S&W 629 endurance package?

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pwd

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My understanding is that S&W has altered the design of the 629 over the years, creating hyphenated models (e.g. 629-2, 629-3, 629-4, etc.). Can anyone comment on these changes?

1. What is the latest hyphenated N frame model number?

2. Somewhere along the way they added something called an "endurance package." Does this allow for the firing of the same intensity ammo you might put through a Ruger Redhawk (CorBon, etc.)? Or, is the S&W design still weaker?

I have a 629-4 and would like to know a little more about its capabilities, refinements, and whether I should avoid shooting hotter factory loads through it. Thanks for any insights!...pwd
 
The 629-4, which debuted in '93, has both the "Endurance Package", which first showed up with the "-2E" version in '89, and the longer cylinder stop notches, which first appeared on the "-3". The "-4" is best identified as the first version with the new "holy" frame (drilled for scope mounting.)

Personally, if it was my gun, I'd still be sparing with the amount of super-heavy grizzly manglers I ran through it, but it should stand up to a reasonable amount of heavy loads with no problems. It'll eat most anything this side of the heaviest Cor-Bon/Buffalo Bore stuff without a hitch.

(In a nutshell: Is it as strong as a Redhawk? No. Is it strong enough to outlast anybody but the most jaded recoil junkie who thinks a hunnert rounds of hot 300gr loads is a "plinking session"? Yes. :) )
 
Many thanks for the helpful info, Tamara. A "jaded recoil junkie" I am not. This gun has an action job smoother than anything I've owned, along with lines engraved on the front of the trigger guard for better purchase of the offhand index finger. And no built-in lock. It belonged to a Texas lawman before I came into possession of it through a mutual (gunsmith) friend.
 
Kinda off topic, but.......

Do you know if PC will fit one of those nifty looking composite cyllenders to a regular SS 696? Love the look of them, and if they are actually stronger, then why not? :D
 
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