Another 629 question

[jk3006]

Is the 629 .44 an "N" frame or a "L" frame?  Has the strength issues been with just the "N" frames, or have they been with the "L" frames too?  Thanks.

[ken2222]

I can tell you that the 629 is an "N" frame...I just bought one..as for the "weaknesses"....I'm gonna learn with ya...but mine is a FANTASTIC pistol to shoot...even if I have to be cool with my hand loads...I'll be watching this post for sure.

Ken

[jk3006]

I just read that the Smith's will handle 240-250 gr. bullets in the 1200-1400 range.  If I could push a 240 to 1400 without the gun falling apart I think I'd be plenty happy with that.  Any Smith users have a comment on this?

[Graybeard]

Long ago S&W was owned by Bangor Punta. During those days they put out some real crap for guns. Some magazine writer who likely didn't know his butt from a hole in the ground penned those now infamous words about S&Ws being weak and it stuck. Other magazine writers ever since have been parroting those words as if they were gospel due to the real lack of knowledge and experience of gun writers in the last 20-25 years or so.

The guns were never weak but for a few years long long ago did have some serious quality issues. Your chances of running across one of those old guns these days is pretty slim.

I had an old S&W 29 with 10-5/8" barrel made for metallic silhouette competition and I used it for that for a long time. One year I won every iron sight match they held with it at the Magic City Gun Club in B'ham, AL. I carried that gun all over the country hunting with it and fired many thousands of full bore loads thru it with nary a problem. In a moment of weakness and idiotcy I let it go. The fellow who bought it is still shooting those full bore loads thru it and still winning with it.

The guns are not weak and what few issues they used to have are long since fixed. When you buy one you've buying a gun to last a life time and then be good enough to leave your heirs.

[ken2222]

Thanks Bill....you just took a little load off MY chest and saved me some research time...I for one don't usually load real hot anyway but nice to know it isn't that much of an issue. So a diet of say...300s' isn't out of the question?
Ken

[Mikey]

ken2222:  My preferred load in my older 29, 4" Mountain Gun barrel is a 295 gn hardcast swc over whatever stiffness of H110 I want it to be.  The only problems I've ever had are with my wrist and how much punishment it will take.  Just for the fun of shooting a classic like the 29 I load some slow and easy loads with cast bullets.  A couple of bags full of empty cans, a couple of boxes of ammo and you're all set for some easy can skippin' fun.  If you don't usually load hot then the steady use of a 300 gn bullet at different velocities (big game and tin cans) isn't going to hurt that Smith at all.   HTH.  Mikey.

[dubber123]

I've had my 629 for close to 20 years, and it has digested some stiff loads, most recently 300+ grain cast.  I can't even see where any real wear at all has occured.  If you deliberately try to wear it out with super hot loads, yes it will get loose a little quicker than say, a Ruger, but with any sane loads it will last a very long time.  Good maintainance goes a long way too.

[jk3006]

To Graybeard and the rest of ya all,  thanks a bunch for the info!  Now on to the next question.

[corbanzo]

I have put many 300 casts out of a 29-2, and it hasnt had a hickup, itll handle the big ones.

[Davemuzz]

All Smith & Wesson N frames are "Large" frame revolvers. For a look at what model revolver is built on what size frame, just go to the Smith & Wesson web site http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&categoryId=15703&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15701&top_category=15701 at this link and it will give you all that info.

Dave.