Major S&W Revolver Malfunction - 329PD 44mag

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bht-kevin

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I figured I would post this here in case anyone is carrying or plans to carry one in the field with them.

While on Baranof Island outside of Sitka, AK my 329PD stopped firing. It would light strike every type of ammo I had with me. It fired 2 times during the trip when I had a brown bear at around 50 yards (trying to scare him away from my pack and camera which he was tearing through - didn't work). Then after that... it never fired again the rest of the trip. Brown bears are EVERYWHERE in the area I was at. While its not 375H&H bear stopper, it just feels better having a firearm on your hip that works vs nothing at all.


When I got back home, I did some googling and apparently there are many people that have to get a longer firing pin installed to make the gun work reliably. There was no recall that I could find, but when I sent it to S&W, they replaced the firing pin and the cylinder lock. Mind you, this pistol hasn't been shot 50 times.


Anyway, if you have one of these pistols, don't wait for it to fail. Send it to S&W and get them to fix it before it breaks. On the plus side, they repaired it in a day or two. I'll test when it gets back.
 
Sorry to hear about that. You're lucky you didn't become lunch. I hope you had a rifle as a backup, something like a .45-70 or a 12 ga.

The 329PD has a reputation of being a kinetic bullet puller, but otherwise reliable. Personally, I'd put up with another 12 oz and carry one of the steel models, either a 3" 629 or a MG (plus my Marlin).

Around here (Chicago) I only face two-legged predators, and not the kind that stand 9 feet tall on two legs ;)
 
I had one once . On the underside of the top strap there is a stainless steel strip , right above the forcing cone . It's called a " blast shield " . There are quite a few reports of full magnum rounds , in time cutting through the " blast shield " and into the titanium frame . S&W reportedly has replaced the entire frame . How long they will continue to support it is another question . I sold mine .
 
The frames of the PD series are not titanium - the cylinders are. The frames are an aluminum alloy (aluminum with a smidge of scandium). Yes the blast shield is put there to prevent flame cutting the frame. If the owners did not replace the shield when it either came out due to recoil, or cut through, I'd say that's on them. While you specify "quite a few reports", I've yet to hear of one. Flame cutting on a steel frame is self-limiting.

Adios,

Pizza Bob
 
bht-kevin said:
...


When I got back home, I did some googling and apparently there are many people that have to get a longer firing pin installed to make the gun work reliably. There was no recall that I could find, but when I sent it to S&W, they replaced the firing pin and the cylinder lock. Mind you, this pistol hasn't been shot 50 times.


Anyway, if you have one of these pistols, don't wait for it to fail. Send it to S&W and get them to fix it before it breaks. On the plus side, they repaired it in a day or two. I'll test when it gets back.
Click to expand...

I highlighted the problem (as I see it) in red. I would never bet my life on a gun that I had only fired 50 times.

Is installing a longer firing pin the proper fix? From posts I have seen here, people who have screwed-up their revolver trying to lighten the trigger pull install a longer firing pin as a "fix", but they are "fixing" the wrong problem. I would not change out the factory firing pin for a non-spec one without first doing some research.
 
Pizza Bob , yes you are correct it is scandium . It was several years ago when I had mine . I found quite a few reports , at the time I had mine talking about the blast cutting through the shield and into the frame . I remember one post saying he was on his 3rd frame from the factory .
Smith might of addressed the problem in later models , I don't know as I did not keep up with reports on that model after I sold mine . I have no desire to have another . I do have 3 smith in 44 magnum , all steel frames .
 
cowboy4evr said:
Pizza Bob , yes you are correct it is scandium . It was several years ago when I had mine . I found quite a few reports , at the time I had mine talking about the blast cutting through the shield and into the frame . I remember one post saying he was on his 3rd frame from the factory .
Smith might of addressed the problem in later models , I don't know as I did not keep up with reports on that model after I sold mine . I have no desire to have another . I do have 3 smith in 44 magnum , all steel frames .
Click to expand...

They would replace just the little metal shield if you sent it back promptly when if wore thru.
 
If you kept me in Alaska, I wouldn't be working right either! I am confident that S& W will make it right, sorry that you had the inconvenience.
 
