Anyone done a 2000 round challenge w/ a new S&W revolver?

[LoneStarWings]

Hi,

I think I'm going to do a 2000 round challenge with my new 629. My plan is to shoot 1000 44 mags and 1000 44 specials over a few months. I've only done 150 of each so far (300 total).

The rules of the challenge are that you can't clean or maintain the pistol for 2000 shots and you must report any malfunction, stoppage, or breakage (it "fails" if you experience one of these). You can clean and lube the pistol before it starts.

Do you it is OK to do this with a S&W revolver as long as I clean it thoroughly at the end or do I risk damaging the revolver? If it passes the test I will take off the sideplate to clean the internals and remove the lock.

I always do this with my semi-autos and usually learn a lot about the reliability of the pistol and improve my handling of the gun in the process.

 

[H Richard]

I would never treat one of my revolvers that way. Not cleaning for many months and 2000 rounds only accelerates wear. When I pay the close to 4 digit price of a current S&W 629 I treat it like I want to keep it. Shoot what I normally would then clean it after every outing. Of course it's your gun so you can do whatever you wish with it.

 

[Sevens]

I don't see a problem with the test you wish to do unless the bullets you use are unjacketed lead that may leave lead deposits in the barrel.

I'm from the camp (firmly, from the camp) that more guns have been damaged from over-zealous cleaning than by not cleaning. I don't believe that a thousand rounds of .44 Magnum will hurt a revolver without cleaning, but it would beat the ever-loving tar out of my hands.

 

[robert1804]

I doubt it would hurt a revolver to try such a challenge provided you look out for any extreme leading if any of those rounds are lead. I'd bet difficult extraction would be the limiter. If you fired all 1000 magnums first, there's a good chance of making that but 1,000 44 specials would almost certainly soot the chambers so extraction would be difficult well before 1,000 rounds. Also, if these rules prevented you from brushing under the extractor, problems opening and closing the cylinder would stop the challenge early.

Now, if you loc-tited all the screws, brushed the chambers when extraction got hard, brushed out the **** under the extractor as needed, and used only jacketed bullets, 2,000 rounds (or more) should easily be possible.

 

[326MOD10]

I put about 850 .38 specials through a 640 PRO in a 2 day period at a training class without an issue.

I wouldn't think it would be a problem. But .44 Mag might be a little more punishing.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[shouldazagged]

I would never treat one of my revolvers that way. Not cleaning for many months and 2000 rounds only accelerates wear. When I pay the close to 4 digit price of a current S&W 629 I treat it like I want to keep it. Shoot what I normally would then clean it after every outing. Of course it's your gun so you can do whatever you wish with it.

What he said. I'm not obsessive-compulsive about rigorous, white-glove cleaning, but I grew up around hunters who followed the "Guns are cleaned before anybody eats" rule, and some of it rubbed off.

If it was a Glock I might consider cleaning it every third time I shot it, but not a revolver. Especially a new, expensive one.

 

[BB57]

The concept itself is stupid - and pointless. Are you ever going to go 2000 rounds without cleaning? Why would you even consider it?

Even 850 rounds in a 2 day class seems pointless, since it only takes about 10 minutes start to finish to clean a revolver between class days.

More dirt equals more wear. Period. I would not treat a firearm that way - especially if my life potentially depended on it.

 

[growr]

And what is your purpose or reason for this? This is NOT a combat handgun....That much ammo will probably cost more than the gun!

Randy

 

[LoneStarWings]

The concept itself is stupid - and pointless. Are you ever going to go 2000 rounds without cleaning? Why would you even consider it?

Even 850 rounds in a 2 day class seems pointless, since it only takes about 10 minutes start to finish to clean a revolver between class days.

More dirt equals more wear. Period. I would not treat a firearm that way - especially if my life potentially depended on it.

And what is your purpose or reason for this? This is NOT a combat handgun....That much ammo will probably cost more than the gun!

Randy

I'd tell you to ask Todd Green were he not deceased: https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?9-2-000-Round-Challenge
I'd say the point is to test to the reliability and durability of the revolver, see if it can hang with the semi-autos, and a fun reason to fire 2000 rounds through it. Obviously I didn't come up with the challenge. The only revolver I saw in that thread was a Ruger LCR which had its cylinder latch fall off toward the end. The only reason I wouldn't do it is if it could cause some kind of significant damage to the pistol. Things like this just seem fun to me, although I realize that it would probably "trigger" many people who are obsessive/compulsive about gun cleaning:
Ol' Dirty


You say more dirt equals more wear. Can you expand on this? Could I expect the revolver to develop timing problems? Will internal parts and springs wear out faster than they otherwise would?

