous guns in my eyes. for plinking at stones or whatever on a hillside, i chose the 6". for packing and shooting around 50 to 80 yards i use the 4". here again, if i just had one, it would be 6". my advice: get one in whatever length and metal suits you. these guns look and shoot really well. only an N frame in another caliber can rival them.

You are looking for a great gun,,, I had several back in the late 70's and as most people here, wish I had them back - if you are interested in the "dirty harry" style - Only the 6.5 inch will do - I agree all shoot great but as you will see - the 6.5 inch blue in the presentation box will hold it value way past the others - however, that is just my .02 worth,,, you buy what you want... and if you find a nice blue 6.5 inch that you don't want, well you know how to find me,,, Later

Waay back when, I lived in a rural area with a lot of serious handgun shooters. When the 29 came out it wasn't that popular. I remember seeing them in gunstores for months without selling. That immediately changed after Dirty Harry. After the movie, there were year long waiting lists for the 29. The serious shooters preferred the Ruger. Hot handloads and lots of rounds in the 29 caused timing problems in short order and the savvy shooter had the Super Blackhawk for heavy duty use. I, of course, was not a savvy shooter and preferred the cool factor of the 6.5 inch 29. I waited the year or so until my name came to the top of the waiting list, paid more than retail, and proudly packed my 6.5 inch 29 home. I shot it quite a bit and didn't use high end handloads. My revolver handled everything perfectly well for a number of years. I had to sell it when I built a house and have kicked myself ever since. Someday when I have too much money I plan to pick up a cherry 6.5 inch again. If you get one that hasn't been abused you will be very happy with it. Good luck.

I really don't understand the "bashing" the Model 29 often gets. When fired with the ammunition it was designed for it will give yeoman service.

No it will NOT handle HOT load as well as a later model 629 or a Blackhawk/Redhawk.

It's very unfair to criticize a revolver because it won't do what you WISH it would. I have fired a couple of dozen Garret 300gr loads in my 3" 29-3. Guess what? It didn't blow up. It didn't fall apart. It appears as good as new. I have a dozen more safely tucked away for when those Middle-aged-mutant-ninja-zombie-bears-from-Mars decide to attack Pugent Sound.

But until then I'll continue to shoot the regular .44 magnum loads it was designed for.

If your big thrill in life is shoot those high powered nut-thumping loads then perhaps the model 29/629 ain't for you. The same goes for those who have Freedom Arms .454 Casull tastes but only an Uberti .45 Colt budget.

You need to remember that +P REALLY means Plus Problems.