29/629 endurance package question

Erocksmash · #1 03-07-2021, 11:33 PM

Hi,

This is a question that I have always been in/on my mind!?!?

How important is the endurance package on said .44 magnum Revolvers?

I'm sure along with everything it helps but is it absolutely necessary when shooting 240 pills, or heavier ?

Educate me please, my searches haven't revealed much...

Thanks
Erik

CH4 · #2 03-07-2021, 11:43 PM

It’s only important if you repeatedly shoot a lot of heavy loads, especially with bullets weighing 250 to 300 grains. The 29/629 without the endurance package will last generations if you don’t regularly hot rod it beyond saami specs. There’re countless 29/629s that are still going strong after 60 years of reasonable service.

Nightowl · #3 03-07-2021, 11:58 PM

I bought my 29-2 in 1968. I shot several thousand heavy loads, but about 10% under Elmers load of 22 grains of 2400 with a 240 grain lead bullet. It is still in good shape, I have been easy on it for the last 30 years as I don't shoot many heavy .44 Mag loads, and when I do I have a couple of 629-5s with 7 1/2 inch barrels which hold the hurt better.

As I understand, the endurance packages were engineered because metallic silhouette shooters were beating up the model 29s with thousands of maximum loads with 300 grain bullets. Hickok45 claims to have shot over 75000 rounds through his model 29. He has had to have it repaired a couple of times, but that is to be expected due to normal wear.

Erocksmash · #4 03-07-2021, 11:59 PM

What would be considered repeatedly? A cylinder every now and then? A steady diet ?

I mean a 240gr pill with 21g of 2400 is plenty already, I couldn't imagine 300gr all the time...( sorry just speaking out loud)

Erocksmash · #5 03-08-2021, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightowl

I bought my 29-2 in 1968. I shot several thousand heavy loads, but about 10% under Elmers load of 22 grains of 2400 with a 240 grain lead bullet. It is still in good shape, I have been easy on it for the last 30 years as I don't shoot many heavy .44 Mag loads, and when I do I have a couple of 629-5s with 7 1/2 inch barrels which hold the hurt better.

As I understand, the endurance packages were engineered because metallic silhouette shooters were beating up the model 29s with thousands of maximum loads with 300 grain bullets. Hickok45 claims to have shot over 75000 rounds through his model 29. He has had to have it repaired a couple of times, but that is to be expected due to normal wear.

75k rounds, obviously that will take its toll...

I'm right at 21gr under 240 anything really and that seems plenty... would maybe go heavier or 300gr if I knew it would beat the poo out of the gun... but it would be in an "endurance" gun...

Thousands is more than I would say I could shoot out of a .44 in 300gr max loads....

So maybe the endurance package is void in my searches?

k22fan · #6 03-08-2021, 12:25 AM

The goal was for S&W to recover from their failing reputation in 200 meter metallic silhouette so the endurance package was not only about endurance. Dan Wessons and a few other brands did not only hold up better, they were more accurate. To improve accuracy part of the endurance package was not running the forcing cone reamers as deep into the back end of the barrel and reducing cylinder throat diameters. Those improvements are more important than improved endurance to some precision shooters.

Does any of it matter to you? I don't know. Elmer Keith did more with his S&W .44 Magnums than I ever will with mine and he did not live long enough to see the endurance package. Also, many collectors want recessed chambers and pinned barrels. Those features were discontinued before the endurance package was engineered.

bgrafsr · #7 03-08-2021, 01:31 AM

Dick Metcalf article in Shooting Times:

Erocksmash · #8 03-08-2021, 11:17 AM

That is a very informative article sir thanks

kaaskop49 · #9 03-08-2021, 01:21 PM

I stumbled across this issue years before S&W acknowledged it. I bought my 29 in 1973. Not a heavy user of heavy loads, the cylinder would rotate backwards upon firing a magnum round, placing a previously fired case under the hammer. Gun was sent to a 'smith, unknown what was done. I restricted the gun to .44 Spls and the medium magnum loads of the 1980s.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

357 shooter · #10 03-08-2021, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k22fan

The goal was for S&W to recover from their failing reputation in 220 meter metallic silhouette so the endurance package was not only about endurance. Dan Wessons and a few other brands did not only hold up better, they were more accurate. To improve accuracy part of the endurance package was not running the forcing cone reamers as deep into the back end of the barrel and reducing cylinder throat diameters. Those improvements are more important than improved endurance to some precision shooters.

Does any of it matter to you? I don't know. Elmer Keith did more with his S&W .44 Magnums than I ever will with mine and he did not live long enough to see the endurance package. Also, many collectors want recessed chambers and pinned barrels. Those features were discontinued before the endurance package was engineered.

I remember reading about the upgrades that improved the accuracy too. The 629 I have was made with the endurance package. I have accuracy tested it some years ago and it has proved to be one of the most accurate repeating handguns I have ever fired. And it is not picky about what bullet weight it shoots well with , 180, 220 , 240 and 300s have all given me great results.

BigBill · #11 03-08-2021, 09:38 PM

My smiths I cherish there mainly safe queens but will go to the range a be fired with normal loads. My ruger RedHawks are going to get a steady diet of magnum loads there built to be hammered. RedHawks are for shooting.

jaymoore · #12 03-09-2021, 03:47 AM

IHMSA finally set some topple standards for the 200m Rams, reducing the need for crazy hot loads, which were tough not just on S&Ws. Probably about the time the endurance package came out. (The "adjustment" to the throat diameters away from the old SAAMI and "pre-SAAMI" standard done a bit later surely does make generating accurate long range loads easier!)

FWIW, I've been running two 29-3's (no endurance package) in IHMSA for some time now and the only thing wearing is the sear engagement. Which isn't recoil related. Big Bore starts back up in a few weeks, and it's likely one of them will be in the fray! The 629-6 may sit the season out, in favor of something that burns less powder....