Shaking hands with the devil

[CWH44300]

With the news and reality of the new no lock guns.
Thank you Smith & Wesson!
For some reason, I got it in my head that rather the revamp the current line up, that maybe they’d discontinue some of the less popular models.
I’m a big fan of the 329’s, they are my favorite using 44’s.
They are a perfect woods bumming platform for me, so easy to carry and with a good mid range load, not too hard on the ears for the occasional shots of opportunity that I may get. So fearing the worst, I found another one.
This is my fourth one… number one did not live here long, back then I pretty much shot full power loads. Number two was here for a while, long enough to have the blast shield replaced. Maybe close to 3K rounds with most being mid range (250 ish at 950 ish) but I definitely ran a pound or two of 2400 through it. I bought number three not long after number two was here, it came with a really pretty set of Ahrends so pretty that I left them on and shot a couple cylinders of mid range to sight it in.
I usually keep the open back hogues on all my range guns but showed number three to a friend and he really wanted it. After some powerful gun trading he ended up with #2 and I got another 629.
Which leads to number four, bought used but nearly new, like most you see.
lol
#3 is boxed and in the safe, #4 will be used, which leads me to typing all of the above.
I’ve got about 130 rounds though it over the past weeks, different bullets and powders both full and mid range. Just when you think your pretty handy with a six gun along comes the 329 to show you different. These are the hardest 44’s to shoot with anything above a gallery load. They require consistency in your grip and trigger control like nothing you’ve experienced before when switching between regular N frames, at least for me they do. They kick fast and I think that’s what makes them so sensitive.
I’ll stop the rambling and share a few pictures but I’d love to hear your thoughts on the lite weights.

Number three and four

Starting to make friends with it.
25 yards seated arms resting on knees

Some shucks for the 4” N frames that number four will ride in this summer

 

[Mannlicher]

I don't think I have ever seen a 329 or handled one.

 

[475 wildey]

Great gun I have a sw Model29 4 inch and It was ivory handles got carry for a few years in the woods on the road with me plus 5 speed loaders to go with Mild loads but still pushing a 210 grain sliver tip just under 1000 ft a second

 

[CWH44300]

They’re not hard to find, at least around here
I got my first after reading an article in Handloader
If you get chance to handle one, you’ll be surprised how lite they are.

I don't think I have ever seen a 329 or handled one.

 

[75Vette]

Shaking hands wth the devil is right! I never really had the urge to go after the 329PD. I imagine if I did it would probably only see a strict diet of 44 spl. I know how snappy my 442 is with hot 38 spl so would guess the 329 would be a flinch starter.
Have fun with that one buddy.

 

[joebuck]

They are what they are. Great with mild 44 mag loads or any .44 special. Anything full power magnum not too much. The one I had was real nice and smooth but I couldn't shoot any of the barn burning loads I have in it. Plus, once with some Israeli ammo, the hammer cocked itself and the Hillary "safety" engaged itself during recoil locking up the gun. That says it all.

 

[cadmike]

I’ve not had the opportunity to shoot the 329 but I’ve handled one. Very light, it feels very good in hand. I like a 240 swc loaded to about 1150. Would like to shoot that load out of a 329 sometime. My understanding is that the 329 is easily worn out?

 

[45Smashemflat]

I’m a fan of “the 3s” too, but mine are a bit milder.

 

[CWH44300]

I’m a fan of “the 3s” too, but mine are a bit milder.View attachment 763348View attachment 763349

Nice looking guns
Like the way you have them set up
I’ve got a fair number of rounds through the 329’s with eagle secret service boot grips, that’s how I originally carried them. To be totally honest, that’s probably why number one didn’t stay here long.
I’m also pretty smitten with the 317’s, which were purchased as trainers to the 329’s, similar sights that took a while to get use to.
That one got the nod today with the 329’s being a little big while wearing a tool belt.

Hope you enjoy the 3 series has much as I do!