The one post showed the blast shield cut and severely cut into the top strap . He claimed the factory replaced the frame . I'm only sharing what I saw in the pictures and read . I wasn't actually there . If a 329 is working very well for you , then enjoy it , shoot it and keep us posted on how well you're doing .
I have often wondered if the 329 was designed more to be carried , when needed --but shot very little . I have no verification of that , just my thought .
I have a Smith 38spl , 642 airweight . I used to shoot it quite a bit with +P loads . It , over time really loosened up to the point I had to sent it back to the factory . Today it is only shot occasionally using std loads .
 
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Sorry to hear you had a bad experience. Not to be a jerk or anything but I can't imagine relying on a firearm to protect myself from Alaskan Brown Bears having only put fifty rounds through it. I've set my requirements at 500 rounds with zero issues before a new gun goes into my carry rotation. I just don't trust anything unless it has proven itself, I'm very (probably overly) critical of every new gun I buy.
 
This was towards the end the post below -- I've moved it here to in light of the orig post.

1. Make sure the ammo you chose doesn’t exhibit “crimp jump”.
2. There have been reports of the internal lock engaging under recoil.
3. Some ignition problems due to short firing pins have been reported.

I've personally experienced all of the above in addition to top strap erosion being bad enough to replace the frame.


I posted the following a few times (I cut and pasted sections of old posts, and I'm too lazy to edit , so it may seem a bit disjointed.

Any handgun is a compromise to some degree.

The 329 can be loaded with ammunition (from light.44 Special thru heavy .44 Magnum) appropriate to the intended use or threat level in your specific stomping grounds.

I live in Montana and the 329 has been my all day, every day carry gun for the last 6+ 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.

The .44 magnum isn’t the ideal Grizzly cartridge, but in the hands of the average shooter, most handguns aren’t. It is a weapon that can be carried on your person while leaving your hands free for other activities. It can be carried unobtrusively and virtually unnoticed. It will always be with you no matter what activity you are performing. At contact ranges (unless hunting, an “encounter” will most likely be at contact range) it may just save your life.

The feature (light weight in this case) that makes the 329 so desirable for all day, every day comfortable carry is also the feature that makes it more difficult to load for, shoot comfortably/accurately and leads to increased repair frequency.

“Crimp jump” can be a problem with the 329 -- heavy for caliber bullets (300gr +) worsen this problem (depending upon velocity and nose design) although I have successfully loaded and shot 300gr Keiths, and 325gr WLNGCs at 1,050 fps in the 329. These bullets have a long crimp to nose length (the nose of the bullet is closer to the cylinder face) and minimal bullet movement can impede cylinder cycling. However, for everyday carry, I have settled on a hard cast 260gr WFNGCs right at 1,200 fps. The Wide Flat Nose has a shorter crimp to nose length than other designs, which gives an extra margin of safety when it comes to crimp jump tying up the gun.

A couple of things to consider if you choose the 329.

1. Make sure the ammo you chose doesn’t exhibit “crimp jump”.
2. There have been reports of the internal lock engaging under recoil.
3. Some ignition problems due to short firing pins have been reported.

Ruger’s Website lists the Alaskan’s weight as follows:
Alaskan .44 Mag = 45 oz
Alaskan .454 C = 44 oz

On my electronic scale S&W’s weigh (unloaded and Hogue 500s):
629 Half Lug 6” .44 Mag = 46 oz
629 Mtn Pistol .44 Mag = 39 oz
625 Mtn Pistol .45 Colt = 37 oz
329 PD .44 Mag = 25 oz (empty) 29 oz (loaded w/260WFNGCs)

That is from 3/4Lb to 1 1/4Lb more for the above listed handguns vs. the 329 PD. That is a lot of additional weight to carry all day every day, even more so if you are in mountainous terrain above 5,000 ft. For this old body, it makes a huge difference.


I can put up with the wear related issues, It’s the weight that I have a problem with.
 
Warren Sear said:
I highlighted the problem (as I see it) in red. I would never bet my life on a gun that I had only fired 50 times.

Is installing a longer firing pin the proper fix? From posts I have seen here, people who have screwed-up their revolver trying to lighten the trigger pull install a longer firing pin as a "fix", but they are "fixing" the wrong problem. I would not change out the factory firing pin for a non-spec one without first doing some research.
Click to expand...

I can't argue there.

Regarding the replacement pin... I didn't replace anything, S&W did.
 
Paul105 said:
This was towards the end the post below -- I've moved it here to in light of the orig post.

