Tell me about your 329 PD

[84CJ]

I have a craving for one of these little monsters. Tell me about yours. I have priced it and can pick one up for around 850.00 What do you think?

 

[Nanook 450]

I've carried one in the field for around five years and have no problems with it. The finish wears off at the edges - I did a trigger/action job and installed tritium sights front and rear. Shoot a lot of heavy special loads or light magnum loads. Always clean the cylinder when swithing between loads or it may bind. Some loads jump crimp and can lock it up - this may be cause for catastrophic barrel exploding as per some recent posts here. Generally its a beater and a shooter - it gets carried a lot more than shot.

 

[blueknight7]

Good price, considering, if its new, its dealer price. Yes, I have one, with a factory frame change. Carry alot. Shoot alot less. Reasonably stiff charge of 2400 over a Laser Cast 240 gr. semi-wadcutter. My reason is simple. I refuse to be hog bait. Where I live, they are as close as the field to the south of me. I do have the X frame Hogue grips on it. Takes a bit of the bite out of it. 3 inch groups at 50 yds., double action. Not qualification course fast, but, about 1 shot per second, maybe a bit longer. I also have a shooting range just outside my door too.

 

[Homie]

After the "new" wears off and you've shot some standard .44 Mag factory ammo or equivalent, you'll shoot a lot of 1000 fps .44 Specials or Mags. The Hogues are a good idea.

No problems though.

Good shooting.

 

[K1500]

Buy it, I love mine. It is not a high round count range gun with magnums, but specials aren't too bad. I carry mine with a Galco IWB alot and really like the light weight. I also take it backpacking, which was my 'intended use' justification when I bought it. It is my go to woods gun.

I had light firing pin strikes, which are a somewhat common problem. S&W took care of it under warranty, but I should have had them do an action job while it was there. The SA pull is sweet, but the DA is somewhat heavy.

Edit: I just saw in another post you said you were a tall thin guy that hates recoil. If the hating recoil part is true, this gun is probably not for you. I have heard several say they thought it had more/worse recoil than a 500. I don't know because I've never fired a 500. I suspect the hating recoil part was a ruse, in which case I say again, go for it!

 

[WHO CARES]

It's the nicest 44 special you'll ever find! It also has the ability to take the magnum loads when needed as well. I've had mine for five years now. I switched out the orange front sight for a black ramp early on. I tried quite a number of different grips and have finally settled on Pachmyer compacts as they fit my hand well and they also cover the backstrap of the grip - the part that hits me the hardest with recoil. 19 grains 2400 with 240 JHP for mag loads and 6 - 7.5 grains of unique with 250 Keith SWC for most shooting. Easy to hit with and a fun gun to shoot!

Ward

 

[dogdoc]

I love mine and carry it deer hunting and when in bear country. I had the lock jam my gun 2 times with full power loads so i got rid of the lock. I sent it back to Smith for repair and after I got it back It locked up again! Enough was enough so I removed it and the gun is doing great now.

dogdoc

 

[Hook686]

Shooting the Speer Short Barrel 200 grain Gold Dot .44 magnum loads is not painful. On the otherhand a 'full house', like the 300 grain Hornady .44 magnum load 'rocks my boat'.

I find the 329PD a great handgun to carry on a hike up into the Sierra Nevada mountains, and 50 rounds of the light magnum, or heavy .44 Special I do not find a painful range experience.

Nice revolver.

 

[M29since14]

I don't shoot my 329PD much, and, other than satisfying my curiosity, I could live without it. But then, I don't live where a 329 comes into its own. That's probably the key.

The gun is no heavier than a .45 Commander, but it is not nearly as handy to carry - and it is WORK to shoot. The Hi-Viz sights are annoying to me. I replaced them with plain black sights. A young guy with sharp eyes might feel differently. The light weight of the gun makes it VERY hard to shoot well, IMHO.

What level of recoil bothers you will determine whether you like the gun, and actually use it. It is beyond my ability to enjoy with 240 gr or heavier full-power 44 Magnum loads. For me, it is a 250 at 900-1000 gun, max.

All that being said, the thing is a marvel, of sorts. I guess it is worth having, based on that alone. I would rate a stainless Mountain Gun higher on my list, for all around utility. However, if I walked a lot in rough country, I might change my mind.

 

[84CJ]

Many thanks

Thanks for the information I don't see me shooting this thing a lot. And would most likely shoot a factory 240 grain. Unless I get back into reloading(which is very likely). I want more of a back-up while hunting and trail riding in the mountains. Mostly trail riding thinking about hunting a little this year with a friend that is wanting to try it. He has never hunted anything but is showing an interest. I will likely being shooting a ruger deer slayer and I have an 8 3/8 629. I seldom shoot past 75 yards around here.

