New 329 Nightguard - NEW RANGE REPORT ADDED -- GO TO 01/11/09 POST

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mrheythere

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NEW RANGE REPORT ADDED -- GO TO 01/11/09 POST


I picked a new nightguard 329 (44 mag) at the local store for $849 (ouch).

After a little work, the lock was gone.

Pictures are below. The details are:

Model: 329 Nightguard converted to prelock model
Safety: between ears
Number of time checked to be empty before work started: 3
Duration of project measured in beers: 1/3 beer
Complaints about beer can be forwarded to [email protected]
Screwdrivers: Wheeler
Gun mat: Old, but cleaned, diaper (thanks kids)
Observations: Gun was a slightly dirty inside. No big deal, as a little wipedown helped. Dirtiest part was cylinder and crane. Trigger pull longer than usual due to grips. Those with small hands may want to switch grips. Trigger was heavy but smooth. Range report to follow in a few days.

P1010049.jpg

P1010050.jpg


Notice lock flag up and hammer back...lock post was filed down to disengage ability to lock.
P1010057.jpg
 
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NEW RANGE REPORT ADDED -- GO TO 01/11/09 POST


I picked a new nightguard 329 (44 mag) at the local store for $849 (ouch).

After a little work, the lock was gone.

Pictures are below. The details are:

Model: 329 Nightguard converted to prelock model
Safety: between ears
Number of time checked to be empty before work started: 3
Duration of project measured in beers: 1/3 beer
Complaints about beer can be forwarded to [email protected]
Screwdrivers: Wheeler
Gun mat: Old, but cleaned, diaper (thanks kids)
Observations: Gun was a slightly dirty inside. No big deal, as a little wipedown helped. Dirtiest part was cylinder and crane. Trigger pull longer than usual due to grips. Those with small hands may want to switch grips. Trigger was heavy but smooth. Range report to follow in a few days.

P1010049.jpg

P1010050.jpg


Notice lock flag up and hammer back...lock post was filed down to disengage ability to lock.
P1010057.jpg
 
Nice job and great pics!

I, however, refuse to pay that kind of cash for a gun I have to immediately go to work on to render reliable. However, I respect others who feel differently.

That's a MIGHTY small .44 Mag and I doubt I'd ever shoot more than .44 Specials in it myself. I'm anxious to heat your range report.
 
I paid near $700 for my M&P 340 and had to get the lock out. Oh well. I just have a hole there where it was.
 
No need to remove the whole lock. Just grind down the flag post. No one can tell from a simple visual inspection.
 
The first thing some guys do when they buy a HP is remove the magazine interlock. 1911s have way too many safeties, especially that one on the grip. First thing I do with a new S&W revolver is pull the sideplate, replace springs and lubricate. I can't imagine not messing with a new gun.
 
That model is probably the only new Smith I'd consider buying.
Let us know how it shoots and your thoughts on ammo for it.
 
This weekend I plan on testing Speer Gold Dots (short barrel), Winchester Whitebox, and a couple of Corbon's hotter loads. I can feel my hand hurting already
 
I picked one up a few weeks ago & like it a lot so far. Ran 30 rounds through it (240 gr. JHP and a few Corbon 320 gr HC lead - recoil wasn't bad at all IMO) before taking it on a pack trip in the Wind River Range. Really a nice gun for my purposes. Paid $858 so I guess you got the better deal!
 
Range Report

Background. I presently own 5 - 44 mags and a 454 Casull so I am not new to recoil.

I also own a Scandium 340 M&P and am aware of how painful 125 grain Federal classic JHPs are when shot from that gun. This unit of pain measurement is known as "one hammer" ... to the hand

I shot three kinds of ammo in the 329 Scandium...hurt the the handium... hand torturer

Winchester whitebox 240 grain soft point
Notes: muzzle flash was huge and intense; recoil was rated as 1.50 hammers hitting hand. FPE unknown. Has anyone chono'd this load? OUCH OUCH OUCH This load is too intense for any practical purpose besides watching your friends shoot it and hurt their hand and cry out in pain. People at the range were watching our reaction when we shot it. I offered anyone a chance to try and EVERYONE declined.



Corbon 305 grain FMJ flat point penetrators
Notes: Little muzzle flash; 0.9 to 1.0 hammers hitting hand in recoil. Box stated FPE = 1145 I thought this load would be much worse than the Winchester WB rounds. I was stunned as this was actually quite stout but controllable for repeat shooting. This is the anti-bear round I use in all my 44 mags. Highly recommend for those choosing a 44 in the woods. (please save your replies telling my how lame a handgun is against bears...I get that)


Speer 200 Gold Dot Short barrel
Notes: Easy and much more comfortable to shoot. Stated FPE is a downloaded 513. This would a really nice defense round for people. .75 Hammers

In the future I will try the Corbon 44 special DPX. A member of Teamcorbon told me that in their testing the round penetrates to the same depth as their 44 magnum loading. Performance is awesome as is most DPX loadings. From all the testing I have read about it on the web, this will be a really nice urban defense round. But at $46 a box of twenty, I am in no hurry to try it, though.

