329Pd
- Thread starter KAT
- Start date
Rocket-scientist
Member
I've had the same problem using the same load in the same gun. I didn't have to pound out my brass, but it did require more force than my other loads. I attribute this to a low volume of powder in the case (relatively speaking) and a dirty powder causing a lot of fouling. Titanium isn't the smoothest of metals and after a few rounds I get very dirty case mouths and hard ejection. No issues with a load of 20 grains of 2400. Hope you get it nailed, I no longer shoot unique in my 44 magnums.
Thank
I will be trying 2400. I haven't had time to give it a try but will be soon. I have been shooting Unique in my 44 sp ruger flat tops and no problems. But I think Ruger is manufactured to higher tolerances than Smith. Smith needed to give the owners of 329's some insight in handloading for this revolver. A side from the fact of the case sticking and locking up, it is one accurate pistol. Thanks for your help
I will be trying 2400. I haven't had time to give it a try but will be soon. I have been shooting Unique in my 44 sp ruger flat tops and no problems. But I think Ruger is manufactured to higher tolerances than Smith. Smith needed to give the owners of 329's some insight in handloading for this revolver. A side from the fact of the case sticking and locking up, it is one accurate pistol. Thanks for your help
Coaltminer
Member
I had a 637 that had one chamber that would split the case full-length. Cylinder was replaced and all was fine. Nothing much surprises me with the gun industry these days, but Smith seems to have some obvious problems. I still don't believe I saw an NIB 58 Classic that had a 57 barrel on it. If it was test fired at all, it would've shot incredibly low. The canted barrel issue should have been corrected at the factory by now, also. Perhaps they think we don't shoot our guns!
attnKat
Hi Kat, as to your above post, about Smith advising potential owners of a gun re handloading, it is my understanding that Smith does not recommend the use of handloaded ammo. Their manuals/info sheets in the past always carried this disclaimer. Don't know about the present.
Back in the 80s, the mfgrs produced the 'Keith medium load,' a 240 gr lead flat point at about 950fps. I'm sure you can duplicate this. Wonder if the gun would be better at this pressure level? All the best!
Hi Kat, as to your above post, about Smith advising potential owners of a gun re handloading, it is my understanding that Smith does not recommend the use of handloaded ammo. Their manuals/info sheets in the past always carried this disclaimer. Don't know about the present.
Back in the 80s, the mfgrs produced the 'Keith medium load,' a 240 gr lead flat point at about 950fps. I'm sure you can duplicate this. Wonder if the gun would be better at this pressure level? All the best!
He's giving you good advice. Please do this. Get a box of Winchester 240-gr factory loads or something similar and see if you have the problem with them.
S&W is not going to pay any attention to your comments about how the gun behaves with your handloads. At worst using handloads can void your warranty, and at minimum they cannot possibly help you diagnose your problem when you are using handloaded ammunition that they do not have access to when they evaluate your gun. Take Colt_saa's good advice and give the gun a chance with good quality factory ammunition. Let us know how it goes.
FWIW, I shoot my 329PD with reduced loads similar to what you mention. The gun works fine. It has exit bores that are just a bit over 0.429" - will allow a .429 pin to pass with resistance. I doubt your problems have anything to do with the exit bore size, but without seeing the gun we're all just guessing.
Sent the 329 in for the third time. Told S&W my problems,(I left the two fired cases in it that would not extract) got it back today. They replaced the cylinder. Took it out and shot the loads that locked up the gun before and not a problem. Hopefully this was the problem. Thank you all for all your comments and suggestions.
I have only had problems with some 44 special reloads I bought from a local store. I fired 6 and trouble extracting them. I then has a hard time closing the cylinder. I pulled the next 6 out and fired some federal 240 jhp mag loads. No problems after that. The reloads produced a lot of smoke and the bullets hit the target sideways tearing an elongated hole. The only extraction problems I get is when I shot mag loads after a number of 44 special which is to be expected.
KAT, glad your gun is working properly now and thanks for the info about the cylinder being replaced. Obviously you were unlucky and had a bad one. Hope things go well for you and the 329 from now on. 
photoman
Member
Interesting thread. I carried a 329PD for a good while and had absolutely no problems with it. It's highly likely the internal lock was jamming the gun. As far as extraction goes, I never had any problems but I was shooting .44 Specials (factory and reloads) 98% of the time. I will say I was never happy with the "rough" finish of the Ti cylinder.
