Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: HuntandFish on May 08, 2012, 09:27:44 PM

Title: Looking to buy a 329pd? *Christmas Update*
Post by: HuntandFish on May 08, 2012, 09:27:44 PM: No one locally in the Seattle area has them in stock. I was intending to buy at Cabelas only because I have about 250.00 worth of gift cards, but they conveniently stopped selling the 329 a few weeks ago :bash:

Kesselrings has 2 in stock, so I will have to wait for the weekend to make the drive but may not be able to.

Anyone have any ideas on local gun shops, I have checked all the usual spots. Adventure sports, wades, Butch's, discount....

Anyone one have one that they want to sell?

Thanks in advance!

H&F
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd?
Post by: netcoyote on May 08, 2012, 10:14:34 PM: I think Sportsman's Warehouse in Puyallup had one a couple weeks ago. I was drooling over a 629 they had and noticed the 329 but I wasn't interested so I never even asked to look at it. Might give them a call and see if they still have it.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd?
Post by: deadyote on May 09, 2012, 11:51:09 AM: If you are looking for the shorter Alaskan Backpacker, it is at the Marksman in Puyallup. FYI
Title: Looking to buy a 329pd?
Post by: Bearhunter on May 09, 2012, 12:41:52 PM: I got mine from Anthon at Skagit arms, he usually has one in stock, they are hard to come buy and expensive and painful to shoot and pay for hah. Call him up and tell him James sent ya. They are in Burlington next to Holiday sports they beat anyones prices!
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd?
Post by: high country on May 09, 2012, 03:41:49 PM: Get the x frame grips, like on the 500. It makes it a pleasure to shoot.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd?
Post by: high country on May 09, 2012, 03:43:49 PM: This is what the grips look like on the gun.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi193.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fz16%2Fgyonemura%2FIMAG0524.jpg&hash=5c6ba18b1c732e781d73c22a45213ad560c9dfe6)
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd?
Post by: HuntandFish on May 09, 2012, 06:34:16 PM: Thanks for the input everybody! I will check these stores tomorrow.

High country, I will have to get in touch with you to see what your go to ammo is for hunting, practice, personal protection etc. you seem to know your way around the gun and have had some great success with it. In fact I believe it was one of your posts a year or so ago that peaked my interest into the gun! And yes I am planning on getting the x frame grips asap.

Thanks,
H&F
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd?
Post by: netcoyote on May 09, 2012, 06:58:11 PM: Update on that Puyallup Sportsman's Warehouse comment I made yesterday. I was just in there today and didn't see the 329. I asked and they said they had one but it sold. Actually they were pretty light on all S&W's. Good supply of Rugers though.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd?
Post by: Bearhunter on May 10, 2012, 09:42:29 AM: But the wood grips are so pretty... I seriously need to get a set of the X grips were is the best place to buy them? I have the guides holster system and it rocks, check it out.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd?
Post by: high country on May 10, 2012, 09:51:58 AM: I sent my 329 in after I wore out the trigger, they gave them to me.

I would not shoot it with wood grips. I had the laser grips which are the only thing worse.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd?
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on May 10, 2012, 11:01:35 AM: They hurt to shoot, I guess it wouldn't matter with a bear coming at you, but for just shooting they are miserable, I have the .357 magnum version and it sucks equally as bad at the range (unless of course you use 38's) but they are nice to carry in the field because they are so light. Enjoy. They are cool guns.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd?
Post by: et1702 on May 10, 2012, 12:27:28 PM: Give DJ's Loan & Sport a call. They are in Bothell, WA. They may have new or used 329
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd?
Post by: high country on May 10, 2012, 01:07:09 PM: Shanty, I don't recall which frame the 357 is on, but the big grips absolutely change the the 44 into a pleasant gun to shoot. It still muzzle flips, but it doesn't hurt.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd?
Post by: high country on May 10, 2012, 01:55:29 PM: Hurry.

http://24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/5112136/1
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd?
Post by: smdave on May 10, 2012, 02:22:20 PM: Quote from: high country on May 09, 2012, 03:43:49 PM
This is what the grips look like on the gun.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi193.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fz16%2Fgyonemura%2FIMAG0524.jpg&hash=5c6ba18b1c732e781d73c22a45213ad560c9dfe6)

