8 3/8" 629-1 First Range Trip

[rhm0351]

I bought this 629-1 early this Spring, and shared a photo of it on another thread. I had it out to the range for the first time earlier in the Summer, but haven't taken it back out. I was shooting my powder puff .44 Mag loads (240gr hard cast at about 1100fps out of a 4"), as well as some factory 240gr JSPs, and they were all 8 or 12" high at the 15 or 20 yards I was shooting (I forget exact distances for both). I'm out of elevation adjustment, so I'm going to mic my rear sight blade, as well as give shooting it another try to make sure I didn't develop some sort of flinch causing me to group there! I didn't have any issues with the other revolvers I was shooting that trip, but you never know...

 

[k22fan]

I expect slower moving hand gun bullets to hit higher because the barrel has more time to rise before they exit. The longer the barrel the bigger the vertical difference in point of impact. How firmly your arms and grip resist recoil affects the amount of difference in point of impact. Since most consistent flinchers pull shots down and left you are not the prime suspect.

I used to use two factory rear sights on my 8 3/8" 29-2. The spare had a low blade for mouse power .44 Specials.

Nice looking .44.

 

[stansdds]

Sights at a 6 o'clock hold or dead on the "X"? Low power ammo, especially with long barrels, do have the potential to impact higher due to them being in the barrel for a longer period of time as the muzzle rises.

 

[jcelect]

I bought this 629-1 early this Spring, and shared a photo of it on another thread. I had it out to the range for the first time earlier in the Summer, but haven't taken it back out. I was shooting my powder puff .44 Mag loads (240gr hard cast at about 1100fps out of a 4"), as well as some factory 240gr JSPs, and they were all 8 or 12" high at the 15 or 20 yards I was shooting (I forget exact distances for both). I'm out of elevation adjustment, so I'm going to mic my rear sight blade, as well as give shooting it another try to make sure I didn't develop some sort of flinch causing me to group there! I didn't have any issues with the other revolvers I was shooting that trip, but you never know...

Try that load at 75 or 100yds. You might be surprised! Lighter & faster loads for that short distance. I shoot hot 240 XTPs, from a 10 5/8" barrel, at 100yds, and hit were I point the gun! If I move back to 50yds, the shot won't be on paper(24x24 target)!
jcelect

 

[The Norseman]

Length does matter

Congratulations on your S&W Model 629-1 44Rem Mag, 8-3/8"Bbl.
It appears to be in fantastic condition and with the Box!

I shoot my Revolvers a lot. There are so many variables on why
bullet Point of Impact does what it does. I'm talk'n; Environment,
Attitude, Bullets, Reloads/Factory ammo, Grip, Triggers, Barrel lengths,
the list can be endless.

Anyway don't get discouraged. You will get good advise here.
And have to try some different things to hit the middle of the target.

Thank you for sharing your interesting Range Report and Picture.
The Best to you and your Endeavors.

 

[Nightowl]

The rear sight blade height on the 629 8 3/8 inch barrels is listed as a .160. That is a good place to begin trouble shooting. I bought a 629 P&R 8 3/8 a few months ago and it seems to hit close to poa as I have been shooting some steel plates at 25 yards, but have not had the chance to put it on paper. It has a .160 rear sight.

But a fun to shoot gun!

 

[rhm0351]

Thanks, all. I'll confirm the rear sight is .160", as it should be; I've found stranger things to have been swapped on old guns. Like I said, factory 240gr was doing similar to my lighter loads. I normally hold on the X, but even tried a lollipop hold to see if that helped. Maybe it was a bad day, but I wasn't having any trouble with the others at the same range. I may pop it in the Ransom Rest next trip, just to see what happens when I take the nut out of the equation.

 

[rhm0351]

My rear sight is .160". Interestingly, my 6" 29's is about .120".

 

[Dale53]

I have had an early Model 29 with 8 3/8's barrel for many years. I bought it new and learned that I needed a higher front sight. I was competing in a National IPSC match and one of the best pistolsmiths in the country was there. He changed the front sight and my problem was over. Sometime later, I mounted a scooe on it. I have taken several deer with it. It has been a superb piece, just like the O P's 629.

FWIW
Dale53

 

[vintage40s]

... most consistent flinchers pull shots down and left...

Is this a fact? I am a newbie with a .38 642-2 Airweight, and am noticing that.
I dry fire snap caps with the Crimson Trace, and notice that pulling on the trigger pulls the gun to the right.
I don't use the laser at the range, and my shots go to to the downward left as stated.
Should I aim left and up to counteract what appears to be a flinch?
Will try next time.