Kenneth L. Walters
Member
I'm thinking about buying one of these and was wondering what owners thought of this particular gun?
329 PD
- Thread starter Kenneth L. Walters
- Start date
blueknight7
Member
Well, Smith & Wesson should be sued for the grips they put on the gun, and in the box. First thing that should be done is the X frames grips for the Smith .500 & .460 should be put on. You can get them from S&W, and that is about the only place. I heard that Brownells has them on backorder. They are Hogue, but, they are a special design too.
That makes the weapon tolerable. You need to have alot of experience in shooting heavy recoiling weapons. This is the ultimate in heavy recoiling weapons.
Only thing I have found worse was a .12 gauge, dbl. barrel shotgun, that we seized in a raid. The barrels were cut to 12 inches, stock was cut to a pistol grip, and the fore end was duct taped to the barrels. It was modified to fire both barrels at the same time. Birdshot was horrible, out of it. Buckshot was insane. And I had to test it before court. Guess the guy closest to retirement, always gets that assignment. Oh, just for arguments sake, we found it loaded with buckshot.
But, back to the 329PD, since retirement, I carry mine everyday. Its loaded with a reasonably warm loaded 240 lasercast semi-wadcutter, over a large dose of 2400 powder, and touched off by a CCI, 350 magnum primer. It flat kicks, but, its a kick to shot, too.
Accuracy is just down right spooky. Nothing weighing that least should shoot that good. As I have said before, this thing will drive nails. Just don't want to drive alot of them, in one session.
Past shooting gloves are not a bad idea either. Do watch it though. It seems prone to kick on the internal lock, during recoil. That ties up the gun. Mine has been disabled. 10 minute job with tools, 20 minutes with rocks.
It is a great carrying gun. It is also a not alot of shooting gun, either. Alot of people run .44 specials in them. I agree, if you don't handload, and are trying to get used to it. If you handload, start off easy and work up, till you just start to flinch. Drop back a half a grain, and shoot there till extremely comfortable. When that is tolerable, move on up.
I wouldn't have given you a plug nickle for the design, but now, I would be without one. What you effective have, is almost nuclear firepower in a 26 oz. package. When and if you need it, nothing else will do. And, if you do need it, your not gonna feel the recoil, anyway.
Good luck on your decision. I am sure alot of others will chime in here. There are alot of them, out there, in the world. Usually on the used market, with about one box of factory loads through them.
It is capable of breaking you, if you let it. It is also capable of being your best friend, especially if you need to use it. This is one gun that you have to learn to dominate, cause it will surely dominate you, if you don't do your homework.
Sorry for the long disertation, but there is really no easy answer.
That makes the weapon tolerable. You need to have alot of experience in shooting heavy recoiling weapons. This is the ultimate in heavy recoiling weapons.
Only thing I have found worse was a .12 gauge, dbl. barrel shotgun, that we seized in a raid. The barrels were cut to 12 inches, stock was cut to a pistol grip, and the fore end was duct taped to the barrels. It was modified to fire both barrels at the same time. Birdshot was horrible, out of it. Buckshot was insane. And I had to test it before court. Guess the guy closest to retirement, always gets that assignment. Oh, just for arguments sake, we found it loaded with buckshot.
But, back to the 329PD, since retirement, I carry mine everyday. Its loaded with a reasonably warm loaded 240 lasercast semi-wadcutter, over a large dose of 2400 powder, and touched off by a CCI, 350 magnum primer. It flat kicks, but, its a kick to shot, too.
Accuracy is just down right spooky. Nothing weighing that least should shoot that good. As I have said before, this thing will drive nails. Just don't want to drive alot of them, in one session.
Past shooting gloves are not a bad idea either. Do watch it though. It seems prone to kick on the internal lock, during recoil. That ties up the gun. Mine has been disabled. 10 minute job with tools, 20 minutes with rocks.
It is a great carrying gun. It is also a not alot of shooting gun, either. Alot of people run .44 specials in them. I agree, if you don't handload, and are trying to get used to it. If you handload, start off easy and work up, till you just start to flinch. Drop back a half a grain, and shoot there till extremely comfortable. When that is tolerable, move on up.