1. Make sure the ammo you chose doesn’t exhibit “crimp jump”.
2. There have been reports of the internal lock engaging under recoil.
3. Some ignition problems due to short firing pins have been reported.

I've personally experienced all of the above in addition to top strap erosion being bad enough to replace the frame.


I posted the following a few times (I cut and pasted sections of old posts, and I'm too lazy to edit , so it may seem a bit disjointed.

Any handgun is a compromise to some degree.

The 329 can be loaded with ammunition (from light.44 Special thru heavy .44 Magnum) appropriate to the intended use or threat level in your specific stomping grounds.

I live in Montana and the 329 has been my all day, every day carry gun for the last 6+ 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.

The .44 magnum isn’t the ideal Grizzly cartridge, but in the hands of the average shooter, most handguns aren’t. It is a weapon that can be carried on your person while leaving your hands free for other activities. It can be carried unobtrusively and virtually unnoticed. It will always be with you no matter what activity you are performing. At contact ranges (unless hunting, an “encounter” will most likely be at contact range) it may just save your life.

The feature (light weight in this case) that makes the 329 so desirable for all day, every day comfortable carry is also the feature that makes it more difficult to load for, shoot comfortably/accurately and leads to increased repair frequency.

“Crimp jump” can be a problem with the 329 -- heavy for caliber bullets (300gr +) worsen this problem (depending upon velocity and nose design) although I have successfully loaded and shot 300gr Keiths, and 325gr WLNGCs at 1,050 fps in the 329. These bullets have a long crimp to nose length (the nose of the bullet is closer to the cylinder face) and minimal bullet movement can impede cylinder cycling. However, for everyday carry, I have settled on a hard cast 260gr WFNGCs right at 1,200 fps. The Wide Flat Nose has a shorter crimp to nose length than other designs, which gives an extra margin of safety when it comes to crimp jump tying up the gun.

A couple of things to consider if you choose the 329.

1. Make sure the ammo you chose doesn’t exhibit “crimp jump”.
2. There have been reports of the internal lock engaging under recoil.
3. Some ignition problems due to short firing pins have been reported.

Ruger’s Website lists the Alaskan’s weight as follows:
Alaskan .44 Mag = 45 oz
Alaskan .454 C = 44 oz

On my electronic scale S&W’s weigh (unloaded and Hogue 500s):
629 Half Lug 6” .44 Mag = 46 oz
629 Mtn Pistol .44 Mag = 39 oz
625 Mtn Pistol .45 Colt = 37 oz
329 PD .44 Mag = 25 oz (empty) 29 oz (loaded w/260WFNGCs)

That is from 3/4Lb to 1 1/4Lb more for the above listed handguns vs. the 329 PD. That is a lot of additional weight to carry all day every day, even more so if you are in mountainous terrain above 5,000 ft. For this old body, it makes a huge difference.


I can put up with the wear related issues, It’s the weight that I have a problem with.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I agree with you. I would rather the maintenance than weight, I just need it to go boom and not click. Hopefully its working well now. Ill have to get some light loads to shoot through it until I am comfortable with the reliability.
 
Neumann said:
Sorry to hear about that. You're lucky you didn't become lunch. I hope you had a rifle as a backup, something like a .45-70 or a 12 ga.

The 329PD has a reputation of being a kinetic bullet puller, but otherwise reliable. Personally, I'd put up with another 12 oz and carry one of the steel models, either a 3" 629 or a MG (plus my Marlin).

Around here (Chicago) I only face two-legged predators, and not the kind that stand 9 feet tall on two legs ;)
Click to expand...

No, I was fishing. You can either live in fear or just get out there and do it :) If I was hunting, I would have a big boom stick.

The problem with weight is those 1lbs add up quick and you end up having to compromise somewhere. I will be happy to carry the 329PD if works reliably after this factory "tweak."
 
News to me, but some reports say S&W revolvers have a 500 round break-in period before they are considered reliable! Noted...

To the OP, I'm glad you didn't need your 329 to actually protect life and limb... only your backpack.

I spent fours years in Alaska ('98-'02) and had a 629 Mountain Gun strapped to me every time I entered the great outdoors. You are correct about weight. At the end of my camping, hunting, and fishing trips that heavy chunk of stainless called a 629 was like a boat anchor. I am just glad it never failed me like yours did.

I hope S&W was able to get it back in order and glad everything turned out OK with your bruin encounter.

Edmo
 
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