Gawd I like this subject. And it gives me the opportunity to retell my story of my 329. No, not a reasonable weight stainless steel or carbon steel handgun with some heft!
So we used to go to a mid winter campout. It was just the guys, but did include beer and lots of firearms. So I worked about a half day, then lit out for the site. When I got there they already had a nice fire going. We'd cut and split enough wood for a nice home supply for an entire winter. So's I parked the jeep within crawling distance and walked over to the fire with a chair. But before I sat down, I mentioned I'd bought a brand new gun and would like to shoot it, just for fun. Of course everyone encouraged me. I wouldn't hang out with other types.
So I went back to the jeep and dug out my then spankin' new 329. I had it all gussied up with Crimson Trace grips I almost stole from the dealer. Someone had bought them and didn't like the idea. So I got the gun in my sweaty hand and very, very carefully selected my ammo. Yes, 3 rounds of bear destroying 300 grain full power ammo, and then 3 of my very own favorite reloads in 44 Special.

And I was double careful to index the rounds so "my" 3 came up first.
And like every group of guys, we had one who can do anything better than you or anybody else. Ole Davey was better at everything, just ask him. Or don't, because he'll tell you.
So I walked over to the creek, about 15 full feet away from the fire circle. Took careful aim at the sycamore tree, probably about 4' in diameter. And I fired the first round. I wasn't born yesterday, and it was winter so I had gloves on. But I put on a pretty good show, I whined and complained about how it hurt. So then I fired the 2nd, and put on another Oscar rated performance about pain. When they all stopped laughing about what a wimp I was, I fired the 3rd round of specials and announced I was through, it hurt too bad. Well, that was Davey's clue to jump up and declare he could shoot the gun. And he did.
That first shot really got to him. I think it was Speer grand slam or something like that. And in all fairness, he didn't lose his grip on my revolver. Nor did he cry or anything, but you could see the hesitation in his little mind. And to his credit he fired rounds 2 and 3. But then he handed the gun back to me. And I watched closely while he went over to the cooler and selected a cold beer, dipping it out with his left and putting it in his now mostly useless right hand. Then he sat down. To drink the beer, he'd take it in his left/off hand and put it up to his mouth. Then back to his right for the pain ending cold.
And I sat down next to my buddy Wes. He'd been a detective for the last decade of his 32 years as a policeman. He kind of enjoyed the show but said "Dick, did I notice a different sound from your shots to Davey's?" Yep. Nothing escapes the trained observer. So I handed him the 6 fired rounds. Then he smiled, enjoying someone getting the best of the other guy as much as anyone.
OK, 44 mags are fun, but even more fun with specials. Magnums are OK for a shot or two. None are fun in a 329, they just hurt. I even like to read the guys who post they shoot hundreds of rounds through theirs. But I think they must be gluttons for punishment. Same goes for full weight guns, too.
