S&W 44 Mag...New or used?

B

Big Caliber

New member
I am looking to buy a "Dirty Harry" type S&W model 29. I've been somewhat out of touch with the current condition of the markets. Are the new Smith's any good or should I try looking in the used markets? I have heard that S&W is now manufacturing their products in Turkey, of all places? I had a 29 variant back about 20 years ago that was incredibly accurate, but in a mental lapse, I traded it for a Ruger SBH. I neeed another Smith! Anybody care to opine? Thanks.
 
S&W is not making revolvers in Turkey. They were selling some shotguns that were Turkish (IIRC), but I don't know if they still are.

New ones are just fine, but some *really* hate the internal lock (on a steel N frame gun, it won't be an issue). IMO, I'd have a good look to see if I could find a used one that fit my desires just to save some cash, but if I couldn't I'd not feel bad about buying new.
 
You should be able to find a pretty nice 6 in. 29-2 or - in the $600 range after negotiating a bit.

There are nice ones out there and they do shoot pretty good. I don't like them much with really full house loads but loaded down to shoot 180/240 gr SWC, they are FUN!

There is still enough poop there to ruin the day for a bad guy.

Geetarman:D
 
Agreed. I really like my 6" 29-2 as its trigger is unreal. I just can't shoot hot loads in it as it really hurts. My DA Rugers don't. It is much more refined and it is an accurate wheel gun as well!
 
I don't know anything about the new ones, other than the fact they're not made in Turkey.

I've got a 29-2 from the late 70's early 80's. I forget which. It would be hard to find a nicer looking, better shooting gun. I believe the newer ones are a little bigger and heavier than the older guns, but I don't know that for sure. Maybe they just look it, but it seems the frames are beefie. The older ones are just beautiful. If they still make anything like this, I haven't seen it.

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Now, I freely admit that I don't shoot a lot of hot magnum loads in it. I don't hunt with it. I don't shoot at steel plates WAY out there. I don't worry about shooting anyone with it. I shoot it for the fun of it and 44 specials, work just fine for that and I can shoot them in my 21-4, "Thunder Ranch" 44 Special.

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That's a fairly recently manufactured gun, as the lock shows. The lock which has never been an issue BTW. The fit and finish on this gun are just as nice as on the older one IMO. The gun shoots just as well. I don't know if they still make anything like this in 44 Magnun, or if they do at all. I found it on a used rack.

I guess the short version of that is the used rack is always my first stop.
 
I believe the newer ones are a little bigger and heavier than the older guns, but I don't know that for sure.
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Bigger, no.

AFAIK the newer ones are not necessarily heavier; it's just that S&W has progressively marketed more variants with heavier barrel profiles to address complaints about excessive recoil.
 
They are okay but after the last two I purchased one cannot deny they are not as smooth as the older ones.
 
Whoever told you that S&W is making guns in Turkey is way off. As for new or used, it really depends on what you like. I always start looking at the older models then work my way up to catalog items if I don't have a specific gun in mind.
 
I have a 29-2 with the 8 3/8" bbl that I might be interested in selling. More of a 357 Guy, but that's just me. It is blue and comes with the original presentation box with cleaning kit and manuals. Made in 1975.

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But I'm going to need more than $600 for it. Let me know if interested.
 
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You should be able to find a pretty nice 6 in. 29-2 or - in the $600 range after negotiating a bit.
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I have a 4” 29-2 and it would take a heck of a lot more than $600 to let it go.
 
I have a 29-2 with the 8 3/8" bbl that I might be interested in selling.
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You should be able to find a pretty nice 6 in. 29-2 or - in the $600 range after negotiating a bit.
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You guys aren't noticing his location. He's in california. I submit he can not find a 29-2 at any price since a) that model cannot be imported into the state except by a LEO or by a FFL dealer. And, b) since the ordinary citizen cannot buy it except from another ordinary citizen.

If, and it's a big if, he could find one, it's definitely not going to be in the $600 range.

To the OP. If you want a pinned and recessed 44, go online and order a copy of the ATF's "Curio and Relic" list. The early P&R S&W revolvers are old enough so that you could buy a C&R. That's how I got my first Smith (pre 27) with a 3 1/2 inch barrel.

Otherwise, you're probably going to have to settle for the internal lock.
 
If, and it's a big if, he could find one, it's definitely not going to be in the $600 range... If you want a pinned and recessed 44, go online and order a copy of the ATF's "Curio and Relic" list. The early P&R S&W revolvers are old enough so that you could buy a C&R. That's how I got my first Smith (pre 27) with a 3 1/2 inch barrel.
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Although this is a decent idea in concept, I disagree that this will save the OP any money. Model 29 sales didn't really take off until the movie "Dirty Harry" was released in 1971; this is why the M29-2 and later variants outnumber the pre-M29, no-dash, and M29-1 by several orders of magnitude. Very few post-1971 M29s are C&R except for a handful of commemorative editions.

Most M29s old enough to be C&R under the 50-year rule sell well into the low 4-figure range. :eek:
 
I disagree that this will save the OP any money
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I didn't suggest the C&R route to save money.

I'm saying he'll not be able to find a P&R 44 in california at any price. I was responding to the above posts who told him to find a 29-2. One even intimated he might be willing to sell his own.

I was living in cal when the "approved" list law was passed. The supply of pinned Smiths dried up really fast. I was driving all over the state finding the last ones.

The only way a handgun not on california's approved list can be imported into that state is a) if bought by a LEO, b) bought by a FFL (who, in turn, cannot sell it in state except to a LEO or another FFL, c) if someone were to move into the state bringing such a handgun with him, or d) if it's a handgun on the ATF's C&R list. Anything on that list is legal to be brought into the state.

Unless the OP is a LEO or FFL, the C&R route is his only choice for a P&R 44.
 
Better to go new...in this case.

I usually prefer to buy used. I've been trying to get a used S&W 29 for a while now. Can't seem to find any. People want more for the used ones then I can buy at Bud's for new.

Even if I have to kick in $50 - $100 for a new gun its better then getting a small price reduction on something used. IMHO
 
When I was in the market for a S&W .44 Magnum a few years ago, I looked around to see if I could find anything I liked on the used market. The best I found was a very, very rough M29-3 with a price tag of $700 on it. I promptly went to my favorite dealer and ordered a brand new 629-6 for less.

If you can find a used M29 or 629 that lights your fire for a good price then by all means get it. However, for a "working gun" I could not justify paying more money for a used revolver than what I could get a brand new one for.
 
Their revolvers are not made in Turkey. Some will say that the new ones aren't as nice as the older ones, but S&W still makes some of the best revolvers in the market.

I'd shop around for a lightly used one but worse case, go new.
 
If looking for used, the model 29-5 and later models (-6, -7, etc.) and the model 629-3 and later models have the latest improvements to the lockwork making them stronger than earlier models, before 1990.

Although I have not handled one, most people don't like the newer versions with the key lock. Does anyone know the model numbers which started the key locks?
 
I prefer the older versions as well ...like the mod 29-2 .../and you can still get 4" or 6" versions in my area for under $ 750 blued ....in excellent condition. If you find a Nickel version its often $ 100 - $200 more...

In 2001 - with the 29-8 revision ...they started with the internal frame locks on the model 29's...

the newer stainless versions - the model 629's are good guns as well...produced from 1979 to date....
 
I am pretty sure anything after 29-4 has the firing pin mounted in the frame and not on the hammer as well if that matters to you at all.
 
I'm partial to the older guns. I've owned a pre model 29 and a 29-3. IMHO, it would be worth the time,money and effort to go with an older 29
 
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