Heaviest loads for a 329PD, Night guard .44 mag, or 329PD back packer?

[blueknight7]

Here is a picture of a well worn 1 3/4", double layer leather, Bianchi Contour belt, Bianchi model 111 Cyclone holster, my heavily carried 329PD, and a HKS Speedloader with 6 Norma Power Cavity rounds in it.

The second picture is for all those that say, the Norma Power Cavity is NOT steel jacketed. That is a magnet stuck to the Power Cavity jacket. So, that should put that myth to rest about Norma not making steel jacketed rounds, for handguns.

 

[Maximumbob54]

What is the advantage of the steel jacket? I would think it would wear the heck out of the barrel threads. For the single minute I thought about buying a 329PD I was told repeatedly not to go above the standard 240 grain weight bullet and not to let that bullet have a listed velocity of more than 1400 or so feet per second. I know the scandium alloy is like a miracle but it just isn't steel. Those same people also warned me that the cylinder would wear different since it's titanium. It was something about the cylinder throats and the stop notches. And why they chose wood Ahrends and didn't just ship wearing the X frame stock is beyond me. I love some Ahrends stocks but what were they thinking… Have all the nay sayers been proven to be incorrect or is Smith eating the repair bill on these guns???

 

[Paul105]

Blueknight,

The Bianchi Cyclone 111 is a fine holster – well built, compact, lightweight, flexible (strong side or cross draw) and has a good retention system.

I wear the Cyclone cross draw with the 329 when bow hunting elk (legal in Montana). It's on a softer 1 ¾" belt positioned just above a bit left and slightly above my navel, held in place by some gloves in the left pocket of my hunting jacket. It is never covered by any clothing and I can get to it quickly with either hand. My son has a similar setup but with a different holster. Bow hunting elk in areas inhabited by large predators (grizzly, mountain lion, wolves, and black bear) is a bit more high risk than most other outdoor activities. The 329 is a real comfort.

Paul

 

[blueknight7]

That is the point. Norma 240 gr. Power Cavity steel jacketed rounds do have a velocity of 1400+ ft./sec. There is your "or so, feet per second". They have a gilded copper wash on them, to protect the bore. Steel holds together better than a copper jacket, for deeper penetration. Something that I would think would be a good thing, when something large, furry, and mean decides to eat you.

I don't think anyone in their right mind would be going out to shoot 50 or 100 of those rounds anymore. Let alone out of a 329PD. They are just short of collector status. I have shot 2, out of my 329PD. They will definitely dot your i's and cross your t's. As I stated before, the recoil is horrendous.

If you read my previous post, I mentioned they were 2nd speedloader backup. That means, there is 12 rounds of 240 gr. Laser hardcast bullets, loaded up to a bit over 1200 ft./sec. before I go dropping a tactical nuke. When those go out the barrel, it will be a last resort situation. It will be when a serious incident just got real fatal.

Yes, Smith is eating the bill on these. Look on their website for the 329PD. Its says the "strongest" .44 magnum. The frame has been changed on mine. All on S&W, and it was for an internal lock, that didn't work properly. The internal lock is disabled now. My choice, and my responsibility, too.

As for the grips, they should be sued for what they put in the box. Ahrends are pretty. Yeah, pretty dangerous on this weapon. The rubber Hogue's with an open backstrap, is just rubbing your nose in it. I can and have done the Ahrends with my 240's, and Past recoil gloves, but, it still wasn't pleasant.

 

[blueknight7]

Paul,
I wore a lot of Bianchi leather through 30 years of law enforcement. Sometimes, I just fall back to something that seems like an old, reliable friend. I guess that is where I am with Bianchi.

I am still thinking about a Kydex or carbon fiber holster, just for the weight factor. It would be bloody stiff too, and super tough.

I am afraid the weight is always going to be a problem for me, because of my mis-spent youth, when I thought I was 10 ft. tall, invisible, and bulletproof. Found out about the bulletproof theory, about half way through the service. Found out a bit more about it, in law enforcement too.

Now that the knees are replaced, the back is flaring up again. I'm falling apart. But, I am a couple of months short of 60 too. I guess its time to fall apart.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Thanks Blue, I have something to Google and learn more about now. And I doubt you are falling apart that bad or you wouldn't lug any gun around.

 

[langsethnw]

329PD repair

Just a short note about 44 magnum loads in the 329PD. I have been reloading for rifles and handguns for over 30 years. I shoot many handguns and love my 329PD but never thought about hot loads in it. I have a older S&W 29-2 4" that digested everything I reloaded with no issues at all. I have put about 200 rounds through the 329PD, mixture of 255 gr. lead target and full house 44 magnum loads. While cleaning the cylinder after a days shooting, the cylinder yoke came right off the retaining pin. To my surprise, the yoke is two piece aluminum and the yoke is pressed onto the frame pin. The yoke metal had split at the junction so the yoke and cylinder came off in my hand. Handgun was shipped to S&W and returned in one week at no charge!! I'm not sure why this happened but I will not shoot full house loads anymore and stick to the Buffalo Bore recommendations of keeping 255 Gr. loads under 1300 FPS. It also reaffirms why almost all my handguns are Smith & Wesson;~)

 

[358156hp]

Geeezzzzz... And I think my 629-2 MR is a hard kicker.

