S&W 629 Classic

I have one, not for sale. They will take max loads, they will not likely like a steady diet of them, however. If you are going to shoot a lot of top loads, maybe consider the redhawk.

Just my 2¢.
 
I have a Mod 29 Classic-blued steel with a 6.5 in. barrel and have shot several hundred of my hottest reloads (hotter than factory) along with a ton of warm reloads and swear my gun is still as tight as when I took it out of the box new.The redesigned lock-up and strengthening of the Mod.-29 in the early nineties worked. I don't believe in the once true but now in my opinion false claim that only Rugers can take the strain of shooting lots of the big boy, heavy bullet ammo.I don't know about the stainless steel 629 and wish they would start making the blued Mod-29 again but I think that as long as a guy doesn't get too crazy and follows a good loading manual, I wouldn't be afraid to try the hotter end of the manual's recomendations in your gun.
 
I have seen a 29 (mine) and a 629 (co-worker's) shoot "loose" meaning timing was off and out of spec endshake.

These were both pre-92 guns without the "Endurance Package"

They both took over 5000 rounds of full power 240 grain loads, plus thousands more 900 fps loads.

The 300+ grain loads that are popular now are a whole nother story, I'd be interested if anyone has shot them much (>1000 rounds) in a S&W

The 5" classic N-frame is a nicely balanced gun.
 
Big Mike,
I have a 29 Classic in four inch and a pair of 629's in three inch. All will take heavy loads no problem but it's not much fun for me on the other end.
I have shot the hot hunting handloads I use in my Super Blackhawk in one of the 629's but half a cylinder full was enough.
A lot of the early 29's did get shot loose here in the States by silhouette shooters some years back and I think S&W M29's got a bad name from it as well as the metal not being enhanced in those days.

I'd agree with my cousin, Richard Oldfield above and suggest a SBH or Redhawk for hefty loads. I have a Colt Anaconda that sucks up recoil almost as much as those Rugers.

BTW, this is my first post here. Richard and I are friends and suggested I stop by. I've lived in mid Michigan most my life but was born in Brantford, Ontario.

I'm also a big fan of older S&W revolvers. Mainly N frame .357, .41 and .44's. although I'm getting into K and L frames now.

Nice looking board you folks have, hope you don't mind another Yank slipping under the wire.

Best,
Brian45
 
Big Mike said:
Are these revolvers strong enough to take Max loads? Anyone got one in the 5" model?
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As per the previous testimonials, these puppies are designed for full power
loads...
The 5" barrel is around as I have ,recently, ordered and received several in
both 44Mag and 357 Mag...just ask your local retailer to order them as they
are, apparently, readily available from the distributor.
 
QUOTE;

The 300+ grain loads that are popular now are a whole nother story, I'd be interested if anyone has shot them much (>1000 rounds) in a S&W


I have a S&W 29 classic,in which I only shoot 300gr.Laser Cast and Hornady XTPs.I probably have more than 5000 rounds through it without any damage yet.Accuracy is exceptional in this particular gun.-Rainer
 
Brian45 said:
Nice looking board you folks have, hope you don't mind another Yank slipping under the wire.
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Not at all Brian! Welcome to the board!:)

I have a 629 Magna Classic (7 1/2") and I have shot lots of hot loads in it with no problem at all. Accuracy is very good as well. I know the SBH is a stronger action and I have shot them but I much prefer the S&W!:cool:
 
The 5" barrel balances so nicely in the hand for me. Mine is a late 90s version and is an excellent gun. I have had no problems to date with timing, although I will not feed it a steady diet of full house loads. I shoot almost exclusively light and moderate loads through it....I have a 454 Casull to make big booms with.
 
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Do not exceed factory loads with Smith 29/629s. N frames are probably the weakest of all modern production .44 mags.

There is a difference between catastrophic failure & "shooting loose", but it's only a matter of scale.

All guns are capable of surviving above factory spec ammo for a LIMITED TIME.

Just how limited that time is will vary by a multitude of factors.

Is your vision worth it? how about someone elses??

Regards
D
 
I've got a 5"er.
She looks,handles and shoots Beautifully.
Only shot mild lead loads through her(less than 150)in several years.
Every once in a while I bring her out of the safe,wipe her down and back she goes....
 
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