I recently purchased a 629-3 for a price I couldn't pass up-$425. I am a bit dissapointed at the .432 chambers. I get a bit of leading with the light loads that I am firing with my WW-alloy sized to .430. I am thinking of selling this 6" gun and getting a 4" which is what I was after anyhow.
When did S&W go to tighter throats, or didn't they? What are the current ones?

Exactly when they changed to the smaller spec, I can't say for sure. I think sometime in the mid 80's.

Several recent related posts on this board, you might find interesting.

If you hand cast, get a mould that drops 'em bigger.

If you just buy bullets (like me) from custom casters, there are a number of them that offer very high quality .432" diameter bullets - especially in LBT style.

The Bull Shop - in AK, Beartooth - in Idaho, & Montana Bullet Works - in MT, to name a few.

I buy 260WFN-PB / .434" / 10BHN from Dan at the Bull Shop. I size them down to match the throats on my 624. They are very high quality, & reasonably priced.

I'm pretty sure you could run that bullet 1000fps+, w/ out problems.

My 629 was mfg in the early 90's and is 432. I cast my own bullets, and I wanted a 44 special velocity plinker 4", so I thought I could avoid a little hassle by getting one of the newer ones.

my 629-4 is a tight .430, when did the -4 come out?

quote:

Originally posted by Steve D:
My 629 was mfg in the early 90's and is 432. I cast my own bullets, and I wanted a 44 special velocity plinker 4", so I thought I could avoid a little hassle by getting one of the newer ones.

Have you checked out the CastBoolits forum? They have group buys on moulds all the time.

Of course, if you're not stuck on that particular gun...

BTW, on the off chance you may be interested, I got about QTY #120 - Beartooth 260WFN-GC / .432", & just under QTY #300 Beartooth 250WFN-GC / .432".

I would sell them for current list (no backlog), & pickup the shipping.

They are harder then pure WW, but great bullets. I can shoot them out of my .44SPL, but frankly prefer the softer PB LBT bullets for my 800 - 900fps shooting.

Hard sell to a hand caster I know, but thought I'd mention it. ;=]

quote:

Originally posted by 44wheelman:
my 629-4 is a tight .430, when did the -4 come out?

Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure the -4 is a '98 (or there abouts) vintage...

I think the 629-4 4" would be a good choice. I have a big Ruger for the heavy stuff. I came across a new blue Mtn 44 at a shop for $680+tax. It is beautiful, but a bit pricey.
Did the 4" 629's have round butt in recent years only? The Mtn was round and fit me better than the sq 629 with houge grips.

My book is at home, so I can't llok up your question. My -4 is rnd butt (however 8 3/8"). there is a 6" 629-4 on GB (#106507087) it is clearly RB as well (look at last pic). I would think you could find a 4"-4 for less if you are patient. But if you are not looking to shoot heavy stuff, a mtn gun may work better (lighter, less bulky bbl). It may take a while to find either under $600 in this crazy market. Good luck

Steve,
I would try something else before I throw the gun away, so to speak.

Change your alloy, add some harder material. Harder bullets cast from the the same mold will drop larger diameter bullets. They will be lighter too, but they will be bigger. Maybe enough to get them to .432". I will try to cast some up with 10% Linotype from my mold and let you know what it drops. It is an Elmer Keith 250gr bullet from an H&G #503 mold.

A fairly recent handloaders magazine detailed the history of when the cylinder throats were shrunken down? Believe the 629-3 or 4's and 29-4-6 's ? Course the best way of knowing is measuring before buying. While a larger diameter cast bullet will usually take care of issues associuated with larger cylinder throats, am liking the greater versatility of the newer models with .430-429 throats, for shooting lighter jacketed and appropriately sized lead.

I agree on the less hassle with the 429-430 throats. Since there are so many S&W's out there, and I am looking for a 4" anyhow, I might as well get one with a "correct" throat diameter.
Now if it was a vintage model 24, that would be a whole different story. They must have changed after my 629-3, and I think I saw a post about a newer Mtn with 432; "ouch", are we regressing?

Isn't ideal throat diameter related to the groove diameter of the barrel, especially with cast bullets? I've slugged the barrel of my 629 (-4? I don't remember off hand) and with the 5 groove barrel it's hard to get an exact measurement, but the barrel slug will not fit into the .429" cylinder throats. I'm thinking I need to have the cylinder throats opened up, probably to .431".

Am I correct in thinking this way?

quote:

Originally posted by Sven:
Isn't ideal throat diameter related to the groove diameter of the barrel, especially with cast bullets? I've slugged the barrel of my 629 (-4? I don't remember off hand) and with the 5 groove barrel it's hard to get an exact measurement, but the barrel slug will not fit into the .429" cylinder throats. I'm thinking I need to have the cylinder throats opened up, probably to .431".

Am I correct in thinking this way?

Throat size should ideally be equal to, or slightly larger then groove diameter. Of course your bullets will need to be sized to the throats.

Therein lies the issue, that has everyone flopping around over .432 throats. Most commercial casters limit their offering to .429 - .430, whis is actually undersize for the majority of the S&W and Rugers out there.

S&Ws spec for 44 cal, was .432 for MANY more years then the current "standard".

I would not personally dump a gun I liked, because it was designed to the original standard. I'd just find bullets that were sized correctly.

Of course on the other hand, I would not keep a gun that I DID NOT like, regardless of throat size...

Brian Pearce had a great article on the Smith 44's in the June '06 Handloader. He talks about throat diameters and all that.

Montana Bullet works has lots of .432" offerings. They even go to .433" on a lot of things.


Okie John

http://tennesseevalleybullets.com/products/bullets.html

This business is owned and operated by our own NKJ nut.
His bullets are next to the very best, I cast my own , and are reasonably priced. Also, he can size them to several different sizes.

Check it out!