I have a couple questions about the 329PD.

[629shooter]

The other day, I was browsing my favorite "fun shop" and I noticed that they still had a 329 PD in stock. They've had this revolver in the case for quite a while. I've looked at them a few times in the past. But I wasn't thrilled about something that light chambered in that cartridge. Now, I'm starting to reconsider.

However, I don't know anyone that has owned or shot one. I am no stranger to the 44 Magnum cartridge But, given the fact that this revolver weighs 25 ounces, I am sure that it will wake you up with a stout load. But, I do reload so lighter loads are easily obtainable if necessary.

This leads me to my first question:

1. Can you use hard cast bullets in the 329 PD?

2. Are there any load/bullet restrictions i.e. the 340PDs have to have a bullet heavier than 120gr. Or the 342PDs, that require the use of jacketed bullets.

Lastly, for those of you that own one, do you like it/have you had any problems with them?

This may not be a revolver that I purchase tomorrow. But it's on my radar.

Thank you for any information guys.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

329PD

One sat around here at the LGS for a long time too. The Ti cylinder is the thing that I personally don't care about on them.

Take a look at Ed's link on his experience with his 329PD.
.
Christian Ed - 329PD Info

.

 

[629shooter]

One sat around here at the LGS for a long time too. The Ti cylinder is the thing that I personally don't care about on them.

Take a look at Ed's link on his experience with his 329PD.
.
Christian Ed - 329PD Info

.

Thanks for the link.

 

[Dnovo1]

I owned one. I sold it.

Pro:

It is light

Con:

Everything else. Miserable recoil, it shoots loose rapidly, bullet crimp issues, etc.

Lots are around, new or 'lightly used' -- for good reason. I'd pass.

David

 

[Snowwolfe]

I owned one and sold it within 6 months. Then watched the forum I sold it on and the new owner soon sold it then the person who bought it from him sold it again.
22 grains of W296 and a 240 grain bullet recoiled worse than any of the 454's, 460's or 500's I used to own. S&W calls it scandium, but in all honesty it is almost 100% aluminum with a touch of other trace metals.

If you want a good compromise between weight, size and power take a look at the new S&W 69.

 

[Lewel]

I have one and like it. It is a carry often & shoot rarely. I shoot alot of mid range loads and do not think the reciol is all that bad. I find recoil does not bother me as I get older like it did in my 20s.

 

[M29since14]

In view of the extra difficulty in cleaning the Titanium cylinder (reluctance to use a bronze brush, in my case), I have come to kind of avoid using cast bullets in my 329, but there is nothing to say you can't do it. I don't recall seeing any ammo restrictions in the enclosed literature and there is nothing etched on my gun. Of course there is always the usual "factory ammunition only" stuff, which we can all understand why S&W has to say it, whether we like it or not.

To answer your other questions, I am not particularly fond of the gun, but I really have no need of it. A couple of our forum members who are westerners and can actually say they need a weapon like the 329 seem to have a high opinion of the piece and have used them extensively. You can find the info here if you search for it. Some of it is detailed and very good, IMO. If I needed the gun, I might have a considerably different opinion. Whether you need one or not, I would never consider it much fun to shoot. It's a meanie.

I have not shot my 329 a lot but have noticed no problems so far. The most common repair seems to be replacing the little steel plate at the barrel/cylinder gap. My own 329 has a really awful looking barrel, but I think that it is just an individual problem - a fluke - since others I have seen are much better. I special-ordered my gun and took what I got. I probably should send it back to S&W and ask them to replace the barrel, but I haven't done it so far. The thing looks like a rat bored a hole through a block of cheese. It's pathetic back by the forcing cone area, but gets much better as it goes toward the muzzle. It is a tough gun to shoot accurately at any distance, so it is hard to know what the nasty looking barrel is actually doing to accuracy.

