Model 629 S&W Backpacker ammo question.

[Blackhawk .44]

Hey everyone, a friend of mine bought a 44 mag 629 S&W Backpacker in a two and a half inch barrel for bear protection for when he is hiking. He asked me the other day if he could shoot Buffalo bore loads in it. I said I didn’t think so because of the frame material. So my question is can he shoot Buffalo Bore ammo in his pistol?

Here is a pic of his gun.

http://picturearchive.auctionarms.co...2d5e790101.jpg

[HUNTERKJL]

Probably best to check with Buffalo Bore. I think they make a few different loads with one only being for Ruger Redhawk/Super Redhawk. I have a buddy with a Taurus and there was one lighter load from Buffalo Bore that was OK to shoot in it and S&W's. Might try to go to their website.

[6XLeech]

SW 629 is an all-steel revolver, no?

S&W has an info page with links (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...4_757812_image) to ammo makers, but BB is not included there. Do contact Buffalo Bore. Last year, I contacted them myself about something and found the owner, Tim Sundles, to be very straightforward and customer service savvy.

On a similar topic, I have also contacted S&W before. There have been similar questions the past several years about the 329PD and ammo. Smith & Wesson's reply: "Hi. as long as the ammo you choose meets S.A.A.M.I.E specs you can use it in our guns".

Garret Cartridges, which also markets potent .44 ammo (http://www.garrettcartridges.com/44mag.html) posts the following caveats on their .44 ammo:

RECOMMENDED FOR USE IN ALL 44 MAGNUM REVOLVERS EXCEPT FOR TAURUS TRACKER. THIS AMMO IS TOO LONG FOR USE IN RIFLES

RECOMMENDED FOR USE IN ALL STEEL 44 MAGNUM REVOLVERS EXCEPT TAURUS TRACKER. THIS AMMO IS TOO LONG FOR RIFLES

Hope this helps. Good luck.

[tvfinak]

If you read all the Garrett literature the concern is over cartridge and cylinder length - not strength except with the Taurus Tracker (whatever that is).

One issue with the 329 is that cases tend to stick due to the springeness and roughnessof the titanium cylinder coating - the cases apparently expand more in the cylinder as titanium isn't as stiff as steel or as smooth. I drop my loads back a few grains from my 629 to the 329 PD.

S&W has an info page with links (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...4_757812_image) to ammo makers, but BB is not included there. Do contact Buffalo Bore. Last year, I contacted them myself about something and found the owner, Tim Sundles, to be very straightforward and customer service savvy.

On a similar topic, I have also contacted S&W before. There have been similar questions the past several years about the 329PD and ammo. Smith & Wesson's reply: "Hi. as long as the ammo you choose meets S.A.A.M.I.E specs you can use it in our guns".

Garret Cartridges, which also markets potent .44 ammo (http://www.garrettcartridges.com/44mag.html) posts the following caveats on their .44 ammo:

RECOMMENDED FOR USE IN ALL 44 MAGNUM REVOLVERS EXCEPT FOR TAURUS TRACKER. THIS AMMO IS TOO LONG FOR USE IN RIFLES

RECOMMENDED FOR USE IN ALL STEEL 44 MAGNUM REVOLVERS EXCEPT TAURUS TRACKER. THIS AMMO IS TOO LONG FOR RIFLES

Hope this helps. Good luck.