Used 329pd help please needed

RonPagan · #1 05-28-2016, 08:29 PM

Hi, been lurking here for months as I have been a S&W revolver junkie since I was 7. Seems like a nice forum with nice people.

I'm looking at a very lightly used 329pd. The previous owner is including 2 boxes of Buffalo bore 255gr and has already put the x frame grips on it. It really is hard to tell that it has been shot, very clean. When inspecting the blast shield I noticed that it was about half the size of those on NIB 329s I've been looking at. It looks it was made to be this way. Meaning that it is recessed into the top strap just like all the others I have seen. But it does appear to be sort of recessed. I took pictures of course. You can see the top strap sticks down a bit lower than the shield. Also what is the hole in the top strap behind the shield? I'm referring to the one that appears to be filled in with stainless. Be patient with my description of all this please, this will be my first revolver not made of stainless.

Would any of you buy this? It's going with the x-frame grips, both sets from the factory as well as 50 rounds of the Buffalo bore for 800. Also if you do buy a used scandium framed revolver how is smith and wesson for replacing the shield or really any other repairs? Do they make you pay for shipping or the work that has to be done?

M16 · #2 05-28-2016, 09:37 PM

It looks fine to me. The hole is for a scope mount. The other two holes are the screws that hold the rear sight. When mounting a scope you use all three holes. That's not a bad price. I liked my first one so much I bought a spare. They are great to carry but if you're gonna use it as gun for shooting targets I'd get a 629.

RonPagan · #3 05-28-2016, 10:44 PM

all right then, just found it odd that the blast shield was so much smaller than on others I've been looking at. I have until Monday then he's probably selling it at the gun shop. As you said pick that one up and get one new some time down the road.

also just realized I screwed up the title consider it "help please to be needed, very nice!"

Mike in Reedley · #4 05-28-2016, 11:15 PM

Can you shoot it before you buy? I love mine, but I reload 6 grains of Unique under a 240 lead SWC in 44 special brass. Very accurate and controllable. I have a model 29 if I want to shoot 44 magnum ammo.

RonPagan · #5 05-29-2016, 12:17 AM

I highly doubt he'd let me shoot it before buying. Still thinking maybe I should just go with a 4" 629 like some have suggested. I'm pretty sure I could shave a pound or two off the load I usually hike around with. that way I could use any crazy bear load I want.

regalsc · #6 05-29-2016, 01:45 AM

I compared your pic to my 325pd 4" & my 325 SC 2.75" & both of my blast shields go to the end of that front sight screw. Yours in the pic is about half as long as you say. Since that's a 44 mag I would think it could use all the blast shield it can get.

Paul105 · #7 05-29-2016, 09:05 AM

Here's a picture of my 329s blast shield -- this gun is 8 or 9 years old. Round count at the time of the picture was 2,000+.

As you can see, the blast shield is about twice the size of the one in your picture. HOWEVER, the erosion shown on my gun would have been easily contained by your smaller blast shield.

Smith & Wesson will replace the blast shield without charge and will pay shipping both ways.

Don't know when S&W went to the smaller shield.

Paul

regalsc · #8 05-29-2016, 10:05 AM

I did some looking on GB & the stock photos of the 329 pd do indeed have the shorter shield like the op's pic.

rburg · #9 05-29-2016, 10:40 AM

Its not unusual to find a 329 up for sale, barely used. There's a reason for that. Especially with 255 grain overloads. Someone bought it, figured he was a real man, and could handle the minor recoil. He was wrong, an seems to be willing to accept his loss. For you, it could be a good thing to buy. But remember, missing with a 44 isn't even as good as hitting with a 22.

I've told my story about when I first bought a 329. It was the first one I'd seen in captivity. So I went to a winter campout with the guys and brought it along for fun. And I loaded it up with 3 of the 300 grain bear loads, real killers at both ends. And the the other 3 holes I just stuffed in some of my 44 Special target loads. Not stout at all, even wimpy. So our campsite was out behind a buddies house, down the hill and across a creek. He was all for a little shooting and the huge cottonwood tree seemed like a perfect target.

So I had been really careful about indexing my loads so the first ones were the light ones. And like most group of guys, we've got one who can do anything you can do, only better. So after the first shot I fired, I kind of complained about "how much it hurt". So I fired a 2nd light load and again complained, kind of like a daisy would. Then I fired the 3rd light one and said "I've had enough" and offered it to anyone else. Nice guy I am. And the soon to be victim stepped right into the trap. The heavy loads were on deck, and the poor guy really looked hurt. But I give him credit, he fired all 3 of them. By then I'd sat down, watching the fun. And the guy brought me my gun, handing it to me with his off-hand. Then, still using that hand he went to the cooler and selected a cold beer. He sat down and only then did he put the beer in his now injured right hand.

I wasn't the only one who noticed. My buddy sitting next to me kind of chuckled and said "hey Dick, did that gun sound different from when Davey fired it?" Nothing escapes the trained eye - or ear.

My guess is the OP will be in for a rude awakening when he fires it, particularly if he used the Buffalo Bore rounds. The 329 might be the best all around 44 Special they've ever marketed. Its also an abusive handgun that is capable of injuring a novice shooter, or at least taking him out of the shooting sports for a day or two. I don't care what grips you've got, its still pretty mean when it makes its noise.

