Finally found a Mod 29-2 44 magnum..do you think it's a good deal???

[saturno_v]

Hello people

I was looking for some time to trade my 10 mm auto EAA Witness bought new in Dec for $399 + tax for a S&W Mod 29 in 44 Magnum with at least a 6 inches barrel length.
I found a guy selling this Mod. 29-2 (circa 35 years old) with 8 3/8 barrel and original S&W wood grip in excellent condition, only very minor scratches here and there, asking price $650. I checked the bore, cylinder, gap, etc...everything is perfect. The gun is "pinned and recessed".
"Unfortunately" the finishing is nickel, I do not like "shiny guns" that much but I cannot find in my area (Seattle) a Mod. 29 blued...I found few stainless steel ones (Mod. 629) newer production (one with full underlug).
The guy is willing to trade for my Witness and he wants $300 of difference. I could get the gun tomorrow at 1:00.

My questions for the experts are:

1) Do you think $650 is a fair asking price and $300 a fair trade difference???

2) I could buy a used Mod 629 (called 629 Classic) in the same excellent conditions with 6 inches barrel, full underlug, rubber grip for $550 in another gun shop (I do not know if they would trade for my Witness).
Which do you think is a better gun, the 29-2 with 8 3/8 barrel or this 629?? My impression is that the 629 is newer production and the finishing is not as good.

The reasons I'm trading my Witness are:

1) The pistol keeps jamming occasionaly, I changed the magazine springs and tightened the magazine lips to no much avail..a bit of improvement yes but nothing substantial. The feed ramp is perfectly polished, I could change the recoil springs, but if that doesn't resolve the issue I have to ship back and forth at my expense (circa $40-50) to EAA and I heard that customer service is not that great and some people had to send their gun for service several times, I just do not want to get that chance.

2) The 10 mm Auto ammo is hard and expensive to find around here in Seattle, is not "Wal-Martized"

3) I want to have a classic American revolver in my collection with an easy to find (Wal-Mart and other big retailers) big bore caliber , my defence piece is already an excellent semiauto full size Bersa Thunder 40 in 40 S&W.

4) I plan to do some hiking in Alaska and I want to have a wildlife protection handgun at my disposal....is a 44 Magnum with proper loading sufficient against grizzlies??


Thank you in advance for your advice!!

 

[vanilla_gorilla]

I'd shy away from the 8 3/8 inch barrel for anything other than range duty. In fact, I probably would even buy one for range duty, personally. ON top of that, I think it's a bit expensive for that barrel length unless it's got a presentation case and diamond target grips.

For what you want, I'd look for a 29-4 or newer, or 629-3 or newer. Either should wear a 4 -6.5 inch barrel. Five inches is my personal favorite.


Edit: According to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, the nickeled gun would bring a slight premium over blued. The 29-2 run started in 1962, and changed to "N" serial numbers in 1969. The first seven years were "S" serialed. IF, and that's only if, the gun were a S serial 29, with case and diamond targets (1962-1968) would it be worth the asking price to me. Up to the 29-3E and onward, and the 629-2E and onward, the guns had a problem with being damaged by repeated use of heavy loads. Guns made prior to the enhancement are certainly not crap, but they simply don't have the enhanced treating that later guns have, and would be better suited for lighter loads, in order to extend the life of the gun.

 

[Confederate]

A 6-inch barrel is the way to go. Trying to line up an 8 3/8-inch barrel on a moving target would be difficult if not impossible. Carrying the thing also would be difficult. There's a point at which you're better off just buying a rifle, and eight inches is well past that point.

Regarding the 629, I have to say that stainless steel has an awful lot of advantages over blued steel. Still, S&W used to put out some fine blued handguns. Stainless takes the pressure and the flame better than blued, but again, it's a personal choice.

I have a beautiful 629 that I can't bring myself to part with, simply because Smith just will never build 'em like that again. Nowadays, Smith builds them with locks, case hardened hammers and triggers (not flash chromed), and the finish looks like it was done with sandpaper. If Taurus can polish their guns and make them beautiful, why can't Smith?

 

[Moonclip]

I'd rather have the 629 classic though the 29-2 deal seems to be ok if not a steal. Does the other party know of the issues with your 10mm?

I never did like the 8 3/8" models much, too specialized, feels like I'm carrying a rifle

 

[saturno_v]

Yes the guy knows about the Witness...It is nothing serious I just do nto want to deal with sending the gun back and forth, he has a dealer license so he can do it more easily.

So right now the choice is between this model 29-2 with 8 3/8 barrel nickel finish or a model 629 Classic (full underlug), 6 inches barrel and rubber grips.

 

[Blacksmoke]

Confederate, that is a real purty one. You should keep it forever.


If you change your mind could I buy it???

 

[wraco]

In my area a 29-2 will bring a premium over most other S&W PR revolvers, even a M27. The 6 1/2" barrel, M29-2 is the "Dirty Harry Special" which brings a premium over the rest. In 1979 S&W took 1/2" off the barrel, for what reason I don't know, but it kinda spoiled the look and balance. Back when I was on the search for a 29-2, I paid $200 more for an early 70's 29-2 with a 6 1/2" barrel rather than buy one locally with a 6" barrel from the 1979 to 1982 date. In my search, there was a nickled 29-2 with an 8 3/8" barrel for $75 more than the one I bought. The barrel was too long for me and I prefer blue, but here's what I ended up with. probably paid too much, but can't scoop them all.





Regards:
Rod

.

 

[Oro]

Basically, It sounds to me like you are getting the gun for $600 - trading in a gun worth $300 and adding $300 to it. I've checked some used 10mm witness prices, and netting $300 is about what you can expect. It looks to me like he's coming down to $600, in all honesty.

Setting the trade value about right, $600 is not a bad deal for a 29-2 with that barrel and in nickel, especially if he has an original box or case. That would be a good deal. Actually, if it had a presentation box, it would be a darned attractive deal.

But I also would agree that I would only want that barrel length for long range target work or long range hunting. That is about all it is practical for. When it comes to a model 29, I prefer a 4" or 3" barrel for carry and use. 4" is a good length as under 50 yards or so it is as accurate as the 6", and it is easy to carry on a shoulder holster and not bad on a belt. 6" guns get unwieldy to me if I am thinking of carrying them. I do have one 6 1/2" barreled N-frame I carry periodically -but only in a shoulder rig and even then it's a bit uncomfortable - I am 5'10" - if you are much taller it may not bother you as much. I find the 3" and round butt a breeze to carry, and it is just as shootable as a square butt 4" with the proper grips. These are the things I'd focus on if i were you before buying into a pricey gun.

Have you checked east side dealers? I was thinking of popping into some this weekend - I could let you know what's in their used inventory (don't worry, I'm not going to "scoop" you - I'm not in the market for another .44 - or really anything else right now!).