Author Topic: S&W 629 strength (Read 3249 times)

shooterpunk · « **on:** February 23, 2006, 10:46:40 AM »

hey guys, ive heard that the S&W 629 cannot be loaded as hot as the ruger and raging bull firearms, is this true? and if so, how hot can i load them up? thanks a lot guys, love this forum!!

Mikey · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2006, 11:07:37 AM »

shooterpunk: The Smith and Wesson Model 29/629s are as strong as you need them to be. In years past, silhouette shooters found the continued use of heavy loads would cause problems for the older 29s. They raised their concerns to S&W who made the improvements necessary.

Honestly though, when I was shooting silhouette I never saw one develop problems on the line and didn't hear of any problems until later on.

I use heavily loaded 300 gn hardcast SWCs in my older 4" 29 and don't have any problems with it - my hand and wrist however don't feel the same way (lolol). HTH. Mikey.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2006, 11:12:07 AM »

I use my S&W 629 with full power loads all the time. They are every bit as strong as the Ruger.

swampthing · « **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2006, 12:12:33 PM »

I have "heard/read" that the problems were more in line with the action, not the frames, with words like "delicate mechinisms compared to a ruger" often used. Again, not actual expierince but minor researching.

shooterpunk · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2006, 12:16:11 PM »

great thanks for the info, really helpful!

shooterpunk · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2006, 12:31:14 PM »

hey again, ok im wanting to purchase a .44 mag, ive been looking at the raging bull and 629 mainly, which do you prefer, which woul dbe more accurate? thanks again guys

shooterpunk · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2006, 12:32:36 PM »

hey again, ok im wanting to purchase a .44 mag, ive been looking at the raging bull and 629 mainly, which do you prefer, which woul dbe more accurate? thanks again guys

Graybeard · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2006, 12:47:57 PM »

This is an old wives tale started by some magazine writer many years ago likely in the Bangor Punta days. I'm not sure the person who started it has ever even fired a S&W .44 Magnum revolver.

There was a sad sad period in S&W history when the quality of their products slipped to an all time low. This was a LOT of years ago and it just seems it will never go away as a put down of them. The period last less than three years as I recall. Some NOT ALL of the guns made in those days were pretty bad, can you say nearly AWFUL?

The S&W 29 is the gun made by the company who designed the .44 magnum, they knew what they were doing. The round was designed to work with this particular gun. Back then the specs on it were MUCH hotter than today. Factory loads then developed a good 200-250 fps more velocity than today's factory loads do.

Yes some of those poorly made guns in that short period of time failed and failed miserably. So as a result the revolver got the repuation of being weak. It wasn't and it isn't. IT was a quality problem for a very short time period.

I had an old S&W 29 with 10-5/8" barrel I shot in competition for many years and hunted all over with it. The gun went to many states with me and took much game. While I owned it many thousands of full strength loads went down the barrel and today the new owner is still using it in competition and it's still going strong. I'd hazard a guess it's got to be getting close to 20,000 rounds fired in it now and it's never needed repairs. The loads are almost 100% full book loads.

Any load in any loading manual for the .44 mangum should be safe in the S&W if they are safe in other manufacturer's guns.

It was all a bad rumor started by a writer who knew not of what he spoke and it's been parroted by thousands ever since. Also those who have no clue of what they speak.

shermbob · « **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2006, 01:17:07 PM »

Have never shot a smith but love the 44 and 454 raging bulls Cost of new bulls will be about 100 less than the cheapest smith. good luck
shermbob

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2006, 03:11:13 PM »

In 44 mag I have had 1 629 6", 1 Taurus 44m 8=", 3 Rugers 44s, 2 Redhawks 5.5" and 7.5", and a Ruger SBH. The 629 I traded with out shooting the gun $$. The Rugers I have sent the 2 oldest ones back for the barrel turning. How ever the RedHawk 7.5 has shot over 1000 rds and doing fine. And what they say about Ruger triggers, "BS" I own 6 Ruger pistols and have no problem shooting them at the range. Maybe I am not as good or smart with pistols as I should be. I should also claim a S&W 617 that I think is the best 22 revolver one can buy, I did.
Jim

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2006, 03:12:02 PM »

One thing about the Smith & Wesson, it will hold it's value better than the RB. And that is one fact as well as the S&W has the best trigger in my opinion.

SmackFactor · « **Reply #11 on:** February 24, 2006, 04:33:03 AM »

Hello,
I don't have a 629 but I have an 8 3/8 29 that I have had for over 30 years. I shoot it a lot and have never had Any problems with it. I don't load it as hot as my Rugers, but I shoot 300 grain hard casts at 1200fps plus a whole lot. I load them 500 at a time when I reload and go through them fast. I have also shot quite a few thousand jacketed rounds through it with zero problems. I wouldn't worry about strength to much.
Regards,
Jerry

shooterpunk · « **Reply #12 on:** February 24, 2006, 06:17:10 AM »

great thanks guys, i think i may be going with a 629 then, i just think they are incredibly beautiful guns. thanks again!

