S&W model 29

[ejpaul1]

So, a co-worker of mine has a model 29 in 44 mag with the 6.5 inch barrel which he has agreed to sell to me for $500.00 with a shoulder holster and a bunch of ammo. This seems a pretty good deal. It is made in 74 and is in dang near mint condition. He is doing this to obtain a SBEII shotgun. Is this an allright deal? EJ

[ColoradoElk]

Hi EJ: I'd say your friend isn't doing you any favors. That price seems kind of high given that new 629s are about $600. Also, S&W discontinued the 29 because the frame wasn't strong enough for the hotter loads available these days.

CE

ORIGINAL: ejpaul1

So, a co-worker of mine has a model 29 in 44 mag with the 6.5 inch barrel which he has agreed to sell to me for $500.00 with a shoulder holster and a bunch of ammo. This seems a pretty good deal. It is made in 74 and is in dang near mint condition. He is doing this to obtain a SBEII shotgun. Is this an allright deal? EJ

I got the exact same gun for 300 dollars. But I definatley got a deal from a guy needing the money. 500 is little high. Unless he has given you 8 boxes of premium (20 dollar/box) of ammo. He originally wanted 400 for it.

[oldelkhunter]

I had the 629 which I bought new in 1984 for probably 600 bucks(must been out of my mind) biggest POS I ever purchased. Shooting 240 grain Rem factory loads thru it and the sideplates came unscrewed all the time.. Hopefully yours is better made

Oldelk, just about every magnumsix shooterI have ever had the screws come loose from Colts to Ruger, to Smiths. I always thought that was the norm. My 29 did the same thing, and clean the screw holes and degreased the screws, and put locktite blue in and hasn't happened in years and thousands of rounds. I shoot this gun alot, so every year, I take those screws out and cleangood and put back together with the locktite.

How are screws coming loose bad made?

[early]

if it was made in '74' it'll have recessed chambers and a pinned barrel. should have a -2 or -3 after the model# on the inside a the yoke. it's worth the $$ if it's on the level. unless yer gonna shoot compitition thousand a full mag loads a year ITS IS STRONG AS YER EVER GONNA NEED. WONT EVER SHOOT LOOSE UNDER NORMAL USE.

my .02cents
early
PS shootin loose means the lockwork not the screws. locktite works on the screws.

Early, whats with the 2 or 3 on model number. Stand for 72 or 73? I have a mod 13 357 mag with 3 after it.

[early]

im not a S&W expert (by any stretch)but i know they discontinued the pinned&recessed in 1978...my mod 29 pinned&recessed has a -2 my mod 29 thats not pinned&recessed is a -3...my mod19 is a -6 the older the gun the smaller the number. but there are differences like 3,4, and 5 screw side plates as well. my refrence book is vague. a more knowlegable person (which there are many) could tell ya more. there are differences that start at certain cerial# ranges as well. if it's pinned and recessed these are often prefered (but not necessarily of great value) buy collecters. according ta my book the mod13 has no great collecter value unless it's a mod13'airforce' denoted by a "M13" on the topstrap. hope that helps.

early

[James B]

I have never had a screw come loose in the Ruger or Taurus Revolver. I have had some 29's but only shoot 44 speial level loads except for hunting. They just are not a Ruger or Dan Wesson. Look at the Raging Bull. Its also a stronger revolver.

[FastShootingCarts]

That's pricey, $500.

I paid $525 in 1994 for my pre-M29 made in 1957. Great shape, original grips. Love that gun.