S&w 629
- Thread starter BIGRETIC
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the smiths just are not stout enough in high stress areas... it is not so much that the gun will disintegrate as it will go out of time and "wear out" quickly/quicker. The cylinder notches are in a spot that weakens the cyl etc. Search the changes they made to the later smiths to help them do better...
There may be more that I am forgetting
I am sure someone will add to this...maybe even say they will blow up on the first round etc
Sell her or trade for a ruger if ya want "STOMPIN" rounds...
Is there a reason ya are lookin at the "hot" rounds?
There may be more that I am forgetting
I am sure someone will add to this...maybe even say they will blow up on the first round etc Sell her or trade for a ruger if ya want "STOMPIN" rounds...
Is there a reason ya are lookin at the "hot" rounds?
GBExpat
Member
First I have heard of this. I have a 3" 629-1 that I bough NIB in Feb'89 and, prior to the past year, or so, have only run magnum loads thru it (~1000).
Sounds like it is time for me to do some research on the subject.
Thanks for starting the thread, BIGRETIC!
bluetopper
Member
Such problems with model 29's and 629's were corrected by S&W forty years ago.
Deaf Smith
Member
GBExpat
Member
WHEW!
Thanks!
adcoch1
Member
About 4000 rounds in my 29 started going out of time... all mags and it almost made me cry. But it can and will happen. Just a matter of time, so shoot some specials or light mags and save your gun...
GBExpat
Member
When was your 29 manufactured?
adcoch1
Member
I want to say late 80s. Its been 15 years since I sold it
stu1ritter
Member
The improvements to the 629 started with the 629-2E in 1989. The E stands for the Endurance package which was hardened yoke and frame. This package was completed with the 629-3 which included the lengthened cylinder stop notch and the bolt block device and was also in 1989.
Stu
Stu
GBExpat
Member
RATS!
Thanks for the information.
Thanks for the information.
Keep in mind that even with the endurance package they are still not up to handling a steady diet of heavy loads. They don't particularly care for heavy bullets and will loosen up with time. I just don't push mine that hard and leave my Ruger-only loads (loading manuals have Ruger only sections for a reason) -- the heavies -- for my Rugers.
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CraigC
Sixgun Nut
The endurance package in 1989 (2015-1989 is 26, not 40) helped but it doesn't get around inherent design weaknesses. The N-frame was designed for the .44Spl and with modern steels, it makes a damned fine and strong .44Spl. The .44Mag is just more than the platform can handle long term. Sure, you can put a couple thousand rounds through one and claim they're fine. Elmer Keith only put about 600rds heavy loads a year through his guns but anyone who ever shot them a lot is aware of what happens.
I'd love to know what they did 40yrs ago.
DM~
Member
Some time in the late 70's I bought a M-29 8-3/8" bbl... I was shooting a lot of silhouette with my 6-1/2" and switched to the 8-3/8's...
The load was and still is, 23.0 of H110 with my cast RCBS 250KT bullet over it, (cast with a fairly hard alloy) Now, I shot that load for EVERYTHING, practice, competition and hunting, and over the years I've shot many thousands of them through both revolvers...
To this date, neither revolver has had ANY timing issues and still are accurate and lock up just fine.
As for the load, I've taken moose, white tail and blk tail deer with it, along with a lot of lessor game, so why anyone would need anything more in any 44 mag. handgun is beyond me...
I consider my load to be a MAGNUM load, and my 29's are holding up just fine with many thousands of rounds through both of them...
DM
The load was and still is, 23.0 of H110 with my cast RCBS 250KT bullet over it, (cast with a fairly hard alloy) Now, I shot that load for EVERYTHING, practice, competition and hunting, and over the years I've shot many thousands of them through both revolvers...
To this date, neither revolver has had ANY timing issues and still are accurate and lock up just fine.
As for the load, I've taken moose, white tail and blk tail deer with it, along with a lot of lessor game, so why anyone would need anything more in any 44 mag. handgun is beyond me...
I consider my load to be a MAGNUM load, and my 29's are holding up just fine with many thousands of rounds through both of them...
