It seems like this goes through cycles, but can someone set me straight on the "strength" of a S&W M629? (I have a 629-1).

A friendly group at a gun store were exchangine gun/hunting stories last week (wish I could capture it and sell the good feeling). The discussion went from hunting to shooting, and then to cartridges and then guns.

It hit upon the 44 mag in a pistol. "Ruger Bisley is stronger than S&W 29/629" is the synopsis. I don't have a problem with a beefy single action being able to withstand many loads of heavy bullets, but is the S&W want you'd classify as "much weaker?"

I can't remember the last time I shot a factory load through it (M629). They are usually 240-250 grain cast bullets and 10 grains of Unique for a guestimate MV of 1100 fps (+/- 50 fps, who cares?).

Is this really an "agruement point" or is it more of a marketing/gun loyalty thing?

Ruger is noted for being "overbuilt" out of most manufacturers so it is no suprise that they would say that. Also most custom loads such as Garretts, ect are recommended only for certain makes like Ruger.
The S&W is built as it should to give a good service life over the years. Does that mean go out and shoot the hottest/heaviest things on the market......No but you can put stout 44 mag loads through it without having to worry about damaging it or screwing up the timing. Rugers are noted for having terrible triggers and are not as refined as a good S&W in my opinion. It doesn't make Ruger a bad make just that we all have are preferences. Esox357

And a Freedom Arms is probably even stronger than the Rugers. So what??

The diet your feeding your 629 will allow you to enjoy it for many years. The S&W revolvers ARE "weaker" than the Ruger SA's in a few areas but we are comparing apples and oranges.

I've got a 629 Lt Wt Hunter and it's been fed a steady diet of 275 gr hunting loads at 1250 fps with zero issues. Great guns.

FN in MT

After many years of semi stiff loads from my 29 it loosend up quite a bit. So much that it was deemed unsafe. thraot gone, timeing past custom hand adjutments, most may have meen fixable with new Bbl, cylinder and internals. Bought a Ruger Bisley instead.

But I shot around 2000 rounds a month out of it. So you need to take into account the ammount you are going to shoot heavy loads out of it. If you only shoot a few rounds a month of moderate power it will last you along time.

After 800 rounds of 1000fps lead loads the SW 629 I used to have would not rotate the cylinder correctly to lockup without assistance. I was told at the time they were made out of inferior Stainless Steel that was not tempered properly. I traded it back to the gun shop I bought it from and haven’t bought another since. I sure hope they have got it together "once burned twice shy".
This was many years ago I did have a S&W mod 29 for a short time and it worked very well.

I don't care what you shoot,if you feed it a steady diet of smokin' loads, it will wear out in time. The Smith won't handle the ultimate loads the single actions will but for what I need it does the job. If I want a hand cannon I'll get another Ruger or Freedom Arms.

the model 29 is a finely precise fitted handgun and can shoot stout loads-not like the Rugers or other strenthened guns ie..., Bowens, FA, BFR etc. You have to appreciate what Smith done in the construction of its arms, they are very reliable,accurate and very nicely built. Yes hot loads over 1200fps will do some extensive damage but keep loads below that and it will endure for quite some time. My older brother has the "original" from 1958 I believe and it has gone thru 3 cylinders and the fitted parts are still intact. I just bought a 629-1 and it is still tight and shoots very nice groups with 10gr Unique and a 250grn hardcast, I will load up some 300 or so weights up this coming spring as an all carry but not shoot it steadily with them.

As few years ago John Taffin began to be troubled by wrist pain. X-rays showed stress fractures in all the bones of his wrist. He was shootin several hundred full house big bore loads every weekend.
On reflection the words of Elmer Keith came to him . When asked how many hot loads he fired each year Elmer replied"About 600'.
Mr Taffin decided that was good enouogh for him while his wrist stll resembled a human wrist.
My father had one that did not -from a stress fracture when he was young that was not set. It troubled him all his life and he died at 95.

Dr., had the same problem just not so extensive. Bought two Casulls, one was the Taurus-sold that and immediately bought the SuperRDHWK, changed grips, sent it out to Magna-Port and loaded her up. I must of shot a few thousand rounds out of it easily in 2 yrs, developed some wrist pain before I sold it. I would shoot up to 40 or 50 rounds at time of 335 grains and up to 360--no one told me different. Had to part with it. Couldn't carry it - think it was designed as a horse pistol if you asked me.

I did a lot of research on .44 mag revolvers this past spring. I started out thinking I was getting a 'Smith, but I wanted to shoot the Garrett 320 gr. +P loads. They suggested the Rugers, and the Dan Wesson. A little more research into DW convinced me. They have a reputation for accuracy with the silhouette crowd, decent trigger though not as crisp as a 'Smith, built like a tank, and more refined than the Rugers I've owned. I shoot 320 gr hardcast at around 1350, according to my manual, and the gun shoots them very well and handles recoil good too. So far I've only shot an even 100 of the heavy loads, and nearly 500 200 gr loads at 780 fps. It's seems as tight as new so far.

I started with a super black hawk, went to a 29 then a 629 and have setteled on a Dan Wesson 8" HB with a 2x Leupold. It does it all depending on the load. 6" groups from a good rest at a 100 yds is routine for me. I shoot Keith 250 gr with 22 gr of 2400..just like Elmer. It kills everything from elk to caribou to all kinds of deer if you punch the ribs properly. Last thing I shot was a Corsican Ram running at 60 yds. nose hit the dirt and he was finished. If you can find the older Dan Wessons they are hard to beat.

The S&W 29, 629, Mountain Gun, with 4" bbls are my favorite carry guns for the field.
I have also used them for work guns, in the past when it was allowed.
I have one Mod 29, used quite a bit that has been tuned up a couple of times.
They are not as stout as some other revolvers, but I would not call them weak.
If you think you need more power than normal 44 loads get a 454 or up.

I have to say I started out with the 22.0 grains of 2400 with 240 grain cast bullets and pretty well beat up a 4" model 29. At some point the little light came on and I bought a 4" 629 and loaded it with a lot of 8.0 grains of Unique and 240 grain cast bullets. I feel working with the same gun you hunt with using light loads for short range practice (50 yards) makes lots of sense. I have now stepped down my hunting loads for the .44 Magnum and my 6" 629 to 210 grain SJHP Remingtons and 11 grains of Unique. Not a lot of recoil, thus protecting delicate workings, or excess powder burned to cut the top strap or forcing cone and I suspect the deer won't know the difference. I have a 5 1/2" Blackhawk to hot-rod if the 320 grain Garrets need a trip to the range, but only a cylinder-full at a time thank you! I found my Redhawk 7 1/2" to be one stout gun, but too heavy and unweildy for packing into the field for the long haul.