Trail Gun....2.5" M329

[off road]

New to this forum! I posted here, because it is in fact a "self defense" post....

I am frequently camping and off roading in black bear country! I currently carry a 2.5" Ruger Alaskan .44 when camping off of vehicles. Absolutely love the gun, but it is HEAVY. For hiking, I would like something lighter, yet still prefer the 2.5" .44 format. The 329's are a good pound lighter than the Ruger, so these are looking like good candidates. The severe recoil and muzzle blast, are something I am prepared to live with for the convenience of a lightweight/compact .44 trail gun:

Product: Model 329 Night Guard?

Product: Model 329PD Alaska Backpacker

I like the XS night sight and more compact grip on the Night Guard. On the other hand, the grip on the Alaskan Backpacker is probably more recoil friendly, and it's just a sexy looking gun. Neither one is exactly inexpensive!!!

What do you all think of these guns? What holsters are available?

 

[Tailwind]

I may be partial, but mos def the Alaskan Backpacker! It has a SS cylinder, which is good for rainy days on the trail.
You could buy hogue grips for the NG for like $20. i would not let that sway me either way.
Good choices.

 

[off road]

Some bear gun wisdon found here (JJHack posts): Model 29 Mountain - Topic Powered by Social Strata

Previously lived in SE Alaska and BC Canada, so I have had to historically deal with the big bears on a daily basis. Now in So. Calif., and the local mountains (San Bernardino NF) are absolutely loaded with fat black bears that are accustomed to humans! We are also in the Eastern Sierra regularly.

After years of carrying .357's, I have settled on the .44 as the ideal round for black bears (but NOT griz or brown). I know I am giving up velocity by going 2.5", but that is the price one has to pay for better packability. I have fired the 4" 329PD which is 5 oz lighter than the 2.5" (titanium vs ss cylinders). Recoil was not fun but manageable, and I am still trying to figure out what S&W was thinking with those idiotic hard wooden grips.....

 

[feralmerril]

Personaly I like my 24-3 .44 special in 4". Maybe a MG in .45 colt would be the ticket. I like 4" barrels. Hey, a .45 colt will do the job as well as a .44 mag, and so might a .44 special or a .45 acp.
When I am not in my recliner or people watching on a bench at walmart, I am out in the boonies too. Being lazy and doing my exploring on a quad, I can carry anything. Most of the time it`s a .44 special and many times just a .38 or .357. People and rattlers are more my concern.

 

[off road]

A hundred times on the ATV's or dirt bikes, I have come around a blind corner and there will be a bear, cat, deer, or whatever standing there in the trail....just as surprised as I am! So far, the criters have just bolted for cover.

Once I was riding mountain bike just before sunrise. I was climbing a hill, so I was concentrating on that, not the trail. I looked up, and in the dark I saw the form of an animal way up the trail. Didn't think much of it, because there was a guy in the neighborhood who had a huge dog, one of those wolf-husky hybrids. Thinking it was just the dog, I peddled right up to it, and I mean right up till my front tire almost bumped it. Of course, it wasn't the dog, it was a yearling bear. It leaped 10 feet in the air and right off the side of the trail, and I could hear it crashing through the brush for several minutes.

Keep in mind too, that more folks get killed by cattle every year, than by bears! Anybody venturing far outdoors many places in the country, has a chance of running into cattle. There was a nasthy feral bull running around the foothills here for a while, till someone finally shot it.

 

[feralmerril]

I was on a trail ride the other day with a friend. He told me a story that happened to him. He had a mountain goat or sheep actualy charge him! They were on a fishing trip I think he said. I had never heard of that before! He said he shot the sheep, he and some people he was camping with ate what they could and buried the remains. Of course it was illegal, and who would have belived him?

 

[off road]

I have been attacked by a mountain sheep, and a deer. As for the sheep, it was in Glacier NP where the animals are unfortunately very accustomed to humans. It wanted to lick the salt off my skin! I could beat it with a stick, and it didn't really much care.

