328PD

[dj5229]

Hello,

I am a long time Smith and Wesson shooter, law enforcement member and hunter. I just picked up a 329pd, manufactured in 2007, new in the box, never fired, only paid 800.00 for it.

Three questions:
1. I think this was a great price......what are your thoughts on what I paid?
2. I bought this as a side arm for bowhunting......I bow hunt in bear and coyote country, this is my primary purpose.......suggestions on good ammo? Im using hand loads for now, left overs from my 629-4.......240 gr semi wad cutters, pushing about 1000 fps.
3. I have not fired one before, but have heard the recoil is tremendous, these wood grips look nice, but wont do much for the recoil....any suggestions for new grips?
4. I am looking for a good holster for hunting......thoughts?

wait, thats 4 questions...oh well,......I appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks,

Dan

 

[dj5229]

typo......239pd

Uh, newbie mistake.....its a 329pd

 

[A10]

Welcome to the forum! I kinda like Bianchi holsters for my Nframes, and they make one that is both strong side and crossdraw, depending on what you are in the mood for. As far as loads go, it sounds like the one you have been firing through your 629 would be a good one. You might put a few rounds down range and see how they work in your 329. For grips, I'm kinda partial to the Compacs that Smith puts on some of its other lightweight guns. I have a set on my 25-13 and they seem to work pretty well, much better with hot loads than the stock Ahrends.

I can't say much about the price, if you are happy with it then congrats!

 

[Paul105]

I’m assuming that the 328 is a typo and you mean 329.

Not a smoking hot deal, but a very good price in my opinion.

The factory grips (both the Aherns wood and the rubber open back strap Hogues) don’t’ work for me at all. My 329s have the Hogue 500 Mag grips available only from S&W http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...58003_757843_757837_ProductDisplayErrorView_N .

Some folks prefer the Pachmayr gripper decelerators (also with covered back strap) Pachmayr Gripper Decelerator Grips Finger Grooves S&W N-Frame Round .

Either of the above grips will take some of the sting out of the 329’s recoil, but will still be very fast and heavy with any .44 mag load. However, it can be loaded (up or down) to handle the threat level in your area, so you can pick your own poison.

What kind of bears and how big?

I bow hunt elk in Montana and we have all of the large predators – wolves, bears (both black and grizzly), and mountain lions. I carry a 329 PD in a Bianchi Cyclone 111 in the cross draw position on a soft belt, over my jacket above the pockets (gloves in pocket keep it from slipping down). It is out of the way but immediately avail with either hand.

It is loaded with hard cast 260gr WFNGC at 1,200 fps and hard cast 325gr LGNGC in .44 Spcl cases at 1,000 fps (both have a lot of distance to the cyl face in case of crimp jump). If I only had to deal with medium sized black bears (up to 400 lbs or so) and coyotes, I would load a 240gr JHP at 1,200 fps.

Some cautions, shoot your 329 enough to make sure it is totally reliable for self-defense.

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.

A great handgun for the purposes you described.

FWIW,

Paul

 

[M29since14]

I'm out of touch on prices too so I can't comment about that. A lot of us put the S&W 500 Magnum grip on our 329PDs. I have one on my gun. Believe me, it doesn't cure the problem, but it does make it more manageable. I don't care for the shape of the grip in general, but its recoil absorbing backstrap area makes it worth using.

I am no admirer of really heavy loads in S&W 44 Magnums in general, and certainly not in the 329PD. I suppose you could use about anything in the gun that conforms to commercial standards but the 300-gr and heavier loads are really going to be brutal.

I am a handloader so my 329 gets my own loads using a 250-gr or 275-gr cast Keith bullet and a full charge of #2400. That will run right around 1200-1250 FPS in my gun. I don't shoot many of those. For a lighter load, I use a 250-gr cast Keith bullet and Unique powder, velocity around 900 FPS. Even that load is no fun to shoot.

It is a gun made to shoot 6- or 12-rounds and then put away for a while, in my opinion anyway.

 

[TheMystro]

I think that's a good price for a new one. I paid $700.00 for a clean used one. The S&W 500 Xframe rubber grips are the way to go.

 

[dj5229]

Good info

I appreciate the advice. I have been looking at the 500 grips, but Im not really a fan of the pachmyers. I had some pachmeyer grips on a 686 of mine and hated the way they feel. I saw another thread on the boad about some new Smith and Wesson rubber grips that have the backstrap covered.......saw a picture of them and I like the way theuy look on the gun, but cant seem to find them on the Smith and Wesson website? Has anyone figured out where to buy these?

Dan

 

[TheMystro]

Here ya go. I got mine here.

Product: Model 500 Impact Absorbing Hogue Square Butt Conversion Grips

 

[Paul105]

I think Dan may be referring to these new rubber grips (current 329s come with these).
Product: Model 629

Dan, if the above link shows the grips you are interested in, PM member tek4260 and see if he will sell you the ones off his 329.

Paul

 

[TheMystro]

Those are hands down, my favorite grips. I got them new on my 629 and Gov. At first I didn't think I would like them but they fit my hand and cover the back strap so the recoil is greatly reduced. They have finger bumps much less pronounced than the out going Hogue factory grips.

I think Dan may be referring to these new rubber grips (current 329s come with these).
Product: Model 629d

Dan, if the above link shows the grips you are interested in, PM member tek4260 and see if he will sell you the ones off his 329.

Paul

 

[dj5229]

Those are the grips........where can I order a set?

 

[CWH44300]

They will have to come from S&W, that's what's shipping on new Nframe RB's, I have a set that came on a new 329, pm me about them, I much prefer the RB grips from aherends, I for one didn't like the squishy feel from the pachmayr grip, a feeling the steel framed guns don't seem to give with them? As a side note the grips I prefer are pictured on the last page of the 629 club ( I'm on my phone or I'd post a pic) hope this helps

 

[dj5229]

Thanks for all the good advice. I traded grips with a member of this forum, and picked up a like new Safariland holster off ebay. Im ready to hit the trails. I appreciate all the advice.