anybody here have one? i just picked one up and i'm impressed. obviously not a test bed for hot handloads, but light enough to pack all day in the high country.
one thing i've found it that they should be cycled a couple of times when new, then disassembled and the innards inspected closely. the steel parts with burrs will quickly wear into the scandium of the frame. a few minutes on the bench stone cleaned everything up fine though.
i have some of the .44 mag "tactical lite" loads coming from Pro Load for the bulk of my shooting but i have some hi performance hard cast handloads for bruin reppellant.
i was a little concerned about the alloy frame at first, but after shooting it, i found that the shooters hand is the weak link, so in reality it'll handle anything that i'd care to shoot in it.

monty

Monty,
I like the 329PD. I am looking forward to you keeping us posted on your load and range results.
The 329 is not a Redhawk and will not accept very heavy bullet loads at high pressure. Use caution with your "bear loads". At least two 329PD's have come apart with heavy bullets and maximum charges of Hodgdon Titegroup. I think Titegroup works best with bullets of mid range weight for a given caliber. I dont like it for heavy bullet maximum charge loads - but thats another topic.
Below is a link to one of the stories. There are two threads to this one but I only found one of them. It's not meant to take away from the gun just to reinforce the caution about airweight revolvers and heavy bullet loads.


http://leverguns.sixgunner.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3033

yea, i read about the two (that i heard about, there may be more) KBs even before i bought the gun, but the consensus at the smith-wesson forum is that those reloads were double charged. the Airlite models are proofed to the same pressures as the steel guns, so who really knows? that's ok, tho, as i use 2400 or unique for most of my handgun reloads. i ain't gonna flirt with max loads either, (50 rounds factory 240 gr. and the grips were getting stained with blood from the web of my shooting hand). i had a batch of 280 gr cast loads (moderate/heavy charge-15.0 gr 2400) but the bullets would pull at about 4 or 5 rounds to the point of tying the gun up. that's about all of those i wanted to shoot anyway. i guess i gotta get the Lee factory crimp die.
the accuracy is totally acceptable, around 3" at 25 yds (some groups more, some less) before the shooting hand starts going numb. then the groups got big.
so i gotta agree, william iorg, and i know you arn't bashing the gun, just sharing what you know with us. BUT when ever we see a blown up gun and hot handloads are mentioned,(the guy mentioned "safe for Ruger" loads) it's kinda hard to blame the gun.

monty

Monty,
Youre right, I would not bash the gun, I'd like to have one!
I dont think it was a double charge, but a load inappropriate to the gun. I dont think the gun would have "failed" if the same bullet had been loaded with 2400 or 4227. When that big wad of lead hit the forcing cone ahead of the high pressure peak somthing had to yield. A powder with a different peak pressure would have peaked with the bullet in the barrel and a larger expansion chamber.

I would not bet my life on what i call a composition 2 alloy gun ! These guns are new and like a new car have to have the bugs worked out of them or in the end taken off the market for high pressure cartridges ! If you can't shoot high pressure round or factory heavy rounds then what are you supposed to shoot in it 44sp's ? Give me STEEL ! JAGG

JAGG
I did not express myself well. I dont think it is a problem of not being able to shoot high pressure ammunition in the M-329PD. I believe the gun will shoot a steady diet of any main-stream factory load. The load I was talking about is the full charge load of Titegroup and a 320 grain lead bullet. I beleve Titegroup is not an appropriate powder to this heavy bullet weight. This powder combined with a cast bullet causes the peak pressure to be in a smaller combustion chamber. With a powder of a little different burning rate and perhaps a jacketed bullet, the peak pressure would occur a little furthur down the barrel instead of with the bullet in the forcing cone acting as an obstruction. Thus providing a little larger combustion chamber and perhaps lower peak pressure.
I dont think S&W intended for the M-329PD to be loaded like a Redhawk, Dan Wesson or even a M-29 Classic. I doubt S&W envisioned bullets of over 250 grains to be used in this gun.

I too have a new 329PD and am very pleased with the revolver thus far. Based on a recommendation over on the S&W forum I ordered and installed a set of S&W 500 recoil absorbing grips on mine. It really helps the web of the hand.

It is my understanding to stick with 180 to 240 grain bullets and not to go nuclear with them and you should have a revolver that will last a lifetime. If I want to shoot real hot loads I'll just break out the Rugers I own.

I purchased my 329PD to have a light weight revolver for carry on my farm. This revolver weighs in real close to my little Model 63. I carry in a Bianchi #111 Cyclone holster and it does not feel like I am carrying. That is a big plus when walking up and down over these Ozark bluffs.