 

[629shooter]

Thanks guys, I figured some owners would chime in. I appreciate the info. I think I'm gonna think about this one for awhile and, not get in a hurry. I don't think that revolver is going anywhere fast.

I have also considered a M69 and/or a 629 Mountain Gun. I did handle a M69 when my LGS got one in. I wasn't impressed with the fit/finish or action of that particular example. I would like to check out another one but, that one scared me.

I looked at a 657 Mountain Gun, not too long ago but the seller wouldn't go any less than $1250. I thought that was a little high so, it didn't "follow me home." What I want is something that I can "beat up" and, not worry about.

 

[Feel Lucky Punk?]

I picked up a 329pd a couple of weeks ago, I read numerous forums and posts, it seems about half like it, half not. I took mine out the other day for a test run. I switched the grips to the S&W rubber grips before I shot, loaded with Winchester 240GR. JSP. After 50 rounds, the kickback is stout, but the rubber grips make it bearable, the only issues I had were the screws all seem to get loose and need tightening after a box. You have to tap the ejector rod to get the shells out, but after a few rounds, this seemed to adapt and it worked fine. I was able to get 3"-4" groups at 15 yards. I plan to carry it concealed and bought it for the light weight. I do a lot of hiking in the woods, bear, Mtn lions, etc. I think, as with any weapon you own, running at least a box of ammo through it every week or so is a good idea to keep in tune with the gun if it is ever needed. I read a lot of people carry this gun, but won't shoot it because of kickback.

 

[M29since14]

That's about the kind of shooting I can do with my 329PD, which "ain't great," but I suppose for that kind of gun it will suffice. I shoot standard 29s and 629s a bit better than that, on a good day, but don't get too many good days any more, for some reason.

When I first got the 329PD I wondered why S&W put those awful glow-worm sights on the gun, but now I think I understand. It's a tough nut to crack if precision shooting is what you are up to. And it's an especially tough gun to shoot accurately for the long haul. I doubt I could hang in there with you for a full box of 50 full-charge .44 Magnums. After about four cylinders-full I am ready to move on to something less vigorous.

The gun is certainly something of an "engineering marvel," if we consider the big picture. Does its job well, but maybe not for everyone. It is definitely one you want to keep up with if you intend to shoot it well when the time comes.

 

[FTG-05]

I've been OCing my 329PD for about 3 1/2 years now. It's a great carrying gun and a pretty good shooting gun - with .44 Special-type loads.

As has already been said, it's a bear (sorry for the pun!) with full power .44 Mag loads, especially with the stock wooden grips.

I have the Hogue rubber grips that cover the backstrap, so it's a little better.

So it's a tradeoff, but at least is sounds like you're going at it with your eyes wide open, something it appears a lot of former 329PD owners didn't do.

Good luck!

 

[Voyager28]

I was, at one time, seriously considering one as a woods carry gun. But, then I had an opportunity to shoot one at the range.

That was a mistake I will never make again.

Went with the M69 instead and really like it. No, it's not the most beautiful gun in my safe but it is top notch for its intended use. I find it to be very durable strong and accurate. Plus, I can shoot it a lot without shattering my wrist bones and loosening the fillings in my teeth.

Bob

 

[Feel Lucky Punk?]

I was not surprised by the kickback, I had read enough about it before shooting it The rubber grips were fine and I actually spent a couple of cylinders rapid firing for speed and accuracy. I was able to bounce a cat litter can all over the yard The only real problem I have is the screws getting loose, has anyone else had this problem? Is there any remedy someone could recommend? It reminds me of my old 1964 Harley, I would ride it a hundred miles, get off and tighten every nut and bolt before riding again!

