Imagine another 44 magnum thread

[SeamasterSig]

I noticed some light corrosion beneath the hammer and at the edge of the trigger where it disappears into the frame while shining a bright light on the 629 So I stripped it down to clean up the rust. It was more than I wanted to see, but nothing major. It took a few hours to make it all disappear to my satisfaction, mostly because some of it was difficult to reach, like down where the hammer nose disappears into the frame, but it cleaned up nicely. I figure someone just let the gun sit for a very long time without paying any attention to it after it was exposed to rain or high humidity. It was a good reminder that the exterior condition of a revolver is not a reliable indication of what the inside looks like. Just to make myself feel better about this episode, I polished it up and took a picture of it with its "little brother" – a model 66-2



My new dies, brass, and bullets arrived today. Holy ****! A box of five hundred 240 grainers weighs over 17 pounds

 

[SeamasterSig]

I finally got a chance to get to the range yesterday. I experimented with powders and velocities, shooting 50 rounds of 44 special ranging from around 800-1000 fps and 50 rounds of 44 magnum ranging from around 1000-1250 fps, adjusting the sights as I went. The session also included 50 rounds of 357 also using a couple different powders at about 1150 fps. Now I have a new reference point for "slow follow-up shots"

Beyond the big boomy report of the 44 indoors, I was amazed at how tight the groups generally were and also somewhat surprised that – aside from considerable muzzle rise – the recoil felt less sharp than shooting 158 grainers at similar velocities through my 4" K-frame. That could be due to the Hogues on the 629 compared to wood grips on the 66, but they both expose the backstrap, so I wouldn't expect that much of a difference.

At any rate, I would call my first outing with the 629-3 a success. I had a "blast" and look forward to shooting it again.

 

[stu1ritter]

SeamasterSig, if you check out post #23, those are the S&W factory X frame grips on my 629-3 Classic. They are fantastic recoil absorbers and fit like a glove.

 

[SeamasterSig]

SeamasterSig, if you check out post #23, those are the S&W factory X frame grips on my 629-3 Classic. They are fantastic recoil absorbers and fit like a glove.

Thanks for the reminder! I may just buy a set of X grips for those times when I want to step up the velocity a bit, though I'll probably buy a set of nice wood grips first. I might have worded my last post poorly, but the recoil really didn't bother me much and was actually less than expected at those mild-to-mid velocities. It might, though, if I shot a whole box at 1200+ fps. What did surprise me was the large step up in recoil and muzzle blast going from 7.5 grains of Unique with 44 special to 18.2 grains of #9 with 44 mag, even though the velocities with 240 grain SWCs should have been close.

 

[stu1ritter]

Those of us in the "over 70+" department appreciate all the recoil absorption we can manage :~)

 

[SeamasterSig]

Those of us in the "over 70+" department appreciate all the recoil absorption we can manage :~)

You septuagenarians aren't the only ones!