DM
GBExpat
Member
Probably a good thing for both me and my 629-1 that I have moved away from the heavy loads ... moderate .44spl-esque loads now suit me just fine.
When you move up to really big game (1,000-lb +), there is a definite place for the heavy bullets as penetration is your friend. I wouldn't stake my backside on a 250 grainer for any wild bovine, but that's just me.
23 grains of H110 (according to Hodgdon) isn't a max load and with 240 grain bullet (I know yours is 250) the pressure is in the 32-34,000 psi range. Start loading 300 + grain bullets and tell me how your Model 29 likes it. They simply were never designed for really heavy use.
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Barry the Bear
Member
.44 magnum can and has killed virtually every game animal on earth, if others want "more gun" than that's fine I understand the reasoning but don't think for a second the .44 cant do the job.
buck460XVR
Member
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I wonder how many folks out there that own a .44 mag actually do that? Yep extra heavy loads will wear out a 629, standard for caliber weight bullets loaded to SAAMI specs, not so much. Buy a new Smith and if it wears out the lifetime warranty will fix it for you. For 1000# plus animals, there are many better options out there in hunting handguns than any .44, even when loaded with 300 gr pills in "Ruger only loads".
Barry the Bear
Member
While a good heavy weight is important when taking big game , bullet profile is even more important, take Elmer Keith's pet .44 mag load with the 22.0 grains of #2400 with his #429421 bullet for 1225 fps. out of a 4" Smith, 1400+ fps out of a 6 1/2" Smith or 7 1/2" Ruger taking big game around the world , the weight of that bullet is 245 gr.
Not a hopped up 300+ slug but then again a lot of people have given animals near mythical status instead of reasoning theyre still flesh and bone .And of course there is bigger cartridges out there .454 casull and the like but for me the .44 mag will do everything I need it to , I know its limitations which is mainly range not ballistics.
Not a hopped up 300+ slug but then again a lot of people have given animals near mythical status instead of reasoning theyre still flesh and bone .And of course there is bigger cartridges out there .454 casull and the like but for me the .44 mag will do everything I need it to , I know its limitations which is mainly range not ballistics.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
First and foremost, the only Underwood load that should not be used in a S&W is the 340gr and that is due to pressures that exceed SAAMI specs.
Secondly, your 29 does not really care if the bullet is 180gr or 305gr if the pressure is the same.
Secondly, your 29 does not really care if the bullet is 180gr or 305gr if the pressure is the same.
You may have had good luck with your particular gun but a lot of silhouette shooters rattled their 29's loose. It is undeniable fact that 29's will loosen up with heavy use.
Because while you may have had fine results with the 250gr Keith, there are better bullets for critters the size of elk and bigger and they are all going to be heavier.
Both are extremely important and there are better bullets for big game than the Keith bullet. They were designed by Veral Smith.
Yes, there are but that doesn't change the fact that the .44 loaded with heavyweight LBT's is much more effective than any standard 250gr load. Diehard S&W fans (I have 10 S&W DA's myself) will go to great lengths to make excuses for this shortcoming inherent to N-frame .44's. And that's all the above quoted comment is, an excuse.
Barry the Bear
Member
I am not familiar with Veral Smith , Ill look him up thanks Craigc!
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
His book is worth reading. It's high dollar on Amazon but you can order direct for $25.
http://www.lbtmoulds.com/books.shtml
Another that goes into great detail on terminal ballistics of handguns.
http://amzn.com/1440228566
http://www.lbtmoulds.com/books.shtml
Another that goes into great detail on terminal ballistics of handguns.
http://amzn.com/1440228566
Probably more than you think. I will probably take a water buffalo or watusi with the .44Mag next year. Rest assured it won't be with a 250gr Keith bullet.
smith and wesson is still in business. if the thousands of full-house ammo you run through that 629 shakes it loose, send it in and they will tighten it up for you. no worries. just stick with legal loads. if you are worried about underwood, et al., call them and find out if your revolver will handle their hot stuff.
murf
murf
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