Keep this 329PD or trade for a mountain gun???

Hello all,

Last night, I picked up a S&W 329PD. I shot the gun this AM. Holy recoil!!! (though I did expect this with a 44 mag this light).

Anyway, I like to be able to shoot 50-75 rounds per range trip in each of my 'shooting' revolvers (i.e. non-collectible pieces). Expect to shoot at least once a month due to my current work schedule.

Anyway, a friend recommended trying to unload the 329pd and picking up a Smith 629 Mountain Gun if I plan to regularly shoot it. I really don't want to go to a 6" gun, so 4" would be my ideal length for a .44 magnum.

I don't mind the recoil of the 329PD, but I am a little concerned of the long-term issues that might develop with regular .44 magnum rounds being sent downrange from the revolver.

Thoughts?

BTW - this is an earlier model 329pd that doesn't seem to have been shot much. Prior owner bought it new in the mid 2000s, and it only came with one factory wooden grip.

Also, I don't really have any interest in sticking to just .44 special rounds. I enjoy the full .44 magnum ballistics, and I want to train with what I intend to carry while in the woods / hiking / hunting, etc.

M69 4.25" is a great in between. 5 shot L-frame easy to carry. Recoil should not bother you if the 329 doesn't, lol. Good luck!

Get some rubber grips to help with recoil.

No info from me regarding longevity shooting 44 Mags.

Rammer Jammer said:

Get some rubber grips to help with recoil.

No info from me regarding longevity shooting 44 Mags.

Click to expand...

Thanks, but I actually installed some Pachmayr Decelerator grips on the gun before shooting. They seemed to help, but my Google-Fu results show that many people prefer the Hogue Tamer grip that ships on the x-frame revolvers. If I keep the 329pd, I may try that too.

Also, the gun came with XS night sights installed...

Keep it and grab a mountain gun. Then decide. I have the mountain revolver as well as a 3 inch 629. Love them both. If you decide to sell let me know as I am always looking for another ��. Good luck

triple-tap-FL said:

Hello all,

Last night, I picked up a S&W 329PD for $650. I shot the gun this AM. Holy recoil!!! (though I did expect this with a 44 mag this light).

Anyway, I like to be able to shoot 50-75 rounds per range trip in each of my 'shooting' revolvers (i.e. non-collectible pieces). Expect to shoot at least once a month due to my current work schedule.

Anyway, a friend recommended trying to unload the 329pd and picking up a Smith 629 Mountain Gun if I plan to regularly shoot it. I really don't want to go to a 6" gun, so 4" would be my ideal length for a .44 magnum.

I don't mind the recoil of the 329PD, but I am a little concerned of the long-term issues that might develop with regular .44 magnum rounds being sent downrange from the revolver.

Thoughts?

BTW - this is an earlier model 329pd that doesn't seem to have been shot much. Prior owner bought it new in the mid 2000s, and it only came with one factory wooden grip.

Click to expand...

These are pretty specialized pieces ment to be "carried a lot and shot a little". The 329 was my all day, every day carry gun for the better part of a decade - great carry gun. I put around 9,000 rnds of moderate .44 mags thru three different guns - they don't hold up well to continuous use of this type of ammo - those guns were sent back to the factory 6 or 8 times for various problems.

If strictly for range use, you'll be better served with an all steel gun (this from a guy who really likes the 329). Having had both, I'm not sure I'd recommend the Mountain Gun Either - probably the full lug 5". If you have to have a 4", stick with the standard barrel profile. A bit of additional weight to help reduce wear on the gun and dampen muzzle flip some.

JMHO,

Paul

I have the 329, several mountain gun/revolvers and full lug 44s, I carry the MGs exclusively while hunting, hiking and backpacking. Will trade the 329 for the right piece.

Groo here
Trade for a 325 Thunder Ranch in 45 acp/AR.
Not as light but lighter than steel
45acp with moon clips for SD fast reloads.
AR [auto rim] for heavy [aka 45 super ] loads.
Lower pressure will not wear the gun or you so much.
Compared to 44 mag, 45acp is light and CHEAP.
45Super made up in 45ar brass or acp [moonclips]
Are between the Skitter and Keith loadings[250gr hard cast at 1000+fps]
Will handle most anything you want....

You don't have to shoot 44 Mags out of it. Shoot 44 special if you plan on just range blasting. Especially if you buying factory ammo, that gets expensive.

I own and shoot a 329PD, 629-4 Mtn gun,and a mdl 69 4-1/4.
With magnum loads I find the model 69 to be the one I use most.
I have Hogue x frame grips on all 3 and highly recommend them.

I'd be careful with full power loads. Prolonged use may create hand/wrist/arm arthritis or other issues as you get older. John Taffin & Ken Hackathorn have both mentioned issues from years of shooting stout loads.

I'm not sure that I understand (yet) a need or desire to shoot 50-75 rounds of .44 Mag at a range session. I do understand the desire to shoot .44 Mag. The first thing that I would do would be to decide what skill I am supposed to be learning or maintaining with my practice, and design my session around that. Maybe it won't be 50-75 rounds.

