S&w 329pd

tnegrin83

tnegrin83

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Lately I've really had a lust on for a 329PD .44 mag. :adult:
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The only problem being that it only has a 4" barrel. But there may be a glimmer of hope. I have heard rumors of S&W revolvers with supposedly 4" barrels actually measure out to 106mm when carefully measured. Is there any truth to this, or should I shift my POI (pistol of interest) to something else?
 
Yes, the barrels do vary a bit. Sadly, in this day of CNC machining, they don't vary as often as they used to. Still, if you check enough of them, I would assume eventually you'll come across one that has the correct length barrel. Little bit like winning the lottery though. Good luck. - dan
 
I carry a 42 ounce 4.2" 629, and have wanted a 25 ounce 329 PD since they came out.

The only way to get one, is to buy a 329 XL, the 6" version, and get it cut down.

I haven;t seen one for sale in Canada, but budsgunshop shows them for $800, so even with the $250 from Daves in Lynden and $150 for the chop, it won;t be all that bad.
 
If ever there was a handgun built for bears, it's this one. I looked at one in Montana, and wished they were available 25 years ago. There would have been hundreds of them sold in Grande Prairie, alone.
 
I agree they are very nice... not strong mind you, but regular 44 Magnum loads in a frame that light would an awesome woods carry piece (we can only hope); probably the only loads tolerable as well in such a light revolver :).

Either way I'd love one :)
 
rgv said:
The only way to get one, is to buy a 329 XL, the 6" version, and get it cut down.
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Sadly that might not be that easy. The 329 are a two piece barrel set-up and it's my understanding it's not a straight forward task to disassemble them let alone chop them correctly.

I'm hoping it's not the case as a 329PD is just about the ###iest revolver S&W currently make IMHO.
 
I'm sure they're strong enough for factory ammo. I had a 629, and my brother had a Redhawk. I had to be careful not to grab his ammo, by mistake.
 
boxcoach said:
I'm sure they're strong enough for factory ammo. I had a 629, and my brother had a Redhawk. I had to be careful not to grab his ammo, by mistake.
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+1

My "44 Proof" avatar is from the brass that was included with my Super Redhawk (it's slightly buldged)
 
pageophile said:
Sadly that might not be that easy. The 329 are a two piece barrel set-up and it's my understanding it's not a straight forward task to disassemble them let alone chop them correctly.

I'm hoping it's not the case as a 329PD is just about the ###iest revolver S&W currently make IMHO.
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I have a 686 that was shortened by hand before I got it. A ramp was screwed on a bit crudely.

I had the crown cut with a piloted crowning tool, had a buddy mill a slot for a Weigand S&W classic style front base, reshaped the lug, and it looks/shoots fine.

It wouldn't be my preference, but it IS possible to shorten a barrel on the frame.

The looks and cost are moot if you have use for a 329, as it is the only way you are going to get one, unless S&W decides to follow Rugers lead with the 4.2" barrels, though we'll probably get the 5" models like they are making now.

G37, $150 I'm pretty sure is what bitsofpieces charged on a stainless S&W when he doesn;t have to reblue/refinish and you install a Weigand ramp rather than messing with re-installing the factory sight.

Has anyone seen a 329 XL for sale in Canada??
 
With full power loads, it'll be a bi*ch to shoot but then again for an ATC revolver it's a "carry much, shoot a little" situation. I'd practice with .44 Special loads to keep from beating myself (and the revolver) up.
 
rgv said:
I have a 686 that was shortened by hand before I got it. A ramp was screwed on a bit crudely.

I had the crown cut with a piloted crowning tool, had a buddy mill a slot for a Weigand S&W classic style front base, reshaped the lug, and it looks/shoots fine.

It wouldn't be my preference, but it IS possible to shorten a barrel on the frame.
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I've also got a chopped revolver, Barry @ Bits of Pieces did a really good job. But mine and your 686 are not a two piece barrel set-up.

The 329's use a outside shroud and an inner liner in a tensioned set-up. While I'm sure you can cut the front off, I'm pretty sure you can't replicate the front of the liner/barrel that keeps everything together.

Not trying to stir s**t just pointing out a simple chop job this is not.
 
geologist- You sound like someone who's done some bush whacking. Practising with 44 specials is a good idea, and if you had to use the magnums against a furry creature, the recoil would be the least of your worries. BTW, are you still packing, and how hard is it to get permits, these days? I haven't had a carry permit for almost 20 years.
 
pageophile said:
The 329's use a outside shroud and an inner liner in a tensioned set-up. While I'm sure you can cut the front off, I'm pretty sure you can't replicate the front of the liner/barrel that keeps everything together.

Not trying to stir s**t just pointing out a simple chop job this is not.
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Yea that's what I figured. Stupid 12.6 :mad:
 
pageophile said:
I've also got a chopped revolver, Barry @ Bits of Pieces did a really good job. But mine and your 686 are not a two piece barrel set-up.

The 329's use a outside shroud and an inner liner in a tensioned set-up. While I'm sure you can cut the front off, I'm pretty sure you can't replicate the front of the liner/barrel that keeps everything together.

Not trying to stir s**t just pointing out a simple chop job this is not.
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thats interesting, where did you read that it was anything other than a simple steel liner and aluminum shroud?
 
I asked S&W about this a couple years ago. Shortenig the system is very difficult they told me...they said MAYBE Cylinder and Slide could do it.....but no warranty or support after. My respone from C&S was.....no.

S&W said they would do a 4.2 inch run if I ordered 200 of them...so whos in for a group buy??? ;)
 
rgv said:
thats interesting, where did you read that it was anything other than a simple steel liner and aluminum shroud?
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Head on over to the S&W Forums (smith-wessonforum.com)

It sounds like S&W took a page out of the Dan Wesson book but the barrels are not end user swappable.

A similar set-up is used in the 500's too.

It's a great system, cheaper to manufacture and more accurate. However, the trade off is no real end user mod's are realistic.

As for a simple steel liner and aluminum shroud, it's a fully tensioned system. S&W have had failures with the threading at the barrel also with the 3XX series too. Not something a person wants to muck with.
 
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boxcoach said:
geologist- You sound like someone who's done some bush whacking. Practising with 44 specials is a good idea, and if you had to use the magnums against a furry creature, the recoil would be the least of your worries. BTW, are you still packing, and how hard is it to get permits, these days? I haven't had a carry permit for almost 20 years.
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My last ATC in 2008 was a breeze but I've been getting them since 1992 so they're used to me applying. I have been abroad a lot and haven't needed to re-apply. Just send everything required including your, dated, signed and printed on club letterhead qualification document and you're good to go. I hear from posters here that they are taking longer to process.
 
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