Pondering getting a 329 for carrying around the property, much lighter than the 29/629 of course, but less mass translates to more felt recoil. guess i could reload some rounds down a bit from 'full' power.

any fit/finish things to look for?

Yea, Pass......it kicks harder using mid loaded 44mags than my hot loaded 454Casull. I had mine for one day and dumped it. Put your hand up and let someone take a full swing with a 2x4. If you want a 44mag to carry, get a 629 4".

I have a 329 Night Guard which I use for hiking/backpacking. Although it is certainly made more for carry than spending days at the range, I really like it. I've run everything from 44 Specials to 300+ gr. loads from Garrett, Buffalo Bore, etc. through it. I don't find the recoil that bad, although the hotter loads with heavy bullets definitely get your attention and I don't make a habit of them (expensive, hard on the gun and your hand). The slight forward weight increase of the stainless cylinder of the NG and standard Hogue rubber grips help and I find recoil less objectionable than with the titanium cylinder/wood grips on earlier 329s which, as Mystic said, can sting.

Some people are more sensitive to recoil than others. I've been shooting 44 Mag since 1968 and have 29s and 629s in a number of different configurations so I guess I'm somewhat used to the recoil. My advice would be to find a way to try one before buying if you can.

i love my 329pd. great for carrying in the woods. if you are going several miles. if i was just wandering for an hour or 2 on occasion i would get a 629(which i have also) much more pleasant to shoot. if recoil is a problem then the 329 may not be what you want. my finish etc. have held up just fine, course after being in the woods it is not pristine any more.

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balin
NRA Life Member

The 329 is the best 44 Special they've ever built. It has the added advantage of being able to fire Magnum loads if you want or need to. The gun is so light you can almost forget you're humping it all over God's creation. Just don't buy it thinking its a good range gun. If your plan is to fire a box or two on Sunday afternoons, you're going to be unhappy. Its a fine special purpose gun. The purpose isn't firing large volumes of heavy loads. Its designed to be carried often, like all the time. Its supposed to be there when its needed. If you buy a 629 you probably won't have it when needed. It'll be at home where it doesn't hurt you all day long. Yes, I have one (had 2) and I still think its a wonderful gun. Just be aware of its limitations (like Dirty Harry told you.)

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Dick Burg

I like my 329PD fine since I put the SW500 grips on it.

Thanks. Have a 629 for range time. Intention is to be a carry gun. Might experiment with 44special loads to see how they feel to me.

Get a set of Pachmayr Gripper Decelerator Grips Finger Grooves for your weapon.This was the best thing I did for mine except for buying it in the first place. I also have a 629 for fun at the range but the 329 is the outdoor revolver for me. Possibly I am recoil insensitive but I expect a 240 grain 44 mag to have a bit of recoil. I have fired 18 fast rounds of 44 mag during our last qualification and guess what, I still have my hand and it still works! The 329 is a special purpose weapon, but like most special purpose items, it works wonderfully for it's purpose

I have one and would have to to agree 100% with everything Dick said.

Now the challenge is to find one. Even used would be fine.

Thanks all

Ideally a used one should be wearing Hogue X-Frame or Packy Decelerator. Take a look at the blast shield as it will have to head back to the factory to be replaced. A lot of guys get all bothered by the ILS, so as long as they filled the hole it is OK if it is missing.

A lot of guys wet their panties over the recoil, but I wear tidy-whitey's and I don't find it objectionable with the above mentioned grips. Yes, you know when it fires

Here is some information you might find useful. It is the best carry revolver I've ever owned.

Thanks dla. Great info.

Went to one shop, called another. No SW revolvers at all. Sigh.

I think there are a lot of wimps in the ranks

I didn't find the recoil that bad even with 300gr bullets over a case full of H110, wearing the wood grips. What killed it for me was the fact that you have to send it back to have the blast shield replaced so often when you shoot "my" type of loads.

Absolutely agree and I bought and sold one immediately. And before you call me a pussy I love my S&W 4 inch 500 as well as my BFR 500 JRH and Freedom Arms 475 Linebaugh.

Anyone who tells you the 329 is not bad to shoot with full power loads is on crack. Further more, I would wager most of the people who claim full power loads are ok to shoot don't even own a 329.

I passed my last drug test with flying colors and I own a 329PD and I shoot full loads in it.

I fire 100 rounds whenever I take it to the range, about 2 times a month. My regular load is a 240 SWC on 20.5 grains of 2400. I also keep a stock of mild 44 magnum loads (same bullet on 10 grains of unique) and 44 specials around for when more recoil sensitive types want to give her a try.

To the OPs original question, the only issue I've had so far (1200 rounds of real 44 and a few hundred lighter loads) is the cylinder release latch screw coming loose. Some locktite fixed that easy. The blast shield erosion has not been an issue with mine. From what I've read powder selection makes a big difference in how long it lasts. 2400 is easy on the shield and H110 is hard on it.

I bought this for an outdoors pistol and believe it fills the role perfectly.