1978 S&W 29-2 vintage

[357smallbore]

Going to buy a like new S&W 29-2 4in 44 mag. Gun was manufactured in 1978. Is as new as new could be. Bluing 100%, Grips 100%. Very very light drag line on cylinder. Tight as a virgin on her wedding night.
Store wants $1500 cash. I think In todays market, that not a bad price. Anyone own one and shoot theirs ?

 

[ericuda]

No idea on price point. I paid a bit more than that for my nickel 29-2 4" which has unfortunately never been shot (so they say, I have no idea how to tell). The 29-2 is made to shoot.

 

[ontarget]

If it already has a turn line you may just as well shoot it.
You can't sell it to a collector as unfired if it's got a turn line, so why not enjoy it?

 

[243winxb]

4" bbl, no way. 6.5 or 8" ty. For $1500, must have tools, wood case, shipping papers.

The 29-2 does not have the endurance package upgrade. Using full power W296 load will have the cylinder rotating backwards, soon or later. Have a 29-2 i bought new. Sold an early 629. Both had problems without the endurance package.

A new current model. MSRP: $1159.00 https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/n-frame-150254

 

[243winxb]

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1024899616?pid=701311 $1309
Engraved
Available

 

[bangswitch]

Going to buy a like new S&W 29-2 4in 44 mag. Gun was manufactured in 1978. Is as new as new could be. Bluing 100%, Grips 100%. Very very light drag line on cylinder. Tight as a virgin on her wedding night.
Store wants $1500 cash. I think In todays market, that not a bad price. Anyone own one and shoot theirs ?

$1500 is a tad on the rich side, unless you get the box and accessories with it. The 4" barrel is a plus, probably the most popular length unless you're a Dirty Harry wannabe, then go for the 6-1/2", which was discontinued the following year (1979). If you're going to make it a range gun, shoot .44 Spl. mostly, it will last a lot longer, but magnum loads won't kill it. I have a 1979 nickel 6" M29-2, but it is an unfired commemorative and will remain so. I have two .41 Magnums from the 1960's that get quite a bit of range use, and it's mostly lighter magnums I reload for them, around 1250-1300 fps.

At any rate, it's worth what you're willing to pay if you want it badly enough. I'd give $1300 for one as you describe, 95% or better. An older one (S prefix) in the same shape, I'd pay more for.

If it already has a turn line you may just as well shoot it.
You can't sell it to a collector as unfired if it's got a turn line, so why not enjoy it?

Unfortunately, many unfired safe queens get a turn line just from playing with them. It does hurt the overall value for a serious collector whose safe is full of trophy pieces, but I'm okay with one unless it's turned completely through the bluing

 

[bangswitch]

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1024899616?pid=701311 $1309
Engraved
View attachment 1145348 Available

That's a much newer "Classic Series", no P&R, and the top side plate screw is a giveaway for the Classic, as the original 5 screw was a pre-M29

 

[PapaG]

I'd gladly take $1500 for my 29-2. If I had another one.
I think $1100-1200 is more in line with reality but I've often been challenged on where I really exist.
If you want it, buy it. It will be worth that in a few years. They don't make them like that any more. Mine is 6", blue, 3Ts.

 

[DR505]

The local gun store had a first year 4" .44 magnum (before model number assigned) that was in far from perfect shape...price was $3500 and it sold in a day. For a 29-2 as you describe they would price it at $1500 minimum, so go figure.

 

[Riomouse911]

Depending on where you are $1,500 may be the going rate for a Model 29-2 in great shape. I know here in the Socialist Republik that gun’s asking price would not be too far off, or maybe even $150 low.

I love my 4” 57 no dash .41. I treat it nicely with no more than mid level magnums and .41 Specials, since the Redhawk and Blackhawk .41’s can handle the heavy chores.



Hopefully you can come home with it, let us know how it goes.

Stay safe.

 

[Mark_Mark]

My next Revolver is going to be a Fun Model 29 - New or Old!

Going to put too much sugar in my Coffee and see what happens

 

[Rockrivr1]

I went a different route with my 29-2. I'm a huge snubby fan, but I couldn't pass up this model with the 8 3/8 barrel. It came with the presentation case and the tools so it was a tad bit more then $1500. But was worth it to me. I'm a sucker for these vintage S&Ws.

 

[DM~]

Both of mine are 29-2's, what good are they if you can't/don't shoot them???

DM

 

[357smallbore]

This is the gun I just bought

 

[357smallbore]

And I most certainly plan on carrying and shooting it

 

[Mark_Mark]

Model 29’s are going to be the new Registered Magnum

 

[.38 Special]

I agree with the others that, outside of places like California, that was a few hundred bucks too much.

On the other hand, that's one of the best guns ever made and appears to be in great shape. If the few hundred bucks doesn't bother you excessively, well then congratulations!

 

[PapaG]

Forgot to mention, I shoot mine. 3/4 throttle loads. I have no safe queens.

 

[ontarget]

View attachment 1145381 View attachment 1145382This is the gun I just bought

Beautiful piece. Congrats.

 

[nofendertom]

Smith 29-2. One of my favorite shooting revolvers. Yours is a beauty. I shot many rounds through mine (240gr LSWC at 1000-1100fps) with no problems.
Top velocity magnum loads weren't much fun out of my 4in.

 

[bangswitch]

Model 29’s are going to be the new Registered Magnum

Nah, you can only be first once. Besides, the M27 is what the Registered Magnum became. The M29's have a panache all their own, just like M57's.

 

[Tallball]

Mine is a very good shooter. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Congratulations!

 

[Jonesy814]

View attachment 1145381 View attachment 1145382This is the gun I just bought

That's really nice

 

[DeepSouth]

About a year and a half - two years ago I paid just under 1200 out the door for my 29-2, it is about the condition you (the OP) described but it’s 8 3/8. No box, no papers, nothing but the gun which was fine as I was buying a shooter. At the time I felt I overpaid a bit but not enough to lose sleep over.
Love the gun, it gets taken more than anything else I have. Maybe because only shooting a few rounds at a time it takes the “new” longer to wear off, I really enjoy it.

 

[Richard Jay King]

4" bbl, no way. 6.5 or 8" ty. For $1500, must have tools, wood case, shipping papers.

The 29-2 does not have the endurance package upgrade. Using full power W296 load will have the cylinder rotating backwards, soon or later. Have a 29-2 i bought new. Sold an early 629. Both had problems without the endurance package.

A new current model. MSRP: $1159.00 https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/n-frame-150254

Truth! What he said!