All in all, I like this gun's ruggedness. There were no malfunctions. My deactivated flag did not engage. Trigger was heavy but smooth and as such I could keep it on target better than my Ruger Alaskan.

I was thinking about adding wood combat grips, but I think that might be a mistake due to the intense recoil. Those of you packing snub 44 mags, what do you think?

Sum: This is a lightweight defense gun. Do not buy this if you are looking for a range shooter
 
Holster report.

I picked up a Kramer horsehide holster at the local gun show today. The salesman was very helpful and got me into a nice horsehide RH belt scabbard model designed for a model 27. Being that a model 27 and 29 both share the n-frame, the holster worked great and is a perfect fit. I was concerned about the prominent night sight on the nightguard being a problem but it posed no difficulty. The belt scabbard kept the 329 NG high and close to the body. This is a great holster for snub 29s.
 
Thanks for the report, this was VERY helpful to me.

I'm really thinking about picking up one of these primarily for a woods/trail gun but also for SD especially when travelling, etc...

I've never fired a 44mag, and reading most opinions, you would think this gun would be absolutely painful and uncontrollable.

I have fired the 360pd in 38, 38+p, .357 semi wadcutters and CorBon 140gr JHP (1325 fps). It seemed to be mostly a *****-cat with the 38s, recoil was sharp and noticeable with 357 and really got my attention with the Corbons. But it didn't make me NOT want to shoot. In other words, I always ran out of ammo (or money) before I ran out of desire to keep shooting.

I gave that gun away to a friend who needed it more than me. Now I'm thinking about replacing it with a 44 nightguard.

If I'm hearing you right, I should be able to manage the gun, especially after finding the right loads? I'm thinking that 44sp loads could actually be ""fun" and "pleasant" to shoot...

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I'm sure open to hearing some opinions on this little big gun. It sure looks like a good one.
 
Enjoyed your report. How was the POI compared to the POA? Am I right in thinking the rear sight is non-adjustable?
Dave
 
mrheythere,
Thank you for the reports..
As for the recoil, I think if you replace the stock Pachmayr Custom Compac grips with Pachmayr Decelerator Grips you will tame the recoil quite a bit. Check them out on the Pachmayr Site.
 
Originally posted by xaman:
I've never fired a 44mag, ....
If I'm hearing you right, I should be able to manage the gun, especially after finding the right loads? I'm thinking that 44sp loads could actually be ""fun" and "pleasant" to shoot...
Click to expand...

Thank you for your remarks. The .44 Mag is a robust pistol caliber and is not for everyone. I would really encourage you to rent one before you buy if you can do that. The Scandium pistols have a more severe recoil since they are so much lighter.

I think you will find 44 special OK to shoot and fun. Let me know if you find an inexpensive source. Most suppliers in my area charge as much for 44 special as they do the magnums (if not more). I think a lot of people who shoot this load actually load their own.

The Nightguard would not be the gun I would choose to take plinking or to the range on regular basis. However, it is a gun I would rely on to save my life while in the woods. In the city I would use a completely different set up.

The Nightguard's light weight makes it a fine gun to carry out in the bush.

If I get a chance to pack it around in the next couple of days I will update the holster report.
 
Originally posted by cowboydave:
Enjoyed your report. How was the POI compared to the POA? Am I right in thinking the rear sight is non-adjustable?
Dave
Click to expand...

I think you are correct as to the sight (nonadjustable). I see no adjustment that I can recognize. I was only shooting form 21 to 30 feet so my accuracy response is limited to those distances. The pistol's POA and POI were close using a unsupported offhand shooting. The pistol is more accurate than me. No know POI/POA issues to report.
 
Originally posted by ArchAngelCD:
mrheythere,
Thank you for the reports..
As for the recoil, I think if you replace the stock Pachmayr Custom Compac grips with Pachmayr Decelerator Grips you will tame the recoil quite a bit. Check them out on the Pachmayr Site.
Click to expand...

Great recommendation! You read my mind. I have the Decelerator on a 4 inch 629 purchased from another forum member. I totally agree on the ability of that grip to absorb recoil. Also the Decelerator results in a shorted reach to the trigger by a significant margin. For me the Decelerator is much more comfortable. I compared the 329 (compaq) and 629 (Decel) side by side today. The decelerator will add 1/2 inch length to the grip but will shorted the reach to the trigger more than 1/8 inch for me This results in a lighter perceived feel on the trigger. All this being said I do not know if I will change. I like the look of the compaqs on the 329.
 
mrheythere - nice report on your 329, I bought a 396NG a short while back, I considered the 329, but I have several 44 mags and liked the size of the 5 shot L frame. I'm still in the load development stages with the gun but have had no problems whatsoever with it (other than some of the finish coming off the front of the cylinder (holster?). Recoil is very snappy but tolerable.
Jeff
 
CCW update

I carried the 329 in the Kramer holster all day today including a couple of hours while fishing a local river. The 329 is wonderfully light for carry. The Kramer kept it tight to the body and out of the way for fishing. BTW, I landed a nice rainbow and cutthroat.
 
