S&W making 29's again?

[vanfunk]

Hi Folks,
I just returned from my FNGS after shopping for, but not buying, various rifles, shotguns, and handguns.

One of the items I discovered for sale was a brand-new S&W model 29 with a 6.5 inch barrel. I made a cursory note to myself to investigate the matter, and went back to looking at the Benelli M1 I've been contemplating.

The trouble is, now I can't get the thought of that new model 29 outta my head! I have a recent S&W catalog that doesn't list the model 29, or even make mention of a reintroduction. It was most certainly not one of those "heritage" deals - this was a straight-up new production model 29 with lovely satin-finished grips. It was priced at $579, which is pretty much in line with LNIB examples of used 29-3's and such around here.

I'm contemplating taking off work tomorrow to go and buy the thing.

Anyone have the scoop on this?

Oh, and anyone know why I want an expensive, hard-kicking revolver with a fragile finish, that's pricey to feed and will undoubtedly scare my fiance?

Thanks!
vanfunk

 

[another48hrs]

Here's some threads about it:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=58326&highlight=298

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12608&highlight=298

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=144572&highlight=298

 

[vanfunk]

Thanks! That's just the kind of info I was looking for.

vanfunk

 

[another48hrs]

No problem.

Oh, and anyone know why I want an expensive, hard-kicking revolver with a fragile finish, that's pricey to feed and will undoubtedly scare my fiance?

Do you really need to ask.

 

[ditzel-fritz]

vanfunk,,
Sorry to burst your bubble, but the M29 you saw was in fact related to the Heritage line. In fact, the 6 1/2" barrel model you are looking at was a special production run from early last year timeframe, made up from the unused Heritage frames. If you look closely, the sideplate will have 4 screws, which is a clear indication that it is a Heritage frame.
Nice gun, Ahrends grips not-withstanding. Key lock standard.

D-F

 

[vanfunk]

Ditzel,
Thanks for the info. What I meant to infer in my comment about the "heritage" line was that the revolver I saw (now known to be a 29-8) was not actually a "heritage" revolver. I did presume some connection between the two (given the screw issue); my thrill was enhanced when I saw that the 29-8 had a heavy barrel and was closer to the "29" of yore than the oddly named "heritage" revolver. I do lament the addition of the lock; that just aint right on a gun like this.

I'm going to take another look at it tomorrow.

Thanks!
vanfunk

 

[stans]

I have seen a couple of the new 29-8's. They don't look bad. The blue does not seem to be as nice as what you would see on a NIB 29 or 29-2, but it is still very nice. These are also being sold as the "Dirty Harry" 44, those special guns also come with a reproduction of the badge he used in the films.