329 PD as a Bear Gun?

[Mosby's Ranger]

I have a 340PD as my only revolver (no other pistols) ..... I like it and wear it in a milt sparks IWB holster. I usually carry with 38 loaded and same for the range. I wanted it instead of a 38 ..... cause I figured I could carry with Buffalo Bore 357 when hiking in the mountains (Live near Denver) ....

I realize that 357 is not the best to protect against a bear .... but figured it would be better than throwing rocks.

No ..... am thinking maybe a 44 mag would be in order .....

Anyone use the 329PD as a hiking gun?

Thoughts?

Henry

 

[dla]

Yes.

329pd info

 

[blueknight7]

Me too. Can't take the weight of a heavier weapon, for any length of time, anymore. 20 years of leather and steel batman belt, before nylon and plastic became the norm. So, for the last 10 years before retirement, I got a break. Too late: 10 knee surgeries, one back surgery.

 

[pinkymingeo]

For large brown bears there are those who believe a .357 is the ticket. Let him get close, shoot him in the head and hope for the best. A .357 solid has plenty of penetration. My advice is that, prior to going into the field, you coat your revolver with vaseline. Protects against corrosion, and it won't feel so bad to you when the bear shoves it where the sun don't shine.

 

[Sprefix]

Added protection.....

pinkymingeo, Wow, you had me going for a second. The blood pressure was rising and the anticipation of another walking bear bait station was closing in. Oh, and yes, definitely don't spare the vaseline............it will add protection!!! On a serious note, The 329PD should be adequate for your area. Be sure to practice..........

 

[aterry33]

From all the park rangers I've talked to, bear spray is far more effective than any handgun. I practice a lot and am a pretty good shot with big bore revolvers and would not necessarily trust myself to put one where it needed to be with a giant bear racing towards me--not sure how many people out there are that confident in their abilities.

Thankfully, we don't have grizzlies here on the east coast, and most of the time my biggest fear is human predators and/or a mountain lion. A S&W .357 or Glock 20 in 10MM is plenty enough for them.

If I were in grizzly country, a Remington 870 loaded with Brenneke Black Magic Slugs would be my first choice, followed by bear spray, and followed by a big bore revolver as a last choice.

 

[Mosby's Ranger]

I do not go to far back country these days ...... as I am hiking with a 4 year old ..... so odds are I won't run into that much .... but on the other hand ..... I see coyotes regularly in the area along the walking paths behind my house and mountain lions are seen in folks yards in the foothills.

I am not against the idea of bear spray either .... and figure I'll carry that as well .... and so would my wife.

But .... since I am going to have my daughter with me .... and since I'd wrastle the bear with a butter knife before I'd let it get to the little'un ..... I am figuring a 44 would help "just in case"

 

[Tractorshaft]

That bear spray will work on "Yogi and Boo-Boo" when they are nosing around the trash can and you want to run them off.

However, If you have a sow charging you, black or brown, because you got between her and her cubs you will wish you had that .357 or a 10MM when she hits you in the chest running you over like a freight train.

That bear spray is a money maker for the sporting goods shops, its something for the tourists, hiker and "Turtles" (aka backpackers) who visit BC and Alaska to make them sleep better.

If you surprise, wound, or are in the wrong place at the wrong time the ONLY repeat ONLY thing that will improve your odds of getting mauled is a gun.

I guided in GMU8 (Kodiak, Afognak, Raspberry Islands) and lived/hunted in GMU6 (Cordova) for 14 years. I have a little experience with these animals. FWIW, moose kill more people every year than bears.

As suggested earlier, a shotgun is fine protection, but a rifle is better. A pistol is better than a rock but you better know how to shoot it under stressful situations. Solid penetrating bullets are necessary to get into vitals. Hard cast or premium bonded projectiles preferable over all else. me I like the hard cast stuff, Jae Bok Young, he makes these, none finer. Here is a 250GR hard cast boolit for .45LC, shot out of a Ruger Bisley revolver using a heavy charge of your preferred powder would be a good choice if a pistol is all you could get your hands on.

I just sold a .45-70 Marlin Guide Gun on here that I had built for just this type situation, backing up clients who have wounded something that needs killing.

Here is a photo of it;

A handgun will simply make you feel "Better", I don't think much of them for killing bears. Might be alright for poking one in the ear with the hammer back to make sure its really dead...Like they say, "A 9MM may expand, but , a .45 will never shrink"

Gee whiz! That sure is a big gun! Why do you carry a .45? Because they don't make a .46


Have fun!

