S&W multiple stories--629-1 Endurance pack retrofit

[JohnKSa]

I read here that S&W would retrofit the Endurance Package to 629-1 and 629-2 revolvers.

I've got a -1 in REALLY nice condition so I thought I'd call them to see what the cost was.

It's also got a cylinder gap of about .007 and endshake is about .003. Not terrible, but worth asking about.

I've called 3 times, told them I had a technical question about a 629 and gotten a different person each time.

1st call.

No the Endurance pack can't be retrofitted--don't know why. Anything under .010 is acceptable cylinder cap. Anything under .004 is acceptable endshake. Only shoot loads with bullet weights lighter than 240grains.

2nd call.

No the Endurance pack can't be retrofitted since there were metallurgical issues with the frame and crane. I know there is a spec for cylinder gap but I don't know it. (Not sure about the answer on endshake--I kind of got the feeling that this person didn't know what endshake was.) Shoot anything but the heavy hardcast loads.

3rd call.

Yes, the Endurance pack can be retrofitted at the owner's cost. Anything under .010 is acceptable cylinder gap. There should be no measurable endshake. This guy actually checked with one of the gunsmiths to verify the retrofit issue. He said that the Endurance pack mostly consisted of stronger springs but assured me that it wouldn't affect the trigger. Forgot to ask about recommended ammo for a -1 without Endurance pack.

SOOOOO!

I'm feeling pretty good about the cylinder gap spec, but they don't seem to have their story together on endshake specs, whether or not the Endurance pack can be retrofitted, and what kind of ammo should be used in a straight -1 or -2.

Anybody know for sure the story on this?

 

[sgt127]

http://www.smith-wessonforum.com/

If anybody would know...try the guys that frequesnt the S&W forum....Good luck

 

[Majic]

I may not have remembered correctly, but I think the Endurance package consisted of a hardened yoke and frame, plus longer cuts in the cylinder notches. The price of that work would make it prohibitive if they could perform the work.

 

[pwrtool45]

Midway sells Ron Power endshake bearings in .002" and .004" sizes. I would suggest looking at these. I ordered some awhile back for a trade-in police revolver that left the factory a little looser than it should have. I wound up just sending it in to the Performance Center for some other work, though, so I didn't use them.

A package of 10 endshake bearings is less than $15. If you're willing to wait a month or two, I can send you one from the bag I have (currently at my dad's). If you plan on shooting the revolver though, I strongly suggest going ahead and ordering them now. I don't remember the actual threshhold for endshake on a S&W, but if it is in fact too much it will wear rapidly. .003" doesn't *sound* like too much, but I can't be positive. Since a .002" bearing will take your endshake down to .001" though, I'd call it a worthwhile $15 experiment.

 

[JohnKSa]

Thank you very much for the kind offer.

I'm still trying to decide what to do at this point--mostly the decision hinges on whether or not the endurance pack retrofit is really available...

I'll let you know if I decide to tinker with the endshake myself.

John