Could be considered over kill on those Morels
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd?
Post by: smdave on May 10, 2012, 02:36:31 PM: I just asked Cabelas in Marysville if they had one in stock they said yes and it is $1099.99
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd?
Post by: JLS on May 10, 2012, 03:05:40 PM: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_39_72/products_id/53527/S%26W+M329+NTGRD+44MG+2.5+Black
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd?
Post by: HuntandFish on May 10, 2012, 09:12:00 PM: smdave, I looked on line and called the marysville cabelas and they said they do not have it in stock and do not sale this gun on line anymore either :dunno: Maybe I should stop by and investigate for myself. I would really like to knock off 250.00 from the purchase price, it will help pay for the grips, holster, rounds..... Who did you talk to? I did get an uneasy feeling that the guy on the other end of the phone wasn't to versed in guns as he kept trying to convince me I was talking about the 629 version, I will be up in Everett tomorrow so I may have to just keep driving and stop in.

I am really looking to get the 4" 329pd and not the snub nose version or those deals you all posted would be great!

I did some calling around today with not a whole lot of luck. I know I could order one but I am just one of those guys that really likes to touch a gun before the purchase. And I don't know if I could handle the wait!

Thanks for the input everybody, I will let you know when I finally have this gun in my hand!

Thanks,
H&F
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd?
Post by: smdave on May 10, 2012, 09:22:59 PM: Sent you a PM
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd?
Post by: high country on May 10, 2012, 09:36:28 PM: Buds shows one for less than a grand.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd?
Post by: HuntandFish on December 25, 2012, 09:49:23 AM: Well I finally picked up this pistol!! I figured it would be a nice Christmas present :)

Thanks everyone for your help way back at the beginning of the year when I started looking. And thanks for the tip on skagit arms Bearhunter, they were great to work with!

Now I am itching to get out and shoot it. I do have a few questions for those of you that are in the know with this pistol. I want to get a holster for carry in the woods and also for concealed carry (as much as you can with a N frame I know). I am sure that will require 2 different holster and wanted to know what you all use. I perfer cross draw and am not a big fan of leather but will go with what works the best.

Also I am going to order the 500 grips and wanted to pick up a speed clip and have heard of some guys having problems using speed clips with this pistol, anyone have any experience with that?

And one last question, what is your go to round to carry in the woods for anti bear medicine and your favorite shooting round?

Sorry for all the questions, just excited to put a few rounds through this thing :drool:

Hope everyone is having a great Christmas! And I look forward to seeing all the new toys!

Thanks,
H&F
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd? *Christmas Update*
Post by: netcoyote on December 25, 2012, 11:13:39 AM: Gee...I didn't think Santa was still handing these out, you lucky dog! :chuckle:

I found a used leather Hunter holster a few years ago at a gun show.
http://www.huntercompany.com/index.html (http://www.huntercompany.com/index.html)
After I acquired a couple of 629's I found that the holster fit both 629's, a Taurus and my Blackhawk. Check out their "Hunter" line. Certainly not a concealed carry holster but neither of these are CC type guns.
For most target shooting I used 44 Specials but use 240 gr Hornady XTPs in a 44 mag which will probably take care of any critter you encounter.
I like to replace the front sights with fiber optic sights. Red seems to work best for me but green works well in some light conditions.
Keep us posted on how you like target shooting the 329. I've had my eye on them for awhile and might get one myself if the opportunity arises.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd? *Christmas Update*
Post by: mountainman on December 25, 2012, 11:22:15 AM: Got some pop, especially with 300gr and up loaded hot! Glad you found one! great for when I am in the high country!
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd? *Christmas Update*
Post by: Bearhunter on December 25, 2012, 11:30:23 AM: Here what Im running, the Guides choice out of Alaska, and yes the 300Grain Solids are some serious bear stopping power!
http://www.diamonddcustomleather.com/Chest_Holsters.php (http://www.diamonddcustomleather.com/Chest_Holsters.php)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi747.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fxx112%2Fboattrader%2FIMG_0049-1_zpsaa44bb9d.jpg&hash=8625c4efec1256460785ace63f650fce40cc0cbf)
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd? *Christmas Update*
Post by: Oldguy on December 25, 2012, 12:37:35 PM: I'm getting serious about ordering a Guides Choice after looking at the alternatives. Works good with a pack and quality leathercraft. For hip carry, I've used Simply Rugged holsters. He is former Alaskan and the holsters really hold your firearm in position. Nice gun you got for Christmas! Probably the last one Santa had in his bag.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd? *Christmas Update*
Post by: HuntandFish on December 26, 2012, 09:36:32 AM: I wasn't aware Santa had an FFL either :chuckle:

