Model 29 Smith question.

[harmonic]

I read about a guy shooting heavy loads in his 29-2 with four inch barrel. He said with heavy loads the cylinder would rotate backward to the preceding chamber.

Others chimed in and said this was a problem with the 29 especially in silhouette shooting.

Anybody have any info on this and, what's the cure? A heavier spring for the cylinder stop?

 

[Z71]

I just got a used 629, and have read of that issue online. S&W supposidly made some changes that were marginally succesful in fixing the problem.

From what I gather, not an issue with 240gr standard magnum ammo, just heavy bulleted super hot loads.

 

[vanilla_gorilla]

Heavy magnum loads would cause the cylinder to unlock and rotate backwards under pressure. This was most prevalent in silhouette shooting because those guys would try to push the 240 grain bullets as fast as they could, to provide more energy at the target and a flatter trajectory, combined with the fact that they typically shoot a lot of those loads.

As long as sensible loads are used, I don't think the 29 has ever been too much of a problem. During the 29-3 range, the company preduced an enhancement package of beefed up internals to help with longevity. Such guns were marked as 29-3E, and the changes were standard afterwards into the -4s and so on.

 

[SaxonPig]

I heard it happened with the heavy 300+ grain bullets the silhouette guys were using. I shoot nothing but 240 full-power loads in my 29 and have never seen it happen.

 

[cmidkiff]

It's a real problem... but it's pretty uncommon. As mentioned above, only happens with very heavy loads, and even then, only with some 29's.

The twisting under recoil is sharp enough to cause the cylinder to unlatch, leaving the same, fired cartridge under the hammer at the next trigger pull.

S&W had the same problem with the newer .500 mags with super heavy loads when they came out... it's been corrected.

I have a 6" 29-2. Wonderful revolver. I shoot it... lots... but I stick to standard .44 mag pressures or lower. No reason to beat up a classic, IMHO. If you want to hotrod a .44 mag, get a super blackhawk.