OK - Maybe I'm the "odd man out" here...but I love my new 329 PD

[10mm_Bob]

As a professional wildlife photographer who spends as considerable amount of time humping 40 pounds of photography gear through the swamps of SW Florida, I find this revolver to be the PERFECT companion. It's light, easy to carry, and packs more than enough whallop to deal with the occasional wild hog or gator encounter.

I had read all the horror stories about brutal recoil and "crimp jump", but decided to take a leap of faith on a firearm that is designed EXACTLY for the purpose I intended to use it for. I carried a Ruger Security Six (.357 mag) for years, but wanted something a bit less bulky. The 327 PD would have been my fist choice, but they are a bit harder to find since S&W isn't offering them anymore (I'll probably wind up getting one if I come across one at a gunshow or whatever).

The bottom line to me is that the "horror stories" are a bit exaggerated IMO. I can easily handle my chosen carry ammo (Doubletap 250gr WFNGC Beartooth loads) with reasonable multi shot times. I haven't experienced any issues with crimp jump yet (but I'm shooting pretty good ammo, so I don't expect there to be any). I've put about 200 rounds through it now (50 44 spl., 100 44 mag range ammo, and 100 of the Doubletaps). No problems whatsoever. Only mod I made was that I replaced the grips with Pachmyr Decelerators before I even tried it out.

Would I use it for a daily carry (defense) gun? No, not at all. It's not practical for that, nor was that it's indended design. I carry a full size 1911 in 10mm for that purpose.

I doubt that I'll ever put 1000 rds through this firearm, but I feel it is perfect for carrying in the swamps...where everything gets muddy and the semi-autos fail when you need them. I've sure read a lot of negative posts about this firearm, but I think if you stay within it's intended use it's perfect.

 

[spaniel]

Good to hear. I decided to go for a 5" 629 as my first 44 as I already have a titanium 41 for backwoods carry, but I still want a 329PD next.

 

[photoman]

I carried a 4" 329PD for a season. Very nice gun and I never had any ammo issues. Just couldn't get used to it being so light (if you can believe that).

 

[dla]

I'm glad you like it. I like mine too. I think it is the best 44 mag carry solution. I've got about 2K rounds through mine now, 90+% of them full-house 44 magnum loads from 240 - 300grains.

S&W329pd Information

 

[CWH44300]

I love'em too, enough to buy a pair - they are great guns - the only problem I've had is crimp jumping - I had to abandon my RCBS seater die but a 30 year old set from lyman did the trick - even picked up a 317 kit gun to use for an understudy ( to help with the Hi vis sights ) with the right holster it makes a great carry gun for someone wedded to the bigbore sixgun , I use a pancake from simply rugged - I found that the supplied rubber grips work for me and my loads - enjoy your new gun its a fine one.

 

[10mm_Bob]

Thanks for the replies. I haven't started reloading for 44 mag yet, but I will. I reload for 10mm, and became a firm believer in the Lee Factory Crimp Die long ago. I expect I'll buy the same for my 44 mag. I had also heard about the Simply Rugged holsters, and have already ordered the "Sourdough Pancake". Should have it in a few weeks. In the meantime, I just have a Galco that seems to be working OK (a bit flimsy, but the gun is light enough that it will work as a backup). All-inall I'm really happy about this one. Any time you can reduce carry weight by about 20 ounces, and gain more stopping power at the same time, it's a good thing. I'm looking forward to finding the .357 version as well. I expect these will be my trail guns for a long time to come.

 

[Nick B]

Check out Diamond D Custom Leather . A friend has one for a 5" 629 and swears by it .
Also just wondering if you work in the Collier county area ?
Nick

 

[10mm_Bob]

I do shoot in the Collier County area from time to time. I basically consider everything South of Orlando as my "home" area. I like the looks of that guide rig by Double D. Very cool concept, and looks easy to deal with as well.

 

[Rangerpat]

Bob,
I've been carrying my 329NG for three years now out in the wilds of North Florida for the same reasons as you. We also have a good population of black bear that are protected from hunting. I like knowing I have enough gun to protect myself from any critters (2 or 4 legged) that I may encounter in the dark while walking to and from my deer stands. I carry two rounds of snake shot and four rounds of Buffalo Bore .44 Mag 225 Keith-GC; for me, the 329 is perfect for carrying alot and shooting occasionally.

 

[Paul105]

Thanks for the replies. I haven't started reloading for 44 mag yet, but I will. I reload for 10mm, and became a firm believer in the Lee Factory Crimp Die long ago. I expect I'll buy the same for my 44 mag. I had also heard about the Simply Rugged holsters, and have already ordered the "Sourdough Pancake". Should have it in a few weeks. In the meantime, I just have a Galco that seems to be working OK (a bit flimsy, but the gun is light enough that it will work as a backup). All-inall I'm really happy about this one. Any time you can reduce carry weight by about 20 ounces, and gain more stopping power at the same time, it's a good thing. I'm looking forward to finding the .357 version as well. I expect these will be my trail guns for a long time to come.

10mm_Bob,

The 329 has been my constant companion (pretty much all day every day) for the last 5+ years, and I wouldn't be without one – it provides the power to weight ratio that most fits my daily needs.

