Model 69 vs. 329, Update at top got the 329

[2000Z-71]

Broke down and got the 329 today. Took another revolver into Wild West Guns today for some smithing work. Took a look at the 329 and they kept making me offers and throwing in upgrades until I finally broke down.

New in the box 329, both sets of factory grips; wood and rubber, Hogue X-frame grips thrown in as well as a set of LPA fiber optic sights. The sights I'm impressed with. The X-frame grips I'll have to try shooting first, they do lengthen the reach to the trigger.

I have a feeling this thing is going to be a beast to shoot, stick with my .44 Magnum, "Cowboy" lads of a 240gr SWC at 900fps for practice and save the big loads for when they're needed. Lockup is very tight and there is virtually no endshake and a thin barrel/cylinder gap. The trigger is very stiff and will hopefully smooth out, if not a trigger job will probably happen. And the lock is going to go!

I did look at a 69 at another shop. More endshake than any Smith revolver that I've ever handled and the timing was way off, like dangerously off. Not a revolver I would've bought and made me nervous about ordering one from Wild West of what the quality would be when it arrived.

In the end I justified the 329 as more, "Practical"; it fits the holsters I already have for my 629 Mountain Gun, 6 shots over 5, and while it has a 2 piece barrel at least there's a reason for it being an alloy gun rather than just cutting manufacturing costs. It's definitely not a replacement for my 629 Mountain Gun, a gun I'll never get rid of. It's more like an alternative. Legal in Canada, light weight for when I' packing camera gear, hunting gear, etc. It's large revolver especially with the X-frame grips so it's not going to be concealed. I'll still carry the 629 when a large bore revolver is preferred but some degree of concealment s in order. Yes, it sound strange referring to an N-frame as a carry gun, but with round butt grips it can and has been done.

For those who say pics or it didn't happen...

Planning a road trip this summer from Anchorage to Haines, Ak, ferry to Skagway and then driving back to Anchorage. Part of the reason of going to Haines is photographing brown bears. So yes, I want to take a sidearm when out with the camera.

Driving from Anchorage to Haines, we've got to cross Canada before coming back into Alaska. Leaving Skagway, we'll have to cross the Yukon Territory again before returning back to Alaska. Canadian firearms laws do not allow for transportation of a handgun with anything less than a 4.1" barrel. My 629 Mountain Gun has to stay home.

So looking at a 69 and a 329 which both come with a 4.125" barrel and legal to transport in Canuckistan. Both of which are light and compact enough they can be carried with camera gear. Wanting to hear from those who've had experience with both how they compare.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Neal]

Paul 105 has posted considerable experience with both models. I'm hoping he chimes in here.

 

[Breakaway500]

Ive owned both. I still have the 329 and have no plans to sell it.I never warmed up to the 69 and one less round is one less round plus it was heavier.

 

[Mrnurse]

Ahh made a error in post iys 4 1/8 not 4 1/4. Anyway 69 is a good pistol... 5 rds is fine as you will be dead after the 3rd round if you dont place the shot.

 

[Dave Lively]

I own a 69 with the 4.25 inch barrel but my only experience with a 329 was a couple of cylinders of magnums out of a friend's revolver.

How recoil sensitive are you? The 69 with full power ammo is a handful. Due to the lighter weight the 329 crossed the line that separates "a handful" and "too much". There are those that will tell you that nobody remembers the recoil when firing at a charging bear, which is probably true. But too much recoil will prevent you from taking a gun to the range and becoming proficient with it.

If you can handle the 329's added recoil it would be better. For me the 69 would be a better choice. It is also a bit more compact.

What kind of camera gear are you taking? When I think of people photographing brown bears I think of big lenses that top out at 400mm or 500mm. If you are carrying around a beast like that with a full frame body and a tripod the extra weight of a 69 on your waist instead of a 329 is probably not going to be a big deal.

 

[Paul105]

Had to look up the latest 329 specs on S&Ws website. Word of caution, the original 329s have 4" (Not 4 1/8") bbls. Davidsons (galleryofguns.com) still lists the 329 with old pic and 4" bbl. Point being, if you choose the 329, make sure you don't have a "new, old stock gun" with the 4" bbl (don't think the mounties would be real forgiving).

No help with choice -- I could live with either one -- if recoil sensitive at all, go with M69 -- either one more comfortable to shoot with Houge 500 X Frame Tamer rubber grips that cover backstrap.

Paul

 

[2000Z-71]

What kind of camera gear are you taking? When I think of people photographing brown bears I think of big lenses that top out at 400mm or 500mm. If you are carrying around a beast like that with a full frame body and a tripod the extra weight of a 69 on your waist instead of a 329 is probably not going to be a big deal.

Most likely a Nikon D7500 with 200-500mm zoom shot off a monopod with my D7100 and a 18-300 or 16-85mm zoom, or ditch the second body and cary the spare lens in a pocket.

 

[Dave Lively]

Most likely a Nikon D7500 with 200-500mm zoom shot off a monopod with my D7100 and a 18-300 or 16-85mm zoom, or ditch the second body and cary the spare lens in a pocket.

Sounds like it is going to be a fun trip. VR is so good these days a monopod should be good enough and the crop bodies will both give you more reach and reduce the weight of the other lenses.

Good luck finding some bears to photograph!

 

[TMan51]

I shot a M329 at a local range that had "try 'em" rentals. A dozen rounds of Winchester 240gr White box ammo was enough to go upstairs and order a M69, which I had tried out on a previous trip with the same box of ammo. My third .44 Magnum.

I hunt in a area of WY that has a supply of grizzlies, and "it's my always in reach" tool. You can't haul the insides of an elk or mule deer out with a rifle in one hand. I use a load with a 265gr Hornady FP, over 18gr of 2400, and recoil is pretty stiff, but manageable and accurate. It's the heaviest/toughest bullet I can adjust the sights down enough to maintain a 6 o'clock hold. Recoil is quite a bit more than my 5.5" SBH, to be expected, the gain is portability. With luck, I won't have to use it this fall.

The WY guides think the .44M is the bare minimum if you actually need it. For the big Alaskan Browns, a Ruger Super Redhawk 5" in .454 , or a S&W .460V 5" might be a safer bet. (If you have the recoil tolerance, and lots of money for a .460 and practice ammo).

 

[2000Z-71]

Update at top.