My understanding is that the early 629's were not meant to be shot a lot with mag loads and especially not bullet weights over 240 grain.I would guess they go out of time maybe. Is it the metallurgy or what, they are forged and I thought that was the strongest ounce for ounce. So a Ruger is stronger than the 629's and blued 29's of old? Does anybody know what dash numbers are considered weaker?
DOES ANYBODY KNOW THE STORY ON THE EARLY 629'S
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brokenprism
US Veteran
I edited this because I clearly didn't know what you will read below.
Guess I'll put some .44 mag ammo up for sale. ; )
Guess I'll put some .44 mag ammo up for sale. ; )
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This story in HANDLOADER sheds more light on this subject than anything else I've ever read.
http://www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/PDF/HL%20241%20Partial%20(LO)%202.pdf
I battered my 29-2 back in the '70s shooting 100s of full power loads in silhouette competition.
There are those who say it isn't so, however.
http://www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/PDF/HL%20241%20Partial%20(LO)%202.pdf
I battered my 29-2 back in the '70s shooting 100s of full power loads in silhouette competition.
There are those who say it isn't so, however.
Read this doing research, thought I would bring it up here for confirmation.
I too bought a 629 (4") a few months back. I too have heard that the pre -5 29's and 629's had a "durability" problem. Before buying mine, I decided to call "The Man" himself. Alright, somebody at S&W. They confirmed that the older guns should not be shot with anything over 240gr and/or very hot loads "FOR AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME AND/OR FREQUENCY".
That is from the people that made the guns, not just me. Call them anytime you like to confirm this confirmation. Since I have no intentions of shooting ultra hot loads, I bought a 1983 (actually I am forgetting the exact year just now) 629-1 and haven't had any problems with any store bought ammo. I use mine mostly for shooting light-medium reloaded mags and very light specials for PPC shooting.
Just buy it! They are Great guns!
I too bought a 629 (4") a few months back. I too have heard that the pre -5 29's and 629's had a "durability" problem. Before buying mine, I decided to call "The Man" himself. Alright, somebody at S&W. They confirmed that the older guns should not be shot with anything over 240gr and/or very hot loads "FOR AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME AND/OR FREQUENCY".
That is from the people that made the guns, not just me. Call them anytime you like to confirm this confirmation. Since I have no intentions of shooting ultra hot loads, I bought a 1983 (actually I am forgetting the exact year just now) 629-1 and haven't had any problems with any store bought ammo. I use mine mostly for shooting light-medium reloaded mags and very light specials for PPC shooting.
Just buy it! They are Great guns!
grip frame
Member
I think there is truth to the story's you will hear.
I have seen more used Smith&Wesson .44 mags with problems than any other revolver make/model in my 25 years of interest with them.
Loose tolerances, endshake and timing problems with many a 29-2 and early 629's.
The revolvers were used and there was no way to tell how many and what type of rounds had been through them.
Then there was the problem also of cylinders unlocking during heavy recoil with heavier and stouter loads.
Smith addressed this problem with the full endurance package introduced on the 629-2 E and the 29-4/-5. Also they made the cylinder bolt stop notches larger to prevent the unlocking problem.
So the desirable and strong pre lock .44 mags will be the 629-2E,629-3 and 629-4. The 629-5 is good but has MIM parts but no lock.
In the 29 series there may have been a short run of 29-4 with the full endurance package (not sure, can't remember) but the 29-5 and 29-6 are pre lock/pre MIM with the full endurance package.
One must remember that the N frame has a removable side plate (makes it less rigid) and was originally designed as a non magnum .44. More modern frame revolvers like the Ruger and Dan Wesson are stronger (also bulkier,heavier and less visually appealing IMO.)
In all fairness though I have never seen a used 629-1 with problems.
Its my opinion that anything that needs to be done with a .44 mag can be done with the N frame with the endurance package, think 300 grain hard cast at 1200-1300. If one needs more power it makes more sense to go up in caliber (.454casull,.480 Ruger ect) than to hot rod the .44 mag.
I have seen more used Smith&Wesson .44 mags with problems than any other revolver make/model in my 25 years of interest with them.
Loose tolerances, endshake and timing problems with many a 29-2 and early 629's.
The revolvers were used and there was no way to tell how many and what type of rounds had been through them.
Then there was the problem also of cylinders unlocking during heavy recoil with heavier and stouter loads.
Smith addressed this problem with the full endurance package introduced on the 629-2 E and the 29-4/-5. Also they made the cylinder bolt stop notches larger to prevent the unlocking problem.
So the desirable and strong pre lock .44 mags will be the 629-2E,629-3 and 629-4. The 629-5 is good but has MIM parts but no lock.
In the 29 series there may have been a short run of 29-4 with the full endurance package (not sure, can't remember) but the 29-5 and 29-6 are pre lock/pre MIM with the full endurance package.
One must remember that the N frame has a removable side plate (makes it less rigid) and was originally designed as a non magnum .44. More modern frame revolvers like the Ruger and Dan Wesson are stronger (also bulkier,heavier and less visually appealing IMO.)
In all fairness though I have never seen a used 629-1 with problems.
Its my opinion that anything that needs to be done with a .44 mag can be done with the N frame with the endurance package, think 300 grain hard cast at 1200-1300. If one needs more power it makes more sense to go up in caliber (.454casull,.480 Ruger ect) than to hot rod the .44 mag.
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ElmerKeith
Member
There is also a very good description in John Taffin's "Book of the .44" about this problem.
I once had a M 29-5 4" but seldom fired it with full house loads à la Mr. Keith.
I once had a M 29-5 4" but seldom fired it with full house loads à la Mr. Keith.
The 29-3E (Endurance) designation was applied to the Silhouette model in response to the issues described. The problem was heavy bullets (300 grains) being fired at high velocity and the endurance package was an attempt to address those issues.
I have a 29-3 Silhouette and can attest to the truth of the "cylinder float" issue. I would have it happen sporadically when firing offhand but never from the bench, IIRC. I was also not using an especially heavy load: 20 grains of 2400 and a 240/250 grain cast bullet. This particular gun was in excellent condition when I got it, no signs of abuse/excessive wear, yet had the problem described above.
I installed an extra power stop spring and dropped the load back to 19 grains; have had no further issue with it. I have a 629-1 that shoots that load exceptionally well, so I inadvertently killed two birds with one stone.
The Redhawk is the gun to beat for top loads in a DA revolver. Like grip frame, I don't care for the weight and I've never handled one with as good a trigger as an S&W but the strength/durability is definitely there.
I have a 29-3 Silhouette and can attest to the truth of the "cylinder float" issue. I would have it happen sporadically when firing offhand but never from the bench, IIRC. I was also not using an especially heavy load: 20 grains of 2400 and a 240/250 grain cast bullet. This particular gun was in excellent condition when I got it, no signs of abuse/excessive wear, yet had the problem described above.
I installed an extra power stop spring and dropped the load back to 19 grains; have had no further issue with it. I have a 629-1 that shoots that load exceptionally well, so I inadvertently killed two birds with one stone.
The Redhawk is the gun to beat for top loads in a DA revolver. Like grip frame, I don't care for the weight and I've never handled one with as good a trigger as an S&W but the strength/durability is definitely there.
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