Jerry

 

[Mosby's Ranger]

Well .....I'd certainly rather carry that .45-70 Marlin Guide Gun that the fellow posted a pic.

I'm not going looking for bear .... just worried about one finding me. I don't plan on getting back where they are too thick on the ground. Since I do have a conceal carry and since now I can carry the ole revolver in the National Parks .... I figured I should, just in case. I realize the 357 ain't all that great for the purpose which is why I'm thinking the 44.

Anyone know how a Park Ranger would feel about me toting that .45-70 Marlin Guide Gun in a National park ...... or.... State for that matter here in Colorado?

 

[StingrayG4]

I see coyotes regularly in the area along the walking paths behind my house

I've seen literally hundreds of coyotes and never had anything like trouble from one. They run off when they see you. If you say "boo" they wet themselves as they're running off.

-S

 

[Mosby's Ranger]

I understand what you are saying about Coyotes. I've hiked Joshua Tree and rounded a corner and was basically standing in the middle of six ..... nothing happened.

Yet my my buddy had one jump his fence here and kill his dog ..... and there have been three reports in the last six months in this area of coyotes attacking........ a jogger in one case and 2 others walking dogs.

So ................ it is what it is. Can't rid yourself of all possible ill .... but it makes sense to minimize where you can.

 

[StingrayG4]

Oh I'm sure a coyote would attack a smaller animal, especially if it were hungry. I've lost a few chickens and some puppies to them in the past. I have never heard of one attacking a person though, at least not around here. I wonder if the one's you're talking about were rabid.

-S

 

[Mosby's Ranger]

It was not reported that they were rabid .... that would have been big news here. I think the issue is that there has been sprawl into their habitat and they have acclimated to humans ..... and in some ways lost their fear.

As an example .... I live near a reservior that was also previously cattle pasture.

Hell .... I've even seen them in Denver though.

Then another issue are coyote wolf mixes .... though I don't think we see them much here.

 

[Paul105]

We're only talking coyotes, mountain lions, black bears and maybe 2 legged varmints (no grizzly).

Most of the time you are outdoors, a rifle or shotgun just isn't practical. You can't prepare for every possible situation. There are going to be situations where a gun won't help – but in those cases most likely nothing will. All you can do is give yourself a fighting chance.

Mosby's Ranger, the 329 is a fine choice and is plenty powerful for your stated application. Just remember, the heavy recoiling, ultra lite TiSc guns seem to have more lock related issues than their heaver all steel brethren. Also, there seem to be some ignition problems related to short firing pins on the 329s. Ammo needs to be tested to make sure crimp jump doesn't tie up the cylinder. Shoot the gun enough to be confident that it will function when you need it and carry it with confidence.

I live in Montana. I'm retired and out in the woods all year long. When not hunting or fishing, I'm walking the dogs. The 329 is my all day everyday carry gun – I don't leave home without it (unless I'm packing something elsehttp://smith-wessonforum.com/images/icons/icon7.gif).

 

[endgameAK]

329PD as bear gun.

I agree with Paul105. My 329PD (500Xgrips, Magnaported) is a great tool for woods-carry. Just make sure you can become proficient with it.

I've used Buffalo Bore's "Reduced Recoil" 44 mag (255 gr. hardcast at about 1300fps) load a lot and prefer it to the available much stiffer loads ... better control and faster follow up shot.

 

[NE450No2]

A couple of my buddies have 329D's, and I have shot them.

They are quite a handful with full power loads, and I got my first 44 Mag in 1970.

They kick most with the standard facrory 240gr loads. The 270 Speer, and the Federal 300gr Cast Core actually kick less.

The same is true with the Mountain Gun, that the wife and I both carry when in the woods.

The Buffalo Bore 255 Cast Lower Recoil load is a good one for the 329PD, and any other 44 Mag as well.

I do not think I would recommend a 329PD for a persons first 44 Mag.

I have found that the Mountain Gun is the best compromise of power, weight, and recoil.

 

[Combat_Diver]

I would suggest another Smith model the 329NG. Shorter 2.5" bbl and with night sights.

CD

 

[Mosby's Ranger]

How is the recoil on the 329NG? While I do subscribe to the theory of a not to worried about kick when a wee beastie is coming full steam ahead...... I also want to practice often enough and would like something that would lend itself to range time.

My wife will be getting her CC and still have not decided on her selection. It will probably be a 38. Was thinking for woods walking .... we'd both jump up one in the proposed arsenal ... her to my 357 and me to the potential 44. Be nice if she could shoot the 44 though as well...

