Observations on old 29s v new 29s

[jhcii]

I bought and sold 29s since 1978. I always dumped them in those days because they would fail to fire the 3rd round in a loaded cylinder and that problem I encountered so often to date I don't know what to do with a 1985 SW Stainless dash one that fails to fire the 3rd round because it loses its rotation in recoil on the second round to allow the cylinder to back peddle.

This is the gun:

629-1 among two 29-10s


The 29-10s work perfectly but the older gun from 1985 does what a lot of those 29s did before SW began cutting out a longer cylinder latch gutter to prevent the bouncing of the cylinder latch underneath the massive cylinder.

I wouldn't buy an old model today unless I intended to store and keep and show it.

If I wanted a working hand rifle in .44 Magnum I'd choose the SW 29-10 again. I am thinking of just trading a benelli ultra light for another 29-10 for sale here. I like the 29-10 more than the rest beneath its production in date and perfection.

[CWH44300]

I hear you,
I've always sent mine back for a tune and tighten. They seem to last around 3K and start to unlock in recoil. Smith usually installs a new center pin, bolt and spring among other things. It looks like a nice gun, I'd send it back for tune up.
Any post endurance gun 29- 3E & 629-2E, and up will effectively last twice has long as a pre endurance gun. I happen to enjoy them all but my most heavily shot guns are 629-6's.

[Ashlander]

In 1990 S&W started making the cylinder latch longer and added a new bolt block for the dash 5 series.

[reddog81]

Mines a great shooter and I don't intend stop shooting it anytime soon.
I haven't shot thousands of rounds threw my 29-2 but the guy before me did. I have never experienced anything like that. I have at least 400 rounds through it in the last year.

[BLUEDOT37]

Originally Posted by jhcii

... I don't know what to do with a 1985 SW Stainless dash one that fails to fire the 3rd round because it loses its rotation in recoil on the second round to allow the cylinder to back peddle.

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My 29-2 has done it maybe twice with full loads, but not moderate loads (17gr/2400 w/240gr LSWC), which is all I shoot in it now & save the hot loads for the 629-6.

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[Arc Angel]

Originally Posted by reddog81

Mines a great shooter and I don't intend stop shooting it anytime soon. I haven't shot thousands of rounds threw my 29-2 but the guy before me did. I have never experienced anything like that. I have at least 400 rounds through it in the last year.

I've owned three Model 29's; two of them are -2's. Both -2's have been superlative shooters; and, while each of them has gone through less than a thousand fired rounds, I've never had any sort of problems. I've heard about M-29's shooting loose; but, so far, it's never happened to me; and I don't use, 'sissy loads'. I really like the balance on my 8 3/8" half-lugged barrels. Best natural pointers I've ever fired!

[BigBill]

My s&w go target shooting. My ruger redhawks go bear hunting. I'm not built for climbing trees, running or speed. My backup revolver better work if needed.

[grip frame]

You need to get yourself some 29-5's or 29-6's

[BruceM]

The cylinder float problem on pre-Endurance Package M29's and M629's can usually be cured with a new stronger cylinder stop spring unless the loads you're shooting are over pressure and/or using bullets heavier than 250 grains.

It's funny but I do not recall this being an issue with 4 and 5 screw guns. This problem really bacame prevalent when handgun silhouette shooting became extremely popular.

Bruce

[jhcii]

I'm going to leave it alone, the 629-1 from 1985. I had one in 1984 and the cylinder ring in front of the cylinder separated into two rings with a crack running around where they were one.

I figure a misfire for rotation in lock up is better as it is originally the same metal parts.

If I send it to SW they will not replace original parts (non mim and cnc) with original stockpile. I don't want to alter the gun.

As far as my two twenty nine dash tens I think they are the top of the line to shoot where they point and function without timing issues in a reasonable amount of rounds.

This doesn't mean I won't buy another 29-2 in an 8 and 3/8" barrel with red ramp front and white outline rear sights w/TH and TT and in BLUE!

I would fire it of course to make sure it is sighted in.

Then after that I'd probably adore it without too much more firing....

[Laketime]

I've owned more model 29's over the years than I can remember.All 29-2's and 29-3's.I cant ever recall one failing in any way.I have always used either factory or loaded to factory reloads.I use to hit the range a least once a week,with no fewer than 3 29's with me.I have to ask what kind of loads you guys are using to wear these guns out.

[Gunhacker]

Originally Posted by BruceM

The cylinder float problem on pre-Endurance Package M29's and M629's can usually be cured with a new stronger cylinder stop spring unless the loads you're shooting are over pressure and/or using bullets heavier than 250 grains.

