New to me 329pd but I don’t care for the grips, I like pachmayr compact on rb n frames but the screw hits the main spring, anyone see that before?

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If you actually want to shoot it, get the x-frame grips. They fit and will make your life more pleasant.New 329s come with them.

I had one of those. Very cool gun. I thought it was the best thing ever when I bought it. Then I shot it some. Congrats on your pistola. I also suggest the 500 grips

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No gold. Only lead. Bobby

Yeah, same here. For me the MGs are the best compromise for longevity, weight and shoot-ability.

Congrats, on your new heater. I like the concept, but didn’t like it in practice. Recoil notwithstanding, I didn’t want to worry about damaging the protective coating on the Ti cylinder and replacing the sacrificial blast shield.

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I like the X-frame grips on my X-frames.

I prefer the Pachmayr Diamond Pros on my hard recoiling lightweight N-frames though.

Big & cushie, but not too.

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I've never encountered the problem you mentioned.

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M329PD with Pachmayr Diamond Pro grips


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No way I'm shooting mine with those wood grips on.
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Waiting for the break of day

I have, on a snub Model 66 with Pach RB Compacs in the early 80s. My gunsmith relieved the center of the shaft to allow clearance for the mainspring. IIRC, Pach grip screws of the 70s were either thinner or relieved in the middle. Quality of Pach grips dropped noticeably in the early 80s; the grip screw was not the only manifestation.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

I've had three over the years. Still have two. Mine are equipped with the Hogue 500 S&W tamer grips. Shot around 9,000 rnds thru them (started keeping count after first negative event). Loads were 240gr to 265gr Jacketed/Cast at a chronoed 1,150 to 1,250 fps (Rem 240gr JFP factory chronoed 1,250 fps). My primary carry gun (all day every day) for the better part of a decade. Still carry one when bow hunting elk in high country. Always considered the 329 to be a primary defensive gun. For this reason, always liked the "V" notch rear and fiber optic front.

With that said, these are very specialized pieces of equipment. If shot a lot with loads equaling the above, they will require frequent trips back to the mother ship. If primary use is .44 special equiv and occasional .44 mag, then maint/repair frequency probably a non issue.

I'm a fan, but don't try to make it more than it was designed to be -- short range, up close and personal, light weight carry gun. Have run 300gr+ over max charge(s) of 110/295 -- not for continued use, but doable.

Here’s my all day every day carry gun for the better part of a decade.



The way I hold the gun, the Diamond Pros generate a more severe impact to the base of thumb/web with .44 Mag. In addition, the trigger guard hammers my middle finger knuckle with the .44. Everyone is different, so the only right answer is the one that works for you.

Picture of back of grips side by side -- notice how thin the Pach Diamond Pro is at the top compared to the Houge 500 X Frame. You can also see a slight smudge mark on the Hogue where the base of my thumb impacts under recoil.



Here's a picture of a set of "worn out" Hogues showing the base of the thumb impact area.



Side view of grips showing the shallower depth of the filler behind the trigger guard on the Pachmayr's (which causes the middle knuckle thumping).



Side by side view of factory X Frame 500 grips and those that I modified by rounding the butt and removing the finger grooves:



FWIW,

Paul

I have the RB Compact Packies on mine. No issue with the screw hitting the mainspring, but it was too long and I had to trim it down.

I like the way they feel. The X grips just seem too big. No problems with recoil control with these.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”