Confession at the Our Lady of the Hensley & Gibbs Church

[FISH4BUGS]

About 25 years ago (maybe more) I purchased a beautiful 98% S&W 6.5" 5 screw pre-29. As I recall, i paid $700 or so at that time.
For those of you that know...you know what it is. For those that don't, it is THE gun that S&W introduced the 44 magnum to the world in 1956. They did not expect to sell all that many so they pretty much hand built these 5 screw guns. Well surprise surprise....they sold a LOT of them, and they made a change to the 4 screw model (got rid of the screw in the trigger guard) in 1957 and gave it the Model 29 designation.
S&W only made some 5000 of the 5 screw guns before upping the production and changing to the 4 screw and giving it the Model 29 designation.
The guns were sold with a beautiful felt lined walnut case and tools. These original cased guns are bringing stupid money these days and people simply don't shoot them. They live out their days as safe queens.
I have shot this one a lot, and it is just as perfect as the day I bought it. I don't holster my guns (I keep them in pistol rugs) so they stay in great shape. The biggest problem with this particular gun was that the grips were not original to the gun. OK...no case, no tools, non-original grips....not a collector's gun per se but still a beautifully made handgun. Definitely something that you can shoot and not worry about destroying the value as long as you take care of it.
The original grips had the big fat "coke bottle" style diamond walnut grips with a slight cutout for the thumb to rest against the grips.
Because it lacked the case and tools, plus had non-original grips, I bought it as a shooter, and shoot it I have. H&G #503 w/ 8 gr WW231 is my standard mid-range 44 load. Red ramp front sight, white outline rear sight, target hammer/trigger....a great gun.
I thought I would look out for a set of grips that were original to the 5 screw guns, and looked for some 20 years. Little did I know that these "coke bottle" grips were absolute unobtanium. I watched auctions everywhere for many years with no success.
Well, one FINALLY came up on Gunbroker, and I would not be denied.
I watched the auction for some some, and towards the end of the auction, I placed a bid with a maximum that i was willing to go.
I am almost embarrassed to say but I paid $630 shipped for these perfect grips. That is how much I wanted to bring the gun back to original. It really always bothered me that the gun did not have the original grips. I guess the collector in me kept me looking and the collector in me wanted it done right.
I am happy to have gotten them, although it hurt to pay that kind of money for grips when the gun shoots just as well with Pachmayr Grippers on it.
But kind of like buying quality H&G moulds: pay once, cry once, and enjoy it for the rest of your days.
I feel better now....lighter in the wallet but I feel better.312871

[lar45]

Good Story, or I mean Bless you my son, you have done well to bring the two together as they should be.
You could grace us with a pic of the two united ;)

[Rusty Goose]

You're right, it needed to be done. Good job!

[rintinglen]

You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din. That would have been too rich for my pocket. But bless you for it.

[HWooldridge]

I have a 4 screw M29 made in 1973 - I bought it in ‘79 from the first owner. He said it kicked too much, but he only shot Remington factory ammo. I still have the case and all of the accoutrements.

I was already reloading by then but 44 Special rounds were pretty cheap at that time (around $9.50 for a box of 50), so I put a lot of those downrange. However, I finally settled on 44 magnum cases with 15.5 gr Blue Dot and a 245 gr Keith design put out by SAECO; that’s about all I shoot these days - it’s a one-ragged-hole load. Hotter than the Specials but not nearly at factory levels.

[MrWolf]

Good for you. You worked hard for your money so you might as well e joy it while you can. Good luck with the grips.

[44MAG#1]

Have you tried the "Keith Load" in it?
If you have how did it do?

[elmacgyver0]

Now you need to start the quest for the fitted case.

[FISH4BUGS]

Now you need to start the quest for the fitted case.

The last one I saw went for some $1200. Complete with tools and liner.
Not sure I want to go that route.
Case = $1200 (maybe)
Grips = $630
Gun = $700
TOTAL $2530
Value? $4000+ or so.
You know, on second thought...........

[FISH4BUGS]

Have you tried the "Keith Load" in it?
If you have how did it do?

No....I just find a mid range load that shoots well and stick with it.
I use 3 powders for everything - WW231, 296 and 748. Keeps life simple.

[contender1]

My wonderful better half doesn't understand how we can spend larger sums of money on boxes, grips, or such stuff,, thinking we are a bit "crazy." Yet,, she also accepts it as a fact of life & doesn't give me any grief either. As she says; "It's your gun, your hobby, you SHOULD enjoy it. And if that means spending money on a box or whatever, go for it!"

You did the right thing. Now go after the case & tools.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Well...how's about a picture of the revolver with the new grips installed?

DG

[FISH4BUGS]

Well...how's about a picture of the revolver with the new grips installed?

DG

Let me get the grips here first. I sent the certified check and they should ship within a few days.
Then I need to get the camera and figure out how to take some closeups.
Then I need to figure out how to get them onto the computer and uploaded here.
Jeez....a lot of work for a little gun porn! :)

[Jtarm]

Good history on the S&W .44 magnum, but…

The demand for them wasn’t all that great until an actor spoke those legendary words:

“This is a .44 Magnum. It’s the most powerful handgun in the world”

A line repeated later with the addition of “it would blow your head clean off.”

