I have a 329PD. Lots of problems, locked up twice. Sent it in to Smith 2 times, it is supposed to be fixed, do not believe it. Shot a couple of cylinders of 240 keith bullets with 10 grains of Unique. Had to pound out the empties with a hammer. These bullets are .430, did some checking and the throats mike .429 or more or less. I am curious if anyone else has had this problem and what the solution is.

I don't have a 329PD, but my last couple S&W's have had cylinder issues. Two different problems but the one gun (325NG) had hard extraction. The factory embossed numbers on the face of the cylinder, under the extractor, were too close to the chamber opening on a couple chambers. This caused a dimple that allowed new/unfired cartridges to load fine but hard extraction no matter the load, light/moderate/full, was fired in it. (Notice the inside chamber edge on the two marked chambers.) S&W replaced the cylinder.

Do you have the problem on all cylinders? Are there any marks/scratches on the cases once you get them out?

The load you mentioned is moderate & the bullet & throat measurement are nominal.

What problem(s) did you send it back for & what did they do to it to "fix" it?


Defective 325NG cylinder

I'm curious about what you mean by "locked up". Also, do you remember what S&W wrote on the service order? I'm wondering what they were fixing.

Bluedot37's post pretty much nailed it regarding sticking empties - there's got to be something wrong with the cylinder. Even letting it crud up won't stick the cases that bad with that level of load (assuming you didn't accidently substitute Bullseye for Unique ).

The gun locked up, could not cock it or open the cylinder. Needed to use a mallet. Smith sent it back and said it was fixed. Same thing again, sent it back and they tried it with some Federal ammo and said it was ok. I have shot it some and has not locked up, but need to use a hammer to extract the 240 grain empties. I know that throats can be consistant, I have 2 Ruger 44 spl's and all throats mike the same. .430. If Ruger can do it, so can smith.

This has nothing to do with the throats - which by the way are fine. The "lock-up" sounds like the lock. Did you try unlocking it? The sticky cases sound like either (a) you never clean the chambers are they are majorly crudded up. or (b) there is one of them that has some damage/deformation (only takes one to stop standard extraction.

And it would be very embarrassing if you were grossly overloading the pistol with a very bad reloading error - which will also cause sticky extraction.

FWIW: S&W did not provide me with any documentation as to what all they repaired/replaced....not one word on the returning paperwork. On the phone, when I called for status, they told me the cylinder was replaced. I know the extractor was replaced too because the original was black, like the cylinder, but the new one is not.

Since the OP didn't provide any answers to my questions about the extraction trouble, I don't know what else to say?

Hi, Steve here. I own a 329PD. I have found it to be a challenge.The only lock up i have run in to is the bullets pulling out of there crimp. I would fire 4 rounds or so and the gun would lock up ,the bullets moved out enough stop the cylinder from turning. I have had the cases get stuck in the cylinder,and it was hot loads with bulky powders.Had to send back to S&W for a chip in the frame next to the firing pin bushing.I have had lines develope along the outside of the clyinder after firing hot loads . This from swelling of the clyinder,and touching the top strap of the frame, again after hot loads.The loads were not over maximum recomendation.

A frustrating experience and a frustrating gun. Is there a quality gunsmith in your area to whom you can show the gun and get an evaluation? If S&W is not giving you an explanation when returning the gun, and you want to keep the gun, this may be the route for you. The plant is not giving you satisfaction. Otherwise, sell the gun, at a loss if need be.

I've passed up buying a 329 twice because of what I've read. Some say it makes for a good .44Spl, but that's not why I buy a Magnum handgun. Wonder if S&W pushed the envelope a little too far with this gun... Or is this simply a Monday/Friday gun?

Hmmm, I think the 329pd is more of a Ferrari and a lot of people are better served with a Toyota Corolla.

There are just more issues that crop up because of the revolver's light weight. For example, you brought up bullet pull - good call. Guys who shoot 3.5lb Rugers don't have bullet pull problems no matter how bad their roll crimp is. But getting a bullet to hold still in the 329pd can be a challenge.