So here's the problem. Any 44 magnum is probably under powered when the game is an upset grizzly. You can make up for that power deficiency with multiple well aimed shots. If you've got the time and accuracy. The time isn't really your call, the bear determines that. And hitting it with a 4" 44 under stress might not be the best circumstances. So buy the gun and try to hit the vitals or a target that size at a few feet. Remember its running at you, you're scared and its mad. You'd have a better chance of hitting it with the 22, dumping the entire mag than getting an aimed shot off with that 44. Maybe we'll read about you in the papers this summer.

RonPagan · #10 05-29-2016, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rburg

Its not unusual to find a 329 up for sale, barely used. There's a reason for that. Especially with 255 grain overloads. Someone bought it, figured he was a real man, and could handle the minor recoil. He was wrong, an seems to be willing to accept his loss. For you, it could be a good thing to buy. But remember, missing with a 44 isn't even as good as hitting with a 22.

I've told my story about when I first bought a 329. It was the first one I'd seen in captivity. So I went to a winter campout with the guys and brought it along for fun. And I loaded it up with 3 of the 300 grain bear loads, real killers at both ends. And the the other 3 holes I just stuffed in some of my 44 Special target loads. Not stout at all, even wimpy. So our campsite was out behind a buddies house, down the hill and across a creek. He was all for a little shooting and the huge cottonwood tree seemed like a perfect target.

So I had been really careful about indexing my loads so the first ones were the light ones. And like most group of guys, we've got one who can do anything you can do, only better. So after the first shot I fired, I kind of complained about "how much it hurt". So I fired a 2nd light load and again complained, kind of like a daisy would. Then I fired the 3rd light one and said "I've had enough" and offered it to anyone else. Nice guy I am. And the soon to be victim stepped right into the trap. The heavy loads were on deck, and the poor guy really looked hurt. But I give him credit, he fired all 3 of them. By then I'd sat down, watching the fun. And the guy brought me my gun, handing it to me with his off-hand. Then, still using that hand he went to the cooler and selected a cold beer. He sat down and only then did he put the beer in his now injured right hand.

I wasn't the only one who noticed. My buddy sitting next to me kind of chuckled and said "hey Dick, did that gun sound different from when Davey fired it?" Nothing escapes the trained eye - or ear.

My guess is the OP will be in for a rude awakening when he fires it, particularly if he used the Buffalo Bore rounds. The 329 might be the best all around 44 Special they've ever marketed. Its also an abusive handgun that is capable of injuring a novice shooter, or at least taking him out of the shooting sports for a day or two. I don't care what grips you've got, its still pretty mean when it makes its noise.

So here's the problem. Any 44 magnum is probably under powered when the game is an upset grizzly. You can make up for that power deficiency with multiple well aimed shots. If you've got the time and accuracy. The time isn't really your call, the bear determines that. And hitting it with a 4" 44 under stress might not be the best circumstances. So buy the gun and try to hit the vitals or a target that size at a few feet. Remember its running at you, you're scared and its mad. You'd have a better chance of hitting it with the 22, dumping the entire mag than getting an aimed shot off with that 44. Maybe we'll read about you in the papers this summer.

yep, read your camping story about a week ago. Read quite a few of the posts here about the 329. By the way I'm looking at this to back up my bear spray and 870. Maybe I'll just bring my 20mm instead.

Obviously the last thing you want to do is $#@& with a grizzly.

RonPagan · #11 05-29-2016, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul105

Here's a picture of my 329s blast shield -- this gun is 8 or 9 years old. Round count at the time of the picture was 2,000+.

As you can see, the blast shield is about twice the size of the one in your picture. HOWEVER, the erosion shown on my gun would have been easily contained by your smaller blast shield.

Smith & Wesson will replace the blast shield without charge and will pay shipping both ways.

Don't know when S&W went to the smaller shield.

Paul

Thanks for the research, hadn't seen any pictures of this shorter shield before. when reading through what dla put together about his with over 4000 rounds through it I did notice the cutting seems to stay restricted. looks like the 1/16-1/8th of it is what really takes the brunt of the force. I believe he's on his 3rd or 4th one now?
Trust me I've been back and forth on this for 6 weeks. My options so far have been, new 329 for just over a grand, this one for 800, a used mountain gun my friend wants to sell me for 1000 or a new 629. Best price I've seen around here would be just over 800. If I needed to sell the used 329 someday that would be the easiest one to recoup my losses.

Snowwolfe · #12 05-29-2016, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rburg

Its not unusual to find a 329 up for sale, barely used. There's a reason for that. Especially with 255 grain overloads. Someone bought it, figured he was a real man, and could handle the minor recoil. He was wrong, an seems to be willing to accept his loss. For you, it could be a good thing to buy. But remember, missing with a 44 isn't even as good as hitting with a 22.

