desertstormvet
New member
A trusted friend of mine gave me a box of new in the box short barrel 44 magnum (200gr) ammo. I own a S&W 629-1 with 6" barrel. Is it safe to use this ammo?
Short Barrel 44 Magnum
- Thread starter desertstormvet
- Start date
Bob Wright
New member
Yes. Factory .44 Magnum ammunition is safe to use in any .44 Magnum revolver. Provided the gun is in good condition, and the ammunition is not somebody's hot rodded stuff.
Ammunition intended specifically for shorter barrels uses faster burning powder and generally lighter bullets to obtain optimum performance in the short barrels, as opposed to slower burning powders that take 4" or more of barrel to reach full performance.
Did I make that clear? Seems like I did a whole bunch of typing!
Bob Wright
Ammunition intended specifically for shorter barrels uses faster burning powder and generally lighter bullets to obtain optimum performance in the short barrels, as opposed to slower burning powders that take 4" or more of barrel to reach full performance.
Did I make that clear? Seems like I did a whole bunch of typing!
Bob Wright
PointOneSeven
New member
I assume it's a faster burning powder, combined with that lighter bullet to get velocity up as soon as possible. Might not be the most effective round in a long gun, but it should come screaming out of a 6" barrel 
. I'd love to see the chronograph on those.
. I'd love to see the chronograph on those.desertstormvet
New member
Thanks for all the typing...I assumed a faster burning powder and lighter projectile...and that the potential for damage to the pistol was low. Just wanted a couple of viewpoints to settle my hesitation. 
Bob Wright
New member
Some years ago there was a half-jacketed bullet available to reloaders. The manufacturer had a warning on the box to the effect that these bullets be loaded to exceed a certain minimum velocity. the reason given was that if loaded to very low velocities, the lead core could separate in the bore, leaving the jacket behind, and thus cause a bore obstruction.
Some ammunition was loaded with these bullets intended for use in short barreled revolvers, and a cautionary note placed on the box. This appears to be the source of concern for ammunition intended for short barreled revolvers. But factory loaded ammunition, by the major manufacturers, is loaded within SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute) specifications.
Bob Wright
Some ammunition was loaded with these bullets intended for use in short barreled revolvers, and a cautionary note placed on the box. This appears to be the source of concern for ammunition intended for short barreled revolvers. But factory loaded ammunition, by the major manufacturers, is loaded within SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute) specifications.
Bob Wright