Need info on older Smith N frame revolvers

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emc

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I'm in the market for a short barreled, large bore revolver, and happened across a blued Smith M29 .44 Mag with a 4 inch barrel at one of the local gun shops. I'm looking for something to use for target practice, pin matches, and occasional use as a nightstand gun. I'm intending on handloading and developing some appropriate midrange loads for whatever I get. Unfortunately, I was short on time, but the gun looked good. This is an older 29, with the pinned barrel. Due to the lack of time, I did not have a chance to get the dealer to remove the tie wrap that they had preventing the cylinder from being swung out, so I don't know what version of the 29 this is. Other than the pinned barrel, the four inch barrel was not tapered, but did not have the ejector shroud extend to the end of the barrel. This was the classic square butt N frame. The single action trigger pull was quite nice, while the double action was decent, but heavy. (I would expect that this could be improved upon.) Priced at roughly $450, it seemed to be in good condition, with the target trigger and hammer and white outline rear sight. The front sight was not the red ramp, as far as I can recall.

I've heard people discuss the desirability of the older model Smiths from a quality and finish standpoint (Like Majic's comments on the Smith Mod. 25s in another thread), so I'd like some feedback on how good or bad this revolver may happen to be. The other 629s, 657s, 25s and 625s at the dealership were all somewhere in the $600 to $690 range.

Any thoughts or comments? Inquiring minds want to know! :D

Thanks,

Ed
 
We would need much more information to give you the best reply, but if it is in good shape, $450 should be a good price. If you can give us the serial number we can help date it for you. And how is the finish? Is it worn, worn at certain points, etc.

I'd LOVE to find an early 4" Model 29 at such a price.
 
After reading your post, I called the gun shop in order to get the extra information. (They're about 120 miles away.) Sad to say, the 29 has already been sold, which was quick, since I was only in there on 9/13. In answer to the finish, the gun had probably 99% or so. There was no wear through on the bluing, and only some scuffing here and there as you would find with any blued pistol.

Oh well, that's ONE way to save money, I guess......:(

Thanks for the help!

Ed
 
Once again,you snooze you lose.

Too bad, that was a very good price for a quality gun.

Bob
 
It sounds like it would have been excellent at that price.

But there's something wrong about the front sight. All 29's had a red ramp. Didn't they?
 
It takes a little experience, but you eventually learn enough to be able to trust your gut instinct about whether a gun is right for you and whether the price is right. When that happy day comes, you will buy, or at least drop a deposit on, a gun like that and not wait to ask anyone if you did OK.

Jim
 
Target sights were available also. The problem with the red insert on a sunny day compared with a black sight was that it glowed so much you instinctively pulled it down to see the target !! I replaced many of them in the metallic silhouette game and told the shooter to readjust the sights - they would be off by two cilcks at 50 Yards !! They shook their heads but found out I was right...You are suposed to focus on the front sight which is only about two feet away so you don't need to have a red sight to"pick up easier "...The same thing for my Benelli it came with a glowing sight which was terrible squirrel hunting -a very different picture whether you're in the shade or in sunlight.
 
Concerning the sight picture, mete is right. The earlier model 29's came with red inserts in the front sight. If this revolver had something else it was either part of a special run, or the original sight had been replaced.

emc:

You lost out on what could have been a super buy because you didn't know what too do, and someone else that was more knowledgeable walked in and jumped. Over the years I have made some excellent (and profitable) buys because I recognized what a gun was the first time I saw it. Why? because I was smart enough to by the reference books that contained the information I needed. Sure the books were expensive (or at least seemed so at the time) but after a few great purchases they paid for themselves.

Do what I and FPrice and many others on this forum have done and blow thirty bucks or so on a book titled: "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas. The next time an interesting S&W comes along you won't be caught flat-footed.
 
I love mine. It's a 4 screw from 1959.
052329.jpg


Randy
 
Thanks for the book reference, Fuff! Very helpful! I've heard occasional mention of some book written by a guy with the unusual name of Supica, but didn't know what it was all about.

And yes, having some knowledge can make a difference. There have been some times that I did buy on impulse, and regretted it. Each time, it took a chunk out of the wallet. Since I know more about automatics than revolvers (only have one revolver, but I would like to change that!), being cautious is understandable, which is why I posted to begin with.

I'll keep on looking in the meantime....

Ed
 
I should have mentioned that Jim Supica's book also covers all S&W handguns including automatics.

Each time you pick a particular direction to go decide the type (revolver, pistol etc.) that you are interested in, and the most likely make (S&W, Colt, Ruger etc.) that you might like, and buy a book(s) that cover that particular subject. A little searching will reveal that there are few popular guns that haven't been covered by a book(s) and new ones come out every year. As I said before, in the long run they will pay for themselves.
 
Many of the Smith nuts hang out on the Smith & Wesson Forum of which Jim is a member. I just wish Jim would put out a pocket sized reference to carry at gun shows. "Lemme check da book here bud".:D
 
dinosaur...

"but beware, you may find yourself with a great Smith collection but living in a cardboard box!"

Would that be the classic S&W deep blue cardboard box? The gold box from the post-WWII years? Or maybe a nice green box from the turn of the century?
 
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That would have to be the blue box, because there will not be enough money left to be able to buy a gold one.

Bob
 
Originally posted by Old Fuff
I’d stay away from that S&W forum ….

You can get a serious addiction …
Click to expand...

Yes....Addiction.
This is one of my fixes.....a direct result of the S&W forum;)
050295.JPG


Randy
 
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