Thread: 44 Magnum question

Seems a bit quiet in the pistol forum, so thought I’d ask something.

I’ve been running factory Winchester .44 Magnum through my Model 29-2. I occasionally get a spent cartridge bulge a little and get stuck in the cylinder... like, really stuck. A bit of a bitch to get out.

Thoughts on this?

well, being the most powerful handgun in the world your brass has to ask itself one question, does it feel lucky?

S&W revolvers are very well made and of good materials, however the cylinder wall is quite thin where the cylinder locking notch is cut. The cylinder is strong enough at this point to withstand the pressures of factory loads quite happily but some handloads (too much or wrong powder) can generate enough excess pressure to bulge the cylinder at that point and cause cases to stick. The only cure is a new cylinder.

The two on the left are the only ones I kept. The one on the right is a good one for comparison. Bit hard to see the bulge, but it’s enough to almost weld the bloody things in the cylinder.

Also, I got the brand wrong, they're factory American Eagle.

Man that's a big bulge! That chamber needs some bog!

stop buying kardashian made ammo

Originally Posted by 40mm

well, being the most powerful handgun in the world your brass has to ask itself one question, does it feel lucky?

They are a nice handgun no question. My mate had a 586 in South America, easy to shoot and reliable.

I know SFA about revolvers but I can't see those bulges being created by anything else than bulged cylinders

Time to start reloading, federal brass is on the soft size if down loaded a little would probable help, I have swaped over to Starline brass in my 586 .357 mag
it is better than most of the other pistol brass available.

Originally Posted by Gibo

Man that's a big bulge! That chamber needs some bog!

Speaking of bogging chambers, this leads me to recall and incident from the early 70's in darkest Africa. The local court prosecutor acquired a Sauer 44 mag 61/2 " single action, complete with Lee powder scoop and bullet mould. His knowledge on such things equaled mine so it was the blind leading the blind. I cast a handful of bullets from toothpaste tubes and wheel weights and jammed them on top of a healthy scoop of MP2 powder. The first shot I remember penetrated a 44 gallon drum and the steel bands which in those days strengthened them. A few shots later, there was an almighty orange flash and huge recoil. On examination, we found that a chamber had cracked length wise. My learner-ed friend was more than slightly miffed. In my defense, I pointed out that the cylinder and ejection rod appeared to be made from a non metal substance. Almost like pewter... Anyway he sold the cowboy gun pointing out the flaw in the chamber to the new owner. I heard that the new 'would be cowboy'glued a case in that chamber, immediately converting the old Sauer into the only 5 shot 44 mag JP Sauer revolver in existence. Who knows, perhaps it still shoots to this day, 43 years later... the folly of youth.

Those bulges are fairly typical of full house loads. The longitudinal scratches on the case make me think there are some burrs on the edge of the chamber. Clear photos of the cylinder and chambers would help. Federal brass is fairly soft and the cases could be on the minimum diameter. Try a 20 round box of Winchester for comparison.

Originally Posted by Gibo

Man that's a big bulge! That chamber needs some bog!

I hear newtech is good for anything!

Er yeah not the greatest photos of the cylinder.

The cylinder looks OK (apart from needing a clean). Try some different ammo. S&W revolver chambers are roller burnished so rough chambers are very rare.

I’m with gundoc,....I have the Remington mag 44,I ve had issues with American Eagle ammo over the years and never buy it anymore(factory ammo).....none of the issues you are experiencing,mostly misfires,but seating issues as well.....never had any issues with better quality ammo,