Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns S&W model 29 question

I found a pair of NIB model 29's. Both guns are unfired, with boxes and paperwork. The guy bought them new in the early eighties. He is wanting to trade them to me. One is an 8 3/8 bbl, and the other is a 6 in. Don't know what the dash number is. Can anyone tell me a ballpark value on each gun? No roll marks, just bought and put away! Thanks

I'd check over on the Smith & Wesson board. Those guys know the value of ANYTHING S&W.

Smith & Wesson Forum

I'd like to find one like that, but I'd be afraid of the price...because I'd probably pay it.

$850 ea.

The dash number and photos matter.

Yup. If they are early 80s dash-3's they are worth less than later, better engineered dash-5's and less than earlier, more finely finished, dash-2's.

That's GOOD information! I know I didn't ask for it, but thanks for posting it. I carried a S&W Model 29 on duty for a while, and in a moment of weakness sold it. The guy I sold it to won't sell it back to me...grumble, grumble, grumble...so, I've been keeping an eye out for one like it.

$1000 at least. More if they are the more desirable -2 or -4.

29-2's had 6 1/2" not 6" barrels

#dashnumbersdomatter.

I'd ballpark them at $1,000 per around here regardless.

If they're dash-2's I'll probably want one.



Travis

WGAF dumbass?

What makes the -2's more desirable?

They're better.




Travis

Early 29s until 1978 had 6.5" barrels. -2s till the -3 in about 1981 had 6" barrels. Even though the -2 6" guns are far more rare for whatever reason they bring less money.

The reason -3s are not as desirable a collectors piece is the perception of S&W collectors that they are inferior because of engineering changes made to the guns..specifically the elimination of the recessed chambers and crush fit vs. the earlier pinned barrel. In 1980 Smith also eliminated the pinned on front sight blade and the whole barrel, sight base and blade were machined as one piece... Just a cost cutting measure but it also meant that if the gun was dropped and the front sight damaged that the whole barrel had to be replaced or the old blade milled off and a mortise cut in the sight base for a replacement blade. Later Smith went back to the pinned on front sight blade.

Since the guns are new in box, even if they are -3s they are very desirable... As to price, look over on GunBroker. Go to ADVANCED SEARCH and the enter COMPLETED AUCTIONS...then do a search for 29s and see what they have been actually selling for... Those will bring top money if they are what you say...

Bob

What are you looking for?

I've been wanting one of the 8 3/8" versions.

Not really actively looking for one, but I'd like one to go with my 4".

I also wouldn't mind another 4".



Travis

They're thought to be of higher quality than later models. -4's on up are more robust due to the durability package started with that series. Some -3's may have some of the features, but -4's are thought to for sure have all of them. I'm not an expert, but I don't know that -2's are any more collectible than no dash or -1's. Probably not. Possibly more affordable than the others. AFAIK they're all thought to be more quality than later offerings. Personally I think the best ones are -4's up to the point they put the Clinton lock on. Not that the lock really makes that much difference, but IMO you should probably be disabling it, making a gun with one have an instant issue to deal with. I personally don't care for the newest of Smith's with all the MIM crap either. I need to disable the Clinton crap on mine.

Thanks for the info. Hopefully, I'll have these in my hands in a few days for an inspection.

I bought a S&W 500 from the Custom Shop a couple of years ago. The first thing I did was remove the "safety" parts from inside the gun, then plugged one of the stainless plugs/discs into the hole left in the side.

It might matter to someone who has holsters made for a 6", dumbass.

I plan to sell this one. About mint and no chitty red sight.