I wouldn't have given you a plug nickle for the design, but now, I would be without one. What you effective have, is almost nuclear firepower in a 26 oz. package. When and if you need it, nothing else will do. And, if you do need it, your not gonna feel the recoil, anyway.
Good luck on your decision. I am sure alot of others will chime in here. There are alot of them, out there, in the world. Usually on the used market, with about one box of factory loads through them.
It is capable of breaking you, if you let it. It is also capable of being your best friend, especially if you need to use it. This is one gun that you have to learn to dominate, cause it will surely dominate you, if you don't do your homework.
Sorry for the long disertation, but there is really no easy answer.
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I have fired the 4" PD, and have a 329NG for backpacking. Same frame but a compact barrel, stainless steel cylinder, and Pachmayr grips....so it is a few ounces heavier. Grips make all the difference! The Pachmayr's do a good job of taming recoil. The X-frame grips are best, but they are also very bulky. These grips will increase the distance you have to reach with your trigger finger (lots of rubber over the backstrap), so keep that in mind.
With the proper grips, recoil is more urban legend than reality. Stiff for sure, but quite manageable. In today's scheme of things, the .44 is little more than an "intermediate" cartridge, way behind the .454, .460, and .500.
Bottom line....if you really fear recoil, do yourself a favor and get a Ruger SRH or Alaskan! They are pussycats in .44.
With the proper grips, recoil is more urban legend than reality. Stiff for sure, but quite manageable. In today's scheme of things, the .44 is little more than an "intermediate" cartridge, way behind the .454, .460, and .500.
Bottom line....if you really fear recoil, do yourself a favor and get a Ruger SRH or Alaskan! They are pussycats in .44.
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I couldn't agree more with what has already been said in the previous posts. If you need the firepower and reduced weight, the 329 is hard to beat. Grips do make all the difference. With stock grips, the 329 hurts after very little shooting. The only thing I've fired that resembles it is the 340SC/PD in .357. My 4" 500 is a pleasure to shoot compared but it wears the S&W factory gel grips by Hogue.
I sold my 329 to a friend that's a serious hiker/back pack camper and he loves it for what it is and how he uses it. Major firepower in a lightweight package.
BTW and to reiterate what's already been said, I'd disable the infernal lock if carrying in any serious manner.
I sold my 329 to a friend that's a serious hiker/back pack camper and he loves it for what it is and how he uses it. Major firepower in a lightweight package.
BTW and to reiterate what's already been said, I'd disable the infernal lock if carrying in any serious manner.
OP
Kenneth L. Walters
Member
So recoil is a problem here. Guess I should have known that.
Last year I bought a BFR in 45-70. Used extremely light loads. Didn't shoot it much. The doctor says that my right hand has tendon damage and that it should recover, someday. Hasn't yet.
Last year I bought a BFR in 45-70. Used extremely light loads. Didn't shoot it much. The doctor says that my right hand has tendon damage and that it should recover, someday. Hasn't yet.
I had some old PMC ammo marked 16.99 they would stick in the cylinder to the point that i couldnt use the palm or my hand to drive them out. I also changed the grips to the X as well. reloading lite mags or 44 spec is great. I also changed out the v sight to a square one.
blueknight7
Member
Ken, if you have tendon damage in your right hand, the 329PD is not going to help it. That BFR, in .45-70 is a ***** cat compared to the stinging, lightening fast recoil of a fully loaded 329PD.
Also, the BFR is designed to roll back in your hand, directing the recoil UP, and back. All the 329PD does, is put the recoil straight back into the web of your hand.
If you want the gun, get it. You might just heal up, and learn to handle the recoil of the 329PD just fine. Just start light, and work up. That means, start real light. Think of all the money you can win from your friends when you tell them, your lightweight .44 maggie will outshoot their K and L frame guns.
A 240 gr. bullet moving out at 7-900 ft./sec. is nothing to sneeze at. And no thank you, I am not wanting to walk into it. I have been shot before. I am not very impressed with the outcome.
Also, the BFR is designed to roll back in your hand, directing the recoil UP, and back. All the 329PD does, is put the recoil straight back into the web of your hand.