Though she only stands about 5 foot 5 and hunnert pounds wet .... she can actually shoot and is more accurate then me.

She grew up shooting black powder and throwing tomahawks with her dad. (which I remember when she gets all steamed up)

 

[Paul105]

A couple of my buddies have 329D's, and I have shot them.

They are quite a handful with full power loads, and I got my first 44 Mag in 1970.

They kick most with the standard facrory 240gr loads. The 270 Speer, and the Federal 300gr Cast Core actually kick less.

The Buffalo Bore 255 Cast Lower Recoil load is a good one for the 329PD, and any other 44 Mag as well.

I do not think I would recommend a 329PD for a persons first 44 Mag.

There is no question that the 329 is a heavy recoiling revolver. A person can work their way up the power ladder to find out what they can handle.

In my experience, heavier slower bullets kick less than lighter faster ones.

Buffalo Bore's "Lower Recoil" load is only lower recoil when compared to BBs T-Rex Stompers. BBs info shows 1,265 fps from a 4" 329. I chronoed Rem 240gr JSPs at 1,244 fps from my 329. BB offers a .44 Special 255gr Keith SWCGC at 1,000 fps -- this is probably the best commercial load available for Mosby's Ranger's application.

Mosby's Ranger's other handgun is the 340PD -- the most painful revolver I have ever fired.

Of course, this is just my opinion -- others will and do differ. However, it is based on a lot hands on experience with the 329. It's been my all day, every day carry gun for the last 3 or 4 years. I've shot close to 8,000 rounds (mostly 240-260s at 1,150 to 1,200 fps) thru 3 different 329s. It is the perfect power to weight ratio for my purposes (which aren't much different than Mosby's Ranger's).

Paul

 

[dla]

A couple of my buddies have 329D's, and I have shot them.

They are quite a handful with full power loads, and I got my first 44 Mag in 1970.

They kick most with the standard facrory 240gr loads. The 270 Speer, and the Federal 300gr Cast Core actually kick less.

The same is true with the Mountain Gun, that the wife and I both carry when in the woods.

The Buffalo Bore 255 Cast Lower Recoil load is a good one for the 329PD, and any other 44 Mag as well.

I do not think I would recommend a 329PD for a persons first 44 Mag.

I have found that the Mountain Gun is the best compromise of power, weight, and recoil.

I agree that the 329pd can be a handful. But I think the recoil is highly subjective, and to me it is not a big deal. I haven't owned a revolver in 25 years, (went totally semi-auto), and my first 44 mag is the 329pd. I'm at about the 400 round mark now, and I'm still convinced that I made the right choice - for me.

But I think I've had an easier time of it because of this and other forums. For example, I never fired the gun with the pretty wood grips on it. I've also not fired any of those loads for armor-plated grizzlies. I doubt I'll ever shoot anything except my reloads - I'm too cheap. You can see what I've been up to via the link.

I'm not a revolver fan at all. In my opinion, the only reason for a revolver is to chamber a cartridge not available in a semi-auto. The 329pd gives me the best power level at the best carry weight possible.


329pd info

 

[44Steve]

Hi, Steve here . Own a 329 PD, She's a hard dog to keep under the porch. It is my carry and home defence gun.I allways take it with me on deeper woods walks. (Bears) Still looking for the most comfortable holster.It is a hand full to shoot magnums out of.But i am a glutton for punnishment. Mostly i shoot 44spl.out of it. .Am still working up magnum reloads ,even with the best crimps , she wants to start pulling bullets out of the crimps. It only weighs 26 oz. empty. I would recomend it to a regular magnum shooter. I love Mine.

 

[SuperMan]

I have two friends with the 329PD and I have a 357PD (.41 Magnum). The .41 is much more pleasant to shoot with loads designed for bear...as in penetrators.

Best penetrator loads for both guns are the CastCore from Federal. The .41 is 250 grains and the .44 300. Both are very soft shooting as the velocity is only about 1100 fps from a 4" barrel.

For two legged critters or softskinned 4 leggers, the Speer 200 grain Gold Dot HP .44 Magnum Short Barrel load is 1080 from a 4", real easy to manage and EXPANDS EVERY TIME because they use the .44 Special DEEP HP bullet.

As someone said before the Hogue grips for the 500 S&W X-Frame guns slip right on and are a big plus in handling recoil. The V rear and FO front are great for close up work...

Bob

 

[batmann]

I second NE450No2 choice of the MG and the Buffalo Bore load. The Mountain Gun offers the best compromise between weight and power IMHO. Coyotes or small Bears, load it with Buffalo Bore's 255 gr 'Heavy' .44 Spl and that should handle most of you neess. If you go where the big Bears are, load it with their 255 gr .44M load.