I'm no expert with large caliber handguns, but I have a theory. Just like people buy a Governor and put it in a "tactical" holster (which makes absolutely no sense at any level), there are guys who buy into the macho image of owning a 44mag and then discover it is a challenge to shoot & carry. S&W certainly solved the "carry" problem with the 329pd, but in doing so created a monster to shoot, reload for, and maintain. IMO, the 329pd is terrible choice for a first 44 mag - more so if you don't reload.

But if you need/want a Ferrari, and are willing to accept that it will be a pain to go get milk in, then a Toyota Corolla isn't going to cut it.

The OP's sticky extraction is a bit baffling and obviously the OP isn't too quick to provide information. Seems like the OP joined the forum just to complain about his 329pd - I might be wrong though.

I have owned and shot numerous 44 mag's. Including about 5 629's and one 29. Also a few Ruger Superblackhawk's. I have never had a problem with any of my handloads, from mild to hot. I have not substituted bullseye for unique, I don't shoot bullseye. I am curious, if the throat diameter does not cause any problems, why does it not cause any sticky extraction when I use 185 grain sierra's that mike .429. The chambers are clean. I plan on sending it back to smith one more time before it heads down the road. The gun shoots quite well. recoil is not a problem, but want a gun I can carry in the bush and not have to worry about it not working.

Shoot one - extract. Shoot the next - extract. Do that 6 times to find the funky chamber. Inspect the brass. You are looking for the one chamber that is sticking.

BTW, throats are going to be 0.4295" or so - not something the average guy is going to be able to measure with calipers.

As to why the 185gr doesn't cause sticking - a lighter bullet creates less pressure for the same overload? Have you calibrated your reloading scale? Have you chrono'd your load lately? I know you don't want to hear it, but overloading causes sticky extraction and you are using a medium burn rate powder towards the high-end of the load range. What is the rest of your load? COL, brass, primer, crimp, etc? If you want help, you need to be a bit more forthcoming with the information. You can't just give an impossible situation and expect the folks to divine the problem.

When you send it back to S&W, include a writeup of your concerns. E.g. if you think the throats are too tight ask them to measure them.

I calibrate my scale everytime I load. I know 185 grain would cause less pressure. These loads I am using are less than the articles that John Taffin and Bryan Pearce have writen on the 329. I know there have been enough problems with these, that S&W should have them perfect. A 44 mag should shoot 44 mag loads and this one does not consistently. Along with miking the throats, I have used .430 SWC and .429 SWC's and found that .429'S seem to have the most consistency. Regardless of what bullet or load I shoot, the 329 should handle them as long as they are not overloaded and they aren't.

My 329 (2006 gun) did not like max loads with Enforcer and 300 gr XTP bullets. I had sticky case problems also. My suggestion is try some Unique and 2400. Start low and work your way up. If the cylinder holes are clean and the extraction is hard it to me is a over pressure sign in that gun-not all guns. Try different ammo.

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T. Johnson

If it only "locks up" with your hand loads and it only needs to be beaten with a mallet with your hand loads, then it sounds like there is a problem with your hand loads.

Invest in a box of Factory ammunition and see if these problems go away

Now that's just sloppy work there ...

We can debate this issue until the end and not solve anything. If I can shoot the same loads in my superblackhawk, with no problems, then the 329 should do the same. The problem is with the gun, not my handloads. It ends here.

That is an absolutely incorrect and dangerous assumption

A hand load that is at maximum in one firearm can be over pressure in another.

If your issues are exhibited with one and only one load, it is the ammunition and not the firearm that you should be looking at.

It is a shame that you think we are trying to debate you. We are trying to help you.

I am sorry if you thought this was a debate. I appreciate the help. I am only using handloads recommended by John Taffin and Brian Pearce. So far I have only used unique powder. My next attempt will be 2400 powder and different bullets. It is just so frustrating when I read articles on the 329 by Taffin and Pearce. They did not mention any problems, so I proceeded to use their handloading advice. Again I am sorry if I offended anyone. Thanks for all your advice.

