S&W M29 50th Anniversary Edition

Status
Not open for further replies.
W

Werewolf

Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2003
Messages
4,192
Location
Oklahoma
Was browsing a local gun shop during lunch today and saw the S&W M29 50th anniversary edition.

MAN! That was one very nice revolver. Had my hand on my wallet and it half out of my pocket before I came to my senses. $839 - kind'a steep. But still...

Told my wife about it when I got home from work and she said if ya want it just go buy it. So now I'm conflicted - I mean really conflicted - drivin' me nuts conflicted.

The thing is so darned purty - and not pimp gun or Elvis Presley engraving pretty either - it's freakin' beautiful; a deep blue finish, gold medallion, some of the best wood I've seen on a S&W. Its so durned purty that I'd be hesitant to shoot it and it is my policy to shoot my guns. Ain't no point in havin' one if ya aint'a gonna shoot it. Besides I already have a .44 - a Taurus Raging Bull that shoots really, really really good (took a year's worth of off and on gunsmithing to get it there though) and I ask my self - self what do you need another forty four for?

And then my wife chimes in again when she sees the look on my face and says just go buy it.

I'm sooooooooo confuuuuuused! :banghead:
 
Just buy it. I bought one and I have no regrets. I have also shot mine as I don't plan on it being a safe queen. The model 29 won't be around forever, so you should grab it while you can.
 
Follow your instincts..... buy it AND shoot it. I have a S&W 4" 29 Elmer Keith Commemorative that I own and shoot. I even carry it when hunting. I also have a High Standard Crusader 44mag bought new in the box. It took years to find that one. Yup, shot it and still enjoy it. I apologize if I have made any serious collectors nauseated and sick. I figure in 50 or so years who is going to know the difference?
 
I saw one at the local pusher's several months back. It looks nice... but it will show your use quickly. It is primarily a display piece. If I wanted a shooter, I'd buy a standard SS 6" half-lug 629, SKU #163606, and use the several hundred bucks saved on a Hogue .500 Magnum backstrap-enclosing grip ($35 from S&W Accessories), ammo or reloading supplies, and a super dinner for your kind wife.

Stainz
 
If you are willing to spend that kind of money and like that particular model of gun, for just a little more, you can probably get a M-29 WITHOUT that lock. It isn't a real M-29 (or even a S&W for that matter) if it has that child safety lock, just an PC copy. My opinion anyway.

If the lock doesn't bother you, then you are a Bill Clinton loving commie/pinko loser who is all for gun control and.....just kidding :D If it really doesn't bother you, then go ahead and buy it....and shoot it and enjoy it. You apparently really like it. It might not be there in the gunstore next time, and who knows when the gunstore will get more in or if S&W will discontinue them.
 
Thanks guys - the comments helped.

The lock was the deciding factor. On my other S&W's it's no big deal and doesn't bother me at all. I'd just assumed that a commemorative edition though would be sans lock else it wouldn't really be a M29. A lock in the M29 is the deal breker - so that particular piece won't be coming home with me.

I will be getting a 629 though - eventually - along with my other still want gun which is a Sig P226 in .40 S&W - one or the other within the next month or so.

Again thanks for the comments - they really did help. :)
 
I seen one at my dealers the other day as well and the price was the same. I would bet you could buy one for a little over $700 in less than a year. It wouldn't be too hard to find a mint 29-2 with box and tools for around the same price.
 
If you are willing to spend that kind of money and like that particular model of gun, for just a little more, you can probably get a M-29 WITHOUT that lock. It isn't a real M-29 (or even a S&W for that matter) if it has that child safety lock, just an PC copy.
Click to expand...
+1
 
I also saw and handled one of these commemorative models.

I noticed the MIM hammer first, especially obvious was the UGLY seam from the mold running down the center of the hammer, for $900 they could have sanded the mold line off. :barf: Then there is the lock.:barf: :barf:

The blueing and finish look pretty good other than the UGLY gold seal on the sideplate.

I have a standing order with the shop for a used P&R 29 when they get one from an estate or on consignment or trade.

Buy the real thing it will cost you half as much. JMHO YMMV
 
I will restate part of my earlier post. If you want a shooter, get a current 629. I bought a new 6" 629 nearly a year ago, and fitted the .500 Magnum grips I had tried on my 629MG to it. The combo is fantastic. Sure, a new one will have MIM parts in place of the CCH, but they are extremely more uniform in manufacture and stronger, too. And, rather than have a softer-framed older model, you will have the latest heat-treating - the so called 'Endurance Package'. Why have someone else's problems, ie, a used 29/629, when you can buy a new one for sometimes less? And... you get that great lifetime 800# waranty.

I had to replace my 4" 629MG this spring - and got a new standard 4" 629. It is identical to the 6" I had - just a shorter barrel and a couple of less ounces. I even gripped it the same... despite my wood stock 'appreciation', like it's predecessor. I re-sprung both with standard strength Wolff's - to pop anyone's commercial .44 Magnum primers. Then, reality struck - I had my fill of 'thumpers' with my years of shooting .454 Casulls from my SRH some time back - and traded it. My .44 Magnums were 'wimpy' by most standards, my 300gr LSWC @ 885 fps, for example. I went to lower effort Wolff's and my usual .44 Special loads - many in Magnum cases. Most early 29/629 users were the opposite, shooting the hottest ammo they could find, thus the frame stretching problems.

