Performance Center 629 (range report)

[KLYDE]

Retirement coming up next week so I figured I'd give myself a present. Been wanting a snub .44 Magnum to go with my 629 DX. Thought about the Model 69 hard but decided to go the N frame route. Performance Center 629 snub. Ordered last weekend and picked it up this morning. Good people at the LGS gave it to me for $960.

Gave it a light cleaning and lube and installed a set of flat side combats. Timing is spot on, lock up is vault tight. Barrel is on straight and everything checks out OK. Ball detent crane lock.

Main fodder will be stout Specials or low end Magnums. I've got a batch of Special cases loaded with 8.5 grains of Power Pistol and a Hornady 200 gr XTP that should work out fine for its initial range debut.

If the weather holds I'll give a range report tomorrow.

Regards Klyde

 

[The Norseman]

Alliant Power Pistol

Congratuations on your Retirement Present.

Out of curiosity, what source did you get the Power
Pistol Reload?

I have did just a little trial reloading Power Pistol
in my 44Rem Mag. I found Power Pistol to be another
good Powder to use.

Also please report if you think that there is more flash,
or louder bang with Power Pistol.

Thank you for sharing your Story and Pictures.

The Best to you and your Endeavors.

P.S. In the Reloading Section I Asked about Power Pistol
last Fall.

 

[KLYDE]

Hornady Manual #8. I think they have come out with #9 recently. 200 grain XTP and 8.5 grains of Power Pistol is listed max for the .44 Special. Listed 950 fps. I've been shooting them from my Ruger GP 100. 7.5 gr is nice mellow load. 8.5 from the Ruger is getting stout, but not punishing. I'm curious how the 629 will handle them. Plenty of boom from the short barrel. Accurate as Unique and meters better.

I think BE86 is the equivalent of Power Pistol with less flash and bang. Someone can correct me if wrong.

Thanks for the comments.
Klyde

 

[75Vette]

You dog!! Congrats on your retirement first. I'm really enjoying mine. And what a great present to give yourself! I don't think I'd torture myself with anything more than hot specials either. I've been tempted but just never pulled the trigger on that one.
Make the guys at the station take you out for a good steak and cold beer.

 

[Coastie762]

Beautiful gun and congrats on your retirement!

Power Pistol is a great choice. I've used a lot of it in full charge .44 Special and midrange .44 mag loads with cast SWCs to good effect.

BE-86 is close to PP in appearance however appears to be closer to Unique in burn rate, perhaps slightly slower.

 

[sparkyvega]

Very nice retirement gift, sir. I hope you enjoy it for a long time.

 

[jerrydm60]

That's my next toy! Just got the 627 PC last summer, now just submitted a new claim to the VA, soon as that's ok d will order it!

 

[CWH44300]

Good for you buddy
Hope you enjoy plinking away with it for a long, long time.
Congratulations on the retirement, now hopefully you'll have more time to post for us working stiffs to read.

 

[KLYDE]

Buddy called me this morning asking if I wanted to go to the range. Figured it was a good time for the 629 to make its debut.

Sighted in at 30'. Shooting a Starline .44 Special case with 8.5 grains of Power Pistol and a Hornady 200 gr XTP. Stout enough load to let you know you are shooting something but not overly punishing. Grouped about 4 inches low and 4 inches left. Got it zeroed and then set a target at 50'. Not my best day shooting, a few flyers on me. Still had a good time. Majority of the group is a little left so I'll go another click right for next range trip.

I have some Magnum cases to try with the same load next time out. Got a few boxes of the XTP's to burn up.

No issues or problems. Performed as advertised.

Regards Klyde

 

[75Vette]

I'm glad you like the new gun. It sounds like you might adjust to being retired just fine!

 

[629shooter]

Buddy called me this morning asking if I wanted to go to the range. Figured it was a good time for the 629 to make its debut.



Sighted in at 30'. Shooting a Starline .44 Special case with 8.5 grains of Power Pistol and a Hornady 200 gr XTP. Stout enough load to let you know you are shooting something but not overly punishing. Grouped about 4 inches low and 4 inches left. Got it zeroed and then set a target at 50'. Not my best day shooting, a few flyers on me. Still had a good time. Majority of the group is a little left so I'll go another click right for next range trip.



I have some Magnum cases to try with the same load next time out. Got a few boxes of the XTP's to burn up.



No issues or problems. Performed as advertised.



Regards Klyde

I have had good luck with that powder/charge, and bullet weight too.

By the way, the Combats look good on there.

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