Impulse Purchase 329PD...

[WNC Seabee]

Went to my local shop and range this afternoon for a little stress relief...put 250 rounds through my MP 15-22 in about 20 minutes. GREAT stress reliever!

On my way out, the shop owner shows me the 4" 329PD he just got in. Long story short...I took it home for $600 OTD. No box or accessories, but in great shape. I don't know much about these, but I think I may have gotten a heck of a deal. I've seen them going for $700+ if I'm not mistaken.

Now to work up a nice light load so I can shoot it without breaking my wrist! =)

 

[Maximumbob54]

Hogue X frame grip

 

[Hondo44]

Hogue X frame grip

Agreed, the 1st thing I'd suggest you do is get the factory S&W 500 Mag X frame "Tamer" grips for it with the neoprene padding on the backstrap. It'll make the 629 a whole lot more pleasant to shoot. Otherwise the felt recoil is worse than the 500.

Part number 037730000, $37.00 from either S&W or special order from Brownells. They'll have the S&W insignia molded into the grip and are original factory grips.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Otherwise you may be its next previous owner...

 

[WNC Seabee]

Thanks guys, I've got the X Frame grip on the way as of a few minutes ago.

I should clarify that the actual purchase itself was more "seizing the opportunity" rather than impulse. I've been following the other thread where a member "inherited" a 329PD from his son and thought the 329PD sounded like just what I was after for a woods companion.

 

[C Islander]

I'm a former 329PD owner. I'll let you make your own decission.

 

[blueknight7]

If you have a pair of Past shooting gloves, you can get a few shots down range without dying. Actually, I can shoot mine with the Ahrends on it, and without gloves, but, its not much fun.

It does become a flinch inducer if you do many bare handed, with an open backstrap and no gloves. Gives a whole new meaning to stinging the hand. It is about once removed from slapping an anvil, flat handed, as hard as you can.

This weapon deserves alot more than killing yourself on the back side of it. Its accuracy is inherantly as accurate as my Colt Python, that I shot with the Police Pistol Team, back in the 70's. As I have said before, it will drive nails, if you will learn to handle it, and not let it handle you.

 

[CWH44300]

you got a smoking deal their going for $800+ up here and I just paid $1050 for a new one.I think they have great potential has a carry gun if your stuck on big bore revolvers ,which I am ,and they are a blast to shoot . So try it you might like it and if you don't you'll probable do all rite trading

 

[dla]

Funny. I've owned my 329pd for a little over a year now. I carry every time I'm in the woods. I've spent more time fiddling with loads, and had more fun shooting it than any other firearm in my stable. I'm over 1500 rounds through it. If the weather wasn't so absolutely miserable today I would be out lobbing more lead with it. For me it has a high "fun" factor.

 

[neubert500]

DEARLY love mine! Wish I could find a deal on another one like you did!

 

[WNC Seabee]

Well, I finally got it to the range this morning.

3 rounds of Remington factory 180gr JSP were just BRUTAL! =) Painful recoil and HUGE flash.

Thankfully I also brought along a couple reloads to try. 7.8gr of TiteGroup over a plated 240 gr FP from Rocky Mountain was just what the doctor ordered. I ran 30 rounds of that with good accuracy (not my goal today) very manageable recoil, not much more noticeable than my 5" 629. Just so happens this load is favored by my Marlin 1894 carbine as well.

My 500 grips should be here later in the week, so I'm looking forward to testing some more loads, but as of right now I'm proclaiming this one a "Winner"!

Also...looks like I need to pay some attention to my crimp. I marked one round with a sharpie so I could keep track of it. After 4 rounds fired, the bullet was "seated" .035" longer than where it started....

 

[CWH44300]

I had to change dies my rcbs crimp die just wasn't cutting it. I changed to an old lyman set and the crimp looks perfect and it holds a 253gr with 20gr of 2400 when subject to 5 rounds of recoil the 6th has moved just a few tic's on the caliper , this load produces SHARP recoil in the hand pounding 329......it is a blast to shoot.Hope you enjoy this fine gun has much has I do

 

[geronpg]

329 pd = fun

I agree with you guys - it's such a fun gun. It was one I just "had to have" and bought one new about 4 years ago and never regretted it. $600 is a good deal. I've kept the wood grips on mine, because they fit my hand. Yes, it stings a little, but I don't shoot it a lot. I practice with other guns, and carry that one when I'm scouting or hunting.

 

[dla]

Put a Pachmyer or Hogue on it and it won't be such a beast to shoot with regular 44 mag loads.

S&W329pd Information