S & W Model 29 for the Dirty Harry fan?

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nachosgrande

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Kinda last minute, but I need a decent gift for my father in law for Christmas and he's the world's biggest Dirty Harry fan. However, he's not much of a gun guy. He's ex-military, and can handle firearms, but doesn't own one today. Just wondering if anyone here thought that a Model 29 would be a good gift under these circumstances.

Also, does anyone know if it comes in a nice box, and how do you buy a gun for someone else? Do I buy it under my name for the surprise and then do the FFL transfer later?
 
Buy it in your name and gift it to him. Since you are in fact the actual purchaser of the firearm, it is OK to answer Yes to that question on the 4473. Some states require this transfer to be done through a licensed dealer.
 
he's not much of a gun guy.
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I think you answered your own question. It would be money wasted.

But him the deluxe Dirty Harry DVD pack instead. He might actually get some use out of it.

But if he's not a "gun guy" he won't appreciate a 29.
 
When I say he's not a gun guy, I mean he's not like us. He talks about guns from time to time, and talks ballistics of different ammo, etc, but just doesn't, as far as I know, own any guns or go shooting anymore.

He would still know the difference between a quality or junk firearm.
 
doesn't, as far as I know, own any guns or go shooting anymore
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Again, I just don't think he would really appreciate a P&R M29. If he were the type to appreciate such a weapon, he would probably at least own some guns.

But it's your money.
 
You do know that Dirty Harry didn't use a Model 29 right?

The propmaster for the the original movie has said the gun actually shown on film is a Model 57 in .41 Mag :)

Apparently he couldn't get hold of a Model 29 in time for filming to start.

Anyway, just movie trivia, it was certainly intended to me a .44 Mag.
 
You do know that Dirty Harry didn't use a Model 29 right?

The propmaster for the the original movie has said the gun actually shown on film is a Model 57 in .41 Mag

Apparently he couldn't get hold of a Model 29 in time for filming to start.

Anyway, just movie trivia, it was certainly intended to me a .44 Mag.
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And incorrect trivia at that... ;)

"Another version of the Dirty Harry gun story: In the scene where we see Inspector Callahan drawing his oversized revolver for the first time, the gun used was a Smith & Wesson Model 29 in .44 Magnum with an 8 3/8" barrel, but subsequent shooting (both with the cameras and the gun) was conducted using a Smith and Wesson Model 25 in .45 Long Colt with a 6" barrel. The choice of .45LC over .44 Magnum was to use the standard "Five-In-One" blank cartridges, which were widely used in filming cowboy movies, and thus readily available."

"However, the film's co-writer, John Milius, who owns one of the original guns from Dirty Harry and its sequel, Magnum Force, has written in gun magazines that a .44 Magnum was indeed used for filming and publicity shots."
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At least one article indicates that it may have been a tool room sample built by Archie Dubia, then head of the S&W armorer's school, because production Model 29s were very hard to get in the early 70s.

In any event, the movie's director, John Milius, has either given or loaned that Model 29 to the NRA museum. It now sports a non-original "plaque" set into the grip memorializing the history and provenance of the revolver.
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The story about it possibly being a M25 is easy to refute... the M25 in .45LC wasnt out till the mid 70s... and the m25 in .45 acp would have had an easy to spot gap in front of the cyl.


Jim
 
My dad doesn't shoot much anymore either (only rarely when both my brother and I go back home and drag him to the range).

If he were a Dirty Harry fan he'd still very much appreciate the gift of a Model 29 even though it would nothing but a safe queen (like the other guns he owns).

Now would be a perfect time to get one too as they've re-released the Model 29.

They also sell nice presentation cases here


You do know that Dirty Harry didn't use a Model 29 right?
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That is 100% incorrect.

You may be correct that Clint Eastwood did not use a Model 29 as a prop, but Harry Callahan (aka Dirty Harry) carried a Smith & Wesson Model 29 .44magnum. It said so right there in the script.
 
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he doesn't have to shoot to appreciate this as a gift!

I know someone who is constantly buying and collecting firearms, however, rarely goes shooting.
 
You may be correct that Clint Eastwood did not use a Model 29 as a prop, but Harry Callahan (aka Dirty Harry) carried a Smith & Wesson Model 29 .44magnum. It said so right there in the script.
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Oh sure, the script and storyline clearly indicate M29, but the stories about the propmaster being unable to obtain an M29 during filming have been around for a very long time.

The Wikipedia article above disputes it, so who knows.
 
Years ago I used to be heavily into guitars ... this little guitar shop I frequented always had some real nice rare and high end vintage guitars.

The proprietor had several clients that he kept an eye out for valuable collector guitars. He said most of the top collectors didn't play.
 
I had an article once that specifically said that one of the guns was bored out to take the .45 colt blanks that were plentiful on the set.

Tim
 
Just buy him the movies...and buy yourself the mod 29. Let him shoot when you go visit! :D You'll both be happy. He watches the movies while you clean the revolver.

Mark
 
Someone once said; Fathers GIVE guns to their sons. Sons LOAN guns to their fathers.

So even if he never shoots it, someday you'll have a real nice M29 but in the mean time you'll likely make an old man very happy.
 
"I bought myself this S&W .44 Magnum revolver, the most powerful handgun in the world, but I decided, for Christmas, I'd let you borrow it for the rest of your life."

:) How's that? I've gifted my father guns before simply under the pretext that he doesn't "do something stupid like shoot yourself in the foot or will it away to Lindsay..." (my sister)
 
Why not?

Add a box or two 240 SWCs and the std S&W Presentation case.

Beats a neck tie, and could conceiveabily might be useful to someone in the family.


salty
 
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