??? on 629 and +p+

[JHansenAK47]

My brother wants to buy my 629-1 from me and wants to shoot those Buffalo Bore +P+.
http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=54
Anyway I was reading their website and noticed that the 629 is not mentioned.
Now this is where my question comes in, my brother was telling me if you had a post 1989 manufactured 629 then you could shoot +p+.
However since mine is a 629-1 I think it was made sometime around the mid eighties.
Now although I am thinking it would be no go to shoot +p+ in my pistol, I want to know if I am indeed correct.
So can I you shoot +p+ in a 629-1 or not?

In case anybody was wondering, I am disinclined to sell my revolver but it did get me wondering if I could shoot +p+ or not.

 

[NOLAEMT]

While I don't know for sure, i would think not. the ammo manufacturer says its not safe, and i would believe them.

If you need more than a normal 44mag can produce, buy a 454 or 460mag. it will be cheaper than the hospital bill to pull shrapnel out of your face.

 

[JHansenAK47]

My brother is going up to Alaska to be stationed at one of the bases around Anchorage and seems to think he needs +p+ to shoot a grizzly bear. He pretty much was thinking he could get my pistol and use it as a fishing gun. I was thinking he should just carry a shotgun or some bear mace but he seems to have his mind set to get the biggest most powerful revolver/cartridge he can find. He has also been thinking about a 454 and 460.

 

[NOLAEMT]

I think he would be better off with regular 44 magnum ammo, that he knows will run in the weapon, and wont break it. I would rather have 6 shots of regular 44mag, vs 1 shot of super duper 44mag that breaks the gun mid-grizzly attack

 

[rcmodel]

They say:

This new load is designed for only certain revolvers that have the cylinder length to handle it. They are as follows.
Ruger Red Hawk, Ruger Super Red Hawk, Ruger Super Blackhawk or Vaquero, Freedom Arms Model 83, Taurus Raging Bull and Dan Wesson Revolvers.
Suitable rifles include T/C Encore, "modified" Marlin 1894, Winchester 1894, any rifle with a falling block action and the Handi Rifle.

In short, they probably won't fit in a Model 29 cylinder.
And you shouldn't shoot them in it if they will.

rc

 

[JHansenAK47]

In short, they probably won't fit in a Model 29 cylinder.
And you shouldn't shoot them in it if they will.

I think I am going to direct him to the buffalo bore website and tell him to look for a different revolver. I don't think it would be worth ruining an awesome revolver to find out.

 

[stu454]

The +P+ .44 Magnum ammo will wreck any 629. End of story.

If he'd like a $600 paperweight, tell him he's on the right track.

 

[NOLAEMT]

how about these? http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_35&products_id=329

they will work in your gun, and should make anything he comes into contact with take notice

only 178 fps slower, and 20 grains less bullet weight, sounds like a good trade off to me?

 

[JHansenAK47]

they will work in your gun, and should make anything he comes into contact with take notice

I think he should buy himself a Ruger. Then he can put whatever kind of kool aid ammo he wants in it and I can keep my 629. I might have to buy some of those for myself though. I would love to see how far in those would go into some of the scrub oak trees we have around here. More of a fun informal penetration test than anything else.

 

[Master Blaster]

He needs a remington 870 and slugs for bear defense, there is no real good handgun option. Much cheaper and easier to find ammo as well.

JMHO YMMV

 

[Buck Snort]

Master Blaster wrote: "He needs a remington 870 and slugs for bear defense, there is no real good handgun option."

He needs a 10 ga. w/slugs. A double barrel will do just fine because in all likelihood he'll not get off more than 2 shots in a bear attack.

 

[Oro]

buy my 629-1 from me and wants to shoot those Buffalo Bore +P+.

No. For the reasons listed above.

In short, they probably won't fit in a Model 29 cylinder.
And you shouldn't shoot them in it if they will.

Actually, they will fit, and their website statement that they won't isn't true. I tried them (the 340gr BB +p+ in a 629-1) for fit only, not for firing. They did not extend past the length of the cylinder. But like rcmodel said, I wouldn't shoot them.

I wouldn't shoot the .44 magnum +p+ out of any handgun short of a Freedom Arms or similar myself. I wouldn't abuse my Ruger, either. Remember, that "+p+" means that it's MORE than 10% above a .44 magnum (the limit of "+p"), and with no guaranteed upper limit. It's flat NOT a .44 magnum, it's a wildcat of unknown pressure.

The 629 was beefed up after the -2 (with the -2E) for greater endurance, but that doesn't mean it's suddenly +p capable. Tell your brother that if he wants a bear gun, sure, a .44 magnum will work, just shoot ammo for which the gun is rated. Plenty of dead bears from that cartridge, grizzly, too. If he needs the ego-stroke of a bigger cannon, then buy that.

 

[Action_Can_Do]

I couldn't agree with Oro anymore than I do. The pre-endurance package 29 and 629 guns rank among the weakest 44 magnums ever built. And he wants to shoot a load that is only safe in the strongest 44 magnums ever built?