629 or 329 for backwoods carry

[Racerg]

Just trying to decide on a 4" barrel .44mag for backwoods carry. Is the 329 really that bad to shoot. I would probably carry the lighter recoil Buffalo Bore ammo.

I would consider the 2.5" barrel guns but I feel that you give up accuracy and velocity.

My only .44 experience is my wife's 9.5" super red hawk, but there is no way I would carry that every day. My SW99 .40 is a bit small for some of the critters we may run into.

I've had two friends run into moose with their sled dog teams this winter up in Alaska, and it has me thinking way too much. The moose here in Utah are generally more standoffish but they are definitely in the area where we are.

 

[Warren Sear]

629 with 3" barrel works for me.

 

[CWH44300]

they are both great guns - they are worlds apart from a 9.5" SRH - a 329 is a handfull but they are shootable - I have several of both and can shoot the 629's all day , the 329's are best used in small doses - just a few cylinders a day depending on your load.

 

[shottist]

629 vs 329 Carry

The 329 is definitely easier to pack and if you can handle the recoil and still be honestly accurate with it that's the way to go.
For me, the 329 is too much and follow up shots too slow. I would pay the price and use the 629 in a comfortable Shoulder Rig. I can shoot the 629 with a slightly reduced Elmers' type load accurately and relatively quickly enough to deal with mean critters.

 

[dla]

S&W329pd Information

If you really want to carry on your person, as opposed to "carry" from the safe to the truck and back again, then the 329pd is your best option. Pull on your big girl panties and it is not difficult to shoot.

 

[DeafSmith]

I have a 629-3, 4 inch barrel, just for the back woods!

 

[team sidewinder]

I can only speak for the 629 but I love my 629 5" but sometimes wish I would have got the 4" just for the fact I think I could get the 4" out of the holster faster in an bear encounter situation. But like you mention the velocity is better out of the longer barrels. You should check out Garrett Defender ammo no matter what your 44 choice. Big animals take big heavy cast bullets and the Defender is lighter recoil but 310gr cast bullets. Read Garretts thoughts on heavy bullets construction and penetration.

You are right on the moose. They scare the **** out of me as they are so unpredictable. Had one chase me on my X-country skis one year and if it hadn't been for me swinging and banging my ski poles together she would have stomped me good. It was after I had already gone past her and had my back turned that she came after me. She didn't have a calf with her either so don't know what her problem was besides me just being there.

BTW. Welcome to the S&W forum

 

[ltxi]

Can't help myself, sorry....backwoods .44 mag = SA Ruger.

 

[timpitera]

Can't help myself either, sorry....396 Mountain Lite! 1/2 the weight. .44 Special w/ some Buffalo Bore Anti-Presonal rounds. Or just bring a slow in-law

 

[jspick]

I know a couple guys who have a 329. They don't shoot them much, especially with hotter loads.

I have a 629-3 with a 4" barrel. I like it a lot. It is all I can handle with hot loads.

Moose are more dangerous than bears. My boys have had more run ins with moose than bears here in MT.

John

 

[neubert500]

329PD

My 329PD carries MUCH better than my 6" 629. Your opinion is the only one that matters however. FYI I bought my 329PD after carrying my 629 in a shoulder holster on a back woods hike and have been VERY happy

 

[batmann]

If you can find one, think about a 629 Mountain Gun. If you put the Xframe Hogues on it (you can do the same to a 329) it makes recoil manageable.

 

[freedom 475]

the 329 is so light it is silly, it kind of fells like a plastic toy...But it stings your hand pretty bad...I couldn't bring myself to buy it. I friend let me try his (think it had wood grips) and loaded with full house 265gr cast, I think I shot 3 of the six...I knew by round 2 it was not for me cause I like to shoot when I walk the backwoods and bought the 4" 29..it still packs well and I can shoot it a lot better.

I do still go handle the 329's at the store and will probly have to add one to my collection some day. But it kind or doesn't feel robust enough to stake you life on. The word "seriously??" always come to mind...lol

 

[MTKTM]

I've carried my 2 5/8" 629PC in a Simply Rugged Sourdough Pancake holster a lot for backwoods carry, and have sometimes hauled it in a Maxpedition courier-style bag along with other hunting essentialls when rifle or shotgun hunting. I don't find it uncomfortable to carry on a sturdy belt. And the gun is quite accurate. I suppose an extra 1.5" of barrel would add something, but not that much.

Having said that, I'd really like a nice 5"..... I like the balance of the 629 with the 5" full underlug barrel. It is high on my "next gun" list.

 

[Shuz]

S&W329pd Information

If you really want to carry on your person, as opposed to "carry" from the safe to the truck and back again, then the 329pd is your best option. Pull on your big girl panties and it is not difficult to shoot.

dla says it all. I have several 4" and 5" 629's and one of the 4"ers is a Mtn Gun. The gun I pack on my hip is my 329PD. There is a world of difference in packing 26 ounces on the hip vs 39 ounces!

 

[serialsolver]

I carry a 329pd daily. The loads I use are 240 grn bullets at 1000 fps. On the range while practicing I notice the recoil. I've shot pigs, snakes and shot at coyotes and other pest in the fields and woods and did not notice the recoil. All the times I carry the 329pd I do not notice the weight of the gun. I have carried steel guns and was constantly aware of the weight. the 329pd is a great 44sp and can be a brutal 44mag. If you reload you can taylor the ammo to the job and your comfort level. Or get a 329pd to carry and a beater 29 to practice with. here is my 329.

 

[Dump1567]

Everytime I read these threads, the 329 usally gets the nod from guys that carry in Bear country.

I think weight is a big factor. For carry and minimal shooting, I'd go 329 or 386 (depending on what your up against).

 

[jack the toad]

More carry- 329
More shooting- 629
The 329 is quite managable with appropriate ammo and grips. Without... they can be a hurtful handful.

 

[cochise]

I always develop a pain on the side of my hip if I carry a big revolver. Outdoors I started with my M29 6.5" bbl in a old Safariland half flap holster, then a 5" Classic in an El Passo holster, and then a 4" M29 in a El Paso holster which is bearable. I definitely thought about getting a 329 but couldn't afford it.

 

[CWH44300]

I cant imagine (or buy) a better N frame 44 for carry - town or country.