S&W 29-3 Is it worth it?

[Cougfan2]

Hi guys. I was at the local gun store today on my lunch break and he had an S&W 29-3 used in 85-90% condition for $449.00. Is this a good deal? I've heard the 29-2 and earlier renditions are more desireable guns. Is this so and if so why?

Thanks

 

[Thernlund]

I don't have the catalog in front of me, but a (very) quick price check around the internet says that $449 is a decent price. Hard to know without inspecting it though.

Not sure about your other question.


-T.

 

[Catherine]

We had two S&W Model 29s in 29-2 and 29-3. They sold for a LOT more than the price that you are quoting above. (Six or 6.5 inch barrels. I can't remember now - sorry.)

One was in the wood box, papers, tools, etc. Bought from the original owner.

The other one did not have the wood box. Gift from the original owner to me.

Outstanding condition on both of them. Great shooters. If I had more firearms in 44 caliber than 45Colts... most likely I would have kept them BOTH.

The buyers were VERY pleased and still are.

I shot 44Magnums but I shot 44 SPECIALS way, way more! Great guns. I liked the Model 629 that I rented at my gun store/gun range back east too circa 1998-2001. I used that Model 29 and my Ruger Blackhawk 45COLT (Still have it.) for my woods gun. I used an Uncle Mike's shoulder holster for mine. My husband has tons of conceal and open carry holsters. Nice leather ones and a plain UM's one like mine too. So he used several types of holsters for HIS Model 29.

Catherine

 

[harmonic]

If it passes these tests.........

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=1430

.............I think that's a fine price.

The difference between the 29-2 vs the 29-3 is that the former still had the pinned barrels and recessed chambers. Those features added somewhat to the collectability and desirability of the 29-2, but both series were excellent shooters.

 

[musher]

Well condition is everything. 85-90% is a long ways from excellent condition, so I'd expect the price to be substantially less than an excellent specimen would bring.

In that condition, the gun's a shooter, not a collector's item. I don't think I'd be ready to pay quite that much.

 

[Hawk]

I've heard the 29-2 and earlier renditions are more desireable guns. Is this so and if so why?

I may well be in the minority on this but sometimes engineering "improvements" actually were... improvements, that is. I'd personally prefer a -3E or -4 simply for the endurance package. Nothing wrong with a -3 or -2 but I can't picture myself paying extra for elimination of the endurance upgrade.

That's assuming one intends to shoot the thing, of course. 29s are kinda scarce around here - I believe I'd be all over a -3 for 459.00 at 90%.

 

[Gator]

It's pretty hard to find any N frame these days for less than $400.

 

[Majic]

I wouldn't be too quick to jump at that price if the gun is only 85 to 90%. Time to do some serious haggling if the revolver is mechanically tight.

 

[Guillermo]

In my neck of the woods, that is a good price.

Don't forget the putstanding sticky on how to evaluate a revolver

 

[Harbinger]

At that price and condition, in my neck of the woods it would be sitting on the shelf for some time. Like Majic said, do some haggling if she's mechanically sound.

 

[Cougfan2]

I guess when I say 85-90% I may not understand what that means. The gun has no visible scratches, no pitting or rust evidence and just a little blue wear on the end of the muzzle. Other than that, it locks up tight and the trigger pull is excellent.

 

[Gator]

A little muzzle wear only would put it in the high 90's. From your description it sounds like a 97-98% gun.

 

[Ala Dan]

I also agree, that $449 is a very fair price for a S&W model 29-3, in
the condition you describe. Sometimes, bargains are too be had in
the "Used Gun" department; and it sounds like you found one~!

 

[machinisttx]

Meh.

The -3 changes were the elimination of the counterbored cylinder and pinned barrel. The very late -3(stamped -3E) guns received Endurance Package upgrades, as did the later engineering changes(higher numbers after the dash).

-3 guns are the red headed stepchild of the M29s. They weren't made like the "old guns" and didn't have the improvements of the new guns, and as such, they generally bring less money than either earlier or later model guns. The price you quoted seems to be about average for them. I could have picked one up not long ago for under $400, but passed because it was a well used gun--still looked gun, but had been shot extensively and was loose.