I have a new 329. I have it for 'all day' carry at my cabin with black bears all around me. The gun is for protection only. I know all about it's light weight/recoil and it's effect on crimp jump using too hot of ammo. No problem with recoil as I hope I never have to use it other than to check out ammo or for protection. I need the light weight and I know there are compromises to make. I want to keep this gun and will not give up yet because of the following:
The owners manual that came with the gun said to try shooting 5 rounds of 44 mags and then inspect the 6th round for crimp jump. First, I tried Buffalo Bore 255 gr. keith (Lower Recoil item 4E). I experienced crimp jump on the 6th bullet. Next, I tried Federal 44 Rem. mag 300 gr. castcore. More crimp jump (S&W recommended this ammo). Now what? I can't take a chance this gun will jump up. I don't want to carry another handgun as a backup. I want to solve this problem, but I won't solve it using 44 Specials (there was no crimp jump with 44 specials). And I want solid bullets not hollow points. I hope someone reading this has found suitable ammo that doesn't crimp jump and can tell me what it is. I don't want this gun to jam up on me as I have read it does happen. I want to use the max ammo I can use, but I know I can't use the hot stuff. I have called and talked to Smith and Wesson and they tell me to keep trying different ammo. grrr! Please send me a personal email if you wish as I would appreciate it because as of now I need to get some faith in my 329 and I don't want to buy another gun. Thank you, Gary
The owners manual that came with the gun said to try shooting 5 rounds of 44 mags and then inspect the 6th round for crimp jump. First, I tried Buffalo Bore 255 gr. keith (Lower Recoil item 4E). I experienced crimp jump on the 6th bullet. Next, I tried Federal 44 Rem. mag 300 gr. castcore. More crimp jump (S&W recommended this ammo). Now what? I can't take a chance this gun will jump up. I don't want to carry another handgun as a backup. I want to solve this problem, but I won't solve it using 44 Specials (there was no crimp jump with 44 specials). And I want solid bullets not hollow points. I hope someone reading this has found suitable ammo that doesn't crimp jump and can tell me what it is. I don't want this gun to jam up on me as I have read it does happen. I want to use the max ammo I can use, but I know I can't use the hot stuff. I have called and talked to Smith and Wesson and they tell me to keep trying different ammo. grrr! Please send me a personal email if you wish as I would appreciate it because as of now I need to get some faith in my 329 and I don't want to buy another gun. Thank you, Gary
