What about a 329PD

[serialsolver]

Anybody have any observations or experiences with a Smith & Wesson 329PD. It’s on my, I’m gonna get one list. No internal lock comments please. I don’t like it either. I’ll have to live with it.

[cubrock]

They make wonderful .44 Specials. Shooting full-house loads through them resulted in recoil worse than almost any other I have experienced, and I have shot some big guns in my day.

I carried one regularly for a couple years as lightweight bear insurance. It shot well with factory 240-grain softpoints from Magtech. The first few were tolerable and I figured if two or three didn't help me, then the rest wouldn't either. After a full cylinder's worth of shooting, my hand and wrist would be quite sore. It took a good bit of range time to get the gun sighted in and acclimated to it. I've since gone back to a steel-framed carry gun and sold the 329.

[serialsolver]

That is what I'm looking for a 26 oz 44 sp. Not a 26 oz 44mag. How was it with the Skelton load?

[gunzo]

My experience with one is limited as I've only shot mine about 400 times in the 3 weeks I've had it. The side plate screws & ejector rod have come loose twice & the second time I degreased them & applied blue locktite. Only 50-60 rounds since but they appear to holding well. I can state the obvious, i'ts a joy to carry & painfull(for me) to shoot, tried both the rubber & wood grips & it doesn't seem to matter. I have boney hands & maybe some arthritis. From what i've read here, paul105 seems to have a lot experience with the 329 as to his replies in the mountain gun thread on page 4. Hope he will reply here as i have a few questions also. Two friends have shot mine & comment on the sharp recoil but then tried to buy it. Go figure?

Have a good day, gunzo

[gunzo]

I type slow and hadn't read your last question. If I interpret correctly the Skelton load, thats a 250 Keith in 44 special brass w/7.5 grains of unique? If so, this load is still hard for me to do well shooting double action. Single action it's ok but still not my idea of a lazy suday afternoon plinking gun.

[serialsolver]

gunzo, The 7.5 gr. Unique load is what I want to use for a carry load and use 6 grs. Unique for practice.

[cubrock]

I never tried the Skeeter load in it.

[packingheat]

I love mine I just can't seem to get a good group. I am not sure if is the recoil or the fact that my cylinder throats measure .429 and my OT bullets measure .432, it just seems the put them all over the paper.

[cubrock]

I never slugged any dimensions on mine, but it shot pretty well. Between the express sights and the recoil, though, it took some time for me to be up to the task.

[Len]

If your shooting 44 special loads only you should consider a 24-3. Not as light as 329 but lighter than a 629. Best of all they are very well made.

Len

[cubrock]

Yep. I carry a 624 quite often.

[serialsolver]

I have a 696 and a 3rd model hand ejector or what’s now called a m21. I wanted something lighter with a four inch barrel.

[mbaneacp]

You may not want to talk about the internal lock, but I have video of the 329's lock jamming the gun while shooting 240-gr Black Hills JHPs. The internal lock on an ultralight frame is an inherently compromised system. Once the lock was exorcised, however, the 329's a great .44 Special with the ability to fire the boomers when you need it. I will mention that even the Buffalo Bore 255-gr Keith "reduced recoil" .44 Magnum loads designed for the 329 are a handful, but comforting in bear country.

Michael B

[serialsolver]

Michael, Thanks for the information about the lock. I did not want this thread to turn into another Internal Lock rant. I would like to see the video. I understand about the lock and have dealt with it on my 340 pd. The 329 pd will get the same treatment.

[Frank V]

I have never owned or fired a 329, but they should be a great carry gun using .44 Specials. Should be useful in Bear country too. Keep us informed. I am interested. Thanks
Frank