Improved N-Frames?

[Nightcrawler]

I'm given to understand that at some point in the last 20 years, the design of S&W N-Framed revolvers was improved and strengthen, to allow guns like their 629 .44 Magnum revolver to hold up to modernized hunting loads from Garret, Cor-Bon, and Buffalo Bore. (Keep in mind that if you want to shoot a LOT of this stuff, you're probably better served by a Super Blackhawk or Super Redhawk.)

When, exactly, did this happen? What changes were made? How can you tell if your N-frame is improved or not?

 

[JNewell]

I think this snip from one of John Taffin's articles is what you're thinking of. The full article is here.

Finally with a change of management, Smith & Wesson began to address some of the problems associated with the .44 Magnum Model 29. By now, both Ruger and Dan Wesson had heavy duty .44 Magnum sixguns on the market that were designed around heavy usage. The Smith & Wesson had a distinct disadvantage as it was built on a platform going back to 1908. Should they scrap it and start over? Or should they try to fix what they had? They opted for the latter and I am certainly pleased that they did. In 1988, the 29-4 was ushered in with two changes. The retention system on the yoke or cylinder crane was strengthened and studs within the frame were radiused to help remove metal stress. It was not enough. At the same time eight and three eighth's inch models were made available with integral scope mounts on the barrel rib.

The 29-4 lasted only two years to be replaced by the 29-5 in 1990. Now we began to see obvious outer changes in the Model 29 as the cylinder notches were made longer to prevent the bolt from jumping out of the notch upon recoil. At the same time the bolt was changed and the innards of the Model 29-5 were changed to provide a method of holding everything tightly together when the .44 was fired to prevent battering under recoil.

 

[VictorLouis]

As near as I can describe,

There's a 'bar' that rides in a grooved channel on the left side of the trigger. It's mounted and proportioned similarly to the hand. It bears down on the cylinder bolt{the part you move forward with the thumbpiece to open the cylinder} when the trigger is held to the rear. This is to prevent it from moving to the rear, and possibly freeing up the cylinder to move to the left, under the inertia of recoil.

 

[Tamara]

The quickest way is probably to glance at the cylinder stop notches.

It happened with the: 25-8/25-9, 27-5, 29-5, 57-3, all 610's, 624-2, 625-3, all but the first few 627's, 629-3, and 657-2.