Smith & Wesson 329 PD Anyone shot it?

[Chuck Perry]

Sounds like a job for- LEE FACTORY CRIMP DIE!!!! On a different note, I carried the big Smith concealed for a few hours tonight while shopping with the family. Carries nice, hardly notice it. Does shift around a bit, needs a decent IWB instead of just jamming it in your waist. Just too cool to carry a 4" 44 Magnum concealed.

 

[Glamdring]

Garret ammo is real scarce up here

I haven't seen anyone stock it at all! I thought you had to order it unless you found some at a gunshow.

 

[tex_n_cal]

Yet another reason for handloading - the expander plug needs to be turned down at least .005" smaller than bullet diameter, to get a tight bullet fit in the case. A tight crimp by itself isn't enough to stop bullets backing out.

I'm thinking 250 Keiths at 1200 fps, myself for black bears, and 200 Speers at 1200 fps for varmints, two or four legged.

That said, I'd like to have a 329, but the local shop has one at $917, and I will wait for the next sale.

 

[Chuck Perry]

Whew! I got mine for $689.

 

[John Ross]

re: Bullet Pull

Cor-Bon 300-whatevers pull badly in this gun. I have never had one of my cast loads pull, not even a 320 @ 1200, or a 250 @ 1150 in an 18-ounce 396 (worse recoil than the 329 with 320s). Cast slugs have a deeper crimp groove than the little cannelure on most jacketed bullets.

JR

 

[Glamdring]

Any updates on the 329?

I have a 4" 629 and am seriously thinking about adding a 329, plan to have it mag na ported if I get the 329. Most practice would be with the 629 which is unported.

The 329 would be more for carry when hiking and such when a 357 or 10mm doesn't seem like enough.

 

[dairycreek]

My son-in-law and I jointly purchased a 329 several months ago. It is no surprise that a TiScan gun in 44 magnum will have substantial recoil and, make no mistake, the 329 certainly does. It is certainlly not the hand numbing, wrist mangling, arm twisting stuff that is mentioned here but it is substantial. I bought a grip for it made for the 500 S&W and affixed it to the 329 and it makes a world of difference. Still quite a bit of recoil but the gun is a lot more manageble than with either of the factory grips that come with it. For carrying a back up gun in the wilderness the 329 just can't be beat and the Hogue grips make a lot of difference.

 

[redbone]

I've had my 329 for almost 3 years now. Regular factory 240 gr. loads are stout, but tolerable. The stiffest load I've tried is the Federal castcore (300 gr., I think). Lots of recoil with those. I don't like to shoot .44 specials in mine, when I want lighter loads I use the cowboy action .44 mag stuff (I'm not a reloader, but it certainly would be useful with the cost of .44 ammo). It's sighted in with 240 grain Hornady loads right now, for the deer season. Maybe someday...

It's not a revolver that I that shoot a lot, but it's certainly one that I like to carry when I'm in bear country. I shoot it enough to keep my hand in, and practice a lot more with a Model 28. I believe that proficency with about any 4" S&W revolver, particularly one built on the same size frame, goes a long way to being proficient with other models. Even practice with a 4" model 15 is helpful.

The trigger on mine is superb. Not quite as good as my early 70s Model 28, but it's plenty good enough. I wouldn't think of using the word "gritty" to describe it.

I've shot it with both the factory wood and rubber grips. I've settled for the rubber, although I really don't see a lot of difference, I'm just trying to keep the wood grips in nice condition, I suppose. The idea of using a set of grips from a .500 sounds interesting.

One thing to consider about the magna-porting option is the noise level. Every ported gun I've ever shot (not many, admittedly) was significantly louder to the shooter than an unported version. Not sure what that would do to ones hearing in the great outdoors with no ear protection. I'd hate to be deafened right after a bear attack.

I paid $600 at Popguns in Indy one day when they had a $100 off sale. Didn't have to think about that one too long!

If you're looking for a good backcountry .44, I heartly recommend it. And the endorsement by WildAlaska is a heck of a lot more significant than mine.

RBH