S&w 629-1

[JDeere7296]

Hey Fellas, looking at a 629-1 .44 mag that's for sale locally. Got a couple questions, first I am going to re-load for it. What would some good mid range 44 mag loads be, nothing hot just good hunting loads? Any good .44 special loads?

Also, he's asking $600 for the gun and a Diamond D Guides Choice chest Holster. Is this a good deal, looks like the holster alone runs $150 new.

Thanks in advance!

[MakeMineA10mm]

My first 44 was and is a 629-1. Got it early in 1985 NIB, ordered to my specs (.400" smooth trigger and .500" target hammer and 6" bbl.). Still shooting it today. It was part of the "bad stainless cylinder" recall, so look for a red stamp ("C" in a circle, IIRC?) on the label on end of box, which means it went back to the factory and was found to be OK. The early dash numbers were susceptible to wear from heavy loads. Check for end-shake and for the cylinder not locking up completely. (Mine has both problems, but is still serviceable.)

For a great moderate/light load, which is still powerful, I use 7.5grs W231 with a 270gr Keith SWC (custom mould which I honchoed) which runs 850-900fps in my revolvers. This load works as well from 225gr to 270gr boolits.

If I want to go even lower into real 44 Special loads (which are limited to 12,500psi), I load 5.6grs of W231. I haven't chronoed that load in the magnum brass/chambers, but it would be low, probably 700fps tops. It is like shooting a 22 in these big revolvers.

[JDeere7296]

Great, thanks for the info. I met with the guy earlier, pistol locks up nice. Just barely a small amt of end shake when in full lock, it would move only if I physically moved the cylinder with my fingers. It had a small bit or erosion on upper top strap above the barrel....not much just enough to make a faint line accross top.

It's serial is AFZ29## which I think makes it 1984. Without a box how would I tell (or is it possible to tell) if it was one that fell into the "bad cylinder" recall?

Thanks again!

[MakeMineA10mm]

Mine is serial # AHF85##, and I recieved it early in 1985, so your date is right on.

I'm fairly certain yours is in the recall range. The interesting thing is that the stainless steel used for the cylinders, which was not heat-treated to spec, was a very small number. I want to say less than 500 revolvers needed new cylinders. Everyone I respect as knowledgeable (then and now) said, "if your cylinder was bad, you'd have found out when you shot it..." ;)

If you go to smith & wesson's official site, they have a description of all the recalls, and it might say how to tell if yours was checked. I only remember the box marking. I'm gonna go look and see for myself, just out of curiosity.

[Packy]

I have a 629 no dash, i've had for 20 or so years. Shot lots of 240gr swc with 7- 7.5 grs of unique. They shot really well. About 21.5-22 grs of 296 behind hornady 240 gr xtp shot well too. Couldn't load it any hotter the cases would stick in the cylinder. I have mostly retired the gun and don't shoot it much any more.

[MakeMineA10mm]

Well, I went to Smith's official site, and I couldn't find it. I found on a S&W forum on the net that the red C in a circle on the box is the only marking. The recal was only on pistols made from Jan. 1 to June 30, 1985. If you do a google search, there is probably a list of effected serial number prefixes.

[daniel lawecki]

I shoot my s&w 629 83/8 barrel with 250gr swc 2400 powder 18.5grs. This load groups under 2 inches at 50yds with open sights. buy it you,ll like it. I paid $600 2 yrs ago