 

[Paul105]

This is probably redundant, so bear with me. The 329 was my all day every day carry gun for the better part of a decade and my bow hunting elk backup well after that. Had 3 of them, still have two. Shot around 9,000 rnds of middle to high end 44 magnum ammo thru them. They went back for repairs multiple times but, except for one time, always an one in rotation. One of my all time favorite double action revolvers. Not easy to shoot - light weight, snappy recoil, v notch rear and fiber optic front not conducive to target grade accy - gun was not ment for that anyway.
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Paul

 

[45Smashemflat]

Nice looking guns
Like the way you have them set up
I’ve got a fair number of rounds through the 329’s with eagle secret service boot grips, that’s how I originally carried them. To be totally honest, that’s probably why number one didn’t stay here long.

The 337 has quite a few miles on it. I bobbed the hammer years ago, and it came with those Hogues. It’s been a daily pocket carry for a few decades.

The 325 is a bit large for that . I wanted a 45ACP revolver to offset my 1911s and just stumbled into a good deal at a LGS. I learned how great moon clips were! It did shoot the rear sight off of it once before I went back and lock tited (is that a word?) every screw on it. It’s a joy to carry, makes big holes where I want them (when I do my part), and has proven to be reliable with quality ammo.

I did have Blaser Brass jump its crimp in it and tie it up. Never used it for carry ammo, so no issue. My carry stuff is typically Fed HST.

 

[CWH44300]

Not at all, always enjoy your posts and was hoping you’d chime in.
Please just don’t put up any target pics, yours make mine seem like I’m shooting with my eyes closed
Lol
Love the photo of the old simply rugged rig, I ran the same set up for a while but find the rig from el passo to be much lighter. Agree with you on the sites, you can do good work with them but they take some time to get used too, the main reason for the 317’s , it’s certainly helped me.

I was going to ask this question in the reloading section but
I’ll post it here now
Looking for experience and opinions on the 260 gr flat base, Keith style from Rimrock. I’ve been shooting the rcbs250k for a long time and need to lay in a supply. The rcbs bullet has worked well for me in both mid range and full bore loads and remains stable and accurate at longer ranges. I used to get them 3k at time from leadheads but always felt they were too hard for the lighter loads. This is a general 44 question and not just particular to the 329.

This is probably redundant, so bear with me. The 329 was my all day every day carry gun for the better part of a decade and my bow hunting elk backup well after that. Had 3 of them, still have two. Shot around 9,000 rnds of middle to high end 44 magnum ammo thru them. They went back for repairs multiple times but, except for one time, always an one in rotation. One of my all time favorite double action revolvers. Not easy to shoot - light weight, snappy recoil, v notch rear and fiber optic front not conducive to target grade accy - gun was not ment for that anyway.
.

.

.
Paul

 

[CWH44300]

I’ve not had the opportunity to shoot the 329 but I’ve handled one. Very light, it feels very good in hand. I like a 240 swc loaded to about 1150. Would like to shoot that load out of a 329 sometime. My understanding is that the 329 is easily worn out?

You should snag one if get a chance
They usually have a few at the post
240 at 1150 is fine when needed but to much for a general use load at least in my old hands
I don’t shoot them often just enough to stay consistent
Current production 629’s live in my range bag and get shot has much as time and components will allow
I really enjoy long range plinking at plates, 100-200yds, in the post endurance guns full power loads can be shot in volume, at least that’s how I treat the dash 6’s

 

[TAROMAN]

Only one I ever saw was in the case at a LGS.
Proprietor said "I'm selling this one for the third time".
Included was a box of factory ammo with 12 gone.
First owner fired 6, then traded it back.
Second owner did exactly the same.
I passed.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Only one I ever saw was in the case at a LGS.
Proprietor said "I'm selling this one for the first time".
Included was a box of factory ammo with 12 gone.
First owner fired 6, then traded it back.
Second owner did exactly the same.
I passed.

