New to me 29-2 - How should I deal with wear?

[bobsguns]

Thanks, but I have .44 Specials. As I mentioned, I bought this one to shoot .44 Magnum loads, albeit not a lot of heavy loads. Wear in these guns is enough of a problem that S&W spent years on efforts to make them more durable. I am trying to decide whether to make some of those mods and, if so, now or wait until endshake becomes excessive, the cylinder starts rotating backward onto an empty chamber, shrapnel starts flying out of the barrel-cylinder gap, etc.?

Perhaps the 29 Classic would've been a better fit for what you want to do? Keep this one, of course, because it's super nice.

Stock pic of 29 Classic:

 

[CH4]

Unless you don't plan to shoot lots of 300 grain full power loads and stick to factory 240 loads, the gun will out last you.

 

[03hemi]

Beautiful P&R in that condition, I wouldn't touch it with anything?
I never understood the need to shoot every gun you acquire, but then, I'm more of a collector than a shooter.

 

[Model29-26.5]

Beautiful P&R in that condition, I wouldn't touch it with anything?
I never understood the need to shoot every gun you acquire, but then, I'm more of a collector than a shooter.

I will shoot every gun I acquire at least once, and maybe only once.

 

[bananaman]

I have a 29-3, and hand load for it. Load magnum cases withheavy 44 Special Data. Easier on wallet and hand. Bob

 

[shil]

I haven't fired my own 29-2 in years. At age 75, pride of ownership is enough for me. The last time I fired it, I used a .431 cast 250 Keith SWC (The gun has .432 throats). Using data for mid-range loads with Unique I encountered sticky extraction with even the start load. Referring to my old records, I never had an issue in the past using 250 cast swc bullets and Unique but in this case I was never moved to experiment further. I use a 629-4 Classic for occasional shooting. After 25 rounds, it's no longer fun. Fatigue.

 

[03hemi]

I will shoot every gun I acquire at least once, and maybe only once.

Why?