Even then, it's not as if it's some rare irreplaceable firearm that needs to be treated delicately for preservation. A new 629 be replaced any time with a 10 minute trip to Cabela's or most any gun shop in town.

Not worried about the cost of the ammo, that money is going to be spent whether the challenge is done or not. It doesn't cost that much if you reload anyway.

 

[Scrateshooter]

Hi,

I think I'm going to do a 2000 round challenge with my new 629. My plan is to shoot 1000 44 mags and 1000 44 specials over a few months. I've only done 150 of each so far (300 total).

The rules of the challenge are that you can't clean or maintain the pistol for 2000 shots and you must report any malfunction, stoppage, or breakage (it "fails" if you experience one of these). You can clean and lube the pistol before it starts.

Do you it is OK to do this with a S&W revolver as long as I clean it thoroughly at the end or do I risk damaging the revolver? If it passes the test I will take off the sideplate to clean the internals and remove the lock.

I always do this with my semi-autos and usually learn a lot about the reliability of the pistol and improve my handling of the gun in the process.

Do it with a 329PD

 

[Alk8944]

First, where did you get the thought that this would be a good idea? And, second, what is it you propose this is supposed to prove?


Such treatment of any mechanical device constitutes abuse! As H Richard points out, if you are paying in the area of $1,000 or more for a revolver why would you want to start its service life by heaping such abuse on it? Your proposed "challenge" is akin to buying a new car, driving it 20,000 miles without an oil change or other maintenance. Does that sound like a reasonable thing to do?


They say there is no such thing as a stupid question, I disagree. But there is such a thing as a stupid idea, and this is one of those!

 

[LoneStarWings]

Do it with a 329PD

No thanks I carry 305gr Hard Cast Underwood Magnums and they are bad enough out of the 629. Would not being using too many of those for this test though.

 

[reddog81]

I regularly shoot my 929 or GP100 for 500 rounds without cleaning (2 or 3 trips to the range). When I clean them most of the time it consists of a spray of CLP down the barrel and a brief cleaning of the cylinder. 2000 rounds shouldn’t hurt anything at all.

If you’ve got dirt all over the gun you’re doing something wrong.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Your "test" isn't accomplishing anything. My 29's & 629's have had many thousands of 44 mag rounds through them over the years. All full throttle. I don't shoot specials in my magnums. That's what my specials are for. AND All my revolvers get a bore/cylinder brush/mop and a wipe down after each shooting session.

 

[357 shooter]

Even then, it's not as if it's some rare irreplaceable firearm that needs to be treated delicately for preservation. A new 629 be replaced any time with a 10 minute trip to Cabela's or most any gun shop in town.

Evidently you have a lot more disposable income than most here. I don't treat my 629 as something I can just pick up anytime like buying a toothbrush.

 

[theothermikeg]

It's almost as if some of y'all think the OP is asking to use YOUR gun to run HIS test! Money for ammo or another weapon appears to be a non-issue so no problem there. It's just a tool, right? Why not push the limits of it and see how it does?

 

[357 shooter]

It's almost as if some of y'all think the OP is asking to use YOUR gun to run HIS test!

Not at all as the OP thread asks right from the start -
"Anyone done a 2000 round challenge w/ a new S&W revolver?"
I'm sure he was not asking if anyone has done a 2000 shot challenge with his revolver.

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

Looking forward to the range report.
I see no problem with this test in the least.
500 rounds minimum before the
Depend to defend on all carry guns

 

[theothermikeg]

Not at all as the OP thread asks right from the start -
"Anyone done a 2000 round challenge w/ a new S&W revolver?"
I'm sure he was not asking if anyone has done a 2000 shot challenge with his revolver.

I got an A in reading comprehension and no the OP didn't literally ask that of anyone. "Almost as if" are the operative words in my post. My point is that several posters seemed to take great offense at the mere concept of him doing the test at all.

The concept itself is stupid - and pointless. - BB57

Such treatment of any mechanical device constitutes abuse! - Alk8944

And what is your purpose or reason for this? This is NOT a combat handgun....That much ammo will probably cost more than the gun! - grwr

Evidently you have a lot more disposable income than most here. I don't treat my 629 as something I can just pick up anytime like buying a toothbrush. - 357 Shooter

I can't afford to beat up my guns like this so I won't be doing it. But why all this angst over a guy who can, using a current production gun? For goodness sake, he's not torture testing a rare top-break revolver. Don't worry, S&W will make more 629s.

 

[ShivasIrons]

It is your revolver, do with it as you please.

I look forward to hearing your results.