New S&W 629-6 V-Comp

So I took possession of my factory new Performance Center 629 vcomp yesterday. It's a beautiful revolver, and it seemed they payed close attention to detailing:

• Barrel was in line with the frame of the gun.
• Sights initially looked straight.
• Ejector rod was straight.
• No wobbling of the unfluted cylinder as it went through dry firing.
• Forcing cone to cylinder gap was measured to be 0.007 on lockup.

It looked like they test fired it three times, as three of the chambers were fouled.

It came with some rubber grips that really didn't do it any justice, so I put on some walnut grips I got from ebay to enhance it. Some might frown on it, but I liked how it ended up.












I went out and got some ammunition and went to my favorite indoor range in Orlando, The Orlando Gun Club, today. I took a range bag full of 4 different types of ammunition to try out. Starting out with Winchester White Box Q4240 (240gr clocked at 1180 at muzzle), I noticed it was loaded kind of hot.

Before:



After:



Maybe it's just me, but I notice some flattening of these primers, but none of them were cratered. So I guess they were probably just loaded hot, but not beyond what can be expected with WWB.

Unfortunately, the range experience was not very enjoyable. I had the target at 25 yds, but noticed horizontal stringing to the left, that seemed to worsen. So much so, I was off paper when I decided to just move the target closer. So I assumed it was just me, and went and tried some Remington target loads in 44 special. These felt like mouse farts compared to the WWB! In any case, they were stringing just as badly. I moved the target even closer... 15 yards now. I decided to adjust my rear sight, and was back on target... for a while. The stringing happened again. I wondered if I was just flinching unconsciously, so I brought the target in to 7 yards. I was seriously wondering what I was doing wrong, as they were still hitting left. I adjusted the rear sight even further, until it was maxed out to the right of the frame.

That's when I noticed this.



Hmm.



Ah ha.

Upon closer inspection, I noticed the front sight is completely loose, and drifts on it's own, left and right, like the Flying Dutchman, trolling me at the range.

Imagine how relieved I was to see I could blame the gun (and not my age ) for the poor accuracy at the range. I should have noticed this myself before shooting it, so I guess it's partially my fault too.

This should be an easy fix for them. I'm calling them tomorrow to get a return label.

I love the looks of the Vcomps! How's it handle those 44 loads in terms of recoil? How does the compensator affect the sound and muzzle flash, if any?

I'm considering getting the 627 vcomp, though I would prefer a 4" barrel like the 629. It seems like the higher powered 44 caliber should have gotten the longer barrel.

The barrel is 4.25" long. The last 0.25 of it extends into the V-Comp (or shroud as you see above). Recoil in a short 44 mag is rough. I can't shoot it for speed at the indoor gun range I used, but I don't think fast follow up shots will be easy with this short barrel - even with the comp.

I quickly realized I had to put the rubber grips back on. Walnut will be for display or just 44 special use.

I'm definitely no Jerry Miculek.

That's a nice looking 44. Sorry to hear about the loose sight. I saw a thread on here just the other day about a dovetailed fs drifting loose. Keep an eye on the comp too as I've seen a thread or two on the set screw coming loose. I make it a habit to check all screws after each range visit. That 44 mag will rattle more than just your hands!!

Comped revolvers are awesome. Locktite and check the torque on the compensator screw as regular maintenance.

tube said:

The barrel is 4.25" long. The last 0.25 of it extends into the V-Comp (or shroud as you see above). Recoil in a short 44 mag is rough. I can't shoot it for speed at the indoor gun range I used, but I don't think fast follow up shots will be easy with this short barrel - even with the comp.

I quickly realized I had to put the rubber grips back on. Walnut will be for display or just 44 special use.

I'm definitely no Jerry Miculek.

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Thanks for straight forward review, and response. Add one more to your last comment!

I just got off the phone with S&W CS. They were very nice. He said the site should never be loose in the dovetail. It must be fitted correctly for it to not do that. He did say that it would be easier for him to send the part to me, than for me to get the gun to him and wait what could take 5 weeks.

Ha.

I said thank you, and that I would prefer to take the new front sight. He also stated that he does not recommend using loctite on it, but I'm definitely going to do that while the new front site comes in. I'll have it installed by a local gunsmith if I can't do it.

Congratulations!

I wonder how they know that its the sight that is too small, and not that the grove is too large? Maybe experience?
Turn around should not take 5 weeks for warranty work! That should get priority.

Best,
Rick

riverrat38 said:

I wonder how they know that its the sight that is too small, and not that the grove is too large? Maybe experience?
Turn around should not take 5 weeks for warranty work! That should get priority.

Best,
Rick

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I hear you, and you're absolutely right about the sight vs dovetail cutout. It can be either. We'll only know when it arrives.

As for the PC turnaround time, he said it can take "up to 5 weeks" - but since I don't work in the industry, I honestly don't know how this stuff works, so I'll give the man the benefit of the doubt on both counts. It was a polite conversation, and I felt he was trying his best to help me in the quickest manner he knew.

Fortunately, the blue loctite seems to be sticking for now, but I want a more permanent solution eventually.

tube said:

I hear you, and you're absolutely right about the sight vs dovetail cutout. It can be either. We'll only know when it arrives.

As for the PC turnaround time, he said it can take "up to 5 weeks" - but since I don't work in the industry, I honestly don't know how this stuff works, so I'll give the man the benefit of the doubt on both counts. It was a polite conversation, and I felt he was trying his best to help me in the quickest manner he knew.

Fortunately, the blue loctite seems to be sticking for now, but I want a more permanent solution eventually.

Click to expand...

Hopefully you have access to a sight pusher. If the fit is correct I wouldn't recommend trying to 'tap' it in with a punch - IMO.

505Gibbs said:

Hopefully you have access to a sight pusher. If the fit is correct I wouldn't recommend trying to 'tap' it in with a punch - IMO.

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I do not have a S&W specific sight tool, unfortunately. Maybe I should spend $60 on a gunsmith or a sight tool. Any recommendations on a sight tool?