|
Post by 500fksjr on Jul 6, 2014 17:07:31 GMT -5
Was at the LGS yesterday and seen one of these sure is lite, thought it would make a great walk around piece with skeeter loads...Anyone have one or have imput. Thanks in advance
|
|
|
Post by maxcactus on Jul 6, 2014 17:14:02 GMT -5
Ah, the T-Rex of revolvers - kills on both ends. I've wanted one for some time but reports of the recoil have put the fear of bloody hands and uncontrollable flinch into me. Maybe if Smith produced it in .45 ACP or. 45 Colt (for standard loads only!) I'd be more interested.
|
|
cable
.327 Meteor
Posts: 681
|
Post by cable on Jul 6, 2014 17:21:24 GMT -5
had one since they came out. gets carried a lot, in a horizontal shoulder holster. take it four wheeling, fishing, float tripping etc.
very accurate. have rubbery grips on mine, otherwise it is intolerable. use 240-250 gr loads, otherwise mine would lock up.
not really the gun i would carry just for handgun hunting, but perfect to have as an as needed tool.
|
|
|
Post by subsonic on Jul 6, 2014 18:12:52 GMT -5
Not a fan. The recoil, at least to me, wasn't so bad. But the durabilty was a problem. Mine went back to s&w and stayed there.
I've had 2 S&W guns with Titanium cylinders. They both had problems.
|
|
|
Post by serialsolver on Jul 6, 2014 18:50:37 GMT -5
I had a 329pd and 329ng. I liked them. They were accurate. I used 44sp loads or a lite mag load. If I kept shooting my 329pd I would have needed to send it back to smith for a new frame. It was comforting to have in my hand when in the woods looking for pigs. I sold them cause n frames just don't fit my hands and my hands don't like the pounding. I don't miss them my 696 and 396 will do what I used the 329pd and 329ng for. Before I would get a 329pd I would get a 69. The new L frame 44mag.
|
|
|
Post by paul105 on Jul 6, 2014 22:41:49 GMT -5
I've had 3 of them, still have two. Depending on the load (obviously), recoil can be memorable. Even the "Skeeter" load will get your attention. They can be somewhat difficult to shoot accurately, due to the sights (V rear, fiber optic front), lack of weight and sharp recoil. They are prone to bullet pull (crimp jump) and recoil induced lock engagement. They will not stand up to the continuous pounding of any load above and including the the heavy .44 Special "Keith" load (250s at 1,150 fps or so in a 4" bbl) without frequent returns to the factory for repair(s). However most owners probably won't shoot enough magnums to have to worry about frequent repairs. Don't know how they would hold up to a steady diet of moderate .44 special loads, but doubt there would be any of the problems associated with heavy loads. With that said, I wouldn't be without one. Mine have the S&W 500 X Frame Hogues and the lock has been removed (not a recommendation, just sayin'). The red fiber optic front is easily seen in the dark woods even without my glasses. If I ever had to use it in a serious situation, I doubt I'd even notice the recoil. The power to weight ratio is perfect when I think I need protection from an unwanted close encounter, whether walking the dogs, or bow hunting elk. I have other guns for other uses. One last thought, there are several "Recoil Junkies" on this forum that will tell you that the 329s recoil is no big thing -- unless you are one of those folks, don't you believe it. I think pictures make these posts more enjoyable, so here's my much used 329 and some of the country we frequent. FWIW, Paul
|
|
|
Post by warhawk on Jul 6, 2014 22:47:41 GMT -5
Not a fan. The recoil, at least to me, wasn't so bad. But the durabilty was a problem. Mine went back to s&w and stayed there. I've had 2 S&W guns with Titanium cylinders. They both had problems. A man over on AR15.COM sent his 329PD back to smith and had it fitted with a stainless cylinder. If mine gives me any trouble that's what I intend to do. BTW, Smith does make this gun (almost) in 45 ACP, the Thunder Ranch 325.
|
|
|
Post by paul105 on Jul 6, 2014 22:59:52 GMT -5
I wonder if a stainless steel cylinder would help? A lot of the return to factory problems I had were frame/gas shield and carry up related -- never had a problem with the ti cylinder per se. Might even make things worse if tolerances weren't real tight (heavier battering ram type situation) -- all speculation on my part -- don't really have a clue.
FWIW,
Paul
|
|
|
Post by taffin on Jul 7, 2014 2:56:03 GMT -5
Was at the LGS yesterday and seen one of these sure is lite, thought it would make a great walk around piece with skeeter loads...Anyone have one or have imput. Thanks in advance SEE THE SEPT/OCT 2014 ISSUE OF AMERICAN HANDGUNNER
|
|
|
Post by serialsolver on Jul 7, 2014 7:57:07 GMT -5
My 329pd frame was getting gas cut from 44sp loads with only unique and green dot.
|
|
|
Post by warhawk on Jul 7, 2014 10:15:25 GMT -5
I wonder if a stainless steel cylinder would help? A lot of the return to factory problems I had were frame/gas shield and carry up related -- never had a problem with the ti cylinder per se. Might even make things worse if tolerances weren't real tight (heavier battering ram type situation) -- all speculation on my part -- don't really have a clue. FWIW, Paul Probably silly, but that "porous" finish on the Ti cylinder bugs me to death. Once it's been fired it's all but impossible to get it clean again. It seems like I've heard of pitting issues on Ti cylinders, on the cylinder face? Pics of my 329PD and TR 325
|
|
gw425
.30 Stingray
Posts: 344
|
Post by gw425 on Jul 7, 2014 19:03:10 GMT -5
I carry mine in a Diamond D chest holster while hunting and it's a breeze. I've shot and carried the Garrett Cartridge 310 grain defender load in mine and the recoil is *$* stout. I've since put the X-frame grip on it and switched to 250 grain loads running around 1000fps. It is definitely not a fun gun to shoot alot of rounds thru, but for a woods walking gun it's hard to beat.
Greg
|
|
|
Post by 500fksjr on Jul 7, 2014 19:12:21 GMT -5
Thanks for all the imput...Seems that the concept is great but the overall gun is a 50/50 proposition (on likes & dislikes) I will ponder it a bit...It is not shouting loud enough yet for me to take it home.
|
|
|
Post by subsonic on Jul 8, 2014 5:24:02 GMT -5
You will be much ahead with a 629 Mountain gun.
|
|
|
Post by tek4260 on Jul 8, 2014 11:59:40 GMT -5
You will be much ahead with a 629 Mountain gun. +1 There is something disheartening about shooting a revolver that with every shot is that much closer to a trip back to Smith. Of course that can be said about all of them, but not to the extent of the 329PD. I didn't keep mine long. And of course, opinions vary, but the recoil wasn't bad at all to me. A bit sharper than the Super Blackhawk, but nothing to write home about. Of course a real load in the SBH is more punishing than a load that is "too stout" for the 329PD.
|
|