I generally shoot a nice comfortable light load in .44 Rem Mag brass. I figure this will take any problem I may encounter on two or four legs. My farm carry load is: National Bullet Company .430 copperized 205 grain RNFP in front of 6.0 grains of Hodgdons Clays and a Win WLP primer. I have not ran a test with my Chrony, but I suspect it should be giving mid to high 900s for velocity.
Regards,
Rich

Your thoughts on this match mine.
I currently carry a S&W M-632 4" in .32 Mag. It will take care of most "events" that I might encounter. The thing about a .44 is the shot loads. The .44's throw a good shot charge. I have more use for shot than bullets. I still need dog protection though. We have our share of dog problems.

Ritch, good to hear from another 329 owner :D your load is about what i want to carry, or maybe a 240 gr LSWC at around 800 fps. it looks like about 5 to 5.2 gr of Clays ought to put me there. i put a box of factory loads through the gun to funtion test and break it in, but i'll probably shoot nothing but handloads at well below max from now on. i had a batch of 280 gr lswc over 15 gr of 2400, (stiff, but well below max) but the heavier bullets keep pulling under recoil, so i'll need to go with lighter bullets than that. i wanna keep it kinda warm tho, because i live where both grizzlies and black bear roam, along with plenty of moose. in reality, though, the bears and moose are not as scary as some people i've met in the back country.
i have a Kydex cross draw holster on order from Blade Tech, but my leather for the Mountain Gun won't fit because of the barrel lug. :( oh well, i've been wanting one of Blade Tech's holsters for a while.

monty

Monty,
I think you are doing well on your handloads. I would be leary of heavy slugs (over 240 grain) in the 329PD. Might ought to call the folks at S&W and see what they think -- probably get the industry standard response, "Use only factory ammo." :rolleyes:

Do you have a Lee Factory Crimp die? If not I really recommend it and it might help you get a tighter crimp and reduce bullet backing out under recoil. I understand this problem is more with heavier slugs, too. I haven't experienced it with my 331 or 329, though.
Rich

the way i understand the heavy bullet "problem" in the 329 is the heavier bullets are more prone to pull under recoil because of the extra mass. that and some questionable reloads that can be blamed for the KBs i've seen on the internet. but i'm convinced that heavy bullets with MILD pressures will be safe, just not very comfortable to shoot. i could be wrong, and will probabably not go very far in this direction.

monty

I have been thinking about getting a 329PD for the obvious weight savings over my short barrel Super Blackhawk. The price is a bit breathtaking for a Ruger guy like me, but hey, it's a Smith and it is exotic.

Here's a load suggestion that might be fairly pleasant in the 329PD that is similar to the load Retiredsquid suggested: I was looking for a load for my 4" SBH that has Comfortable Authority and accuracy, which combination I found wasn't that easy to get with a gun designed to shoot fast and heavy. I came up with 6.3 grains of Titegroup under a Beartooth 265 WFN. Gentle and accurate. They measured an average 870 fps, and the math says that combo has slightly more punch than the average 45 ACP. Yet it is still a revolver (yippee).

I finally ordered the bullets in .432 as Marshall suggests, and those are most accurate and at that diameter are actually 271 grains (plus or minus only one grain). Very nice bullets. Thank you, Marshall. Not only does this load have a bit more suds than the average 45 ACP, the bullets have that nice flat front that has the sound of "smack!" written all over it. I could shoot this load all day long.

One thing about the 329PD -- do you think that hi-viz front sight will stand up to some abuse???

I am sure they are neat guns, I just can't see myself shooting one. Even a standard Model 29 bounces pretty darn hard with full loads. I can't imagine what the 329PD would feel like. The only way I would even entertain the thought of shooting one would be with my light handloads.

I just bought a barely used 329 and got out to shoot it a little today. It came with a set of the 500 mag grips and interestingly enough,comparing it to my Ruger 44 mag SBH Hunter(53 ozs),wearing the factory wooden grips its actually as or more comfortable to fire with the same loads. Of course with the Hogues and the Ahrends it was increasingly less so. I'll stick with mid-level loads from now on,no reason to rattle it apart. I didn't take time to run any groups on paper,but just popping clays at 25-30 yds SA,it did almost as well as the Hunter. DA,well I need some practice! :D
Has anybody come upon a way to clean the "BLACK" off the cylinder without removing the protective finish?

I have 329PD that has about 400 rounds through it, and it is my second 329pd. The first one cracked the frame under the barrel threads on the 3rd round of Winchester 240 factory loads. Man, that was scary...

