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.44 Mag 629 Punishment

I have 2 629 Smith's a 629-5 6" and a 629-6 classic deluxe 6.5" barrel. I like to shoot 240 gr. Jacketed bullets at 1300-1350 fps is this putting to much stain on them? Herd and read that full power loads will wear them out loosen them up ect. This isn't a full power or hot load but I don't won't to send them to a early grave. I'm sure some one on hear can tell what their limits are or maybe this that I have heard is just talk.
 
Not to worry, The factory still makes repairs on these models. Sent my 1970s 29-2 back in 2018, after many rounds fired.

The early 629 & 29 have improvements made over the years. Mainly the unlocking of the bolt on firing, was a problem. . This allows the cylinder to rotate backwards.
The Endurance Package was installed in newer models.

Hodgdons Starting Loads of H110, W296 & IMR 4227 should get you close to the velocity, with ok pressure.
There are powders like Alliants Unique for midrange loads. Using less powder is a good thing at todays prices.
 
Let us know when and how many rounds later of full tilt loads when these “rattle”.
It takes a LOT of sane full tilt loads to get to the point you speak of, less of insane loads. 90% of the population can’t take the abuse to the hand and wrist over time to do so.
If your really concerned buy a Ruger or better yet an FA and never look back.
 
All through the decades - from the late 70s to my retirement in 2010 - there have been many notices from S&W to shoot low powered loads for practice in all their magnum guns and only load full powered magnums for on duty as the full powered loads were too hard on the guns. Ruger sent a notice to shoot whatever loads you want as long as it's factory ammo as their guns can take it. So in response to loosing sales to Ruger, S&W came out with the "L" frame which was supposed to be as strong as the Rugers. However, shortly there after, S&W sent a notice out advising "L" frame owners to again practice with lower powered loads and only use full power loads for duty. That says a lot!
 
I used to shoot handgun silhouette (IHMSA) back in the 80's. Eighty very stout .44 mag loads every match. And another 80-100 similarly stout loads every weekend doing load development or practice on weekends there wasn't a match.

The general sentiment at the time - one voiced by my gunsmith (who was also the armorer of the Fairfax County Virginia Police Dept., back when S&W revolvers were standard issue) - was that S&W N-frames, though excellent revolvers, would not stand up to such punishment.

I ended up using a Ruger Redhawk for competition in order to save my beloved Model 29.

S&W faced a similar quandary with heavy .357 mag loads in their K-frame. That's why they developed the L-frame.

Current Model 29's will no doubt digest more heavy .44 mag loads than my now-ancient Model 29 (still one of my favorite revolvers). But an N-frame is still an N-frame.

@JSH has pointed you in the right direction. A Ruger or Freedom Arms will give you more durability. But then you lose that panache that a Model 29 brings.
 
I have been running full power 44 mag loads with Hornady 300gr XTPs for years in my Taurus Ranging Bull (8-3/8” barrel). No issues.

If you’re scared of breaking your Smith, you should also consider Taurus Raging Bull or Raging Hunter. They are very strong, very accurate, more affordable, and I personally think they are much better looking than any Ruger or Smith ;)
 
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My 29-2 that i bought new. Fired 1000s of rounds. Some where pressure was to high, sticking brass in chamber.

This may happen -Heavy loads of W296 caused peening (arrow) of the metal around the center pin . This caused the pin to stick inward. I Fixed it by removing pin and opening hole with the correct size drill bit. Installed new center pin.
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Next, the cylinder would rotate backwards on firing. Bolt onlocking. Some of this can be caused from dirt of firing cast. The crud changes how the hand contacts the cylinder.

Sept 8, 2018- M 29-2 . Returned from S&W . Barrel setback, new trigger, all new springs and endurance package installed. Cut new forcing cone. Shoots great.

Not bad performance from shooting over 40 years. Bill included shipping, both ways.

The S&W is my choice over Super Blackhawks 7 & 10 inch & cluncky Redhawk, 5". Have shot them all.

Who would win a side-by-side endurance test, Ruger
M29-2.jpgsmithWessonM29OldParts.jpg
 

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I have been shooting the 44 for many years, and have learned, without bias, that side by side, load for load, the S&W beats your hands up much worse, and begin to show their age well before the Ruger. Just facts, I like em both, but Ruger is a better gun.
 
HP white Laboratories- many years ago, if i remeber correctly?? All handgun fail, soon or later? Depending on round count.

Wish i could find - White Laboratory tests conducted back in 1971 on a contract from the U.S. Treasury Department.

https://www.firearmsid.com/Feature Articles/022001/HPWhite.htm
NOTE LINKS on left side of page.
June 1988
H. P. WHITE LABORATORY, INC

7. Endurance Test

The endurance test is intended to determine the number of firings (of ammunition complying with SAAMI pressure specifications for service loads) required to induce a catastrophic failure of the gun assembly. In order to insure the ammunition used in these tests includes representations of moderately high pressure firings periodically encountered in service loads, a high pressure test (proof) cartridge will be fired after each 100 firings. Firings are to proceed in 500 round increments (including 5 proof cartridges) until catastrophic failure is induced or until a total of 10,000 firings without catastrophic failure have been performed. After each 500 round increment the gun is to be thoroughly cleaned and inspected. Repairs and component replacement during this test are limited to non-pressure containing features of the gun (extractor, firing pin, ejector, etc.). Specifically exempted from such repairs and replacement are the receiver (frame), barrel, bolt, components and features of the locking system, etc. Firings from multi-chambered guns will be conducted in cycles of one firing from each chamber to insure that equal numbers of firings have been conducted from each chamber throughout the test (including PROOF firings).​
 
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I bought a 629 in 1989. After 6 years or so and 5600 full power 44 mag loads, the trigger pin broke. Sent it to smith for repair. It has another couple thousand rounds with no issues. At the time I only had 2 handguns, the 629 and a Ruger Mark II. So they got shot a lot. Now I have "more" choices, so less wear and tear.
 
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Thanks for input everyone. Based on what everyone is saying I don't think I have nothing to worry about any time soon . I just sold a Ruger Redhawk I tried to love it but could not shoot it as well. The Smiths just fit and shoot better for me. It's like they made them just for me.
 
My old 29-2 had about 20K rounds thru it before I retired it. The hole in the frame where the cylinder pin went thru was badly elongated and was "spitting" lead. Probably about half of those rounds were 7.5gr 231 and a 250gr slug and the rest were full bore 44 mags. My Super Blackhawk ('74) has about 15K thru it and had to replace the hammer as trigger/hammer engagement surface had worn. Still shoots well. I shoot a 629-6 5" now but only the lighter loads. My hand won't take the full bore stuff much anymore.
 
The worst recoiling revolver that I have shot is a 340PD with 357 ammo. Seemed much more brutal, punishing, sharp, than the 44’s. Not that any of it is pleasant.
 
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