Does anybody really LIKE the 329PD?

[4896worker]

I’ve shot a fare amount of full power .50 in a dessert eagle and lots of full house 700 gr. T. Rex killing loads out of S&W 500 .
Only 6 full house.44 mag out of a329 THAT PISTOL HURT .
My hats off to you if you can train enough to control that beast

 

[texmex]

The Glock 20 gives you more chances to kill or discourage the bear before you have to use the last round on yourself. I would carry the 10 mm loaded with all fmj. Penetration is essential.

 

[The Mighty S&W]

I like 10mm, and spent a few years shooting a lot of it back when it wasn’t popular at all. During that time, I felt like the only guy in the world who owned them, and enjoyed running the hot ammo from companies like Double Tap through them at the range. I cannot however, understand the sudden belief that it is somehow the equivalent of a potent revolver cartridge.

I don’t care which YouTube “expert” declares the 10mm to be the ideal gun for defense against dinosaurs. Their reasoning cannot be based upon shot to shot power because the 10mm is definitely no .44 Magnum. It is also not even in the same ballpark as a .41 Magnum, and while it can stand toe to toe with a lot of .357 Magnum… the .357 can walk away from it with the right loads as well.

The main virtue the 10mm has going for it is its capacity, and relatively low recoil. Both of those things can be of great benefit, but if it is my skin on the line against a predatory animal capable of literally eating me for a snack, I want POWER. I don’t imagine too many scenarios in which a charging animal of that variety will afford me the opportunity for a lot of follow up shots. I’d prefer to make each one count.

My vote: Keep the .44 Magnum for your intended purpose, and buy a 10mm because they are awesome in their own right. I would make sure that you’re shooting enough FULL power loads (like some heavy hard cast loads from Buffalo Bore or Underwood) to ensure that YOU like your particular chosen model.

 

[Mark8]

Obviously 10mm cannot reach .44 Magnum energy levels, but it's a potent cartridge that will penetrate every bone of every bear with the right load in the right gun, and therefore it is a viable option, and you will have more rounds and will be able to shoot faster. Let's not forget that with .44 Magnum, there is no guarantee of stopping the bear before it "stops" you. Many will argue that .480 Ruger/.50AE/.475 Linebaugh/.454 Casull/.460 S&W/.500 S&W (take your pick) is the mininum they will trust to protect them from a large bear attack.

If I had the problem, I'd probably go for fewer shots with a more powerful cartdrige too, but I get that a high-capacity 10mm is an option as well. You can get real fast with some training, some will be able to put a lot more hurt on the target with a couple of 10mm rounds than they could with a hard to handle big bore revolver.

As for the 329PD: It's among the 3 worst handguns for me when shooting full power loads, the 360PD and the Alaskan .454 Casull being the other two. I'll gladly shoot a 3.5" 460 or 500 one-handed, but these 3 are punishment when shooting hot loads. They're nice and I'd give any one of them a home, but I'd only shoot lower powered ammo. You have to accept your limits.

 

[litsnsirn]

I’ve had one for what I feel like is more than twenty years already. I was a little terrified of it, when I first got it, and getting the S&W 500 rubber grip helped a lot. I started practicing with specials, then green and white box magnums, then the loads manufactured specially for it. I never had the ‘lock’ activate on mine. I eventually got a job where I needed it and was happy to have already become proficient, though in those 3.5 years I never had the call to use it. I was carrying so much junk with me, that if I had something heavier, it might have stayed with my tools instead of on my person. I always liked my 329, the internet had me a bit scared of it, but I never had any issues. The most important thing, I think, is to find what you are comfortable with, practice and build confidence, make sure you have what is best for you and your situation. There is really no one answer for any of these situations, just what might be right for you..

 

[The Mighty S&W]

Obviously 10mm cannot reach .44 Magnum energy levels, but it's a potent cartridge that will penetrate every bone of every bear with the right load in the right gun, and therefore it is a viable option, and you will have more rounds and will be able to shoot faster. Let's not forget that with .44 Magnum, there is no guarantee of stopping the bear before it "stops" you. Many will argue that .480 Ruger/.50AE/.475 Linebaught/.454 Casull/.460 S&W/.500 S&W (take your pick) is the mininum they will trust to protect them from a large bear attack.

If I had the problem, I'd probably go for fewer shots with a more powerful cartdrige too, but I get that a high-capacity 10mm is an option as well. You can get real fast with some training, some will be able to put a lot more hurt on the target with a couple of 10mm rounds than they could with a hard to handle big bore revolver.

As for the 329PD: It's among the 3 worst handguns for me when shooting full power loads, the 360PD and the Alaskan .454 Casull being the other two. I'll gladly shoot a 3.5" 460 or 500 one-handed, but these 3 are punishment when shooting hot loads. They're nice and I'd give any one of them a home, but I'd only shoot lower powered ammo. You have to accept your limits.

Excellent post, and great points all the way around. I don’t doubt that a 10mm will get the job done with the right ammo, and there is no arguing the lower recoil/far superior capacity it brings to the table. I just happen to be one of those aging shooters who values power per shot over other attributes. I’m also the kind of guy who drives around in my 400hp V8 that is only really good in a straight line, knowing full well that a bit less power in a better handling car just might be the better all around option. To each his own. There is no wrong choice. If the question is “should I get ____ firearm?”, the answer is “YES”.

 

[329]

Given my screen name you have guessed I had a 329 at one time and shot it a fair amount. But I never ended up carrying it and shooting it was just...well no fun. With the wood grips it came with it was horrible and after a couple cylinders full I was done. Yes I loaded it down but it was light and with a short barrel I was more difficult for me to shoot well. In the end I just never felt the need to carry a sidearm in the woods and there were a million better options for concealed carry. The tamer grips did help but it was still pretty brutal and caused bad habits (read flinching) if I shot anything else at the same range session.

 

[S&W-Keeper]

I am a fan of the .44 mag, but the 329 is brutal.

 

[steelslaver]

Big heavy bullet, light easy to carry gun?
I have a couple of 2 1/2" barrel 325s.

They also make 4" ones. Just like the 329 only in 45ACP. Heavy bullets? Use 45 auto rim brass of purchase some Buffalo bore 255 gr loads.
I have thought of fitting a 45 colt cylinder to one. But run this one for 45colt although it is setup to also fire acp in full moon clips.

The 325s are brutal with wood grips and I am sure the 329s are even worse. But a good set of rubber grips that cover the back strap makes a world of difference. With wood grips my 325 with TI cylinder was seriously painful. with the rubbers I can fire clip full after clip full no problem

 

[CH4]

Sold mine. Too much of a good thing. I shoot my mountain guns more accurately.

 

[ShadyDrifter]

My favorite caliber is 44 magnum. I love my 2.75 model 69. I despise the 329. When I'm in bear country I carry G20 loaded with 200gr underwood hardcast (not 220s)

 

[Cyclopius]

wow...original poster here. stumbled over this 2 years later.

This thread developeed out with great info. I survived my treks with no shots fired, but in the end I ended up taking both a G20 and the 329PD and good spray as a first defense. Love both firearms and had incredible adventures.

thanks to all who participated!

 

[CH4]

I have and carry both, the 329 when backpacking and G29 and hunting. The 329 is a pleasure to carry, but not to shoot - the chest rig weighs more than the gun. I use 15 round G20 mags in my G29. Best of both worlds.