Author Topic: 29 or 629 ? (Read 623 times)

S.B. · « **on:** October 04, 2004, 03:21:50 PM »

I've seen in print and on the internet several times where a model 29 or 629 will eventually shoot itself loose(uaually in reference to a Ruger being stronger). Has anyone here, heard of, or seen one that this has happened to? If so, did the accuracy fall off and how much? Was the pistol unsafe to shoot, in the observers opinion? What does the factory say about such guns(rebuildable or not)? If you know of one, could you please estimate the number of rounds that have been put through it?

oso45-70 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 04, 2004, 03:43:58 PM »

S.B.
I've run a lot of rounds through both the 29 & 629 and never got to the point that i thought the gun was shaken apart. I don't know how much it would take to do this but it must have been more than i gave them. one 29 i had shot over a couple thousand rounds through it and it felt just like it did when i opened the box. I can't say any thing bad about them, Its just that i like a single action revolver. Hope you find an answer to your question........Joe..........

TScottO · « **Reply #2 on:** October 04, 2004, 03:50:31 PM »

I have about 5000 rounds through a 629 and the gun is just fine. Its slick and not as tight as it was new but its accurate as ever. It probably takes 1000 rounds of jacketed bullets to slick the rifling up to peak accuracy. I know several people that shoot 686s in action pistol competitions. Many of these guys have 20,000 rounds through their guns and going strong.

In my opinion SW are no where near fragile or weak. If someone wants loads powerful enough to shake a 629 loose, in all honestly they should probably buy a bigger caliber gun. I care about my guns too much to abuse them with extremely powerful loads.

Be Safe,
Scott

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #3 on:** October 04, 2004, 11:03:34 PM »

my 629 has a ton of rounds through it and its as good as new. But i would never shoot 300grain ruger level loads in it. As long as you stick with factory level loads you shouldnt have a problem and if you do Smith will fix it for free anyway.

FrankCommes · « **Reply #4 on:** October 27, 2004, 05:24:05 PM »

Same here, I reload and shoot a model 29 in 44 mag and a gp 100 in 357. Both are tough . The trigger on the 29 is sweeter.

Hcliff · « **Reply #5 on:** October 28, 2004, 08:32:10 AM »

I have thousands of rounds thru my 629 with no problem. Some shooter shooting competition had older models skip cylinders when they shoot loose. They would shoot ALOT of rounds. I have never seen one that bad in person. I lot more is made from this problem than really effects someone. I think the 629 is a great weapon.

Hcliff

Questor · « **Reply #6 on:** October 28, 2004, 08:57:02 AM »

This is one of those things that gun writers like to repeat. It's based on an old model of the 29 that did have some problems. The guns were strengthened decades ago to fix the problem. Today's version of the argument says that Rugers are stronger than Smiths. That may be true, but both will handle loads that are within spec. You don't need anything stronger unless you plan to load beyond the maximum loads.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #7 on:** October 28, 2004, 10:55:35 AM »

The truth of the matter is that guns are machines and if you use them enough, especially near their design limits, they are going to loosen and eventially fail. Does the 629 do this faster than the Ruger? Ah, who gives a fly'n rat's arse!!