Quoting from the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, page 172.

" Around 1988, S&W introduced some engineering changes called the "Endurance Package" that were especially significant for the .44 Magnum models."

Can someone explain in a little more detail what this involved.

Found One !! 4-inch M-29's with the Endurance Package

Some good info on this subject from an earlier post.

GF

Google "S&W" endurance package" - it will take you to threads on many forums including this one where it was discussed in detail.

I did much reading up on the matter several years ago, and the endurance package was upgraded in several steps, starting with the 629-1 series, and the last of which was included in the model 629-4, and is part of all later production .44 mags. I never could quite determine the corresponding model 29 dash number changes though.

When the 629-5 series came out, the firing pin was moved off the hammer and became an internal firing pin, and the hammer and some other parts were made out of MIM material (injection molded).

Myron

Edit: The link posted by GF above has the info on the model 29 changes. He posted while I was typing!