Good luck with whatever you get... keep us updated!

Stainz
 
. . . a new one will have MIM parts in place of the CCH, but they are extremely more uniform in manufacture and stronger, too.
Click to expand...
First time I've seen a claim that MIM parts are STRONGER than forged, machined, heat treated and case-hardened parts. :rolleyes:

And "unformity" doesn't necessarily mean better.

The "endurance package" made its appearance with pre-lock, pre-MIM Model 29s and 629s . . . IIRC, it began with the -2E revision.
 
A nice 29-2 in my corner of the Great Pacific NorthWet will usually set you back $500-$650. Depending on condition and accessories.
Click to expand...

Prices are higher there than here.

Lat summer I purchased a 629-2 with the unfluted cyliner target hammer and trigger 6" full underlug barrel, made about 1983 IIRC. It was basically unfired. local dealer took it on a trade and had it priced at 450. I offered $400 and they were happy to sell it for that. They currently have a new 629 6" less than a year old with the lock, with a a scope mounted on it sitting in the case for sometime, now at $500. IIRC its on consignment.
 
The cheapest for the Anniversary edition I have seen here in California is $1150.

FC
 
Recessed cylinder and pinned barrel=Nice stuff

I like the older 29-2 models for the reasons listed above!

Grab one now as the prices on the early one's are going crazy.
 
For that same amount of money you could buy a pinned and recessed Model 29, or even one that's not pinned and recessed that's just as nice looking as the one in the shop, but was made when they were still nicely blued Model 29s. There are plenty around. I have one of the old ones. Shoots great. Looks great. But then, I think you should buy the new one so there are more of the nice old ones around for me. :neener:
 
I lusted and lusted after a 6" or 6.5" 29 for a long time. Was originally going to find a nice 29-2, but still haven't found a nice one. When the anniversary guns came out I looked one over and was pleased with what I saw. Only thing I didn't like was that anniversary medallion. Hated it. Didn't like the Thunder Ranch one either. Then, when I was ready to admit defeat and buy the anniversary gun, my favorite dealer got a 29-10 without the gold plated S&W marque. Bought it last month. Beautiful gun. The grips aren't quite right (they're not true S&W grips - all you guys who have the older S&Ws with the factory target stocks know what I mean) but I love the gun. I plan on shooting it. Maybe a box or so at the most of full power stuff. Then I'll pamper it with .44 specials. Not being an anniversary edition, I didn't get the wood presentation case (it's available separately anyway), but it really wasn't necessary and I did get the gun for $100 less than the anniversary editions he had. I may still pick up a 29-2 if I stumble across one that's pristine.

FWIW, I couldn't care less about the lock. Don't like it, but it's not a deal breaker for me.
 
Since this thread has been revived, it is worth noting that Smith is now making a Model 29 just like the Anniversary Edition, but without the gold seal. It's a tad cheaper and makes a better shooter, I think. I am hoping Santa brings one to me this year.
 
Wait til you see the nickel version. It is GORGEOUS!

I don't care for these aforementioned 6" 629s and the Classic line and what have you. I want the 6.5". That's the proper, Dirty Harry length and even when found used they ain't cheap!
 
That's true, when you can find an original 6.5" it's a good bit over a grand, if it's in any kind of condition. But I sure hate that key hole, and the MIM hammer/trigger, and the floating firing pins on the new ones. To me they all spell corruption of a great design.
 
The great design has been corrupted many, many years ago.

We didn't go from from 5 screws to three to make em pretty.
 
Model 29-10

I'm with Southpaw Shootr, if you can't get the one you love, love the one you get. Old models are difficult to come by when living in the Republic of CA.

The M29-10 is the only one still on the approved list-other than the new commemorative. Mine was a Lew Horton special and came with choice Ahrends grips-not coke bottles, but sweet. They even put back the fourth screw!;)

It has rapidly become my favorite, and I love shooting it with everything from full house mags to cowboy specials. I'm not much of a shooter, but I can bang the gong out at 100 yds more often than not with it.

I have never been much of a Collector type-I have guns that I want to get, but always to shoot. And lock or no lock, this one shoots better than I do:D
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

A
  • Locked
S&W Model 27 50th Anniversary Price Check
Replies
2
Views
503
Oro
O
10MMGary
  • Locked
looking for a 50th Anniversary Edition Ruger 357Mag
Replies
24
Views
2K
foghornl
F
minutemen1776
  • Locked
50th Anniversary Blackhawk
2
Replies
25
Views
3K
frankiestoys
F
E
  • Locked
Trigger for S&W Model 29-10 50th Anniversary Model
Replies
5
Views
804
Old Fuff
O
HKGuns
  • Locked
First Revolver -Did I do OK?
2
Replies
28
Views
1K
Swing
Swing
Back
Top