The deer was in a popular staging area for off road riding, in my local mountains. It was near a fire station, and my guess is that the guys on the crews had made a "pet" out of the animal. It seemed to want a handout, but when I didn't come through, it started wacking at me with its front hooves. Thing was, I was still in full motocross gear, inclusing helmet, chest protector, boots, etc., so I went hand-to-hand with the beast!

Another time, while hiking I had a potentially nasty standoff with a bobcat. Never underestimate any cat!

 

[Combat_Diver]

I've been thinking along the same lines but with a 357NG in .41 mag as that is my caliber of choice. Currently pack my Smith 58 when out and about. Missed the run of 357PDs so looking at a Night Guard when I get home.

CD

 

[Larry from Bend]

Between those two choices, I'd get the Backpacker because I could adjust the sights for my favorite load.

 

[off road]

Between those two choices, I'd get the Backpacker because I could adjust the sights for my favorite load.

I love the XS tritium front sight! I find I have never had a major issue with fixed sight guns, especially seeing that typical combat range is just a few feet. One could however, easily replace the rear sight on the NG with an adjustable designed for another N frame.

 

[Larry from Bend]

I love the XS tritium front sight! I find I have never had a major issue with fixed sight guns, especially seeing that typical combat range is just a few feet. One could however, easily replace the rear sight on the NG with an adjustable designed for another N frame.

Really?? No major issue? I've carried a .44 mag in bear country for 35 years. Both in Griz country and in Black Bear country. If I couldn't sight my revolver in for a specific load for a specific use I'd consider that a major handicap.
On the other hand, if you're not picky about what load you carry you might get lucky and find one where POA and POI match up.
Of course, I've never factored in "sexy" either.

 

[off road]

Really?? No major issue? I've carried a .44 mag in bear country for 35 years. Both in Griz country and in Black Bear country. If I couldn't sight my revolver in for a specific load for a specific use I'd consider that a major handicap.
On the other hand, if you're not picky about what load you carry you might get lucky and find one where POA and POI match up.
Of course, I've never factored in "sexy" either.

Well....I guess you will have to live within your own limitations! We are talking about practical combat distances here....which is a few feet. At that range, I don't even need sights, even if I have time to use them!

 

[off road]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/concealed-carry-self-defense/178881-629-backpacker-2-5-a.html

 

[J.P.60]

Seems to me you have two identical threads titled with two different guns, both seeking opinions which you obviously don't really want. When someone suggests something which may not coincide with the decisions you've already made, you attack. You do not seem to want opinions, you simply seem to want us all to know you have termendous experience with bears and cats of all types and have a safe full of adequate handguns.

Just sayin...

 

[off road]

Seems to me you have two identical threads titled with two different guns, both seeking opinions which you obviously don't really want. When someone suggests something which may not coincide with the decisions you've already made, you attack. You do not seem to want opinions, you simply seem to want us all to know you have termendous experience with bears and cats of all types and have a safe full of adequate handguns.

Just sayin...

As I recall (have not reread all the posts), I did not get any opinions specifically from anyone who actually carries these guns, just uninformed and biased opinions from non-users. So....I hope you can imagin my frustration!

Otherwise, maybe I am just thinking out loud, and hoping someone who is informed will pipe in. In any case, told the gun shop this afternoon to order me a 329NG. I don't think S&W has done a run in a while, so might be hard to find.

 

[Rangerpat]

off road,
I have the 329NG and I replaced the firing pin with a longer one due to a problem with rounds failing to fire. I also replaced the rear sight with a Bowen Rough Country V-notch (adjustable) that has a white verticle line on it, you just put the "pumpkin on the post" and shoot. I also replaced the Internal Lock with "the Plug". The 329NG has a stainless steel cylinder that is colored flat black like the rest of the revolver. I carry my revolver in a Kramer Handgun Leather horsehide belt scabbard.
Here in Florida I have been shooting Hornaday 225 grain .44 mag. rounds through my gun because they shoot well and work on wild hogs.
Good luck with the 329NG, you will really like the front sight in low light conditions.