Range report: 629, cyl unlocked!! w/pics

[Gary7]

I took my "new-to-me" 629-1 to the range this morning for the first time. Ammo was Winchester whitebox, 240 gr SJSP.

The only 44 Mag I ever owned was 30 years ago and it was a Ruger Super Blackhawk. I sold it in 1982, so today was the first time I've shot a 44 Mag since then. Recoil on this Winchester ammo was really stout--almost brutal. I fired a total of 18 rounds and I quit when I saw my hand was bleeding. I'm not recoil sensitive but something on these Altamont grips was cutting into my hand under recoil (see pic below). I may have to go to Goodyears on this gun.

Anyhow, out of the 18 rounds I fired I experienced two "clicks" where the cylinder had unlocked under the recoil and rotated backwards. I was under the impression that this only happened on pre-endurance 29s and 629s with really hot handloads, not with factory ammo. But, like I said, the recoil on this WWB was really, really stout. Is there any sort of "tune up" S&W (or a qualified gunsmith) can do to stop this?

Here are my three, six-shot targets. These were all standing, Weaver stance. I didn't do too bad considering it's been 30 years since I last shot a 44 Magnum.

First six shots:

Second six shots:

Last six shots. I really concentrated on trigger control for these six shots:

Cut on my thumb after 18 rounds:

 

[Roadranger]

Just about every time I shoot any of my N-frames, I get a blister, then a cut there if I don't wear shooting gloves or wrap my thumb with atheletic tape. It has something to do with the edge of the frame and grip area. Wrapping the thumb with tape works well and one can shoot for a while. Apparently, Mr. Keith had alot more calases and tougher hands than I do, but I'm no cowpuncher. Bob!

 

[Hammerdown77]

I get that same torn skin blister shooting my 629 classic with the Hogue rubber grips and full power loads. It's like the rubber is literally grabbing the skin and tearing it. And here I thought that would be better with wood grips!

I just wrap that spot with some surgical tape (the kind that holds bandages down) and I'm good to go. Have to do that also when shooting dinosaur killing handloads out of my .45 Blackhawk with the plowhandle grip, or the ege of the frame to the left of the hammer will cut a chunk of skin out.

 

[okie john]

I hate to say it, but Pachmyrs can take the sting out of hot loads.

Or you could load it down...


Okie John

 

[Gary7]

Anyone got any words of wisdom regarding the cylinder unlocking on recoil?

 

[Vulcan Bob]

There was a fix for that along with the endurance package upgrade. I would think that perhaps a new bolt and stronger bolt spring would be of help. I feel your pain, my 586 plus came with the same style grips. I fixed that by sawing off the horns and reshapeing the top of the grips. Heres a pic of the aftersugery grips.

 

[Gary7]

There was a fix for that along with the endurance package upgrade. I would think that perhaps a new bolt and stronger bolt spring would be of help. I feel your pain, my 586 plus came with the same style grips. I fixed that by sawing off the horns and reshapeing the top of the grips. Heres a pic of the aftersugery grips.

This gun came from jimmyj with Pachs on it. I put these on because I've got some just like it on my Model 28 and I love 'em. But that thing, even with full-house 357 loads, doesn't kick like the 629. So the Pachs will be going back on before the next range trip.

I guess I'll try to find some milder factory loads for plinking at the range. I figured these WWB 240 gr loads would be mild, but they aren't--they're brutal.

 

[ralph7]

i think vulcan bob is correct on the stronger bolt spring.
i had one that did that to me years ago and it took me awhile to figure out what was going on.
haven't had that happen on my 4" 29-2 yet.

 

[Skeeziks]

My hands are small compared to yours and Win. 240-grainers don't give me any problem at all.
It's possible the lot that your box came from got an overcharge. Try another brand of the same loading and see if there's any difference.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

If you haven't shot a .44 for a long time, they can seem rough. Try a lower grip on your gun. That will help, I promise.

Today I was shooting my Redhawk with 300 grain Speer and Sierra's at 1325 fps, and some Rim Rock 305 grain cast bullets at 1466 fps across my chrono. These were Redhawk only loads, and I had no trouble with them at all. I know big Red is a heavier gun, but not that much, and these were some stout loads. I hadn't shot at all over the summer due to a variety of things, but I was totally comfortable with these loads. I have Uncle Mikes combats on it, and they work great for me. They don't really absorb any of the recoil since they are fairly hard rubber, but they allow for a consistant and repeatable hold just slightly lower on the gripframe where I always hold with any gun.

