Pre-endurance package model 29/629

[Wfevans4]

I didn't know until about a month ago about the endurance package that was added to the model 29/629. If I intend to shoot only 240-255 grain swc, do I need to worry about whether the gun has the endurance package or not? On the hunt to purchase a 29 or 629.

 

[CH4]

Depends how hot you load, how many rounds you intend to shoot. The non-endurance 29/629 will happily handle the typical diet of factory loads for target shooting and hunting and a more limited number of heavy handloads. However, if I was in search of a 29/629, I'd hold out for a -3 or -4.

 

[stansdds]

With bullets in the 240-255 grain range, I'd say durability is going to depend mostly upon your wrists and hands. Keep in mind that the 44 Magnum was developed using bullets of 240-250 grains. The problems with durability surfaced when steel silhouette shooters loaded them with full power handloads using bullets weighing 300 grains. If you are still worried about durability, then load your own and don't use H-110/W-296 as the propellant, use a faster burning powder and load them to velocities below full power 44 Magnum.

 

[Rock185]

I think it's mostly going to be what stansdds said; wrists and hands. I had 29-2s, 629 and 629-1, etc. Using 240-250 grain factory and handloaded ammo, I never experienced any reliability or durability issues with any of these revolvers. I needed the endurance package for my wrists and hands

 

[ken158]

They made 29's for thirty some years before the endurance package was introduced… You may have some issue with really hot rounds but unlikely.

 

[MSD2343]

The endurance package was probably as much a competitive response to Ruger's bragging rights for handling hotter loads as anything else.

 

[Wfevans4]

I have a feeling this is a dumb question to ask but what do you mean wrists and hands?

 

[jaymoore]

I have multi thousands of rounds through a couple of 10 5/8 29-3s used for IHMSA over about 20 years without drama.

But one feature of the "endurance package" that has nothing to do with "endurance" can be quite useful in lighter magnums, including the .41, is the hand stud that engages a block which keeps the cylinder closed under recoil! I shot a Model 58 with factory JHPs at an IDPA match years ago, just for giggles. Dang cylinder opened enough times in mid string to really make it no fun....

 

[AveragEd]

There's nothing to be afraid of with a pre-endurance package 29 or 629 if you are not going to pound it with hot loads. I have a 629-1 through which I only shoot handloads of 240-grain cast SWC bullets over 10.0 grains of SR4756 (now discontinued) and the gun will probably outlast me, our son and his children.

Ed

 

[71vette]

I have a feeling this is a dumb question to ask but what do you mean wrists and hands?

It's a reference of withstanding recoil. OP, 240-250 grain bullets loaded hot are fine. As stated by others, hot 300's are where there seems to be issues. I've got a pair of 29-2 4 inch guns and have had zero issues with either my 240 grain SWC loads or factory. Hot 240's from a 4 inch can be a "handful". I've got some midrange 300gr coated TC's loaded with AA#9 and they push me around out of my Henry rifle. I haven't been brave enough to shoot them from my revolvers…….

 

[stansdds]

I have a feeling this is a dumb question to ask but what do you mean wrists and hands?

The S&W Model 29's, especially the ones without a full length barrel under-lug, are fairly lightweight 44 Magnum double action revolvers, so the recoil with full power loads can be sharp. It can impart quite a wallop to the shooter's hands and wrists.