It's funny but I don not recall this being an issue with 4 and 5 screw guns. This problem really bacame prevalent when handgun silhouette shooting became extremely popular.

Bruce

+1... get yourself a Wolff extra power cylinder stop spring: https://www.gunsprings.com/index.cfm...D=3&mID=58#448

[S&W617]

I have a MagNaPort Stalker built on a 629-1 that I have run some pretty hot loads through it and have yet to experience this. I have only fired maybe 3-400 rds through it to date, should I expect problems from this gun down the road? I bought the gun about 13yrs ago from a co-worker and don't know how much it had been shot, but appeared to be in near perfect condition (still is). Obviously I don't shoot it enough, just don't hunt much anymore. Dig it out occasionally to play and punch targets. I know the Stalker pkg came with an action job, I wonder if this has already been corrected?

[jcelect]

Sir, I have experienced the same problem when shooting the 460 and 500, after every round fired! The cylinder latch drops down with the slightest movement of the trigger! My problem is a "limp finger". I use a loose hold, which means when the gun fires your hand relaxes and the finger slaps the trigger under recoil. This action is enough to unlatch the cylinder. To prove this theory, pull the trigger to the stop and hold long after the guns fires. Then release the trigger. This is hard to do for an experienced shooter with old habits! I have never had this happen with my 29-3 Silhouette, which has shot 1000s of rounds since 1984 of 240gr bullets in front of 24grs of H110! My solution for the 460 and 500, don't buy any! My 44s and 41s will kill a deer and that is all I need!
jcelect

[BLUEDOT37]

Originally Posted by Laketime

I have to ask what kind of loads you guys are using to wear these guns out.

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I can't speak for others, & mine isn't wore out, (did have to add some bearings/spacers for endshake) but reloading as a adolescent in the late 60's/early 70's, using the load data of the times, being a little over exuberant, & having Rugers to use as sledgehammers, I guess somewhere along the line we forgot to treat our S&Ws with a little more respect.

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[jhcii]

Originally Posted by Laketime

I've owned more model 29's over the years than I can remember.All 29-2's and 29-3's.I cant ever recall one failing in any way.I have always used either factory or loaded to factory reloads.I use to hit the range a least once a week,with no fewer than 3 29's with me.I have to ask what kind of loads you guys are using to wear these guns out.

I have run into a lot of these older guns that haven't the strength or right cylinder lock timing since then. They just don't make it with SW N frames of old time for .44 Magnum.



This 4" 29-10 has replaced grips from the old Goncalo Alves times. This 4" shoots at 50 feet with five shots above and one shot below. After the first five shots I lowered the rear sight and the 6th shot landed right where it is shooting. I have more targets using Remington JSPs in DA action where the shots (for me) are slightly right of the SA trigger. I figure it's just the way you hold it in SA or DA.

Either way this 4" works to do the job of a lower caliber weapon and I like it better than all lower caliber.

I had a few 57s as well and the .41 Magnum is really perfect in the SW N Frame more so in the 70s.

Today SW mastered the 29 in the 29-10 as far as I have experienced.

I like my 629-1 from 1985 because it has no MIM or CNC parts. Yes it skips firing the full cylinder but I won't mess with it. It's SW historic to me.

The 29-10s I've used and to my satisfaction despite the gun lock in the cylinder release area (I ignore) they work above board head and shoulders compared to all 29's before 29-10.

[jhcii]

Originally Posted by Laketime

I've owned more model 29's over the years than I can remember.All 29-2's and 29-3's.I cant ever recall one failing in any way.I have always used either factory or loaded to factory reloads.I use to hit the range a least once a week,with no fewer than 3 29's with me.I have to ask what kind of loads you guys are using to wear these guns out.

I didn't know a timing problem was possible with 29s or 29-2's until I ran into my first surprise which was a nickle 6.5 " instead of blue back in 1985. It was from Fowler's Gun Room on Tustin when I live in the city of Orange in Orange County.

I have run into a lot of these older guns that haven't the strength or right cylinder lock timing since then. They just don't make it with SW N frames of old time for .44 Magnum.

I had a few 57s as well and the .41 Magnum is really perfect in the SW N Frame more so in the 70s.

Today SW mastered the 29 in the 29-10 as far as I have experienced.

I like my 629-1 from 1985 because it has no MIM or CNC parts. Yes it skips firing the full cylinder but I won't mess with it. It's and SW historic relic to me.

The 29-10s I've used and to my satisfaction despite the gun lock in the cylinder release area (I ignore) they work above board head and shoulders compared to all 29's before 29-10.