Originally posted by ArchAngelCD:
mrheythere,
Thank you for the reports..
As for the recoil, I think if you replace the stock Pachmayr Custom Compac grips with Pachmayr Decelerator Grips you will tame the recoil quite a bit. Check them out on the Pachmayr Site.
Click to expand...
Exactly what he said!
 
mrheythere
Thanks for the reports and the pics. I fondled one of these at the gun shop a couple weeks ago...WOW! I want it bad...but I'm trying to think of a niche for it...might just have to have it to have a .44 snubbie to go with my 8 inch Dan Wesson.

I almost want the L frame .44 spl, but I'm not willing to give up the capacity of my 686+ for carry.

I noticed someone mentioned that they were noticing that the finish was already showing some wear on the cylinder.

That is disappointing...I was hoping that the finish was durable...it sure is attractive.

What is your opinion on the durability of the finish?
 
This is another update. I swapped the compact grips for some Hogues. Generally I prefer Pachmayr over Hogues, but not in this case. I can now reach the trigger with the crease in my index finger. I was barely able to reach it with the factory Pachmayr grips.

My only concern now is that I have taken a pistol with hammer hitting recoil and removed the cushion between my hand and the gun...OUCH. I probably should have put on the Decelerators others recommended but I wanted to try to keep the gun compact.

I will provide a range report in a few weeks.

Photos below. Notice how much more thin the Hogue is.

IMG_0046.jpg

IMG_0048.jpg
 
If you plan on carrying this pocket rocket...you need to bob the hammer and put a set of Eagle agent wood grips on that puppie! Then it would look just like mine. Been carrying it in my coat upper breast pocket all fall and I love it. Nice back up to my main hip side 1911 Les Baer 45acp in a Sparks VM2. Be careful out there!
 
Another convert!

Good thread, too. A lot of important points covered here. Yes, the 329s are very good guns, if for limited purposes. I would advise anyone not to make it their only 44 mag. It then becomes a great first line gun, with the heavy one being carried and used a lot less.

The 329 is probably the best 44 special they've ever produced, and thats saying a lot from a company which pretty much made the caliber. With mild or average Specials, its a pleasure to shoot. There is a gun that gives it a run for the money. The early, pre-lock 396. Sure, you only get 5 shots, but its significantly thinner and easier to handle.

Back to the idea of taking apart a new gun. Yes, almost all of us do that anyhow. Those that don't really have no room to complain about rough actions, or stiff springs. You'd just be amazed at the crap I've found in revolver actions over the years. The most common is balls of gum, like dried out oil or grease. But I've also found dried out bugs (how they got there other than crawling into tiny holes, I haven't a clue.)

The worst things have been inside some of the best guns. My beloved 337 was full of black grit and greenish oil. I have no idea where that came from other than the manufacturing process. The grit was clearly abrasive of some kind. It flushed out fast and easy, as did the excess oil.

I view the internal lock much like the springs. The factory did a terrible job of selecting those components. Wolf did a much better job of designing springs that will do the job pleasantly. Nothing adds to the general shootability as much as replacing 2 of those. And the lock nub just should be viewed as something with a burr on it that needs to be removed. I personally prefer a dremel too, but if a file works for others, thats OK, too.

I don't have the short barrel gun. Mine is the 4" earlier model. My only complaint is the front sight is the stupid plastic light pipe, which seems to hang up in some holsters. The NG seems to solve that.

Even though I hate CTC with a passion due to their earlier sins, my 329 has a set on it. It was my "profit" from a trade for another N frame gun. They work acceptably as handles on the gun. At close ranges and with 44 shot loads, you can be pretty sure that where the dot sits, the shot pattern will be close. If you put it on the 'coons ass, he will shift into overdrive when you let go with the shot.
 
Originally posted by istricky:
If you plan on carrying this pocket rocket...you need to bob the hammer and put a set of Eagle agent wood grips on that puppie! Then it would look just like mine. Been carrying it in my coat upper breast pocket all fall and I love it. Nice back up to my main hip side 1911 Les Baer 45acp in a Sparks VM2. Be careful out there!
Click to expand...

Do you have a picture of yours with the Eagle Agent grips you could post? Thanks
 
rburg-I'm curious. What are the "earlier sins" regarding CTC lasergrips? Just bought my first pair-for a 1911-and like them so far.
 
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