If you think that's bad, here's another new/unfired gun I just bought that has a defective cylinder that will need to back to S&W. I've got ****** luck apparently!
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-rev...ing-cases.html

Again, not one post here has been debating you

Just because you see something in print does not mean it is safe. ALL loading data from ANY source should be checked and worked up to slowly.

How do you know that a printing company did not transpose a number or two as they reproduced the data from these two idols of yours?

We are trying to instill SAFETY into your loading habits.

Will be trying different loads using different powders. Hopefully this will cure the problem

I've had the same problem using the same load in the same gun. I didn't have to pound out my brass, but it did require more force than my other loads. I attribute this to a low volume of powder in the case (relatively speaking) and a dirty powder causing a lot of fouling. Titanium isn't the smoothest of metals and after a few rounds I get very dirty case mouths and hard ejection. No issues with a load of 20 grains of 2400. Hope you get it nailed, I no longer shoot unique in my 44 magnums.

I will be trying 2400. I haven't had time to give it a try but will be soon. I have been shooting Unique in my 44 sp ruger flat tops and no problems. But I think Ruger is manufactured to higher tolerances than Smith. Smith needed to give the owners of 329's some insight in handloading for this revolver. A side from the fact of the case sticking and locking up, it is one accurate pistol. Thanks for your help

I had a 637 that had one chamber that would split the case full-length. Cylinder was replaced and all was fine. Nothing much surprises me with the gun industry these days, but Smith seems to have some obvious problems. I still don't believe I saw an NIB 58 Classic that had a 57 barrel on it. If it was test fired at all, it would've shot incredibly low. The canted barrel issue should have been corrected at the factory by now, also. Perhaps they think we don't shoot our guns!

Hi Kat, as to your above post, about Smith advising potential owners of a gun re handloading, it is my understanding that Smith does not recommend the use of handloaded ammo. Their manuals/info sheets in the past always carried this disclaimer. Don't know about the present.

Back in the 80s, the mfgrs produced the 'Keith medium load,' a 240 gr lead flat point at about 950fps. I'm sure you can duplicate this. Wonder if the gun would be better at this pressure level? All the best!

He's giving you good advice. Please do this. Get a box of Winchester 240-gr factory loads or something similar and see if you have the problem with them.

S&W is not going to pay any attention to your comments about how the gun behaves with your handloads. At worst using handloads can void your warranty, and at minimum they cannot possibly help you diagnose your problem when you are using handloaded ammunition that they do not have access to when they evaluate your gun. Take Colt_saa's good advice and give the gun a chance with good quality factory ammunition. Let us know how it goes.

FWIW, I shoot my 329PD with reduced loads similar to what you mention. The gun works fine. It has exit bores that are just a bit over 0.429" - will allow a .429 pin to pass with resistance. I doubt your problems have anything to do with the exit bore size, but without seeing the gun we're all just guessing.

Sent the 329 in for the third time. Told S&W my problems,(I left the two fired cases in it that would not extract) got it back today. They replaced the cylinder. Took it out and shot the loads that locked up the gun before and not a problem. Hopefully this was the problem. Thank you all for all your comments and suggestions.

I have only had problems with some 44 special reloads I bought from a local store. I fired 6 and trouble extracting them. I then has a hard time closing the cylinder. I pulled the next 6 out and fired some federal 240 jhp mag loads. No problems after that. The reloads produced a lot of smoke and the bullets hit the target sideways tearing an elongated hole. The only extraction problems I get is when I shot mag loads after a number of 44 special which is to be expected.

KAT, glad your gun is working properly now and thanks for the info about the cylinder being replaced. Obviously you were unlucky and had a bad one. Hope things go well for you and the 329 from now on.

Interesting thread. I carried a 329PD for a good while and had absolutely no problems with it. It's highly likely the internal lock was jamming the gun. As far as extraction goes, I never had any problems but I was shooting .44 Specials (factory and reloads) 98% of the time. I will say I was never happy with the "rough" finish of the Ti cylinder.

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Centennial Every Day