 

[M29since14]

Since many here are apparently scared to death of "Loctite" and some will invariably go ballistic when I mention it, if you want to avoid it, take your pocketknife or scissors and cut a few fine strands of plumber's teflon tape and give the screw a wrap. If you stretch the tape thin enough as you wrap it should work to hold your screws in place yet can be cleaned off easily when you deliberately remove the screws. (For those not terrified by the mention of Loctite, of course it does come in several grades - one of which is designed primarily for light-duty, low-temperature applications - and it is vastly more positive than the tape. But... the tape is cheap!) I've used teflon tape on 1911 grip screws that like to loosen up, and those are some pretty fine threads. Might give it a try.

 

[CWH44300]

Love the 329's, for what they are.
They are not for everyone, just like everyone doesn't need a car that can win in Daytona. If someone is considering on of these, the should be well versed in the ways of the magnum revolver. The 329 is not the gun to learn on. I've not had too much trouble with screws or anything else, although the blast shield on one is kinda tender.
Mine is gonna ride pretty slick in my new rig for the 4" N's

 

[rburg]

OK, it seems we've got posters who need to wear pink shirts to identify themselves. Good heavens, not a lumberjacks shirt.

I once owned 2 of them. I sold the one because I didn't need a backup. But its close to being the best 44 special S&W has ever offered. It has the added bonus of being able to fire magnums if you want. You probably don't want to buy it as your only Magnum. That's just dumb. But I also have a 357, the .41 mag version. Its also a handloaders gun. Magnum loads are too expensive to shoot. Just load them to a level of comfort for you.

If you run Specials through your gun, you'll be pleasantly surprised. If you run 300 grain bear loads, you're just stupid or a glutton for punishment. When we get past all the name calling and he man macho stuff, you can enjoy the gun. Its a fine carry gun. The same arguments can also be made for full weight 44s recoiling too much. We've discussed this gun may times over the last few years. It hasn't changed, just the threads have sunk down a few pages to be hard to locate.

 

[Nick B]

Why not just get a 5" 629 Classic and carry it in a nice chest rig like one from Diamond D Custom Leather ?

 

[Paul105]

Yes, you can use hard cast bullets.

No bullet weight limitations that I'm aware of.

Do to the light weight these guns require more frequent main/repair than steel guns especially if you use .44 Magnum ammo.

The light weight scandium Magnum revolvers seem to have a greater tendency for the "lock" to engage under recoil.

Also, you need to test your ammo to make sure that bullets stay put under recoil (they tend to be bullet pullers which can tie up the gun).

By its very nature (express rear/fiber optic front; short sight radius, and light weight) the 329 difficult to shoot well. Add in the harsh/fast recoil of full .44 magnum loads, and the gun is a pretty short range proposition for most. Obviously, there will be exceptions to this, but for the most part the typical shooter will find the 329 difficult and probably even painful to shoot with .44 magnum level ammo. As Dick Berg said, if you want a dedicated .44 magnum for continuous use, get a heavier gun. If you already have a full size/weight .44 mag, then you should give the 329 a try. Start with .44 special equiv loads and work up to your comfort level. There aren't many handgun chores that can't be handled with 240/250grs at 900 to 1,000 fps.

I still have two 329s and while I carry them more than occasionally (loaded with full house .44 Mags), I don't shoot them much anymore. I've pretty much replaced them with the M69 – I do carry the 329 exclusively when bow hunting elk – this is where the light weight is a noticeable advantage. All my round butt S&W's are equipped with the Hogue 500 grips, so it's an easy to transition between them. Just a note – I shoot enough lower end .44 mags thru the M69 so that, while the recoil of the 329 is noticeably faster, it is still controllable for me.



FWIW,

Paul

 

[Jamesatrange]

They do pack a punch on both ends. If you want something functional and light but not for common target practice it will do the trick. The Ti cylinder makes using lead a bothersome choice because of cleanup and the Ti coating. Good luck with your choice.

 

[629shooter]

Why not just get a 5" 629 Classic and carry it in a nice chest rig like one from Diamond D Custom Leather ?

Well, I already have a few steel N-frames and, I'm not sure that I'm a fan of chest rigs. I've thought about giving a Diamond D a shot