jdickson397
Member
I am considering a 329 PD to carry when hunting, hiking, etc. Would appreciate hearing about your experience with this gun. Thanks.
S&W 329 PD AirLite 44 Mag Revolver
- Thread starter jdickson397
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
10mmman
Member
As they say- kills at one end, maims at 'tother
I'm not a big fan of revolvers, but I like my 329pd. The lightweight means it goes with me all the time. I reload and my 329 has a little over 2K rounds through it now (that's my revolver linked to above). S&W customer service is 1st class if you ever need anything.
I have the 329NG, and the grips make all the difference! Pachmayr has grips that do a descent job of dealing with recoil, but the best will be the X-frame Hogue Tamer grips. The downside to the Hougues is that they are huge, while Pachmayr makes some models that are quite compact.
Last edited:
+1
When talking about recoil from the Sc/Ti magnums, I remember the old saying; it's like shaking hands with the devil.
IMO, the only one worse than a 329 is the 340.
Great guns,wouldn't part with my pair. I wear one in a pancake everyday except while at work. No issues at all. Good shooters too,although still not sure about the sights. The recoil is "fun" but can be tiring with some loads. Hope this helps
batmann
Member
I am sure they are great handguns, but part of becoming good with a handgun is practice and it is hard to shoot something that hurts when you shoot it. For just a few onces more, you can get a 629 Mountain Gun and it is something you can practice with.
Without checking, I think there's a few ounces diff between the 629 Mtn. and 629 standard (1/2 lug Classic not the full lug Deluxe or whatever it is) but Mtn. is considerably more than the 329, IIRC.
GRIZZLYBEAR
US Veteran
I was the first kid on the block to get a pair of 329s and I like 'em. I have used mine for hunting, target practice, and carry. I think the 329 is most comfortable carry N-Frame that Smith makes due the weight reduction.
No problems yet but I have sent a lot of lead down range with the 329s.
No problems yet but I have sent a lot of lead down range with the 329s.
I love my 329PD.
First thing you do when you get it is: Remove the OEM wood stocks and, along with the OEM rubber stocks, throw both of them away.
Replace with either the S&W Hogue 500 grips or the Pachmeyer Gripper type grips. Both have rubber covering the backstrap, something neither of the OEM grips do.
The second thing to do, especially if you plan to use your 329PD for SD is to search on this site for "The Plug"; then do what you is obvious.
.44 Specials are easy on the hands; .44 Magnum full loads, you better be prepared for the pain! Shooting gloves highly recommended!
I'll own my .44 mag 329PD until the day I die.
Good luck.
First thing you do when you get it is: Remove the OEM wood stocks and, along with the OEM rubber stocks, throw both of them away.
Replace with either the S&W Hogue 500 grips or the Pachmeyer Gripper type grips. Both have rubber covering the backstrap, something neither of the OEM grips do.
The second thing to do, especially if you plan to use your 329PD for SD is to search on this site for "The Plug"; then do what you is obvious.
.44 Specials are easy on the hands; .44 Magnum full loads, you better be prepared for the pain! Shooting gloves highly recommended!
I'll own my .44 mag 329PD until the day I die.
Good luck.
suckersrus
Member
1. The finest 44 Special you can own! A magnum when you need it.
2. Carry a lot, Shoot a little
3. Get a steel revolver for range use.
Under the above rules, I love mine. If a gun is too heavy it stays at home.
2. Carry a lot, Shoot a little
3. Get a steel revolver for range use.
Under the above rules, I love mine. If a gun is too heavy it stays at home.
Have you checked the top strap shield for wear?
My 329PD has been sent back to the factory twice for top strap shield replacement. I recently started using J-B Weld to lightly "fill in" the gas cutting line in the shield. so far it's working fine!
WoodsCustom
Member
I absolutley LOVE mine. I pack it a BUNCH!
You don't even know you have it on you until you touch off a 300 Grain Grizzly load.
WC
You don't even know you have it on you until you touch off a 300 Grain Grizzly load.
WC
I have been shooting the 44 Mag since 1970.
I started carrying it as a duty gun in 1976.
I carried it as an off duty gun as well, some times even today I still do, even thought I am retired, I will carry it if I am on a road trip, going hunting.
I have shot thousands of full power loads in training...
I have hunted with the 44 Mag. It is my favorite handgun calibre.
[In fairness I must say the 1911 in 45 ACP is my most favorite handgun].
For the last several years the Wife and I have carried S&W Mountain Guns 100% of the time when in the field, hunting, fishing, camping etc...
They are controlable with full power 44 mag loads, even ther 300+gr bullets suitable for the S&W...
However, I have shot a couple of the 329's owned by my buddies.
In short, they are TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING. They kick like the DEVIL.
It would take a serious 44 Mag shooter to be able to control it, IMHO.
I consider myself a Serious 44 Mag Shooter, and could use one to protect my life, but I might let the bear bite me once or twice, just to see if he was REALLY serious...
What I am trying to say is, if this is your first 44 Mag, get a Mountain Gun.
It is all steel, and a LOT more comfortable to shoot, and easy to carry.
Heck, my Wife carries one...
I started carrying it as a duty gun in 1976.
I carried it as an off duty gun as well, some times even today I still do, even thought I am retired, I will carry it if I am on a road trip, going hunting.
I have shot thousands of full power loads in training...
I have hunted with the 44 Mag. It is my favorite handgun calibre.
[In fairness I must say the 1911 in 45 ACP is my most favorite handgun].
For the last several years the Wife and I have carried S&W Mountain Guns 100% of the time when in the field, hunting, fishing, camping etc...
They are controlable with full power 44 mag loads, even ther 300+gr bullets suitable for the S&W...
However, I have shot a couple of the 329's owned by my buddies.
In short, they are TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING. They kick like the DEVIL.
It would take a serious 44 Mag shooter to be able to control it, IMHO.
I consider myself a Serious 44 Mag Shooter, and could use one to protect my life, but I might let the bear bite me once or twice, just to see if he was REALLY serious...
What I am trying to say is, if this is your first 44 Mag, get a Mountain Gun.
It is all steel, and a LOT more comfortable to shoot, and easy to carry.
Heck, my Wife carries one...
NOW, IF you are an experienced 44 Mag shooter, and know you can "get by" in big bear country, with a hard cast 240gr bullet at 1100 fps to 1200fps, or Federal factory 300gr Cast Core, and want an ultra light 44 Mag, then the 329 just might be perfect for you.
It will be the next revolver I buy.
Since I have no problem carrying the 4" Mountain Gun, I have not made up my mind if I want the 4" barrel, and carry it as my primary when rifle hunting, or the 329 Night Guard, with its shorter barrel as a second handgun when on a road trip...
It will be the next revolver I buy.
Since I have no problem carrying the 4" Mountain Gun, I have not made up my mind if I want the 4" barrel, and carry it as my primary when rifle hunting, or the 329 Night Guard, with its shorter barrel as a second handgun when on a road trip...
Similar threads
- Locked