 

[SteedGun]

Very good thread. Answered a lot of questions I have about my new 329pd. Thanks.

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
For loads in a light weight gun, Keith once said that
once you punch a hole through the target any extra speed
made hitting at long range easier or made more noise.
If this is to be a defense the range will be short.
The bullet needs to be tuff , have a flat nose , and going fast enough
to go through, more is just noise.
Given that a 45 Colt could go through a horse and get the "Ingin"
on the far side with a soft lead bullet [20 / 1 lead tin I think]
at 900+ fps, a 44mag hard cast at 1000fps from THAT gun should
do just fine.

 

[SCriswell]

I have a 329 PD. I changed the front and rear sights on the gun and put the same ones that come on the Night Guard Series on it. I had the hammer shortened and thinned, and I Put a set of VZ round butt grips on it. I had a kydex inside the waistband holster made for it, and it conceals very well. I know it was a little bit of work, but I get a lot better ballistics from the four inch barrel. I don't think this gun needs adjustable sights. It is a carry gun, it is not for punching paper all day at the range.

 

[ScandiaTitan]

Own several 329pd's: usually shoot 44spl for fun but have put Corbon dpx, hornady critical, federal hydrashock, et al... never had a problem, even 300-320grain loads.

 

[murphydog]

Guys, kip hasn't been here in 4 1/2 years...hope the bears didn't get him .

 

[Pisgah]

Geeezzzzz... And I think my 629-2 MR is a hard kicker.

Contrary to popular belief, the 329 is not a hard kicker IF the shooter will take the time to condition his shooting hand and wrist properly before shooting. Here's how:

-- Lay your shooting hand and wrist palm-up on an anvil or other hard surface.
--In your other hand grasp a flat-faced 3-lb. hammer.
-- Briskly and repeatedly beat your shooting hand and wrist with the hammer.

Problem solved! ;-)

 

[cleans up]

I'm only somewhat recoil sensitive, but certainly wouldn't say I'm insensitive. The 329pd w/ factory target loads and the x frame grip is fun to shoot. Get the x-frame grip!

Tis an old thread but anyone with 329 out to read it...I'm looking forward to sourcing some of the heavy loads for hunting season.

 

[dwever]

I live in Montana and the 329 has been my all day, every day carry gun for the last 5 years. I've shot around 8,000 rounds of 240-260gr bullets at 1,100 to 1,300 fps thru 2 guns. They have been sent to S&W for wear related repairs on several occasions (all at no cost to me). For my purposes, the 329 provides the best compromise of weight to power -- I don't leave home without one.

Could you please advise what the wear issues were? How many times the gun(s) have had to be sent to S&W? It would seem that multiple trips back to S&W in 8,000 rounds for wear issues indicates the caliber and load is simply too stout for the platform.

I do not expect any wear issues from my Scandium N framed TRR8 and M&P R8 for the first 20,000 rounds each as the hottest .357 Magnum I'm sending down range is 158 grains at 1,240 FPS. It would be disappointing to be wrong on that.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I had one , 329PD . The factory grips do nothing to control recoil . When I got it , I was the 3rd owner . It came with a box of factory federal 44 mag ammo , minus 12 rounds . Each previous owner had shot 6 rounds and sold it . I sold it , again later .
But not because of the recoil but I began wondering how long S&W was going to support it with free rebuilds? By the time I sold it , the flame shield (under top strap ) was suffering flame cutting .
I took the money from that sale and used it to buy a real nice 629-4 , 4" . Yes, it's heavier but for my purposes , a " better fit " .

 

[TAROMAN]

I had one , 329PD . The factory grips do nothing to control recoil . When I got it , I was the 3rd owner . It came with a box of factory federal 44 mag ammo , minus 12 rounds . Each previous owner had shot 6 rounds and sold it . I sold it , again later .
But not because of the recoil but I began wondering how long S&W was going to support it with free rebuilds? By the time I sold it , the flame shield (under top strap ) was suffering flame cutting .
I took the money from that sale and used it to buy a real nice 629-4 , 4" . Yes, it's heavier but for my purposes , a " better fit " .

Wow, sounds exactly like one I saw at a LGS here.
First owner fired six 240 grain WWB.
Second guy fired ONE 300 grain Buffalo Bore!
Like new, fair price, too.
I passed on it, however...

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

i think you would be the limiting factor concerning the load,
how fast can you empty a cylinder in that featherweight and stay on target?

 

[shouldazagged]

Before I spotted that this thread dates from May of 2011 I was wondering what the hell kind of "social outings" required that level of firepower.

He must have socialized with some rough people.

Reminded me of a guy I met here who swears he carries a .44 Magnum Desert Eagle concealed because his .50AE is a tad cumbersome.