I owned a 296 "hump back" -- a pleasure to carry -- uncomfortable to shoot. If they had made it like a Bodyguard (with a shrouded hammer) rather than a Centennial, I would have never parted with it. Anything heavier than a 200gr bullet was not advised because it would jump the crimp during recoil. I carried the CCI Blazer Gold Dot 200gr in it as a self defense load.

Given the choice, I would buy the 329 rather than the 396 -- just for the flexibility to carry Magnum loads if desired.