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 24, 2006, 07:08:19 AM »

Quote from: shooterpunk

great thanks guys, i think i may be going with a 629 then, i just think they are incredibly beautiful guns. thanks again!

Great choice, I know you will be happy.

Feldhege · « **Reply #14 on:** February 24, 2006, 08:47:48 AM »

Quote from: shooterpunk

hey again, ok im wanting to purchase a .44 mag, ive been looking at the raging bull and 629 mainly, which do you prefer, which woul dbe more accurate? thanks again guys

The Dan Wesson!

Seriously though, I have noticed a couple of "Premium" manufactures that state that you should not shoot their ammo through a S&W 629. Garret ammo has a couple of loads like that. I get the feeling it is not due to the pressure but due to the cylinder length as these rounds use a bigger chunk of lead and are slightly longer overall. Not sure, just from what I have read.

Graybeard · « **Reply #15 on:** February 24, 2006, 11:48:35 AM »

I shoot the Garret 310s thru mine.

S.B. · « **Reply #16 on:** February 25, 2006, 03:47:01 AM »

Quote from: shooterpunk

hey again, ok im wanting to purchase a .44 mag, ive been looking at the raging bull and 629 mainly, which do you prefer, which woul dbe more accurate? thanks again guys

629. Quality never goes out of style. S&W is American made by Americans, once again.

animal · « **Reply #17 on:** February 27, 2006, 05:26:15 AM »

I've never handled a sweeter 44 than my S&W model 29. Great trigger accurate out to 125 yds and handles all max loads i've fired. It's been reliable with many deer over the past 20 years.

animal · « **Reply #18 on:** February 27, 2006, 05:28:34 AM »

I've never handled a sweeter 44 than my S&W model 29. Great trigger accurate out to 125 yds and handles all max loads i've fired. It's been reliable with many deer over the past 20 years.

Feldhege · « **Reply #19 on:** February 27, 2006, 05:31:56 AM »

Quote from: Graybeard

I shoot the Garret 310s thru mine.

Cool enough for me. Actually I am glad to hear it. Someday a PC 629 will be in my stable.

Robb

Questor · « **Reply #20 on:** February 27, 2006, 08:21:45 AM »

I've shot about 6,000 full power rounds with my 629 and it's as good as the day I got it. It's the finest handgun I own, and it would be the last one I would get rid of if I had to sell my guns, and would be the first one I'd replace if I lost it somehow.

PaulS · « **Reply #21 on:** February 27, 2006, 09:44:02 AM »

S&W makes a large frame revolver to handle the 44 mag but only produce it in THAT caliber. The one that they make for 45 Colt won't take the same abuse as the larger magnum gun. The 45 colt is capable of delivering the same velocities as the 44 mag as long as the gun can take the higher pressures necessary to make that happen. S&W have opted to make guns that can only handle the SAAMI listed pressures for the round that the gun is chambered in. Rugers are built to handle the pressures of the SAMMI standards for the hottest cartriges that will be chambered in each caliber - there is no difference between the 38 spl gun and the 357 magnum gun in the Ruger lineup (other than the shorter chambers) but in S&W there is a difference in the strength of the frame. That is why with the smallest frame Smiths it is not recommended that you use +P ammo a majority of the time - You can do that in the Ruger because it is a 357 chambered for 38spl. Ruger's 45 Colt is a 44 magnum chambered for 45 Colt.

In order to answer the question "Is a Ruger stronger than a Smith" you would have to Identify calibers. The Ruger 45 Colt IS stronger than the Smith 45 Colt and the Ruger 38 Spl is stronger than the Smith & Wesson 38 Spl but the differences in the 357 and 44 magnums is less apparent. The Ruger Super Redhawk is stronger than the 629 and while both are chambered in 44 mag the Ruger is also chambered in hotter rounds than the 44 Mag - the 629 isn't capable of handling those rounds so it isn't chambered in them.

Not putting down Smiths - they make fine weapons, all I am doing is pointing out a difference in philosphy between the two gun makers and why some information is posted for "Ruger and Contender Only".

Graybeard · « **Reply #22 on:** February 27, 2006, 11:57:26 AM »

Don't know where you came up with that story Paul but you best go checking your sources cuz it ain't right.

S&W makes the small J frame, the larger K which is the old .38/.357 standard, the larger and stronger L frame and N frame which until the advent of the .500 S&W was their biggest.