Try a PAST shooting glove. They work wonders, and are padded right where you recieved the damage. I use them when shooting really powerful handguns.

Keep on keepin' on. and it'll all come back to you.

As far as the cylinder unlocking only with hot handloads or heavyweight bullets- that's BS as you found out. I sold my first 29 due to similar troubles way back many years ago. It was a 29-3.
The heavier stop spring may help, but it might not. Lots of guys have tried them without any improvement, but others have reported a noticable difference.

 

[Hammerdown77]

There was a fix for that along with the endurance package upgrade. I would think that perhaps a new bolt and stronger bolt spring would be of help.

I think they increased the length of the bolt notches, too. Maybe made them a bit deeper? I would say send the cylinder to Smith for the upgrade, but then it wouldn't be "historically" correct.

 

[buck460XVR]

I too recommend sending the gun into Smith for the upgrade. I've never really thought of the WWB 240s as a "hot" load. The grips designed for the X-Frames also fit N-frames. They are made with dual density rubber and cover the backstrap. I have them on my 629 and my 686.

Product: Model 500 Impact Absorbing Hogue Square Butt Conversion Grips

 

[Gary7]

The grips designed for the X-Frames also fit N-frames.

The X-Frame has the same grip frame as the K-Frame. Grips for the K and X are interchangeable, not the N.

As for the "upgrade," I'm not sure there is such a thing. Part of the Endurance Package was a larger bolt. The frame on an older 29 or 629 would have to be modified to fit a larger bolt. I think the only mod that may help would be a stronger bolt spring.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Gary-

You can indeed send your gun to the factory to have some of the endurance upgrades installed. I called the factory on behalf of another forum member who was thinking about having them installed in his 29-3, but wasn't sure if he could. You can have the following things done for a fee-

new cylinder with the elongated stop notches
new larger cylinder stop
new yoke/crane assembly (which will have longer bearing surfaces and be much better heat treated) w/new style ratchet/ejector

They can open the stop window slightly to work in conjunction with the larger stop.

You can't get the internal bolt block, nor the radiused stud package due to all the machining involved internally.

 

[alde]

The X-Frame has the same grip frame as the K-Frame. Grips for the K and X are interchangeable, not the N.

I have the X-Frame grips on my 629-3 Classic and they fit and work great. If you look at the link above, it says they will work with K and N frames. Takes the sting right out of warm loads.

 

[mbnatt]

The 629 I am looking at in the pictures does not have the endurance package. I am not sure when it started but the raised portion on the frame (left side is not in the picture).

 

[Gary7]

Gary-

You can indeed send your gun to the factory to have some of the endurance upgrades installed. I called the factory on behalf of another forum member who was thinking about having them installed in his 29-3, but wasn't sure if he could. You can have the following things done for a fee-

new cylinder with the elongated stop notches
new larger cylinder stop
new yoke/crane assembly (which will have longer bearing surfaces and be much better heat treated) w/new style ratchet/ejector

They can open the stop window slightly to work in conjunction with the larger stop.

You can't get the internal bolt block, nor the radiused stud package due to all the machining involved internally.

Thanks for letting me know. I didn't realize S&W would modify an older revolver that much. I think initially I'm going to try a Wolff extra power cylinder stop spring and see if that will cure the problem. If it doesn't, she'll be off to S&W for a little "upgrade."

 

[HaroldB]

I have "smaller" hands (med. size gloves) and never have a problem shooting my 629-6 with the original Hogue rubber grips. It's never had cylinder problems, so it's the newer model.

For practice I use my Cowboy Action reloads. 200 gn. lead bullets using .44 spl brass with 4.5 grns of Trail Boss powder, gives around 850 fps and is very pleasant to shoot 100 rounds per session. At 15 yards I can cover a 6 round group with my hand and enjoy the process.

 

[laytonj1]

These were Redhawk only loads, and I had no trouble with them at all. I know big Red is a heavier gun, but not that much, and these were some stout loads. I hadn't shot at all over the summer due to a variety of things, but I was totally comfortable with these loads.

Don't suppose conditioning from shooting your FA83 in 475 had something to do with that, eh?

Jim

 

[john wall]

Cylinder rollback is common on older Smith 44's. Use Wolff XP cylinder stop spring #17185. You can get this at Wolff Gunsprings - Firearm Springs for Semi-Auto Pistols, Revolvers, Rifles, & Shotguns

Also, a P.A.S.T recoil glove makes life easier with the big bores. I use a pair, since I shoot with both hands, strong, and support hand only.