[jhcii]

Originally Posted by BLUEDOT37

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I can't speak for others, & mine isn't wore out, (did have to add some bearings/spacers for endshake) but reloading as a adolescent in the late 60's/early 70's, using the load data of the times, being a little over exuberant, & having Rugers to use as sledgehammers, I guess somewhere along the line we forgot to treat our S&Ws with a little more respect.

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I used to reload 250 gr semi wadcutters and 180 gr Sierra Jacketed Hollow Points.

Both were good loads. 2400 powder and magnum primers were fine.

But all SWs I got used or new that I am referring to came from the 70s with the attendant problem of lock up on factory ammunition.

I never shot a reload in a 70's SW 29. All factory. By the time the 80's came pinned and recessed SWs were history. They are history to me as well.

In the 70's I reloaded for a Ruger Super Blackhawk similar to this 6.5" Ruger New Model Blackhawk in the red and white box:




Ruger SA's are tough. They are also a bit rough in trigger action but if you find the right trigger in a Ruger Blackhawk then you have an everlasting .41 or .44 Magnum.

[BruceM]

I like my 629-1 from 1985 because it has no MIM or CNC parts.

I have a news flash for you. If you think there was no CNC machining in your 1985 Smith, you couldn't be more wrong than if you said black is white. As far as MIM parts go, the exterior parts such as hammers and triggers look like hell compared to the forged CCH originals but they work more than just fine. The internal parts are uniformly excellent and both are used extensively in the M29-10 which you seem to like. Timing issues can just as likely be a fitting issue in the older guns as a durability issue. I have seen new M29-2s, etc go out of time after a couple of boxes of ammo and that wasn't because they were not durable but rather because their carry up was if'y from the get. I really don't know what everybody's problem is with MIM parts but IMV, they're just running scared. Personally, I don't understand your issue with CNC machined parts is either. Rugers for the last few decades are based on investment cast CNC machined and MIM parts in case you didn't know.

Bruce

[jhcii]

The older SW N Frames without the above from the 70s and into the 80s I've had and they are not as perfect as my current collection of 29-10s.

I say a 29-10 today is the best of the SW 29 story.

Jerry Miculek showed it on this:

https://video.search.yahoo.com/video...t=mozilla&tt=b

Respectfully submitted.

[Rocket3]

Got to love Jerry!

I have 4 -3's. 50K easy on the round count, no issues on mine. Not saying it can't happen.

If a -10 isn't an improvement over a -3 there is something very wrong.

Good post jhcii

[Rob41]

Originally Posted by jcelect

Sir, I have experienced the same problem when shooting the 460 and 500, after every round fired! The cylinder latch drops down with the slightest movement of the trigger! My problem is a "limp finger". I use a loose hold, which means when the gun fires your hand relaxes and the finger slaps the trigger under recoil. This action is enough to unlatch the cylinder.

My solution for the 460 and 500, don't buy any! My 44s and 41s will kill a deer and that is all I need!
jcelect

I've only put a few hundred rounds through my new .460 so far but haven't experienced any issues. The .460 is not a caliber I would recommend holding "loosely".

Perhaps a better solution is to try out the 460 and 500 X Frames to see if they are a good fit for your shooting style.

[BruceM]

The older SW N Frames without the above from the 70s and into the 80s I've had and they are not as perfect as my current collection of 29-10s.

And the video of Jerry Miculek proves what?

At any rate, I'm glad you'll be leaving all the -2 and earlier guns for the rest of us. Personally, I'll never buy a S&W revolver with the Hillary Hole in the side for reasons of personal principles.

Anyway..............

Bruce

[model70hunter]

Go back to Brucem post 9. This pretty much the story. I had a 629 no dash and it did the same as yours only on thd 1st or 2nd shot. Ive owned 3 or 4 29-2s and 1 29-3. None of them cycled backwards. Neither does my new mim 629. Mim. I held out for a while, I now do t k ow why. It shoots well and is much cheaper than those 29 in a box.

[roscoepc]

I had a late 80's Model 29, 8-3/8" barrel that had a few hundred rounds ran through her and I never experienced this problem.. Definitely a FINE shooting weapon using 240gr Remington factory loads!!

That said, I presently own a 500 X-Frame and I've not had the cylinder rotation problem with this gun either.. "Limp Finger"??? I've never heard of that!! These are powerful guns and I guess you could call what I do is a "Full Pull" on the trigger: The trigger goes all the way back when the gun is fired, held for a split second, and then released for the next shot either DA or SA.

And yes, I can get 3-5 rounds off in less than a second if I need too with the 500!! In no way do I consider myself a professional marksman, I just concentrate on the basics EVERY time I handle the weapon!!