I own a 329pd and shoot it a lot with real 44 mag loads. I have a Hogue X-500 grips on it purchased from S&W. I'm not a tiny fellow at 3'37" and large hands, but correct finger placement for DA shooting is near impossible single-handed - the reach is just too long.

I see that Pachmayr makes a decelerator for the round-butt N-frame and this grip covers the backstrap. Does anyone have experience with the Pachmayr on the 329pd? Which do you think is better?

Much better.

I tried the Pachmayr gripper decelerators on my 329 and I overwhelmingly prefer the Hogues. The Pachmayr's are narrower and maybe offer a slightly shorter trigger pull than the Hoques. For me, the narrowness was the problem -- it seemed to significantly increase the recoil thrust into the web of my hand.

I really like the Gripper Decellerators on J frames -- go figure.

You're right - the Hogue is considerably wider and also slightly longer overall. It's the thinner width that makes the Packy Decelerator work better for me. The thickness of the backstrap material is the same, but as you noted - it is a bit narrower.

I just installed my Packy but here in the PNW I won't get another sunny weekend until July/2011 I'll find out then just how much more pounding my web is gonna take with the narrower grip.

Hope the Pachys work for you, and I’d like to hear your impression of the comparative recoil when you are able to get out.

Due to the bone structure at the base of my thumb, there are very few double action grips that I can shoot comfortably. Given the possible permutations of the human hand, it’s surprising that standardized handgun grips work for anyone.

I reloaded 100 rounds and the rain held off for a couple hours. I took my 329pd with new Pachmayr Decelerator grips and put about 50 rounds downrange. Weird experience, not what I thought would happen - the Pachmayr actually felt better than the Hogue. The short answer is that the smaller grip circumference gave better finger purchase and that reduced the pounding to my web. I took pictures and did a write up in case someone else is pondering a grip solution.

S&W329pd Grip Information

I also shot some bullets through Elk femurs - a lot of fun. Surprising what a 240gr XTP @1200fps will do - penetrated back to back femurs blowing both to bits - and the bullet stayed together!(about totally flat) Oregon Trail 240gr @1200fps would penetrate but break into pieces. Leadhead 270gr @1130fps would penetrate and stay together for a longer trip - not as spectacular as the XTP. I know this has little to do with performance on bitey-scratchy critters, but it was fun

Thanks for the update. It's great when things work out.

Is the 329PD grip frame a round butt?

Yes, it is.