Since then, I have had no problems with the replacement that Smith sent. They told me the barrel was "probably" screwed in too tight, and didn't have the "give" it needed.

I have not had the problem of heavey bullets jumping crimp, but the heaviest lead bullet I shoot is a 275 LBT WFN. I get just over 1000 fps with a charge of 16.5 grains/2400. I too, put a 500 S&W hogue grip on recently, and it made a huge difference for me in comfort. I have BIG hands and it fits just enough better to make a difference.

The only problem (other than the first one coming apart on me) is my loads as I work them up tend to make the cylinder latch sticky to open, or I get stiff ejection. Obviously, I need to back off the powder at that point (I have never exeeded any published load, but have done max loads), but that is the point of developing loads, to find out what it will digest safely.

That 275 LBT load really shoots well, and with a little less powder being burned relative to H110 or H4227, the recoil is not as objectionable.

What bugs me is when I shoot standard factory loads and the gun gets sticky. I have had that most often with Hornady 180 XTP factory loads, and once in a while a federal or winchster factory 240 grain load causes a problem. So I have these factory loads that I cannot use and know that they will reliably function.

I have zero problems with the 275 LBT handload, and my confidence is high with that load.

Once the hunting season is over, I plan on sending it to Smith and have them give it a once over and make any adjustments it needs.

From what I hear, that won't be a bad idea and since I have my loads worked up, I'll be shooting low-midrange stuff to keep in practice. The gun should go for years more!

It definitely is one to shoot light loads for practice once it is sighted for the heavies.

For anyone who needs to feel the power of full loads, go get another gun. For those who want it seen and not heard, get this one and use it for what it was intended.

Thanks!

Bonz.

I see no reason to shoot a steady amount of "heavy" loads in any firearm, I would not drive my truck at 100 mileas an hour all the time either. Some nice mild 250 grain bullets loaded should handle about all of it. If yu need the heavy ones for an accasional trip sure use them. I shoot a lot of 240 grain lead with an amount of Unique in it.

I am not arguing with you on that. I have always worked up loads in my firearms, and in doing that you can find a heavy load before you expect , esp. with a revolver or other smaller cased cartridge. I loaded up 8.5 grains of Titegroup under a 300 XTP (Yes, not an optimal powder, but just following Hodgdon guidelines, with 9.6 being the max charge under a 300 gr. XTP according to them) and the cases stuck. Such is the reloading world.

I am going to pick up some Unique. All the posts on all the threads recommend that powder. I have great results with 8.5 of Titegroup under a 240 SWC for a little over 1000 fps.

For the heavy bullets in my shorter 4" barrel on the 329 PD, 2400 works real well. I don't get the velocity advantage with H110 or H4227 because of the shorter barrel, so no need to add more powder, increase recoil (which I am convinced on a 329 PD can be a detriment to long-term durabilty) and gain no ballistic advantage. I think something all of us should look at is the sheer recoil a light gun produces as a factor in gun longevity, not just the pressure related strain.

Thanks for the post.

Bonz.

I purchsed mine when they first came out and have only shot Federal Hydra shocks from it, they are pretty nasty. I have about 500 rounds through it with no problems.

I just picked up a S&W 329 this week. It was owned by a good friend of mine. We shot the 240 Federal Fusion.

After stoking it full, he fired three rounds. His wrist went from agonizing to totally numb in a minute.

I checked on him today and he sold me my new PD Pal for half what he had in it.

Shooting this thing reminds me of an old girlfriend; kinda' rough but fun all the same! ;)

I like my 329PD. I typically shoot moderate 240gr / Unique handloads in it and it's not too bad with those. But when you put factory 240gr loads in it, it becomes punishing. I basically bought it as a novelty "manly" gun, just to impress folks and hurt hands at the range. But I think it has great merit as a hiking gun.

I also have a 340Sc which I think kicks harder w/ 357's than my 629 does with factory 44's. In fact, I call it "the Mule." I use that one as my CC gun because it's so light (but loaded with +P's) and is snag-proof. If you shoot the wrong .357's in it though, it has a nasty habit of unseating the bullet in the fifth round and locking up the cylinder. That's why I carry +P's in it.

I like the Smith scandium revolvers. Now, I'm waiting for S&W to come out with a 3500 PD (scandium framed Model 500). :D

I own the 325pd;

http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=40877&highlight=325pd

shoot it often, and while the 45 auto is surely not a 44 mag, the reciol is stout but surely manageable. I have found the gun to be dependable, the sights sturdy, and the trigger magnificent! The moon clips are a bit of a drag, but load enuff of them, and shoot away!