Was the endurance package only on the 29/629 models?

[kmcdonou]

I am debating getting a model 25/625 in 45 Colt or 29/629 in 44 magnum. I would prefer the former just because I like 45 caliber bullets better, but that is not the deciding factor. In the 45 Colt I am not intending to shoot Ruger only loads. I just want some extra margin of safety when shooting 300 gr bullet at about 1,050-1,100 fps. About the limits Linebaugh set. I think his max was a 310 gr at 1,080. I suspect I will likely settle on a 265-275 gr bullet at about the same fps for my woods gun load.

My question is did all the N-frames get the endurance package, or only the model 29/629. In particular, I am hoping 25/625 models got this upgrade. If so, what was the starting variant (e.g. 25-5) of each model that included the endurance package?

 

[DR505]

The Model 25-9 and later got the larger cylinder notches, which is part of the endurance package. I have a couple of 25-9 and they have the larger notches. I am not sure when/if they installed the endurance bolt block in the 25. The 25-9's came out roughly 1990, so I would expect the corresponding 625's of the same time frame did as well. My 625-7 MG has them. My 29-3 is pre-endurance package (started with 29-3E).

 

[kmcdonou]

I have read about the larger cylinder notches being in the 25-9 and 625-7, but also haven't heard about the endurance bolt block being present. That makes me think the endurance package was only fully implemented in the 29/629 models, and not widescale across the N-frame, and possibly only selective enhancements for the 25/625 models.

 

[DR505]

The issue of heavy loads with the 25 is not the same as with heavy loads in the 29...the weak spot on the 25 is the wall thinness in the chambers at the cylinder notch. The 29 had other issues that the endurance package addressed that won’t help the 25.

 

[kmcdonou]

The issue of heavy loads with the 25 is not the same as with heavy loads in the 29...the weak spot on the 25 is the wall thinness in the chambers at the cylinder notch. The 29 had other issues that the endurance package addressed that won’t help the 25.

That's good to know. Would you say that both the 25/625 or 29/629 models are both capable of shooting 300 grain bullets at 1,050-1,100 fps and be equally durable or do the enhancements on the 29/629 models make them more accommodating of the load I am proposing? That is really the crux of my question. Although I would prefer a 45 Colt in a Smith and Wesson double action, if the 44 magnum models provide better durability at the load I am suggesting, I will go with those.

 

[DR505]

Your best bet is to check reloading data rather than rely on an Internet post. For my 25/625 .45 Colt I keep pressure at or below .45 ACP +P levels. For my 29 and 629 I keep pressure at or below SAAMI maximum pressure.

 

[black mamba]

There is about a 10,000 psi difference in the strength of the 25-9 and the endurance packaged 29s (25 kpsi to 35 kpsi). I think the 29 would be a lot safer and sturdier with heavy loads.

 

[kmcdonou]

Yeah, that makes total sense. I didn't realize the two different models were limited by pressure. I can see where the 29/629 models are stronger at the higher loads.