Revolver trade advice...

[saturno_v]

I have a S&W 29-2 nickel finish with an 8 3/8 barrel and original wood grips.

It is in excellent condition (only a barely noticeable very little scratch toward the muzzle on the right side), when keep the trigger depressed it locks like a vault, no wiggle whatsoever.

Yesterday, visiting one of my favourite gun shop in the area, I saw an identical 29-2 (same barrel length 8 3/8, pinned and recessed, original wood grips) blued.

I never been a fan of nickel finished or stainless steel guns, I like more the blue finishing.

I thought about trading it (at no more than par.....nickel finishing should command a higher price) but the revolver is not exactly in the same conditions as mine.....it ihas a little bit of fading blueing towarsd the muzzle (not too much but definitely noticeable) and the cylinder it has a little bit of very noticeable wiggle when you depress the trigger.

Both mine and this revolver do not come with an original box or cleaning kit.

Should I pass??


Thanks!!

 

[Youngrevolver]

I would pass. You don't really know what you are getting into with the other gun. You know yours is sound and functionable the onther may not be. If you are that unhappy withe the nickle have it blued. Just a thought.

 

[Phydeaux642]

I'm not a big fan of nickel either, but I believe that I would pass. If your gun is in better shape, then I would live with the nickel. If they were equal as far as the condition goes I would trade in heartbeat.

 

[Guillermo]

Count me among those that does not like nickel but your gun is a know quantity.

The only issue that I see is that Smith's are not designed to lock up as tight as yours does. That ain't right.

 

[SaberOne]

If it were me and I really wanted it, I wouldn't let the market value vs. condition affect my decision. Life is too short for me to be a collector.

 

[akadave]

I apologize for not being sure but is the nickel revolver pinned and recessed as well? I do know that this is more desireable. The wiggle can be fixed as can the blueing. If this is a shooter then I definitely would trade but if its a collector then stick to the nickel

 

[girvin02]

I agree with SaberOne. While the blued revolver might not lock up as tight as your nickel one, as long as it is not overly sloppy, I wouldn't discard it for that reason.

The only issue that I see is that Smith's are not designed to lock up as tight as yours does. That ain't right.

Guillermo, not sure where you got that information, but I suspect it was from someone trying to sell you a sloppy gun.

 

[saturno_v]

Yes, mine is pinned and recessed as well.

 

[CraigC]

Sell yours online and buy the blued gun. You'll get screwed in a trade but if you sell yours you will probably come out ahead. Nickel brings a slight premium over blued guns in equal condition.

You don't really know what you are getting into with the other gun. You know yours is sound and functionable the onther may not be. If you are that unhappy withe the nickle have it blued.

Absolutely nothing wrong with buying a used gun if you know what to look for. Having it refinished is the least economically viable option. You ruin the value of the sixgun by refinishing. Older N-frames are harder and harder to come by and commanding higher and higher prices. It would be shooting yourself in the foot to refinish a nice old nickel model 29. Take advantage of the seller's market. Not to mention the cost of having it done. You'd be paying at least $300 to lower the value by half. Net loss about $600. Not smart. You'd be better off just buying the blued gun outright.

 

[saturno_v]

Sell yours online and buy the blued gun. You'll get screwed in a trade but if you sell yours you will probably come out ahead. Nickel brings a slight premium over blued guns in equal condition.

I agree with you, the problem is time...you have to wait to sell yous before buying the new one...unless the shop allows me to put a deposit on it and wait for me to sell mine.

 

[Guillermo]

ot sure where you got that information, but I suspect it was from someone trying to sell you a sloppy gun

"A S&W, on the other hand, normally has a bit of rotational play - which is considered absolutely normal and fine." Grant Cunningham

Smiths must have a slight rotational motion at full lock up. A Smith that locks up like a "vault" with ZERO rotation at full lock up is not functioning correctly.

Personally I have never observed this particular malady.

 

[Walkalong]

My 25-2 locks up tight as a drum. Great shooting gun. None of my other Smiths do. They all have a tiny bit of play. The -2 S&W 29's are P&R guns. You will take a beating trading most liklely, but only you can decide if it is worth it.

 

[girvin02]

Several of mine lock up with zero rotational play, others have varying degrees of play. While some play may be "absolutely normal and fine", that does not make it a desireable trait. There is nothing wrong with guns that lock up "like a bank vault"; those examples are superior specimens.

 

[BCRider]

My own 19 locks up with no descernable play as well. I think they tend to come new that way and develop a slight play as they are used.

 

[Fishslayer]

Pass. You have the better gun.

I saw an excellent condition 8 3/8 29-2 in nickel last month. It was in the case for (I think) 2 days & was gone @ $800.

 

[CraigC]

I agree with you, the problem is time...

Take your sixgun to the shop and see what they'll do. They might offer more than anybody would expect and everybody wins. Be good to know where you would stand on a trade. How much do they want for the blued model?

However, if your starting price is fair, it would probably sell rather quickly at online auction. Layaway might be a good idea, if it's an option.