Comments on: Smith & Wesson 329PD

By: honeybadger66

honeybadger66 — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:33:19 +0000

Use some Hoppes cleaning solvent, I prefer the old solvent. It works on everything. Even an AK that was not cleaned in 8 months.

By: Slim

Slim — Tue, 24 May 2011 20:23:28 +0000

I picked up a 329PD a few days ago and am in love. Started out with 180 grain Hornady XTP hollow points, and also put a few of the 225 grain LeverRevolutions through it. With the 180′s it has stout recoil, but still quite manageable. The 225 grain bullets produced a bit more recoil but still was far from painful.
With either of these bullet choices, you could shoot it for extended periods. I put the Hogue rubber grips on it before firing any rounds throught the gun by the way.

After the magnum loads, I tried some 165 grain Hornady .44 Special Critical Defense. With these, the recoil is less than my 642 2 inch shooting .38+p loads – quite pleasant.

Anyone considering this gun for daily carry, as I do, might I suggest a couple holsters that have proven to be extremely comfortable. First the Safariland 568 is the most comfortable by far. It does hang a bit lower on the belt than the Desantis Speed Scabbard that I also use. The Desantis is excellent for concealed carry since it rides higher and holds the gun closer to your body. It’s still comfortable enough for all day carry as well.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 04:43:20 +0000

Bought mine and shot a full box of mags at the range. Yeah it has more bite than say the 629 but even a box of mags thru the 329 was bearable. I love it.

By: Brian

Brian — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 21:01:00 +0000

I have a 329 PD and I love it and they do recoil pretty hard I have the hoghunter lazer grips on mine and added a rail under the bbl for a weapons light.I got it mostly for bear and dogs but decided it work work on the guy that threatened me when I was building a camp for a customer way back in the woods(I must have been too close to the pot plants he was growing ) but anyway I love it,just like having a tapemeasure on my side,going right now to try a shoulder holster for it.I have shot several hundard rounds thru it and it still holding up fine.

By: ROD JONES

ROD JONES — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 19:44:00 +0000

I HAVE A 329PD THAT I PICKED UP IN A TRADE, SLIGHTLY USED, SHOOTS GREAT, LOVE IT. HOWEVER I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS, FIRST, THE INSIDE OF CYL. BORES HAS A MOTTLED APPEARANCE IN THE FINISH, ISTHIS A PROBLEM OR HAS ANYONE SEEN THIS ON THIER GUN? SECOND, AFTER SHOOTING ABOUT 30 RDS. OF 44 SPEC. THERE IS A CARBON RING AT WHERE THE END OF THE CASE IS IN THE CYL. I HAVE TRIED STANDARD CLEANING METHODS WITH NO RESULTS.SEEKING INFO. BEFORE MORE AGGRESSIVE ATTEMPTS . THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.

By: admin

admin — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 04:29:33 +0000

Hi, Steve -

I’m glad you’re happy with your 629PD. It is certainly the most bang for the ounce I know of.

On the subject of the .44 magnum for defense from brown bears: you’ll get a lot of conflicting information. Personally (and this is entirely from research), I think the .44 magnum is at the low end of what’s safe for grizzly country. Once a bear’s adrenaline is running, it takes an enormous amount of firepower to stop it. As always, shot placement is key…if you can put one in the head, you’ll be fine; otherwise…don’t plan on stopping after two shots.

Thanks for visiting the site.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 04:19:04 +0000

Thanks for the vote of confidence! I got my 329 before Christmas. Have shot it 5 times. Update: It kicks WAY more than any on-line article I have ever read. Believe me. I am not at all gun shy or recoil shy. Never have been. I am 195lbs, med/small hands 5″ 11″. I can only shoot 6 rounds per session. It’s more than painful. It hurts more than my friends .460 SW. Good news: .44 specials are a plinking round. I can easily shoot 100 rounds. Every article I have read says even the .44 specials are tough. NOT TRUE.
I have carried it for CCW and in the hunting field. It is a Dream Come True. I own a Ruger GP100. LOVE IT! Many rounds through it; flawless. BUT it’s to heavy to strap to my side for hiking 8 hours a day. The 329PD is not. I will make it a point to keep my .44 magum on my side comfortably (vertical not hip, becaue I have a back pak to conentend with) . My Rating so far A+.
QUESTION: I bought it for an ALL duty revolver, now I hear a Grizzly needs more fire power. I say bull, what do you say? Worst case scenerio: a grizzly charges at 50 yards, you put 2 in the right spot, would it save you?
I say Yes!

By: admin

admin — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 03:07:52 +0000

Hey, Steve –

I think you’ll really like the 329. Ounce for ounce, it’s a great security blanket in the field. I think you were misinformed about the 329′s durability. While any double-action revolver will eventually begin to wear out with enough heavy-duty action, but I’ve heard nothing to suggest that this is any more so with the 329. In my testing, I put a whole BUNCH of very potent rounds through it, and when I was done, it was good as new.
Edit: correct the model number to 329.

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 02:59:40 +0000

Just put mine on layaway, at Sportsman Wharehouse. I own the same gun in .357, model escapes me now. Have shot tons through it. It’s got to be comparable becasue a .357 in 11 ounces roughly = .44 mag in 25 ounces. Yes it hurts if i have tiny back metal exposed grips. BUT, regular rubber grips is fine. Felt of course. but fine. I have a CCW and carry my .357 all the time because it is small and lightweight. I hike hours on end when helping a budy fill a tag or chukar hunting. I’ve carried my gp101. I hate the weight after 1 hour. I need a potent gun in a feather package. I’m tiredof leaving guns behind because they weigh too much. They pull on your trousers, hence your hip, then your back. My intention is to ALWAYS carry it while out back and feel it way less than conventional steel.
Question: Someone told me it hurts the gun to shoot .44 magnums regularly through it. That it might break. That it was designed to see them once in a while. Tell me this isn’t so.

By: Greg

Greg — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 05:42:52 +0000

I shoot remington 180 jsp for targets in my 329, Yup, they’re unconfortable when you pull the trigger, but not that bad. After 50 rounds, my wrist was a little sore, and I had a blister in the web of my thumb from the wood grips, by morning all was good. I load it with 300gr jhp while fishing, and love the feeling of knowing I have enough power if things became dire.