Whats up with the 329pd?

[cutlass1972]

I am going on a fishing trip up in Alaska this summer and thought I would go on and get that 329pd I have been wanting for years. I have started looking around for one and have noticed that the price of them has gone up a good deal and they are rather scarce with dealers all of a sudden.

I called a dealer that I found on gun broker that had several completed auctions at decent prices to see if he had any more and he told me that he heard they weren't making them any more.

I have seen several threads on several different sites where someone had experienced KB's with a 329pd. Is there an issue with them, or is it the standard 1 out of a million, or a dumb reloader blowing his gun up?

 

[Maximumbob54]

I asked the same question in a LGS and was told that too many guys are trying to act like the 329 is a Redhawk. Too many hot hand loaders out there and with too heavy bullets. I can't imagine what recoil is like in it with standard loads much less hot ones. Stick with factory or standard magnum velocity loads and they are supposed to be fine. As much as I love Ahrends they would come right off for some rubber between me and that hand masher. I would put on a Pachmayr Presentation but that is my choice. A Hogue .500 mag grip would offer the best recoil protection from that monster.

 

[C Islander]

I used to own a 329PD. Even with a magnaported barrel, and factory loads, it was not real pleaseant to shoot.

 

[off road]

I'm a big proponent of the .44 in black bear country, but in Alaska (use to live there!) I would go with a Ruger Alaskan .454, backing up a slug loaded combat shotgun or Marlin .45-70 Guide Gun. The Ruger Alaskan is the best bear SD gun/cartridge combination out there! Based on energy, the .454 has twice the power of the .44.

Ask this guy: http://www.takdriver.com/showthread.php?t=723

Have not seen any 4" PD's in a very long time....

 

[cutlass1972]

I'm a big fan of the .44 in black bear country, but in Alaska (use to live there!) I would go with a Ruger Alaskan .454, backing up a slug loaded combat shotgun or Marlin .45-70 Guide Gun.
.

I understand what you are saying, but I am only going to be up there for a week, and I don't really have a use for an Alaskan down here in KY. I have always wanted a 329pd, I just could not convince myself to part with the money. When I come back home the 329 will make one hell of a backpacking gun.

I believe that a round or two of decent factory 44 mag would make even the gnarliest of bruins think twice about making me a pile of bear poo with bells in it.

 

[dla]

I am going on a fishing trip up in Alaska this summer and thought I would go on and get that 329pd I have been wanting for years. I have started looking around for one and have noticed that the price of them has gone up a good deal and they are rather scarce with dealers all of a sudden.

I called a dealer that I found on gun broker that had several completed auctions at decent prices to see if he had any more and he told me that he heard they weren't making them any more.

I have seen several threads on several different sites where someone had experienced KB's with a 329pd. Is there an issue with them, or is it the standard 1 out of a million, or a dumb reloader blowing his gun up?

One Kaboom will circulate around the gun forums about a million times. There is always some moron who will repost some old event and then his single-digit IQ brothers will comment hundreds of times on it. My point is that the "nattering nabobs of negativity" on forums must be taken with a grain of salt - so to speak.

The 329pd isn't for everyone and if you need it, you'll pay the price. If you don't need it, then you are far better off with a large cannister of bear spray. And don't listen to the forum morons who diss spray as they are related to the folks who recirculate kaboom stories.

I really like the 329pd.

S&W329pd info

 

[off road]

When I come back home the 329 will make one hell of a backpacking gun.

I assume you are looking for a 4"??? Have you considered a 329NG or 329PD Alaskan Backpacker? I have a 329NG on order, for my next generation trail gun. I'm giving up some velocity with a 2.5" barrel compared to the 4", but I have to fanny pack carry, so the more compact length works best for me.

 

[1x2]

I understand what you are saying, but I am only going to be up there for a week, and I don't really have a use for an Alaskan down here in KY. I have always wanted a 329pd, I just could not convince myself to part with the money. When I come back home the 329 will make one hell of a backpacking gun.

I believe that a round or two of decent factory 44 mag would make even the gnarliest of bruins think twice about making me a pile of bear poo with bells in it.

I don't know you, but if I was a loved one, I'd suggest you study bears a little more. You read like you're a little short of respect for them.

 

[cutlass1972]

I don't know you, but if I was a loved one, I'd suggest you study bears a little more. You read like you're a little short of respect for them.

You are correct that I have no experience with them but I have seen the tv shows / documentaries and read some stories. I had a 629es and read the bear attacks book that came with it. That is about the extent of my knowledge.

I have been talking to a large group of resident (and native) Alaskans on a different gun forum about my trip plans. The general consensus is that 44mag is about the minimum any of them consider to be adequate as bear protection when fishing during the summer up there. a LOT of them carry the 329pd themselves.

 

[off road]

Bear wisdom (JJHack posts): Model 29 Mountain - Topic Powered by Social Strata

 

[cutlass1972]

I assume you are looking for a 4"??? Have you considered a 329NG or 329PD Alaskan Backpacker? I have a 329NG on order, for my next generation trail gun. I'm giving up some velocity with a 2.5" barrel compared to the 4", but I prefer to fanny pack carry, so the more compact length works best for me.

I have given some thought to the other 329 models, but I really do like the overall package of the 329pd. As I mentioned before I had a 629es for a couple of years that had I known I was ever going to Alaska I probably would have kept, but I didn't and found myself with a big hunk of steel that was unpleasant to conceal so it was not a good carry gun, and it was a 3" 44mag so it was not a great field gun. I ended up letting it go for something else that interested me more at the time.

