How much use?

I don't keep my log up to date like I should ...but...here are some of my revolvers and round counts as best I know currently :

I only have one single action revolver...

http://thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=82010&d=1339790943

Freedom Arms, 4 3/4", large frame, 5 shot, .357 mag...its only about 4 months old ....but its right at 4,000 rds now.
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Model 19's, 66's and a 27 and 686 ...

http://thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=82015&d=1339792625
The two model 19's at lower right ..4" Nickel /both have well over 10,000 rds thru them ...and the model 66's and the model 27 almost as many.

some model 29's and 629's...
The Nickel 8 3/8" mod 29 ...I've had a long time...and I don't shoot it a lot ..but its coming up on 8,000 rds as well. Probably another 3,000 or so thru the 3" and the 8 3/8" model 629's...

http://thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=82120&d=1340222605
 
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Gee Bob, just think, assuming you reload, and your ammo averages $0.10 per round, you would be a very wealthy man today had you just dropped a dime into a bucket each time instead of pulling the trigger. :D
 
Bob, do you have some pictures of the rifling? how does that look after 10K+ rounds. Those look in good shape for so many rounds [ cylinder ]
 
You mean it would be ok for me to actually SHOOT my model 29's? WOW! I had no idea.

Next thing someone will tell me it's OK to shoot my K-frame .357's. I mean I know they're ok with wadcutters, but with P+ 38's? :confused: ;)
 
Gee Bob, just think, assuming you reload, and your ammo averages $0.10 per round, you would be a very wealthy man today had you just dropped a dime into a bucket each time instead of pulling the trigger.
Click to expand...

I am a far richer man today by by firing those rounds!

Money is fleeting. Satisfaction lasts.

Bob Wright
 
Wow, Bob. That is both beautiful and amazing. I keep records of all my shooting as well, but only have one gun [a 20,000 round 1911] that is anywhere near your volume.

I guess, among other things, this thread is absolute refutation of the idea that Smith & Wesson revolvers can't stand up to high round counts. Hickok45 on Youtube says his Model 29 has over 70,000 rounds through it. They must be a lot tougher than the Internet likes to admit.

Thanks for the pictures. Good stuff.
 
As to the Model 29 falling apart ... Wouldn't know ... but... but it does depend on what you shoot in it (or any gun). I for one rarely shoot true 'magnum' loads (240s at ~1400fps or so) in my guns. My .44Mags (Rugers) get mostly warm .44Spec level loads (900-1100fps) .... So I 'think' it depends a lot on what you are feeding it to what extent it starts to come apart! Just say'n.

I don't keep track of how many loads go through my guns. I just know they'll all last a lifetime of 'my' shooting!
 
None of the N frame S&W's ...have any issues standing up to full power loads...whether they're .357 mag or .44 mag....( all of my model 29's and 629's are just fine / and the only thing I run thru them are full power 240gr FMJ rounds ). .....and same thing on my .357's mag mod 27's and 28's...
 
BigJimP, when you say full power loads ... you load them yourself? Or factory? Now I have not bought a factory load since day one, but I understand most factory .44Mag loads are now 'watered down' to run around 1200fps (excluding Buffalo Bore ammo) .... basically the Keith load for .44Spec.... Just curious what you call 'full power' :) .

For example I just did a quick google search and first that popped up was " .... And their 240 GR. TMJ factory reload listed at: Velocity 1150 fps, Energy 705 ft lbs....."
 
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You're right - the comment I made was generic .../ I was referring to what is commonly available today in terms of 240 gr bullets like MagTech at 1180 fps.../ not what Elmer Keith was experimenting with ...which I know was up around 1400 fps in 240 gr ...and I think he even did some work with 250 gr bullets as well.

I reload all of my handgun calibers...( 9mm - .40S&W - .45 acp - .38 spl, .357 mag and .44 mag ) ....

and I load .44 mag using a Montana Gold bullet...240gr JSP ...at around 1225 fps ...is where I like them using Hodgdon Universal.../ or maybe a little faster ...using Hodgdon TiteGroup.

But that's what I consider Full Power.../ what do you consider full power ?

As a note / afterthought ...while I have model 29's in 4", 6" and 8 3/8" and 629's in 3", 6" and 8 3/8" ...I enjoy shooting the 8 3/8" most of the time in .44 mag ...and to some extent the 3" I have, because its an RSR gun that's ported.../ but a box of my loads ..maybe 2 boxes thru the 3" is plenty ...where I can shoot whatever I want thru the 8 3/8" barrels ..even with some arthritis developing in my hands these days since I'm in my 60's now / and wear and tear on my hands is partly why I had the Freedom Arms - photo in the link I posted earlier in this thread...made in .357 mag / so I can shoot it all day long. I was shooting it this aftn --- counting the number of rounds it took me to cut a standard playing card in half ( face up ) tape the top half only of the card to your target..and shoot until it drops...and I averaged about 20 rds...to cut them in half - at 21 Feet. Fun - just saying what I was doing for some amusement today -- and most of the shooting I do is for fun anyway.
 
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I don't have my data in front of me right now, but the 6" full lug Smith and the New Model Super Blackhawk went through some pretty stout loads. My loads were built around a 245 gr. cast SWC at about 1410 fps., a 240 gr. JHP at 1400 fps, and a 180 gr. JHP at 1715 fps. There was a mix of some more moderate loads, but never any light loads in either of these guns. Didn't want to change sight settings.

The 7 1/2 " .45 Colt Ruger Blackhawk ate up some BIG 350 gr. blunt RN Cast bullets that went to around 1300 fps.

I never used any light loads in my guns, always at least in the 1000~1100 fps range.


Bob Wright
 
And for those who, like me, were wondering what those numbers mean...

350 grains @ 1300 fps = roughly 1300 ft lbs of energy.

Wow!

I think I'd be worrying more about my wrist giving out than my gun shooting loose.

Just wow. :eek:
 
All the color case hardening was done by Doug Turnbull, that I know of. The .45 Colt Ruger with 7 1/2" barrel was turned over to Hamilton Bowen and I assume he sent it to Turnbull, this about 1989.

'Way back many years ago, 1987~1990, when the Ruger Bisleys were new on the market, I had a friend, Tommy Russell, who got on the bandwagon early for Bisleys and tried marketing custom Bisleys. He wanted my .45 to build into one, but I never warmed up to the Bisley, still haven't. But I gave him my .45, which already had the Super Blackhawk gripframe, to do his custom work, action job, new sights, color case hardening, etc. and the results are what you see. Tommy orchestrated one .32 H&R Magnum Bisley that was the Ruger Collectors Association auction gun one year. Tommy's wife died and I have lost contact with him since.

Bob Wright
 
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