S&W 629 Endurance Package

Tony2much · Feb 26, 2017

I bought this 6" S&W Model 629-1 Classic Hunter new in 1988. It was 1 of 5000 in the first limited run of these beautiful revolvers. I keep reading about an "Endurance Package" that was included in what I believe was the 629-2 and after models.

I don't shoot hot loads or hand loads and stick to off the shelf, standard .44 mag ammo, but I would like for my gun to be as durable as possible in case I eventually want to.

Is it something that can be retrofit to my firearm and is it advisable to have this upgrade performed?

Will S&W do this upgrade and cover under warranty?

Mule88 · Feb 26, 2017

Theres nothing that can be done to your current gun to add the endurance package. You can either keep it and buy a dash 3 or higher or sell your current gun and buy a dash 3 or higher. Good luck on what you decide

shottist · Feb 26, 2017

Unless you are an avid "Silhouette-ist" or one of those masochistic wild eyed people who constantly insist on shooting full bore .44 magnum loads, the enhancement package is really unimportant. Enjoy and shoot what you have or get a Ruger and go mad.

Shark Bait · Feb 26, 2017

As has been stated already, you can't have the endurance package added. But unless you plan to shoot thousands of full power 44 magnum loads through it you shouldn't have a problem. When you don't need magnum power, shoot 44 Special and you'll enjoy shooting it even more. BTW, great looking gun!

Dale53 · Feb 26, 2017

I have an early Model 29 (8 3/8" with scope) that I have at least 10,000 loads of my practice load (250 gr. Keith ahead of 23.0 grs. of H110/296). My hunting load was 24.0 grs. of H110 giving 1300 fps, chronographed). I only shot enough of them to sight in and hunt with. The max load was 25.0 grs. at 1400 fps. chronographed). I shot just a few Lee 310 gr RF (Frank Siefer and I designed that bullet and Lee later added it to their catalog). The Model 29 is a very strong revolver regarding pressure. However, the damage done to the early ones was caused by recoil, not pressure. Heavy bullet loads were damaging when shot at full charge. So, I just kept away from the heavy bullet loads and my gun is still as tight as the day it was made.

If you stay away from heavy bullet loads, you'll be fine. Frankly, I don't use anything but cast bullets in my loads. Jacketed bullets will wear out a barrel in a surprisingly small amount of rounds. As an example, the Army's Advanced Markmanship program replaced the barrels on their target .45 ACP's every five thousand rounds. For all practical purposes, a cast bullet will almost NEVER wear out a pistol barrel. Ray Chapman was using his Packmayr built 1911 .45 ACP (with the original barrel) in World Championship matches after he had 200,000 rounds through it.

Just a thought or two...

Dale53

BillyMagg · Feb 26, 2017

Dale53 said:
I have an early Model 29 (8 3/8" with scope) that I have at least 10,000 loads of my practice load (250 gr. Keith ahead of 23.0 grs. of H110/296). My hunting load was 24.0 grs. of H110 giving 1300 fps, chronographed). I only shot enough of them to sight in and hunt with. The max load was 25.0 grs. at 1400 fps. chronographed). I shot just a few Lee 310 gr RF (Frank Siefer and I designed that bullet and Lee later added it to their catalog). The Model 29 is a very strong revolver regarding pressure. However, the damage done to the early ones was caused by recoil, not pressure. Heavy bullet loads were damaging when shot at full charge. So, I just kept away from the heavy bullet loads and my gun is still as tight as the day it was made.

If you stay away from heavy bullet loads, you'll be fine. Frankly, I don't use anything but cast bullets in my loads. Jacketed bullets will wear out a barrel in a surprisingly small amount of rounds. As an example, the Army's Advanced Markmanship program replaced the barrels on their target .45 ACP's every five thousand rounds. For all practical purposes, a cast bullet will almost NEVER wear out a pistol barrel. Ray Chapman was using his Packmayr built 1911 .45 ACP (with the original barrel) in World Championship matches after he had 200,000 rounds through it.

Just a thought or two...

Dale53

I'd say the 180gr Federals are hard on those old Smiths as well, lots of powder loose and rattling around as it burns, I stick to 200 to 240s, lead or cast, and in the neighborhood of 1200-1400fps for serious business and shoot cast 240 SW at 1000 to 1200 ft for targets/plinking etc.

Like the 125 Federals, the 180s likely contribute to flame cutting and just generally energetic muzzle flip etc??? no real engineering expertise, just observation and hear say???

BillyMagg · Feb 26, 2017

Tony2much said:
I bought this 6" S&W Model 629-1 Classic Hunter new in 1988. It was 1 of 5000 in the first limited run of these beautiful revolvers. I keep reading about an "Endurance Package" that was included in what I believe was the 629-2 and after models.

I don't shoot hot loads or hand loads and stick to off the shelf, standard .44 mag ammo, but I would like for my gun to be as durable as possible in case I eventually want to.

Is it something that can be retrofit to my firearm and is it advisable to have this upgrade performed?

Will S&W do this upgrade and cover under warranty?

Beautiful 629 by the way, I've just purchased DAKRAT's little 627 that is a little sister, its a 627-0 of 1989. So loving them all, and I haven't had a late 80s early 90's Smith in a while and was missing the full underlug, if anyone has a 5 inch Model 29-5 I could prolly be co-erced into spending more money I don't have LOL.

Replacing my old 627-0 is a first step, and I do want another 29-5, in 5 inch, and would love to have a DX.

So no, it doesn't have the endurance package, but if you use factory 240s you'll continue to be a very happy camper. I wouldn't hesitate to put "bear loads" in it to carry "just in case" but I wouldn't give it a steady diet of that heavy or even light bullet heavy loads.

There are lots of "ugly" off brand revolvers for that kind of fun, and yes I had a few of those, but my old Flat-Top Ruger was as nice a six-gun as I've ever handled and I miss it dearly! so no those early Rugers were jewels, just beautiful!

S&W 629 Endurance Package

Tony2much

Member

Mule88

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shottist

Absent Comrade

Shark Bait

US Veteran

Dale53

Member

BillyMagg

BillyMagg

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