[georgerkahn]

About 25 years ago (maybe more) I purchased a beautiful 98% S&W 6.5" 5 screw pre-29. As I recall, i paid $700 or so at that time.
For those of you that know...you know what it is. For those that don't, it is THE gun that S&W introduced the 44 magnum to the world in 1956. They did not expect to sell all that many so they pretty much hand built these 5 screw guns. Well surprise surprise....they sold a LOT of them, and they made a change to the 4 screw model (got rid of the screw in the trigger guard) in 1957 and gave it the Model 29 designation.
S&W only made some 5000 of the 5 screw guns before upping the production and changing to the 4 screw and giving it the Model 29 designation.
The guns were sold with a beautiful felt lined walnut case and tools. These original cased guns are bringing stupid money these days and people simply don't shoot them. They live out their days as safe queens.
I have shot this one a lot, and it is just as perfect as the day I bought it. I don't holster my guns (I keep them in pistol rugs) so they stay in great shape. The biggest problem with this particular gun was that the grips were not original to the gun. OK...no case, no tools, non-original grips....not a collector's gun per se but still a beautifully made handgun. Definitely something that you can shoot and not worry about destroying the value as long as you take care of it.
The original grips had the big fat "coke bottle" style diamond walnut grips with a slight cutout for the thumb to rest against the grips.
Because it lacked the case and tools, plus had non-original grips, I bought it as a shooter, and shoot it I have. H&G #503 w/ 8 gr WW231 is my standard mid-range 44 load. Red ramp front sight, white outline rear sight, target hammer/trigger....a great gun.
I thought I would look out for a set of grips that were original to the 5 screw guns, and looked for some 20 years. Little did I know that these "coke bottle" grips were absolute unobtanium. I watched auctions everywhere for many years with no success.
Well, one FINALLY came up on Gunbroker, and I would not be denied.
I watched the auction for some some, and towards the end of the auction, I placed a bid with a maximum that i was willing to go.
I am almost embarrassed to say but I paid $630 shipped for these perfect grips. That is how much I wanted to bring the gun back to original. It really always bothered me that the gun did not have the original grips. I guess the collector in me kept me looking and the collector in me wanted it done right.
I am happy to have gotten them, although it hurt to pay that kind of money for grips when the gun shoots just as well with Pachmayr Grippers on it.
But kind of like buying quality H&G moulds: pay once, cry once, and enjoy it for the rest of your days.
I feel better now....lighter in the wallet but I feel better.312871

I am soooo happy for you, FISH4BUGS! I, too, wanted coke-bottle grips for my 29, and settled on a knock-0ff. Maybe Altamont? I do not recall... other than I wish I had done what you have done and got the real McCoy! Funny, the battery on my DR Field and Brush Mower died over winter and I lamented to wife -- just day before yesterday -- my choice of a $110.00 DR OR a $60.00 Chinese knock-0ff/Sub? Matter of fact, she brought up "those gun grips you always whine about" (for the record, I do NOT whine ;)). However, I have the DR battery coming... shoud've done similar with the coke bottle grips.
Sir -- you done well!!! Enjoy them!
geo

[gwpercle]

Confession is good for the soul ....

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another , that you may be healed .
The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working" . (James 5:16

Thanks for posting ...
Gary

[FISH4BUGS]

I am soooo happy for you, FISH4BUGS! I, too, wanted coke-bottle grips for my 29, and settled on a knock-0ff. Maybe Altamont? I do not recall... other than I wish I had done what you have done and got the real McCoy! Funny, the battery on my DR Field and Brush Mower died over winter and I lamented to wife -- just day before yesterday -- my choice of a $110.00 DR OR a $60.00 Chinese knock-0ff/Sub? Matter of fact, she brought up "those gun grips you always whine about" (for the record, I do NOT whine ;)). However, I have the DR battery coming... shoud've done similar with the coke bottle grips.
Sir -- you done well!!! Enjoy them!
geo
GEO:
Thanks for the kind words. I feel your pain.
I have been looking for these grips for some 20-25 years.
I saw a pair a couple of years ago that went for some $400+ on GB a number of years back.
I passed on them and kind of chuckled to myself that someone would pay that kind of stupid money for coke bottle grips. :)
Well, I would not let this one pass....and I paid the price.
But I have them now and I cannot wait to put them on.
Then the gun is whole again.
There is something to be said for purchasing quality over price.