If you want the gun, get it. You might just heal up, and learn to handle the recoil of the 329PD just fine. Just start light, and work up. That means, start real light. Think of all the money you can win from your friends when you tell them, your lightweight .44 maggie will outshoot their K and L frame guns.
A 240 gr. bullet moving out at 7-900 ft./sec. is nothing to sneeze at. And no thank you, I am not wanting to walk into it. I have been shot before. I am not very impressed with the outcome.
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If you can handload light loads, then go for it. With factory loads, even defense .44 Special loads, it's a brute. They really are an amazing piece of technology. I carried one for a season but sold it after.
K1500
Member
Ken, if you are serious about the tendon damage, please stay away from the 329pd. I believe it is the hardest/most violent kicker out there.
I have both sets of stock grips and PAST gloves and it does hurt after small number of rounds. Mine has also been a bit of a problem child, making the trip back to S&W several times. The lock *might* have been an issue on mine, but it is very easy to take out.
I have both sets of stock grips and PAST gloves and it does hurt after small number of rounds. Mine has also been a bit of a problem child, making the trip back to S&W several times. The lock *might* have been an issue on mine, but it is very easy to take out.
OP
Kenneth L. Walters
Member
Tendon damage is an issue. I shot that 45-70 about 400 times and my hand hasn't been right since. As long as I'm using my hand it is find but when I stop, like late at night or early in the morning, it is really stiff. The doctor says that there isn't much they can do. Just have to hope it will eventually recover. So maybe the 329 pd isn't a good choice for me.
I've got a 329 xl hunter on order. Now I'm starting to wonder about it.
I've got a 329 xl hunter on order. Now I'm starting to wonder about it.
SuperMan
Member
I have the .41 Magnum version, the 357PD...a great gun to shoot and with full loads not near as brutal as the 329 with full loads.
That said, if you don't need or can utilize all the power of the 329 look at the 325PD .45 ACP. My friend has two, a 4" and a 2" and they are great shooters...
Bob
That said, if you don't need or can utilize all the power of the 329 look at the 325PD .45 ACP. My friend has two, a 4" and a 2" and they are great shooters...
Bob
CWH44300
Member
do you drive the orange 41 mag?
Brian41
Member
I have the 357PD and 325PD and shoot reduced loads in the 357PD and factory in the 325PD. I don't think I'd like to shoot .44 mags in those weight guns especially with your hand issues.
Full loads in my three inch 629 are enough recoil for my liking.
blueknight7
Member
Ken, if you already have it on order, use it, shoot it. You don't have to go full blast. One nice thing about .44 magnums, if you reload, you can load them down to where you can watch them go out of the barrel. The XL is heavier than the 329PD. Two, you get a 6 inch barrel out of the deal.
Yes, it can be a rocket launcher, but, you don't have to load it that way. Your BRF's lightest feasable bullet was 300 grains. .44 you can go down to 180's. Probably lighter if you look around.
If you don't go crazy because it is a .44 mag., stay within reason, you can have recoil in the area of .45 acp. With X frame grips on there, you will hardly notice the bullet leaving the barrel. There is always .44 Specials. I am talking the lead factory loaded ones. Not the premium ones. They would probably be fine, in the XL.
Yes, it can be a rocket launcher, but, you don't have to load it that way. Your BRF's lightest feasable bullet was 300 grains. .44 you can go down to 180's. Probably lighter if you look around.
If you don't go crazy because it is a .44 mag., stay within reason, you can have recoil in the area of .45 acp. With X frame grips on there, you will hardly notice the bullet leaving the barrel. There is always .44 Specials. I am talking the lead factory loaded ones. Not the premium ones. They would probably be fine, in the XL.
S&W-Keeper
Member
I shot a guy's at the range sometime back, it hurts.Better stick to very mild loads.
SuperMan
Member
..nope...got a Red/White Ford F250....
If anyone is looking for a great SD load for the 629 MG or 329PD try the Speer .44 Magnum 200 grain Gold Dot Short Barrel load. It runs the 200 grain .44 Special bullet at 1080 fps with very manageable recoil and the bullet expands EVERY time... The same factory .44 Special load, the bullet rarely expands...
Bob
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