Netcoyote, those hunter holsters do look nice defiantly going to be in the running.

Bearhunter, I really like the guides choice but sheesh the thing looks like a bear (no pun intended) to take on and off. I also do allot of fishing and feel like this may draw some un needed attention :chuckle: But I may end up picking one up as it looks like it would work great when hiking with a backpack which I do allot of.

I also have a question which I may start a thread for itself and it may be better off asked on the S&W forum, but I am going to disable the lock on this gun and have been having a heck of a time finding instructions on how to do it. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

I am going to get out and put some rounds through this thing sometime this week and will keep you posted!

Thanks,
H&F
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd? *Christmas Update*
Post by: ChesapeakeMan on December 26, 2012, 09:00:27 PM: Take a look at the Galco Dual Position Phoenix Holster. I have the single action version for my Blackhawk and it works really well.

For factory ammo try the Garrett 44 mag Defender. It is a hard cast 310 gr at 1020 fps. Grizzly has a hard cast 300 gr WFNGC at 1325 fps that I know works well but it may be a bit much in that revolver. HSM also has a hard cast 305 gr load that absolutely hammered a 250+ lb cinnamon bear for us this year but I can't remember the fps on that one. It is also a speedy load though and may be a bit much in the 329pd.
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd? *Christmas Update*
Post by: mountainman on December 26, 2012, 10:29:53 PM: Double Tap 320 hard cast at 1325! A real "Hammer" and accurate too! When you need to crack bone!
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd? *Christmas Update* Finally broke it in!!
Post by: HuntandFish on December 29, 2012, 03:01:48 PM: I finally got out and put some rounds through this thing! It is truly a fun pistol to shoot and definitely going to be my go to pistol for carry in the backcountry.

I put 50rnds of 240gr. mags through it, and 20rnds of special. I did only shoot six rounds of mags with the stock wood grips on it before I changed to the rubber grips that come with it, they obviously know the wood grips are just for looks, cause it is down right unpleasant to shoot mags with them! After the switch to rubber it was a real pleasure with either load. I spent most of the rounds sighting it in on a makeshift log shooting bench... as it was shooting about 1.5' low out of the box! I was able to put a good 5 shot group together at 50yrds before I ran out of ammo.

Couple of questions.

Have any of you that own this pistol disabled the Internal Lock, I am thinking I will as I would not want a lock up if I am face to face with a mamma bear (or more likely a wolf where I hunt...).

I am a little leary of ordering the 500 grips as I can't seem to find them online, with any certainty that I am ordering the right thing anyway? Can anyone point me in the right direction on this?

I think I am going to order the Galco dual action holster as you suggested ChesapeakeMan, but any other ideas are welcome :)

Also are there any ranges on the eastside (Kirkland, bellevue, duvall) that you guys frequent for pistol shooting. Would like to get this thing on a bench and out of the rain to spend some time fine tuning it. I heard Wades is closed for a remodel?

Thanks again everyone!
H&F
Title: Re: Looking to buy a 329pd? *Christmas Update*
Post by: high country on December 29, 2012, 03:30:05 PM: Multiply the difference between the wood and rubber by 20......that is the difference between the stock 329 rubber and the x frame/500 grips. I got mine from smith directly for free when I sent my pistol in for s new blast shield.

I use a Mitch Rosen pancake holster. It rides tight when wearing pants, can be laced through my backpack belt.....and I use it as a chest rig by lacing the sternum strap through it. It serves me well. I would lose the v notch rear sight for a square one and get the 500 grips.....two things that, if changed, would make this the most popular 44 ever.