You may want to remove/disable "the lock". You should also shoot it (or any other new S&W) to ensure your firing pin provides absolutely reliable ignition. Loc tite the thumbpiece screw and frequently check (or loc tite) to make sure the ejector rod is not loosening under recoil (same goes for all screws).

My main carry holster is an original Simply Rugged Soudough Pancake -- carried strongside over the right hip pocket on my pants belt (Milt Sparks 1 1/2"). When bow hunting, the 329 is carried cross draw in a Bianchi Cyclone.
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Ranch Dog Outdoors offers the Lee Rifle Factory Crimp Die (special order from lee -- collet version) for the .44 Mag. This is probably a better option (vs the standard revolver FCD) for the 329. You don't have to worry about case length or "case crumple" with these dies. Good case neck tension and the Lee Factory Crimp (rifle collet version mentioned above) should keep bullet movement to a minimum.
Factory Crimp Dies : Ranch Dog Outdoors, Ranch Dog Outdoors - Lee Special Order Bullet Molds for Leverguns and semi-auto Handguns


FWIW,

Paul

 

[M29since14]

I doubt that I'll ever put 1000 rds through this firearm, but I feel it is perfect for carrying in the swamps...where everything gets muddy and the semi-autos fail when you need them. I've sure read a lot of negative posts about this firearm, but I think if you stay within it's intended use it's perfect.

Interesting you would write that. Earlier this evening I was re-reading a story Jeff Cooper wrote about a little expedition he and a friend took down some Central American river. His friend had a .38-44 Outdoorsman and he had a .38 Super 1911. He commented that he spent a lot of time cleaning the Outdoorsman for his buddy, but comparatively little time with his 1911. I've done all too little boondocking with handguns myself, but when I have, it has always been with revolvers - in my case a Model 29, a Model 19, and later, a Model 66. I only read Mr. Coopers comments many years later.

I agree with your comments about the 329PD. It is a gun those of us in the over-50 crowd would have thought we could only dream of when we were younger, but there it is! The 340PD is another one. Used as they appear to be intended to use, they are remarkable.

 

[10mm_Bob]

10mm_Bob,

The 329 has been my constant companion (pretty much all day every day) for the last 5+ years, and I wouldn't be without one – it provides the power to weight ratio that most fits my daily needs.

You may want to remove/disable "the lock". You should also shoot it (or any other new S&W) to ensure your firing pin provides absolutely reliable ignition. Loc tite the thumbpiece screw and frequently check (or loc tite) to make sure the ejector rod is not loosening under recoil

Ranch Dog Outdoors offers the Lee Rifle Factory Crimp Die (special order from lee -- collet version) for the .44 Mag. This is probably a better option (vs the standard revolver FCD) for the 329. You don't have to worry about case length or "case crumple" with these dies. Good case neck tension and the Lee Factory Crimp (rifle collet version mentioned above) should keep bullet movement to a minimum.
Factory Crimp Dies : Ranch Dog Outdoors, Ranch Dog Outdoors - Lee Special Order Bullet Molds for Leverguns and semi-auto Handguns


FWIW,

Paul

Thanks Paul! Will definitely take your advice here.

 

[10mm_Bob]

Interesting you would write that. Earlier this evening I was re-reading a story Jeff Cooper wrote about a little expedition he and a friend took down some Central American river. His friend had a .38-44 Outdoorsman and he had a .38 Super 1911. He commented that he spent a lot of time cleaning the Outdoorsman for his buddy, but comparatively little time with his 1911. I've done all too little boondocking with handguns myself, but when I have, it has always been with revolvers - in my case a Model 29, a Model 19, and later, a Model 66. I only read Mr. Coopers comments many years later.

I agree with your comments about the 329PD. It is a gun those of us in the over-50 crowd would have thought we could only dream of when we were younger, but there it is! The 340PD is another one. Used as they appear to be intended to use, they are remarkable.

I actually own the 340PD as well. Have carried that pocket cannon for a few years now. It's far worse to shoot with .357 than the 329 is with 44 mag, but I carry it with .357 mag for the same reason I have 44 mags in the 329. If you're in a situation where you need them, recoil will be the last thing on you mind.

 

[neubert500]

Love my 329PD

I LOVE my 329PD even more since putting the Pachmyr Decelerators on it. Seems to be the best grips for me.

 

[xrmattaz]

Love carrying/shooting my 329PD, as well!

It was primarily a .44 Special until I got the Decelerator grips, now it's a Special/magnum, depending on where I'm heading that day.

Been carrying it for years now in its Tucker HF3 holster....best concealment rig I've ever used! The big N-frame is easier to conceal than any of my 14 Glocks, unless one of those is IWB in a VM2, then it's about equal.

Why does the 329 feel like half the weight of a same-weight Glock??? Haven't figgered that out yet (must just be the weight of the ammo).

 

[FTG-05]

I love my 329PD, especially since I put the Pachmeyr Gripper grips on it! .44 full power mags are painful - .44 Specials make it a ***** cat!

 

[balin]

I actually own the 340PD as well. Have carried that pocket cannon for a few years now. It's far worse to shoot with .357 than the 329 is with 44 mag, but I carry it with .357 mag for the same reason I have 44 mags in the 329. If you're in a situation where you need them, recoil will be the last thing on you mind.

my thoughts exactly!!!!!

 

[akviper]

I totally agree with the original poster. My 329 is my summer back up bear and national park gun.