The California 10-day wait has ended. I picked up my new Smith 629 Classic, 5" bbl today. Took it straight to the range from the LGS. After a quick field cleaning (swabbed the barrel n charge holes), I put it to work.
Fodder:
185gn Lead DEWC; 5.0gn Bullseye (Special) - 35 rounds
240gn Lead SWC; 5.0gn Bullseye (Special) - 50 rounds
210gn GDHP; 11.0gn Unique (Mag) - 19 rounds
210gn JHC; 24.5gn W296 (Mag) - 12 rounds
240gn JHC; 22.5gn W296 (Mag) - 6 rounds
After firing the first round and voiding the warranty
(handloaded ammo), it was obvious the gun was shooting way low, and a touch to the left. After several extensive cranks on the elevation, I brought the POI up into the black circle. A little windage adjustment centered it up. Got it shooting straight within three cylinders full.
After getting it lined up, I started playing with different ammo. The Specials were tame, of course. The 210/Unique load was a medium power round and was comfortable enough and manageable. The 210/W296 and 240/W296 loadings were a bit harsh on my 53-year-old hands. Gone are my recoil junkie days. When I bought the gun, I envisioned shooting almost entirely 44 Special rounds through it. (If it was actually chambered for only 44 Special, I would have still bought it). Now that I've put some full-house mags through it, my vision was amply confirmed
After 122 rounds, I have to say that I like the gun indeed. This isn't my first N-frame. I have a 629-1 w/ 8-3/8" bbl. My hands aren't large, and so the N-frame isn't the best fit for me. But it starts to feel natural to me after a few cylinder's worth. The trigger is heavy but only feels just the slightest touch gritty - more smooth than any of my other new Smiths. I figure it'll further smooth out as it breaks in.
Looking forward to my next time out with it. I think it's still shooting a touch left, but I'll figure that out as I shoot it more. (I can't shoot off a bench to sight in a gun; I have to do it over time by shooting it as I normally do.)
Fodder:
185gn Lead DEWC; 5.0gn Bullseye (Special) - 35 rounds
240gn Lead SWC; 5.0gn Bullseye (Special) - 50 rounds
210gn GDHP; 11.0gn Unique (Mag) - 19 rounds
210gn JHC; 24.5gn W296 (Mag) - 12 rounds
240gn JHC; 22.5gn W296 (Mag) - 6 rounds
After firing the first round and voiding the warranty
(handloaded ammo), it was obvious the gun was shooting way low, and a touch to the left. After several extensive cranks on the elevation, I brought the POI up into the black circle. A little windage adjustment centered it up. Got it shooting straight within three cylinders full.After getting it lined up, I started playing with different ammo. The Specials were tame, of course. The 210/Unique load was a medium power round and was comfortable enough and manageable. The 210/W296 and 240/W296 loadings were a bit harsh on my 53-year-old hands. Gone are my recoil junkie days. When I bought the gun, I envisioned shooting almost entirely 44 Special rounds through it. (If it was actually chambered for only 44 Special, I would have still bought it). Now that I've put some full-house mags through it, my vision was amply confirmed
After 122 rounds, I have to say that I like the gun indeed. This isn't my first N-frame. I have a 629-1 w/ 8-3/8" bbl. My hands aren't large, and so the N-frame isn't the best fit for me. But it starts to feel natural to me after a few cylinder's worth. The trigger is heavy but only feels just the slightest touch gritty - more smooth than any of my other new Smiths. I figure it'll further smooth out as it breaks in.
Looking forward to my next time out with it. I think it's still shooting a touch left, but I'll figure that out as I shoot it more. (I can't shoot off a bench to sight in a gun; I have to do it over time by shooting it as I normally do.)
