Model 29 issue

[t-squared]

I had a chance to run a box of ammo through a family member's S&W Model 29 this weekend. After a the first dozen rounds I went downrange to swap out targets. I saw a bunch of what looked like metal shavings on the floor in front of where I was shooting. I swept up the whole area and ran the rest of the box through it. After I was done there were a bunch more new shavings so I know they came from this gun. I also found one in the barrel about 1/4" past the forcing cone. Also, I didn't feel or see any shavings on my hands or on the lane's table top. The shavings are "springy" and retain their shape so I know they are jacketing material and not lead. One other thing, the gun was throwing terrible groups with a bunch of crazy bad fliers. So whatever is going on is definitely damaging the bullets badly.

For a little more background info the gun is a 29-3 with a 10 5/8" barrel.Serial number AHH8607. It has had a veeery easy life with less that 100 rounds ran through it and those were just "target" style factory loads....nothing high end like Buffalo Bores or heavy hunting loads. It has always been shot outside, and never at any "real" kind of targets, so the issue has went unnoticed until now.

Here's what I'm talking about:




Here's a pic of the culprit:



And this is the ammo I used:



Any ideas? Send her in to S&W.... trust a gunsmith to make it right....put it back in the safe forever?

 

[M67]

The rifling and forcing cone on the 29 look okay?

I'd probably call Fiocchi, maybe had a bad batch of bullets where their jackets were very brittle or thin.

 

[halfmileharry]

The rifling and forcing cone on the 29 look okay?

I'd probably call Fiocchi, maybe had a bad batch of bullets where their jackets were very brittle or thin.

I'd try another brand of well respected ammo first.

 

[t-squared]

FYI, I just compared the forcing cone on the 29 to my GP100. Instead of being smooth like the GP, the 29's cone has machining marks you can see and actually feel with the wooden handle of a heavy duty q-tip. Is it possible the gun has a "Friday afternoon" forcing cone that was cut by a bad bit or that missed it's final reaming?

I'm also gonna try some different ammo before doing anything.....

 

[BE Mike]

Looks like the jacket material is too thin. The extra velocity that the ammo gains from the longer barrel might contribute to the ammo failure, but I wouldn't put the blame on the revolver.

 

[bgcatty]

If you have any doubts about the Model 29 there is a simple solution to your issues. Take a ride to Sand Burr Gun Ranch in Rochester and see Denny Reichard. Denny is "the man" when it comes to Model 29's. Whatever the issue may be, he will figure out the solution.

 

[t-squared]

If you have any doubts about the Model 29 there is a simple solution to your issues. Take a ride to Sand Burr Gun Ranch in Rochester and see Denny Reichard. Denny is "the man" when it comes to Model 29's. Whatever the issue may be, he will figure out the solution.

Letting him work some of his action magic on it was already planned....