44 Magnum Mod. 29: trouble with a swollen chamber of the cylinder

[docpilot]

Good evening all.
I have a used 44 Mag. Mod 29 with trouble on a swollen chamber of the cylinder.
I never shot heavy rounds, but only commercial ammunition and reloaded rounds following the proper doses of the cartridge reloading.
When I took this little jewel, turning the cylinder with the hammer and the trigger by hand, I felt a little resistance on a part of the cylinder. The next turns was free instead.
At first time I didn't realize what was the cause, thinking that could be a part of the extractor. In a second time, I found the cause... turning the cylinder in front of me I saw that the part that caused the resistance was swollen and bumped (lightly) against the cylinder stop. Also, its chamber is not perfectly circular but has an internal small dent where the external part of the cylinder meets the cylinder stop.
Is it possible to repair it?
Thanks to whoever answer me.
Greetings.

 

[WR Moore]

Repair is replacement of the cylinder. Contact S&W customer service for repairs.

 

[murphydog]

If you purchased it used, a prior owner probably fired an overpressure round in that chamber and caused the problem. Hopefully you can find a replacement cylinder, if you save the other parts (yoke, extractor and rod) for reuse it should be an easy fix.

 

[stansdds]

Only fix is to replace the cylinder.

 

[BMCM]

Only fix is to replace the cylinder.

And I'd not shoot the thing until you do.

When you have a deformation like that, even when it's very minor, it is a sign the the elastic limit of the steel has been exceeded and thus it is permanently weakened in that area.

Cheers
Bill

 

[steelslaver]

Look on Ebay, lots of 629 cylinders there. May need some fitting. If you get an older one with the pins get it with an extractor as the pins extractor are match drilled and seldom interchange.

 

[Oracle]

Look on Ebay, lots of 629 cylinders there. May need some fitting. If you get an older one with the pins get it with an extractor as the pins extractor are match drilled and seldom interchange.

Just one issue, the 629 is stainless.

 

[docpilot]

Thank you all.
I hope I can find a new cylinder...
A last question: in the meantime can I shoot with the other five chambers of the cylinder or is there nothing more to do?
Greetings

 

[stansdds]

Thank you all.
I hope I can find a new cylinder...
A last question: in the meantime can I shoot with the other five chambers of the cylinder or is there nothing more to do?
Greetings

Maybe, personally, I would not. One chamber is visually compromised, I would wonder about the condition of the other chambers. It's possible that a previous owner fired one over pressure cartridge and bulged the one chamber, but it could also be a case of many over pressure rounds being fired and that one chamber is the first to show a structrural change.

 

[Oracle]

Maybe, personally, I would not. One chamber is visually compromised, I would wonder about the condition of the other chambers. It's possible that a previous owner fired one over pressure cartridge and bulged the one chamber, but it could also be a case of many over pressure rounds being fired and that one chamber is the first to show a structrural change.

Absolutely agree, the cylinder may or may not let loose, no reason to gamble with being maimed or blinded.

 

[docpilot]

Thanks again you all.
I will follow your advice.
Greetings.

 

[steelslaver]

Just one issue, the 629 is stainless.

Right you are, But then there will also be lots of blue model 29 cylinders there. A search for S&W 29 cylinder brought up 5 on the first page.

 

[docpilot]

Right you are, But then there will also be lots of blue model 29 cylinders there. A search for S&W 29 cylinder brought up 5 on the first page.

Forgive me, but I am not so able with PC.
Can you show me the first page with the 5 S&W 29 cylinders?
Thank you.

 

[WR Moore]

I can't help you with the internet-other than to say search "S&W model 628 cylinder assemblies" possibly at specialist sites like gunpartscorp.

But I need to point something out. Cylinders aren't drop in parts. There's careful fitting involved. Very careful fitting if the ratchet need adjusting to get proper barrel/cylinder alignment. You also don't know that the cylinder you're buying hasn't been abused. That's why I suggested return to the factory.

 

[steelslaver]

Forgive me, but I am not so able with PC.
Can you show me the first page with the 5 S&W 29 cylinders?
Thank you.

Go on Ebay, then where it says search for anything enter

S&W cylinder 29

and then hit the search button and it will show them to you

Forum rules will not allow me to link you directly to a ongoing auction

If that don't work out for you let me know, I probably have 1 or 2 in my cylinder collections. I use them when I make 45 colt cylinders

Model 29 cylinders from other guns may or may not work in your gun. You can use a non recessed cylinder in a recessed gun, you have to modify the frame lug to fit a recessed cylinder into a non recessed frame. Sometimes the original yoke tube length is a bit long or short. Short is an easy fix with shims, long you must shorten end of yoke tube and keep it square while doing so. Also some minor adjustment on ejector rod length may be needed. Maybe 50% of cylinder will drop in and work. Interestingly very few actually need work on their timing. My experience from replacing over 30 or so cylinders doing modifications. I do things like make 357s into 45 colts, 44 mags into 45 colts 45 acps into 45 colts, 38s into 357s, 38s into 32. Made 22 cylinders into 32 cylinders, 357 cylinder into a 22 cylinder.
This 5 screw pinned and recessed 45 colt was originally a 357 HP. The cylinder was a recessed 44 mag.

 

[docpilot]

Thank you a lot.
But my technical knowledge is poor.
If I can't find a cylinder and am not lucky enough to fit my pistol, I think maybe I'll buy another 44 magnum.
I wouldn't be able to do a millionth part of what you can do.
Greetings

 

[WR Moore]

While we don't know where you are, THERE IS FACTORY SERVICE! Even outside the US there are (used to be) designated S&W service facilities.

 

[docpilot]

Thank you, I'll follow your advice.
I live in Europe and there seem to be factory services.
Greetings

 

[docpilot]

Good evening.
I bought another 44 Magnum 29-5. It is more beautiful than the previous one (always 29-5) and has no defects. I have already fired 240 grs factory ammunition. Some friends suggest not always shooting factory ammunition in order not to weaken the revolver, but to switch to reloading in order not to stress the weapon too much. Since I had a negative experience with the first revolver, I wondered whether factory ammunition could really damage the revolver with continued use, and therefore shoot every now and then preferring reloaded ammunition with a lower power. Are my firends rights, or can I safely shoot the commercial ammunition?
Thanks to whoever will answer me.
Greetings

 

[Monticello Marshal]

I just dealt with that exact issue with a 66. Bought a new cylinder with a fitted ratchet from S&W customer service $100. It needed fitted/timed by a pistol smith who fitted the hand and the ratchet another $75.00 the ruined cylinder is a conversation piece pencil holder..

Since you have already replaced the 29, factory ammo is always ok, but handloading 44 spl for a mild shooting load would be a great option and less costly as well as another hobby over always shooting full power 44 mag factory loads.