They use the N frame for .41 Magnum, .44 Magnum and all .45s plus they used to use it for the .357 as it was the ORIGINAL .357 Magnum. Any info you have to the contrary just ain't factual.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 27, 2006, 01:57:46 PM »

Graybeard you got it right. The 45L/C is Large Frame (N). The
Model 625 Mountain Gun can handle stout 45 L/C loads and is every bit as strong as the Ruger.

Catfish · « **Reply #24 on:** February 28, 2006, 02:53:04 AM »

At present I have 3 .44 mags. A 3 screw Super Black Hawk, a 629, and an El Dorado. I have 2 .454`s. A Super Red Hawk and a Rageing Bull. I also have 2, 500 S&W`s. 1 is regular production and the other from the preformance center, so I do have some experance with big bore handguns.
What gun I would recomand would depend upon what you intend to do with it. For a hunting and target gun where all shots will be slow and delibrate I would recomand the Ruger Super Black Hawk. If your going to be doing a good amount of speed shooting the 629 would be a better choice. Both are excellant gun and both I would give a trigger job to. There is nothing wrong with the Super Red Hawk, I just don`t like it`s feel as well and I don`t think it`s quite as accurate as the other 2 gun I mentioned. If your recoil senitive the 629 would be your best choice. I would recomand that you limit your selaction to 1 of these 3, unless you can find an old El Dorado, but these are very reare.

Questor · « **Reply #25 on:** February 28, 2006, 01:23:40 PM »

Redhawk1:

Can you refer me to anything from S&W that says they recommend the firing of so-called "Ruger only" loads in their Mountain gun? I don't believe it yet. The issue is not the "Ruger" name, but whether it is truly designed to withstand loads comparable to full power 44 magnums. It seems to me that the cylinder walls would be pretty thin if they were bored out much more than to 44 magnum dimensions.

Thanks.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #26 on:** February 28, 2006, 01:53:22 PM »

Quote from: Questor

Redhawk1:

Can you refer me to anything from S&W that says they recommend the firing of so-called "Ruger only" loads in their Mountain gun? I don't believe it yet. The issue is not the "Ruger" name, but whether it is truly designed to withstand loads comparable to full power 44 magnums. It seems to me that the cylinder walls would be pretty thin if they were bored out much more than to 44 magnum dimensions.

Thanks.

Your best bet is to call S&W and speak to the tech department like I did. But here are some sites you can visit and get the information you seek. Also on the Cor-bon site here is one of there FAQ. It is posted on there web site.

Q. Can I use the 45 COLT +P loads in my S&W model 25 Mountain Gun?
A. Yes, the 45 COLT +P loads can be used in the S&W model 25 and the other modern S&W guns. You need to be sure that your gun is in good condition and hasn't had too many years of hard use. The 335 gr. Hard Cast load is probably a good choice. It operates at a little less pressure, but still packs a real whoop. New guns come out every year and the 45 COLT is a popular cartridge. If the model gun is not offered in 44 Magnum, it doesn't have the metal to handle the 45 COLT +P. The new titanium and scandium guns are nice to pack, but these are intended for self defense -- not hunting. The 45 COLT +P loads are not suitable for these guns.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CustomContentDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=11101&content=13012&sectionId=10504

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CustomContentDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=11101&content=13017&sectionId=10504

http://www.corbon.com/

Bullseye · « **Reply #27 on:** February 28, 2006, 02:37:13 PM »

This got me interested so I got out the owners manual for my 45LC Mountain Gun.

It says that you can use +P, but it may cause excessive wear and tear on the revolver.

It says to not shoot +P+.

So the question is, where does the hot 45LC loads fall into, +P or +P+.

Personally I just shoot standard 45LC loads in mine. If I need more power, I have other calibers that will fill the bill.

Questor · « **Reply #28 on:** March 01, 2006, 03:07:11 AM »

Redhawk1:

Thanks for the posts. My reading of them is that no, you cannot use loads comparable to full power 44 magnums in a 45LC mountain gun. The overriding clause is that S&W says that only SAAMI compliant ammo should be used in their handguns. +P ammo only gives us maybe 100 fps or so over the 850fps standard loads. The loads I'm referring to are typically marked "Ruger and Contender Only" in loading manuals. These loads fire a 250 grain bullet at over 1300fps.

Questor · « **Reply #29 on:** March 01, 2006, 03:10:07 AM »

Redhawk1:

Thanks for the posts. My reading of them is that no, you cannot use loads comparable to full power 44 magnums in a 45LC mountain gun. The overriding clause is that S&W says that only SAAMI compliant ammo should be used in their handguns. +P ammo only gives us maybe 100 fps or so over the 850fps standard loads. The loads I'm referring to are typically marked "Ruger and Contender Only" in loading manuals. These loads fire a 250 grain bullet at over 1300fps.