629 Cylinder Rotated Backwards...need suggestions

G

g_gunter

New member
The other day I was testing some 250 gr. Keith bullets over about 20 grains of 2400. The recoil is stout but manageable. Unfortunately, the cylinder rotated backwards a couple of times causing the hammer to fall on the previously fired round. This also happened using a much lighter load using 10.1 gr. of Unique (moderate recoil). A total of three times the cylinder rotated backwards.

This has not ever happened before and I have fired some stout 250 grain loads before but not something that could be considered excessive (say 1300 fps)...certainly not beyond what this gun is supposed to handle.

Does anyone know if this the result of damage to my gun or is it the result of weak springs (or whatever) that can be fixed rather easily?

Thanks,

g_gunter
 
Additional info...

By the way, I have had a Wolf reduced weight spring kit installed about a month ago.

g_gunter
 
The S&W's had problems with this, and it's related to shooting heavy loads and/or heavy bullets.

This was such a problem years ago in metallic silhouette shooting where they loaded heavy bullets to high velocities, that S&W modified their "N" frame guns to prevent this.

I don't think the spring kit could have contributed to this, but you might change back and see what happens.

If it continues, you should test with lighter bullets. If it still happens, send it in to S&W for a check.

I'm not sure if they can install the newer parts that prevent this problem.
 
Sounds like your cylinder isn't locking properly, that needs to be taken care of.

It is probably rotating fine, except it isn't locking the cylinder, and the cylinder is moving before firing, this can be potentially dangerous as it might allow a cartridge to discharge that isn't perfectly lined up with the barrel.
 
Actually, lock up is tight. I mean really tight. No cylinder movement whatsoever in any direction. That's what is puzzling to me. Clearly the bolt (whatever fits into the notch) is coming out of the notch, however little, as a result of recoil, hence, allowing the cylinder to rotate. The thing is that I don't know the mechanics of how the bolt works so I don't know if its actually something broken inside or something else?

g_gunter
 
Three questions. First, who installed the Wolff spring kit? Second, Did you have ANY troubles before the spring swap? Third, did the spring kit include the main, bolt, trigger reset and other internal springs? I would return it to S&W for proper repair and dump the Wolff spring kit.
 
I've seen evidence that indicates that counter-rotation is sometimes caused by inadvertent partial operation of the DA trigger during recoil--especially when shooting one handed. The big 500s recoil badly enough that sometimes this would actually cause a second shot to be fired accidentally when the shooter doesn't take a firm 2 hand hold.
 
If you send it in to S&W for repair, they will put new factory springs in it, any springs that aren't OEM get replaced with OEM springs.
 
First see if you are the culprit by unintentionally pulling the trigger slightly under recoil. Then check to see if the bolt spring is not damaged or weak. Since you say you don't know your way around inside the revolver have a gunsmith perform this check for you.
 
I have to go with Glock on this one.. keep those heavy loads out of the Smiths. My Rugers crave such heavy loads. :)

Actually I don't mean to be a pain. I love my Smiths, I just have to buck the S&W movement in here every chance I can.

I know that this was a huge problem in the mid model 29's and partly why the 629 was created. I am surprised that this is still occuring with enough frequency that people know about it. I wish you luck with it. I would suggest that you talk to S&W on the phone first, then decide if you want to send it to them or to a gunsmith. In my experience dealing with S&W for repairs that sometimes it is cheaper and easier to have a gunsmith do the work. Good luck.

.44mag
 
Hi,, g_gunter,

You have correctly figured out the cause of the problem, and yes, it is likely that your spring replacement does have something to do with it.

Unless you want to cut your loads, you can try putting all the original springs back in and see what happens.

BTW, this is one example (there are many) of why it is not a good idea to listen to the guys whose answer to every question is a Wolff spring kit. Sometimes, factory designers and engineers really do know what they are doing, no matter what the spring replacement gurus tell you.

Jim
 
The recoil is forcing the bolt down causing the cylinder to unlock and rotate backwards. Stronger spring or a better grip on your gun should take care of the problem.
It was a common complaint with .44s prior to the 'endurance package' enhancements.
Mostly, I always felt it was shooter induced as I have seen a couple that did that when slightly built fellows let the barrel whip skywards, but it never happened to me, even when using the same gun and load.
 
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