I did say I was not a fan of heavy recoil. I am only 45 but seems the older I get the more sensitive I am too it.

I have a very good friend that is a dealer so he hooks me up when I need a fix.

The other thing is I just like the looks of the damn thing for some reason. Been telling myself I don't need it. I have a few 44's a 500 and a 460. The 460 is the smallest at 7.5 inches.


Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and opinions on the 329. I think I gotta have it. The little no voice is just not loud enough.

 

[peyton]

IMO a 3 or 4 inch Stainless steel 629 would serve you better, no lock, no barrel problems (big thread here about that).
Since you have the longer barreled 629 you could just put a shorter barrel on it. The 329 is light but it has problems.

 

[K1500]

If you think you have to have it now, wait until you pick one up! I am one of the fools that actually shot the gun before buying it and I still went out and bought one.

I agree that a steel 4" 629 or Mtn. Gun is probably better overall as a 'one gun for everything' type of deal, but the 329pd is perfect for the backpacking/rural defense niche.

 

[YogiBear]

Aloha,

I have one because I liked what it is.

Call me wimp as 44 spl loads that I love in my 396 are unbearable in the 329. All I could do to get thru one cylinder full.

After reading previous postings, a change to different grips may be part of the solution of sensitivity(?) to recoil.

Any suggestion on which grips reduce recoil best?

Since Hawaii does not have CCW and the barrel length is too short to hunt with, carrying is not an option.

Thank You

 

[K1500]

I have heard the X frame grips that come on the 500's and 460's will fit and work well. I think they are made by Hogue. I would not know from first hand experience, as I use the wooden grips that came on the gun. A shooting glove helps some as well.

If specials are too much, perhaps you can try the SASS/cowboy specials. If the gun is still a handful and you can't hunt or carry, you could trade off to an all steel gun.

 

[84CJ]

IMO a 3 or 4 inch Stainless steel 629 would serve you better, no lock, no barrel problems (big thread here about that).
Since you have the longer barreled 629 you could just put a shorter barrel on it. The 329 is light but it has problems.

That post is what prompted me to ask the question. I wanted to get a broader view of the 329. I know you can get a lemon with anything weighing the chances of getting a lemon.

 

[blueknight7]

The Hogue grips made for S&W X frame guns, i.e. .500, .460, and only available through them, is the way to go. You can get them on S&W's online store. Sometimes, in your choice of colors. They are a great shock absorber. Past shooting gloves help too.
If you need to shoot, in the heat of battle. You will need to practice. Its not the gun you want to go out and run 300 rounds through, every day. But, 50 per week isn't a killer. Personally, I love mine. It does everything i ask it to do.

 

[myanof]

The Hogue grips made for S&W X frame guns, i.e. .500, .460, and only available through them, is the way to go. You can get them on S&W's online store. Sometimes, in your choice of colors. They are a great shock absorber. Past shooting gloves help too.
If you need to shoot, in the heat of battle. You will need to practice. Its not the gun you want to go out and run 300 rounds through, every day. But, 50 per week isn't a killer. Personally, I love mine. It does everything i ask it to do.

X frame grips are great if they fit your hand. I personally can't shoot double action with them due to my hand size. I'm still looking for a good alternative grip for my mountain gun.

 

[Gun&KnifeCountry]

Swapped for a 629 Mtn Gun

I had one for about 4 years honestly sat in the safe most of the time. It's great 44 special as many have posted. I just couldn't shoot through the recoil. My decision was made when several of us were out shooting. Between a 500 Smith a Freedon 454 casull and the 329 everyone agreed that the 329 was worse all three guns being shot with full house loads. The recoil is sharp and stinging versus the push of the others. Took it out with a friend this summer for one last chance. Shot some 300 grain xtp's and reminded myself I didn't need it. Sold it and went and bought a 629-4 mountain. Haven't looked back. Lightweigt Commanders should not be chambered in 44 magnum.

 

[Sportsterguy]

The Hogue grips made for S&W X frame guns, i.e. .500, .460, and only available through them, is the way to go. You can get them on S&W's online store. Sometimes, in your choice of colors. They are a great shock absorber. Past shooting gloves help too.
If you need to shoot, in the heat of battle. You will need to practice. Its not the gun you want to go out and run 300 rounds through, every day. But, 50 per week isn't a killer. Personally, I love mine. It does everything i ask it to do.

Don't own one but excellent advice on the recoil reducing tips! If I did own one the lockotomy would be my first mod to it.

 

[blueknight7]

Oh darn, lock fell out. Its been in the case in a ziplock bag, for months. Why tempt fate, when you don't have to.