S&W model 29 question (1974)

ejpaul1 · 05-04-2007, 05:43 PM

Alright, this is my favorite revolver in the world so I am a little concerned with what happened today. I was shooting some 240 grain hornady XTP's through it and it of course was very accurate and a pleasure to shoot, but when I went to release the cylinder it wouldnt budge. I had to get the plastic end of the screwdriver handle I had with me to get it to release the cylinder. After this, it then didnt cycle around properly one time. I worked it through and it seemed fine, but has anyone seen this before? These are my own loads, they clock at about 1450 fps so they are no joke. Would a lighter load help this? Lemme know what you think. EJ

mello_collins · 05-04-2007, 07:24 PM

Check the clearance between the forcing cone and the cylinder. If that is fine then take it to a GOOD gunsmith because you have probably bent something with your hot loads. Even if that appears to be the prob, still take it in for a check up. Hot loads like that can and do damage S&W 29s. If it is damaged then get a Ruger redhawk and it should take it. That is why some reloading manuals have separate 44mag load data listed for "œrifle, single shot pistol, and Ruger revolvers".

mello

ejpaul1 · 05-04-2007, 08:29 PM

I'll get it into a smith as soon as I can. I would look into a redhawk but I already have dropped the dough on this one. The redhawks are great! But those super redhawks are a little tough on my eyes. My pal has one and I do like it a bit better than mine for just plain old ruggedness. EJ

05-04-2007, 08:40 PM

I see it from time to time, but its usually dirty loads causing my issue. Hot loads don't do much to the gun. I will be curious to what you find, cause I got a older 29 I shoot too.

longknife12 · 05-04-2007, 09:32 PM

Check the ejector rod and see if it is loose.....this will keep the cyl. from opening freeley......happened to me on both a 28 and a 29.
I felt like an idiot when another guy calmly tightened it!!!!!!
Dan

eldeguello · 05-05-2007, 05:22 AM

All the foregoing is good advice, but the first thing I would do is try to determine what kept the cylinder from opening - was it an extruded primer? Did the front end of the cylinderbind on the breech end of the barrel? There should be some rub marks somewhere, or something similar that would give you an idea of what the hangup was. And once you determine that, you will have some idea of a fix.

A Model 29 should handle 240-grain bullets at 1450 FPS as long as you are getting that velocity with an appropriate slow powder. When loads are too hot, it may become difficult to EJECT the cases after the cylinder is open, but a hot load USUALLY doesn't make the cylinder harder to open.

biscuit jake · 05-05-2007, 06:01 AM

Very interesting discussion. I have never owned a 29, so keep the good scoop coming.

ejpaul1 · 05-05-2007, 09:12 AM

eldeguello: I did check for a primer problem, but the issue is more the cylinder release. It acts like it is stuck and that is what wouldnt move. Once the release is pushed, the cylinder falls out nicely. So I am not really shure. EJ

James B · 05-05-2007, 06:08 PM

Push the ejector back and make sure nothing is under the little star shaped ejector. Sometimes a little brass or fouling can get under that and bind things up a little. I keep loads for my S&W revolvers fairly light and shoot the hot loads in my Ruger.

sellme69 · 05-05-2007, 11:49 PM

I have a 629 mountain gun and I believe I have had the same problem as you. It was with the ejector rod. It had to be rescrewed into the right place.....I actually had to use the point of a knife to pop it out at the barrel end (push in a little on the compressed spring end to allow it enough slack to allow the cylinder to pop out the side). Once I had it out, I had to then screw (twist) the tip of the ejector rod back in. I assume it vibrated loose from shooting so much??