S&W 329PD

[liketoshoot]

I'm looking at buying a S&W 329PD w/4" barrel .44 mag 6rounds Scandium/Titanium alloy.
anyone have one that they want to talk about?
how do you like it?
this will be used as a hiking companion.
But I love to shoot these things.
I like big booms and this will stop just about anyone/thing.

[proraptor]

I dont know about everyone else but I cant stand the feel of scandium guns....they feel like they are cheap plastic...Not to mention kick a lot more....

[bwiese]

You won't wanna shoot more than 2-3 rounds of 44Mag thru this gun as recoil will be sharp & painful.

It's probably ideal for 44Special, however - but note 44Spl boxed ammo isn't as common as 44Mag at your local retail stores like Big-5.

I'd say this is a specialty gun for specialty application; if you want a 44Mag that can be rationally used, get a regular S&W 629. Ruger Redhawks and Super Redhawks are good alternatives with a tad less refinement/a bit lower cost.

[1911su16b870]

I own the 357 360PD Hi Viz and have put alot of 125-grain 357 magnum rounds through it. It kicks hard and I am not very accurate using it. I have etched the face of the Scandium/Titanium cylinder and its loosened up a bit on the crane. It shoots the 38 Wadcutters nicely without the kick. I really like the idea of a light weight wheel backup/pocket gun. I just recently purchased a 22 317 and it is amazingly accurate with lead subsonic HPs. While I may not carry the 317 as a backup, it really is a nice revolver.

[trashman]

And it's worth reporting that there have been a number of lock failures/jams in the 329PD reported on the S&W forum when using full-power Magnum ammo.

It'd be a fun backpacking gun to have, but my 3" all-steel Trail Boss works just fine (and I could hammer nails with it if I had too

cheers,
Neill

[Matt C]

Even shooting .38 is tough, probably the largest round I would use. Keep in mind you should fire at least 500 rounds through any gun you will be using for self-defense.

[CALI-gula]

I own one of the very first Model 386PDs ever made. It's a great little gun and excellent for carry. But the idea is that it's SMALL, very light, with 7 rounds of .38 Special or .357MAG.

However, the idea of the 329PD seems to defeat the very principle of the use of Scandium for being easy to carry; being that it chambers .44, and is just as big as the Model 29 or 629, that means it's rather large to carry. So whatever advantage it makes up for in weight, it loses out in size and bulkiness.

However, as a hiking companion, it would be great, but not as an all the time self-defense gun; it's not necessary that it be a 1000 round gun at the range. Get a 629 and practive with that - but it has LOTS of power on tap for when you need it out in the woods, and very light to carry all day - but I agree with others - stick with .44 Special in it.

.

[randy]

It's the most painful gun anybody at the range has ever shot.

If you are a backpacker I think it would be king.

I'm not a backpacker is another reason for me not to have one.

[saki302]

I've shot one- IMO the 340/360 scandiums are more uncomfortable to shoot^ you have a full grip on the 329 and it weighs a tad more. As a backpack animal defense gun, it’s　perfect. If a bear is charging, I doubt you will have any issue with the recoil. As for weight vs. size, carry a heavy 44 all day long and you'll see why. Other than that, why torture yourself? A steel 629 does everything else just as well or better.

-Dave

[liketoshoot]

Thanks for the opinions, they will help me make my decission, I do like the 629 and if carried in a shoulder rig should be okay for hiking, I do not intend this for personal defence all the time only in the woods, I have other more comfortable ones to carry for that.