That pretty much covers it. Have a 340SC, and have fired it with magnums, which taught me all there is to know about Smith 3-guns.
Did snag a 325, since I'm a fan of 625s. Hardball in that was no fun at all. I've loaded some 200gr AutoRims strictly for that pistol.
If a relatively lightweight .44 is what you want a, Mountain Gun is a much better answer. Eleven hundred foot loads aren't bad in that, and should anchor most creatures, short of a Cape Buffalo. And you can abide practice with it.
BTW, my 325 (and a 317) came with those wretched express sights. They can be replaced with conventional Smith notch sights.
Moon

 

[YouveHadYour6]

There's a safequeen 329PD up in my local classifieds I'd be sorely tempted to add if it wasn't for the infernal lock...

 

[dvc45acp]

A friend bought one to carry while elk and moose hunting. I shot it with Underwood 250's at 1250 and it was useable. However, with less than 1000 rounds, he noted a scratch on the cylinder and frame. Wasn't a scratch but cracks. Sent it to S&W and they returned it saying not fixable. He called and the service lady said send it again and she'd tell the manager. Came back a second time unfixable. He was disgusted. I wonder if it was because he got rid of the lock? Any how, after that debacle, I would never buy one. My old Mountain Gun is close enough. DVC

 

[Yendor357]

^Wow! The gun cracked a s S&W basically said: tough luck?

I cracked the forcing cone on a Ruger GP100 in 44 Special. They couldn’t fix it. So they let me have an SR1911 Target for a replacement. No charge.

 

[Stickgunner]

Only one I ever saw was in the case at a LGS.
Proprietor said "I'm selling this one for the third time".
Included was a box of factory ammo with 12 gone.
First owner fired 6, then traded it back.
Second owner did exactly the same.
I passed.

Nope, it’s not anywhere near that bad. The 329PD has some stout recoil, but I was shooting it one handed the other day and felt the recoil as simply “solid”, and yes that was with magnum loads.

I understand some people are much more recoil sensitive than others, and God balances us out by having others who are less so. I didn’t bother shooting mine with the wooden grips, I went right to Hogue rubber grips. The grips make all the difference in the world. Before anyone “poo poos” the weapon as having too much recoil, I would ask them what grips they were using.

In my humble opinion, if you can shoot 12 gauge, or maybe 12 gauge slugs, you won’t be upset by a 329PD.


ETA- I did order a 629 today, and I’ll probably put more rounds through her than her light weight sibling. If I want to shoot monster .44 magnum loads for hunting or load development, I’ll use my tank of a Ruger Redhawk with its heft and 7.5” barrel. I look at the 329PD as a carry gun for out on the farm, mountains, or deep in the woods.

 

[Paul105]

Not at all, always enjoy your posts and was hoping you’d chime in.
Please just don’t put up any target pics, yours make mine seem like I’m shooting with my eyes closed
Lol
Love the photo of the old simply rugged rig, I ran the same set up for a while but find the rig from el passo to be much lighter. Agree with you on the sites, you can do good work with them but they take some time to get used too, the main reason for the 317’s , it’s certainly helped me.

I was going to ask this question in the reloading section but
I’ll post it here now
Looking for experience and opinions on the 260 gr flat base, Keith style from Rimrock. I’ve been shooting the rcbs250k for a long time and need to lay in a supply. The rcbs bullet has worked well for me in both mid range and full bore loads and remains stable and accurate at longer ranges. I used to get them 3k at time from leadheads but always felt they were too hard for the lighter loads. This is a general 44 question and not just particular to the 329.

That simply rugged holster was original, hand sewn by Rob when he was still in Idaho (before he moved to Alaska). It is very light weigt and pliable (more than most would like). It rode on my pants belt and never came off unless I changed pants. Cinch the belt up and it wasn't going any where.
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Regarding the RimRock 260s - I have a 1000 downstairs and never got around to seeing what they would do accuracy wise.
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Paul