Stumbled across a nice Model 29...

Z

Zander

Moderator
...yesterday at a local shop when I went in to buy some range ammo.

It's a -3, P&R'd, 6" bbl.; deep, deep blueing, original grips. I'd say about 98% or so. Lockup was super tight. Doesn't look like it has been shot much.

He has it marked $499, which is high, but he's known to dicker a bit.

Anybody interested [so I won't be tempted]?
 
Thanks for the heads up.
Tis high for me too though.

Some folks have tack drivers..
Those things are spike drivers.
Love em.

Sam
 
Guys,

I think the -3 is not P&R. I think the -2 was the last one like that.

As for price, my local gunshop had one going for the same price. I've not seen a 29 less than $499 where I'm at.
 
My 29-3 is not p & r'd and I paid 425.00;in I'd say 95% condition. 499 sounds a little high but hey if you like it make an offer. It's only money and you'd be happy. What price for happiness I ask?
 
Tough audience. LOL!

Sure enough, it's not P&R'd...but the Model 19 in the case next to it is. Excuse the hiccup.

Anyone know the approximate changeover date between 29-2 and 29-3 models? And was there a transition which might have included pinning but not recessing or vice versa?

Methinks I need to look for a certain 2nd Edition at the gun show tomorrow. ;)
 
The change would have occurred around 1981-82. There may be some that are just pinned or, more likely, just recessed and those are referred to as 'transition' guns. $499 is high, to me, for even a P&R gun. I paid $395 for a 98% stainless steel 629 recently at a Houston gun show and a blue is worth even less. I saw a 29 P&R sell for $325 at the Tulsa show last year, I missed out because the guy the owner was talking to bought it. The one you have there is worth $300-$350 IMO.
 
Looks like I did good late last year!! Got a -2, good condition except for match head size bluing loss on cylinder. I have changed the front sight to a Patridge type. Price was somewhat under $400.00.
 
In my cheapskate opinion, a P&R N frame is a good buy at $350 or less. Higher than that and you just want the gun too much. I am not saying you are wrong for buying at a higher price, but that you want it too much.
 
I agree with the last post. Big revolvers just don't sell that well around here. You can find N frames for under $400 with no problem. There may be differences in region of country though - prices are likely to be higher in California or areas with few gunshops and high overhead. If you REALLY like the gun - BUY IT... You will regret it later and $50 one way or the other is not going to make a difference if you keep the gun for a long time and maybe pass it along to your grandkids... I waste that much money buying coffee in a few months. Speaking of which maybe I should give up espresso and buy more N frames...

- Makarov
 
Ain't it amazing...

now, I may be showing my ignorance (again), but wasn't the 29 the "Dirty Harry" gun??

Man, I remember in the 70's when those movies were out

guys were paying over $800 (in 1970's dollars)

so, you hard core S&W fans...does the 29 have the great trigger and lock-up reknown in the "old" Smiths???

If so, it seems to me these may be the "screaming deal" we all will talk about 20 years from now
 
The 29 was the Dirty Harry gun, except, IIRC correctly for my movie trivia, they had to use a .357 in the first flick 'cause they couldn't get their hands on a .44/M29 ....

29s were hard to come by at that time & did command a premium. Same gun, 10 years later was 1/2 the price.

Had an old 4" S-frame way back. A very nice shooter.

Another movie trivia piece .... how many times did Dirty Harry really shoot in his famous "I forget in all the excitement - do you feel lucky, punk?"

Looking at it many, many times, looks like he only shot five rounds & when dropping the hammer on the "punk," should've "blown his head clean off."

But I've been wrong before.
 
Picked up my 29-3 10 5/8 barrel about a year ago, not pinned or recessed, about 475.00 in 98%. I thought the price was high but the gotta haves got me.:D
 
Labgrade, I think you are right about five shots being fired. I have a copy on VHS and after watching it several times, I can only count five. Besides, when Dirty Harry drew down on that last bank robber, he cocked the hammer. When he pulled the trigger, the gun was back in double action mode as the cylinder can be seen rotating.
 
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