I've told my story about when I first bought a 329. It was the first one I'd seen in captivity. So I went to a winter campout with the guys and brought it along for fun. And I loaded it up with 3 of the 300 grain bear loads, real killers at both ends. And the the other 3 holes I just stuffed in some of my 44 Special target loads. Not stout at all, even wimpy. So our campsite was out behind a buddies house, down the hill and across a creek. He was all for a little shooting and the huge cottonwood tree seemed like a perfect target.

So I had been really careful about indexing my loads so the first ones were the light ones. And like most group of guys, we've got one who can do anything you can do, only better. So after the first shot I fired, I kind of complained about "how much it hurt". So I fired a 2nd light load and again complained, kind of like a daisy would. Then I fired the 3rd light one and said "I've had enough" and offered it to anyone else. Nice guy I am. And the soon to be victim stepped right into the trap. The heavy loads were on deck, and the poor guy really looked hurt. But I give him credit, he fired all 3 of them. By then I'd sat down, watching the fun. And the guy brought me my gun, handing it to me with his off-hand. Then, still using that hand he went to the cooler and selected a cold beer. He sat down and only then did he put the beer in his now injured right hand.

I wasn't the only one who noticed. My buddy sitting next to me kind of chuckled and said "hey Dick, did that gun sound different from when Davey fired it?" Nothing escapes the trained eye - or ear.

My guess is the OP will be in for a rude awakening when he fires it, particularly if he used the Buffalo Bore rounds. The 329 might be the best all around 44 Special they've ever marketed. Its also an abusive handgun that is capable of injuring a novice shooter, or at least taking him out of the shooting sports for a day or two. I don't care what grips you've got, its still pretty mean when it makes its noise.

So here's the problem. Any 44 magnum is probably under powered when the game is an upset grizzly. You can make up for that power deficiency with multiple well aimed shots. If you've got the time and accuracy. The time isn't really your call, the bear determines that. And hitting it with a 4" 44 under stress might not be the best circumstances. So buy the gun and try to hit the vitals or a target that size at a few feet. Remember its running at you, you're scared and its mad. You'd have a better chance of hitting it with the 22, dumping the entire mag than getting an aimed shot off with that 44. Maybe we'll read about you in the papers this summer.

I'll second this! Before anyone thinks I am a recoil wussie let me tell you a few things. I shot a moose with a 454 Casull loaded as hot as I could while still being safe. Also owned and used two different 460's as well as three different 500's. My favorite 500 was my S&W 4inch barrel model. I never fired anything more than mid level 44 mag loads in my 329 and it was sold before it had 50 rounds through it. Simply could not handle the snap of the recoil. I been around a lot of experienced handgunners and never seen one in person who could run through a couple of cylinders of full power 44 mag loads without scattering them all over the place.
But realize on the internet people do all sorts of amazing things with every weapon possible.

regalsc · #13 05-29-2016, 09:18 PM

My N frame SC/ti guns are in 45 acp & I use a glove to shoot them. I had a 329 nightguard but it weighed 30 oz & was pretty brutal with just PMC 44 mag 240g factory loads. I for one don't doubt what a 44 mag hot load feels like out of a N Frame Airlite.

Charlie Foxtrott · #14 05-29-2016, 10:22 PM

I have had a 329 PD since they first came out. They are a hand full with full power rounds. I would never use one for a range gun. But mine has been up and down about every trail in the blue ridge mountains at least once. I can shoot it just fine, even with full power rounds. I would not like to shoot it a lot at a given time with full house rounds. But as far as I am concerned, in a 1942 tanker rig from El Paso saddlery it is the ideal rig. I can carry it all day with no discomfort and know that I have enough fire power for about any situation that I might find myself in.

As for buying one used, I would not recommend this to anyone that does not really know what they are looking at. Just sayin.

dla · #15 06-01-2016, 12:03 PM

The 329pd is the ultimate carry gun. There are lots of 44 mags that get "carried" (from the safe to the truck and back again), but the 329pd is the one that you won't mind having on your hip all day.

It is not a range gun. S&W warranty makes owning one a non-issue. But I doubt that the one your looking at has any issues at all - they just don't typically see that many rounds unless the owner reloads.

Some info you might find helpful - https://sites.google.com/site/hobbyh...s-w-329pd-info

mazer · #16 06-02-2016, 08:04 AM

I bought a new 329PD a few months ago, and I carry it almost every day. It mostly gets a diet of 44spls for around town, but I do shoot 44mags (300gc SWC) and NOT at max load.
I love my 44mags, I have several ranging from 2.5" to 7.5" bbl revolvers(Ruger and S&W) and the 329PD is definitely not pleasant to shoot in comparison to them, not harsh, but it can be. But, it is a pleasure to carry!
If you plan to carry it around town with 44spls, you will love it, if you want to take it into the field, you will love it with 44mags only if you reload as mentioned already. With my 300gr gcSWC it will stop most critters and you can follow up shots as well as most 44mags. However, I am not in grizz country, black bear, hogs, coyote mountain lion are the nastiest I could come across and the 329PD is fine for that. I will say, that if I am HUNTING I carry my Stealth Hunter in a chest holster as a backup gun!!!
So, guess it depends on what you want to use it for...you will LOVE shooting this weapon with 44spls! It is a tack driver!
Cheers!
mazer