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AR15.COM
8/15/2007 8:41:55 AM EDT
I got the Bass Pro fall sale ad the other day and noticed it had a S&W Model 29 with 6" barrel for $950 or so. Being a big Dirty Harry fan I'd love to have one, but not for that much green. Have these been recently re-introduced or have they been producing them all along?

As with a lot of other guns these days I wonder if recent production can match the quality of older production.
8/16/2007 9:32:59 AM EDT
[#1]
They started making them again in their "Classic" Series. Complete crap in my opinion. Different lock work, stupid key lock, and internal mounted firing pin instead of a hammer mounted firing pin.

It's two complete different revolvers in my opinion. Not worth the money. You can still get a real Model 29 for a pretty good deal if you shop around at the gun shows and used shelves at gun stores.

Also don't forget pawn shops.
8/16/2007 9:37:40 AM EDT
[#2]

Quoted:
They started making them again in their "Classic" Series. Complete crap in my opinion. Different lock work, stupid key lock, and internal mounted firing pin instead of a hammer mounted firing pin.

It's two complete different revolvers in my opinion. Not worth the money. You can still get a real Model 29 for a pretty good deal if you shop around at the gun shows and used shelves at gun stores.

Also don't forget pawn shops.


I wouldn't buy a used model 29. They had alot of problems with that model, and most of the ones that I have seen have been subjected to alot of abuse. I bought a used model 29 once and wound up having so many problems with the thing that it wasn't even worth fixing.
8/16/2007 4:29:01 PM EDT
[#3]
Man, I have three used Model 29s and one prelock 629. Never had any issues with them. All four were bought used.
8/18/2007 7:52:01 PM EDT
[#4]
Lot's of 29's were bought in the Dirty Harry heyday and were little used because people didn't like the recoil. I wouldn't hesitate to but a used one from the 70's or 80's.
8/19/2007 3:21:24 PM EDT
[#5]
I like my 29's I have them in blue, nickel and stainless steel

I like shooting them - a LOT
8/19/2007 4:47:45 PM EDT
[#6]
You can buy a nice pre-lock M29 for a lot less money than the price of one of those
new "classic" ones.  I wouldn't be afraid of buying one either- just inspect it throughly.

If you know anything about revolvers you can tell when a M29 has a lot of
miles on it.  They develop excessive end shake, timing problems and wear on the
lock parts, recoil shield, firing pin bushing , etc.  All of this will give a good indication
if one of these guns has been shot a lot and/or abused.

I also wouldn't pay good money for a new one with the ugly wart on the side that
they call an internal lock.  Which is just an unnecessary piece of junk that could cause
something like the gun to lock up when you shoot it.  Plus, it looks bad while its doing it.  
8/20/2007 6:55:42 AM EDT
[#7]
Buy used.  I own or have owned five S&W M29's or 629's and they all function fine, and are still as accurate as I'd expect them to be from the factory.  One of them was made back in 1973.

If you're a real Dirty Harry fan, you need to get a 6-1/2" M29-2.
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