I am now getting just slightly more frail in my mid-seventies, but back when I considered a 4" Model 29 to be a medium-recoil handgun, I found the Mountain Gun to have unacceptable recoil even with good grips, not so much that it hurt (it didn't, except for a sharp edge on the trigger that I could have easily relieved), but that the muzzle flip was IMO excessive. There was just too much time between the first shot and the second. I ended up getting a 3" double-Magnaported PC 629 which came with good grips. I eventually ended up with even better ones. With the better grips and the Magnaport modification, it recoiled less than my 4" 29. which was already much better than the Mountain Gun.

Because of my experience with the 29 and 629s, and my experience with a 4.25" 25-2 ("target"-profile barrel) and a 22-4 1917 reproduction (5.5" tapered barrel), I believe that the weight of the barrel is very important in controlling recoil. As a result, I do not recommend even the Mountain Gun for extended range use or any application where the second shot should maybe happen fairly soon after the first one. This probably hints to you what I think of the 329.

Your final determination will depend on your choice of grips, your own experience, and your own intentions for the gun. With luck, you may achieve this before making any major purchases or sales.

+1 or 2 or more on the model 69. I almost grabbed a 329 and when I met the monster of a man that was selling it, I backed off that idea. He had hands and wrists like a lumberjack. He said it was not a fun gun to shoot and I certainly believed him. My 69 is great!

Shuz said:

I own and shoot a 329PD, 629-4 Mtn gun,and a mdl 69 4-1/4.
With magnum loads I find the model 69 to be the one I use most.
I have Hogue x frame grips on all 3 and highly recommend them.

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I mentioned N frames in my above post thinking that was what the OP was looking for. I'm a big fan of the M69, have a pair and a spare of each barrel length. Also highly recommend the Hogue X Frame "Tamer" grips. Was out this am shooting one of the 2 3/4" guns -- shot 30 rnds of magnum ammo (20.5gr 2400, 240gr JSP) and would have shot another 30 if I had the time. I try to shoot 30 rnds + three times a week just to keep my hand in. For reference, I'm in my early 70s.

I've found that preferences (what we like) change over time. Choose whatever appeals to you and if you don't like it, sell/trade it - consider the loss a rental fee.

I will be picking up a 3" S&W M629 Delux tomorrow. Not that it will replace my M69s, but because I always wanted one - aesthetically I find it to be one of the most pleasing revolvers S&W ever made.

In .44 mag, the all steel guns will last longer without repairs than the aluminum/scandium/titanium versions.

FWIW

Paul

The SW 500 mag rubber grip is perfect. Step back to 225 grain load or lighter. I like the Winchester hog load 225 monolithic copper as it can do anything you need from a 44. Practice with 44 special. Ours a fun pistol. I have the mountain gun too. I carry the PD for back up.


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I carry the 329 for my sidearm in the woods. I used to carry the 629, but as I got older it became more uncomfortable to carry on the long hunts i go on. The 329 does have one heck of a recoil and is not a fun gun to shoot at the range. But I hunt in bear country and I want the power of a 44 mag in my hands when and if it ever needed, so for me, I carry the 329 and I take the 629 to the range. There is no right or wrong answer to your question, its all about what you can afford and what you want to do. Keep the 329 and buy a 629,29 and 69 and have fun figuring it out.

Thanks for the responses. I have a few individuals offering to buy the gun for $850, so I will probably let it go and just buy a 629 instead. Again, love the gun, but I want a .44 I can shoot as often as I am able.

triple-tap-FL said:

Hello all,

Last night, I picked up a S&W 329PD for $650. I shot the gun this AM. Holy recoil!!! (though I did expect this with a 44 mag this light).

Anyway, I like to be able to shoot 50-75 rounds per range trip in each of my 'shooting' revolvers (i.e. non-collectible pieces). Expect to shoot at least once a month due to my current work schedule.

Anyway, a friend recommended trying to unload the 329pd and picking up a Smith 629 Mountain Gun if I plan to regularly shoot it. I really don't want to go to a 6" gun, so 4" would be my ideal length for a .44 magnum.

I don't mind the recoil of the 329PD, but I am a little concerned of the long-term issues that might develop with regular .44 magnum rounds being sent downrange from the revolver.

Thoughts?

BTW - this is an earlier model 329pd that doesn't seem to have been shot much. Prior owner bought it new in the mid 2000s, and it only came with one factory wooden grip.

Click to expand...

id snag the mountain gun man. the 329pd is a great gun dont get me wrong i bought one to carry for penetration on the streets in phx. rarely fired but carried a good bit. but if you want to run a box of full house 44 mags thru it all the time itll have to go back to smith for service at some point. that said if yiou want to run 44 specials it shouldnt be a problem at all

triple-tap-FL said:

but I want a .44 I can shoot as often as I am able.

Click to expand...

Buy a Ruger then.