 

[R. G. Amos]

Nothing less than 454 Casul

 

[sonny]

For large brown bears there are those who believe a .357 is the ticket. Let him get close, shoot him in the head and hope for the best. A .357 solid has plenty of penetration. /QUOTE]

Years ago, I was in Great Northern Guns in Anchorage. They were selling .357 bullets (special-order) turned from solid brass for some fella who wanted penetration and no mushrooming.
Sonny

 

[sonny]

I think the issue is that there has been sprawl into their habitat and they have acclimated to humans ..... and in some ways lost their fear. .

Here in central Florida, I live in a residential community (subdivision) and we see coyotes strolling thru our backyards looking for snacks like little dogs. Saw 3 in a pack cross the road in front of me near one entrance to our community several wks ago. They do fear man, however, for the most part. Read one news article where a pack of coyotes took down a woman hiker in the boonies in Canada and snacked on her. Not a good thing. I always "carry" any time we go out for a walk...even without our subdivision...plenty off coyotes right here on the golf course.
Sonny

 

[dwrd960]

329pd stoppages or sticking

New to the forum. Just got a .44 mag 329pd and have been having problems with firing 300 and 340 grain ammo. The shells seem to mushroom inside the chamber after firing and are difficult to eject and sometimes cause stoppages. Is it the pistol or the ammo causing the problem? I have no "sticking" problems when shooting with 210 specials. Any info is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[dla]

New to the forum. Just got a .44 mag 329pd and have been having problems with firing 300 and 340 grain ammo. The shells seem to mushroom inside the chamber after firing and are difficult to eject and sometimes cause stoppages. Is it the pistol or the ammo causing the problem? I have no "sticking" problems when shooting with 210 specials. Any info is appreciated. Thanks.

I've heard of this. I suspect that you are shooting some very stiff loads - loads that would have sticky case extraction from a steel cylinder. The titanium cylinder can be more sticky on hot loads.

I get just a hair of stickiness with top-end 240gr loads. It may help to make sure the cylinder is clean and dry. But otherwise you'll need to back off the loadings. Some ammo makers really push the cartridge to the limit, but I honestly don't believe an extra 100fps is worth the decrease in reliability.


329pd information

 

[akviper]

I like my 329 for backpacking and hiking. Our brown bears are second only to the Kodiaks in size so I usually pack a WWG 45/70 as well. I don't see the logic in packing a huge heavy revolver that weighs almost the same as my 45/70.

 

[AKAOV1MAN]

Just my .02: Bears, Cougars, Coyote, Wolf; I have taken them all. In 95 I got a bear peremit for AK, and got a really nice Brown Bear, after that I only refer to Mister Bear.
All of the above except bears die fairly easily Cougar (mountain kion) can easily be taken with a .22 if necessary. Coyote are smallish and a .22 or larger will do for them, although I have taken most of mine with a 30-30. Wolves I feel better with a 30-30 or shotgun W/slugs or buckshot.
Mister Bear is a very different situation. Obviously Black Bear do not need as much oomph as the Grizzley or Brownies. But all Bear have very hard heads, and their spinal cord is protected by heavy muscle and tissue.
When you talk Bear protection, you are talking about stopping a Bear not just killing him. For a bear attack, that is a charging Bear you need to get an effective central nervous system hit, that means brain pan or spinal hit.
First you have to be able to hit a very small spot(s) on a large animal (Brown/Grizz-very large) that is moving 20-30 mph toward you, and humping and swaying all over the place. Just a killing shot is not going to stop that animal, it must be precisely into the brain or spine, causing loss of motor control to the animal. Having the animal die a few minutes after he has claws on you is not sufficient.
Not only do you have to hit one of the two spots, your bullet must be able to penetrate to the right spot. This means a fast hard heavy slug, semi wadcutters seem to work better in handguns, and I favor a flat point for rifles and they seem to penetrate straighter and further.
I am not trying to scare anyone, my suggestion is that you do ANYTHING but face off against either species of Bear. If a Bear decides for any reason that he wants you, he is highly likely to be successful, there is always the chance that after a mauling a Bear might lose interest and leave, it has happened many times.
I am not so sure that "Bear spray" is not useful, it might confuse the Bear long enough for you to get away or place a number of killing/disabling shots.
Just my .02, I could be wrong, but I don't think so. Don't piss off any Bear, they can all get ugly rerally quickly.