[FISH4BUGS]

Good history on the S&W .44 magnum, but…
The demand for them wasn’t all that great until an actor spoke those legendary words:
“This is a .44 Magnum. It’s the most powerful handgun in the world”
A line repeated later with the addition of “it would blow your head clean off.”
Agreed....BUT.....the gun was becoming popular anyway, mainly because it WAS the most powerful handgun in the world at that time.....and you know us guys....more power is better. :)
After Dirty Harry uttered those famous lines, demand went through the roof for the 29's. Having a Ruger 44 mag just didn't cut it on the cool scale.
After I graduated from college in 1975, I went to work running a wholesale guns and sporting good wholesaler here in New England. The S&W's, (most of the entire line) and particularly the 29's, were scarce as hen's teeth. The Colt Pythons were in that same category. I was offered a number of bribes if I would let one or two go but I had bigger customers to take care of.
It was illegal as all get out but we tied 29's and Pythons to how much dealers purchased in S&W ammo and leather and other crappy items. If they purchased like 10 cases of ammo they would get a 29 at wholesale. They would sell the ammo at almost cost and double (or more) the price on the 29's and Pythons.
Ah...the good old days.....many years ago when I was young and foolish....now I am just old and foolish. :)

[45workhorse]

Bless you my son!
Now go forth and shoot the heck out of the mighty purty 44 Mag.

(Please post some er 'Picures')[smilie=w:

[boatswainsmate]

That's a nice set of grips you have there. I was lucky enough to know what I was looking at walking through a gun show. Someone had put a pair of Coke's on a S&W Model 58 and was selling it for a very reasonable price! Here's a picture of mine.
https://i.ibb.co/V3cR040/Cleaned-Cokes.jpg (https://ibb.co/CW3gpGp)

[FISH4BUGS]

Grips shipped today!

[dverna]

All that matters....does your wife object?

[FISH4BUGS]

All that matters....does your wife object?

Well, my current other half of 25 years doesn't object. Her philosophy is that it's my money....when I was married, my starter wife did not know how many guns and what kind I owned....which was very handy in the divorce. I didn't leave with much else, but that was fine with me.
The full auto collection left intact. When I sold much of it years later, it became the down payment on our house.

[44MAG#1]

I would have had to shoot a few H&G 503's T close to 1350 from the gun just for grins and giggles.

[FISH4BUGS]

Tried up upload a photo but for some reason the site won't let me.
Sorry.....it looks beautiful now.

[contender1]

You have to use a photo hosting site like "Photobucket" to download your pictures to. Then you click on the link for "Hotlink for forums" icon, and then just paste the picture to a post.

Even a computer stupid guy like myself learned to do it.

[Don Purcell]

I have a 4 screw M29 made in 1973 - I bought it in ‘79 from the first owner. He said it kicked too much, but he only shot Remington factory ammo. I still have the case and all of the accoutrements.

I was already reloading by then but 44 Special rounds were pretty cheap at that time (around $9.50 for a box of 50), so I put a lot of those downrange. However, I finally settled on 44 magnum cases with 15.5 gr Blue Dot and a 245 gr Keith design put out by SAECO; that’s about all I shoot these days - it’s a one-ragged-hole load. Hotter than the Specials but not nearly at factory levels.

A 4 screw Model 29 made in 1973?

[ddixie884]

Many were bought “slightly” used; with box, tools and a box of Remington ammo with 6 empties and 44 loaded rnds.

[wilecoyote]

Now you need to start the quest for the fitted case.

...900 euros the pre-29 case only + tools, here, and in not-so-good shape, if someone is interested :veryconfu

[FISH4BUGS]

...900 euros the pre-29 case only + tools, here, and in not-so-good shape, if someone is interested :veryconfu

I looked at that. Can't read Italian but I CAN convert Euros to dollars..
$1000 is too rich for the condition of the case, and the screwdriver is missing.
Last original screwdriver I saw was $150.
I think i will just enjoy shooting the daylights out of my gun now that it is whole again.
H&G #503 w/ 8.5 gr WW231....a nice midrange+ load.
I shot from a rest at 15 yards and made one ragged hole.
I'll stretch it out to 25 on a rest, then 100 and see how it does.
I have been known to shoot 200 yards on a 24" steel with a 3 screw Ruger Super Blackhawk.
1 out of 6 is average. 2 out of 6 on a good day.
Let's see if the S&W does any better.

[44MAG#1]

I shot from a rest at 15 yards and made one ragged hole.
I'll stretch it out to 25 on a rest, then 100 and see how it does.
I have been known to shoot 200 yards on a 24" steel with a 3 screw Ruger Super Blackhawk.
1 out of 6 is average. 2 out of 6 on a good day.
Let's see if the S&W does any better.

Is the 200 yard shooting standing offhand?

[FISH4BUGS]

Is the 200 yard shooting standing offhand?

I wish.....
It is from a rest.
The issue is my eyes and iron sights.....the older I get the worse my eyes are.
I can get a fairly good sight picture on a 24" steel, but any tiny movement of the gun throws the shot off.
A tiny fraction of an inch at the gun makes a miss at 200 yards.
I would do better in a machine rest but what fun is that?
I have high hopes for the 5 screw.

[HWooldridge]

A 4 screw Model 29 made in 1973?

My bad - it's a 3 screw. I always forget about the 5 to 4 to 3 transitions.

[Don Purcell]

Many were bought “slightly” used; with box, tools and a box of Remington ammo with 6 empties and 44 loaded rnds.

Saw an ad that said Smith and Wesson Model 29 .44 Magnum 4 inch barrel with box of 49 shells.