Frame stretch

[chief38]

Frame stretching starts with the very first shot and continues for the life of the gun. The hotter the loads - the faster the stretching. Of course most never notice this as it is minimal and most never have issues with it. It would take a hell of a lot of really hot loads for you to render your M629 crippled.

The flame cutting while somewhat disconcerting to new revolver shooters and owners is mostly cosmetic and like others have stated, doesn't mean much in the way of frame integrity.