329PD Outfitter

[Boulder350]

Has anyone heard of the 329PD Outfitter with a 2 1/2" barrel? The SKU is 150545U. Searched the web and can't find any info on it.

Thanks

 

[CH4]

Getting my popcorn ��
Have the 4” 329PD and it’s more than a handful.

 

[Boulder350]

Have the 329PD 4" model also. Love the scandium revolvers. The 396 is one of my faves. The 317, 337, 360 kit guns are cool too. Just never have seen the 329 Outfitter and was wondering when they were made and how many they made.

 

[Paul105]

Did an internet search - no "outfitter" results.

I have a 2.5" 329 Alaskan Backpacker - it has a scandium frame and a stainless steel cylinder.

Paul

 

[Boulder350]

Thanks for your picture Paul. Great looking revolver you have there. The outfitter looks simular to yours. It has a stainless cylinder with no flutes, adjustable rear sight, 2 piece rounded rubber grips, and an elk rack engraved where your bear is. It will take a few weeks for it to arrive so I don't have pics yet. Maybe I can ask the seller to send me a picture or two.

 

[Paul105]

I carried a 329 PD (had 3, still have two) all day everyday for the better part of a decade. Shot around 9,000 rnds of low end .44 Mags thru 3 of them. The Backpacker with the stainless cylinder weighs about the same. To me, the Backpacker seems to recoil a bit less than the 4" 329 (probably due to reduced velocity from the shorter barrel). Neat guns, but don't hold up well to continuous use of magnum level ammo.

I think you'll like this version of the 329. If you limit magnum level ammo to "only when needed", I doubt you will have any problems.

FWIW,

Paul

 

[Vettepartz]

I have the 329NG (Night Guard) with the barrel listed as 2.75". It is fun to shoot with 44 Specials, but is a real handful with full magnum loads. I think you will enjoys your new one when you get it if you are conservative with the ammo. Good luck.

 

[colt_saa]

Product Code 150545 is the Model 329 Alaska Backpacker IV. This is a TALO exclusive offering

It is the revolver pictured in Post #4

The Spec sheet is still on Smith and Wesson's website :

https://www.smith-wesson.com/sites/default/files/spec-sheets/150545_Model329PD_rev3.pdf

 

[Boulder350]

Here is a picture of the item. The SKU is 150545U (note the U on the end of the sku) so its different than the Backpacker, but sort of close. It must be a distributor special run.

 

[Jerry Joe]

I found my 329PD easy to carry the recoil was not objectionable, it was stiff with full loads but manageable. The problem I had was it was so light I found it difficult to hold on target. Now my Smith 69 short barrel is an absolute beast with full loads.

 

[The Norseman]

Elk Racks

Here is a picture of the item. The SKU is 150545U (note the U on the end of the sku) so its different than the Backpacker, but sort of close. It must be a distributor special run.

Very Interesting S&W Revolver with Laser Art Elk Rack.

Cabela's?

Since this S&W Forum is the Biggest Data Base
for S&W History, I'll throw this out there.

Please see attached Circa '90s S&W 629-6
44Mag Mountain Gun Cabela's Outfitter Series.
Very similar to my MG COS Elk Rack.

There's also a Topic buried here in a couple of
years ago.

 

[Boulder350]

Norseman,
Thanks for sharing your your 44, beautiful revolver. That gives me a place to start.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I have a 2.5" 329 Alaskan Backpacker - it has a scandium frame and a stainless steel cylinder.

Paul

If you get a chance could you tell me how tall the front sight's blade is, as well as the rear sight's blade, on your Backpacker?

Just curious. I've been changing over my Night Guards to ramp front sights & adjustable rears. Have done my 325NG & 357NG so far.

I used a .146" rear blade on both and a .225" front on the 325NG & a .235" on the 357NG.
(I have the parts for the 329NG but it's still waiting for me. )

They're well regulated for what I commonly shoot in them but they're in the lower part of the rear's adjustment. Looks like your Backpacker is at/near the bottom too?

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Doesn't it seem odd that S&W would call it a 329PD Outfitter when the PD models have always had Ti cylinders, not steel?

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My "converted" M357NG
.

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[Paul105]

With cheap calipers --

Rear .126 V Notch
Front .245 Gold Bead

Rear is bottomed out. Didn't shot for group. Only shot at 25 yd plates with 24.0gr H110 and 240gr zero JSP - hit plates.

Paul

 

[roo_ster]

Question:

Many folks suggest shooting very few full power .44mag loads out of these scandium alloy frame N-frames. I guess I wonder if most folk getting the .44mag variant would not be better served by a .45ACP variant. Most times, shoot 230gr hardball. If going into bear country, load up with .45ACP+P or .45Super with heavier cast bullets moving a bit faster (Buff Bore, Underwood)? They are in light magnum territory.

Anyways, I have nothing against .44mag, as I own a SW629 and Rossi 92 in .44mag and find it a delight in those.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Many folks suggest shooting very few full power .44mag loads out of these scandium alloy frame N-frames.

Why is that?

If it needs repairing S&W will take care of it. I have (8) Sc framed S&W revolvers (five are magnums) & I shoot whatever I want in them without reservation.

This forum member, Christian Ed, has documented his use (abuse?) of his 329PD. Way more than I have in mine, & S&W repaired any problems he encountered as a by-product of his use. Interesting read.

If you shoot them less because you don't like the extra recoil from the full loads in the lightweight revolvers that's fine but no need to baby them.

Thread: S&W 329pd info - Christian Ed and Hobby info

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