I am interested in the 4" titanium cylinder version because I have a thing for ti for one thing. I find the metal fascinating. plus the 4" sight radius makes it a little more useful as a working gun but not so long that I could not conceal it.

 

[blueknight7]

I really think you have answered your own question. You want one. I can think of no better reason than that. As for the fishing trip in Alaska, there is a number of better choices for bear repellant. None of them is a handgun.
Even the .500 S&W is dumping 2600 ft. lbs. of muzzle energy. Guess what, a factory .308 Win. with a 150 gr. bullet dumps the same energy, at the muzzle. I don't consider it a weapon of choice, to stop a charging grizzley, or brown bear. But, it sure beats trying to stop one with a fly rod too.
Yeah, if I was going to Alaska, on a fishing trip, I probably would take my 329PD. But, I also have 11 old Norma 240 gr. steel jacketed soft points. They would be absolutely horrendous in my 329PD. If there is anything in .44 that may possibily discourage or really penetrate a grizzley or brown bear, it would be those.
They were certainly nasty in my 6 1/2" model 29, years ago. That thing is about double in weight, of my 329PD. But, considering the alternative, there is no doubt, I would shoot. As the old adage goes: "Save the last round, for yourself"!

 

[Dump1567]

Bud's has one in stock. Don't know if the price works for you?

Smith & Wesson 329PD .44 Mag/.44SW 4" Airlite HIVIZ $918.00 SHIPS FREE

 

[cutlass1972]

I was just there today (they are local to me). They do not actually have any in stock. I think they are drop shipping or something.

 

[rc82bttb]

That deal at Buds is about the best price I have seen on one in a long time. I have one and would not part with it for anything. Change out the grips and you will be a happy guy!

 

[RAMS]

"Stick with factory or standard magnum velocity loads and they are supposed to be fine." Maximumbob54

It cost me a lot of $ to find out that what you were told is far from the truth, even with porting. Not only do they hurt, but you better get it done with the first shot! Your second shot will be a couple of seconds later, at best. And you're right about the Ahrends; don't even think about it. A 329, however, does make for a dandy 44 Special.

As for an angry brown, Cutlass1972, think short barreled 12 gage five shot slung over a guide's shoulder, and a second pair of pants in your pack.

Spent almost four years up there after the big '64 quake. Still dream about it . Enjoy.

 

[CWH44300]

Ive had one on order up here for 2weeks now not sure whats up, I get most of the guns I order in a few days

 

[rburg]

down here in KY. I have always wanted a 329pd,

Where do you live in KY?

I have one that was on my table all weekend at the Louisville Gun Show. Lots of people wanted to handle it. A lot of smiles, but no one wanted to part with the money.

I bought 2 of them a few years ago. I was convinced they were the Cat's Meow. The reality of owning the gun is you don't fire it all that often. Its the best 44 Special they ever made. Its a bit abusive using Magnum ammo. There are ways to tame the recoil, but you quickly learn no one is stupid enough to go out and burn up a full box of magnum ammo in an hour of range time. The tricks do include better handles on the gun, and shooting glove.

The problem seems to be Mr. Bear won't wait around for you to get all set up with your gloves and stuff. Bears have poor eyesight, and to him you look just like a sandwich. Maybe not his favorite, but he's hungry and he'll settle for what's on his plate.

If you're an experienced shooter, and the bear want's you for lunch, you probably won't even notice the recoil causes your hand and wrist a little discomfort. The bullet is going the same speed out of the 4" 329 barrel that it gets out of a steel barrel. The problem is hitting where you aim.

If you really want one, contact me. Mine appears unfired in its box (the dentist I bought it from didn't fire it.)

 

[cutlass1972]

I just landed one for $775 LNIB 20 rounds fired with what appears to be a hogue rubber grip in addition to the original grip.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I asked the same question in a LGS and was told that too many guys are trying to act like the 329 is a Redhawk. Too many hot hand loaders out there and with too heavy bullets. I can't imagine what recoil is like in it with standard loads much less hot ones. Stick with factory or standard magnum velocity loads and they are supposed to be fine. As much as I love Ahrends they would come right off for some rubber between me and that hand masher. I would put on a Pachmayr Presentation but that is my choice. A Hogue .500 mag grip would offer the best recoil protection from that monster.

"Stick with factory or standard magnum velocity loads and they are supposed to be fine." Maximumbob54

It cost me a lot of $ to find out that what you were told is far from the truth, even with porting. Not only do they hurt, but you better get it done with the first shot! Your second shot will be a couple of seconds later, at best. And you're right about the Ahrends; don't even think about it. A 329, however, does make for a dandy 44 Special.

As for an angry brown, Cutlass1972, think short barreled 12 gage five shot slung over a guide's shoulder, and a second pair of pants in your pack.

Spent almost four years up there after the big '64 quake. Still dream about it . Enjoy.

I don't know what you are saying happened. I am referring only to the amount of wear to the gun. With any alloy frame gun I personally don't try to test limits. It may say .44 Magnum on the side of the barrel but it doesn't say max loads. And there is only a touch of scandium in that aluminum. And aluminum is real soft. Porting doesn't reduce recoil, it limits felt recoil though muzzle rise. And start cutting the weight and you can just about double the felt recoil. Ya just don't get something for nothing. Sorry to hear of your loss and I hope those are good dreams.