I'm a bowhunter and I am thinking about buying a S&W 329PD for back-up,just in case.This is a revolver that will be carried alot and shot alittle.I love how light it is.I own a S&W 340PD and when I first shot it one word came to mind,PAIN!That is until I put a set of Pachmyer Decelerator grips on it.Now I have no problem with it,even w/180 grain bullets in this 12 ounce J-frame.What I would like to know is what you owners think of this revolver and what loads you shoot.

I've got one. I bought it as a back-up gun, too, for hunting. I shoot .44 special (cowboy) loads for plinking, 240g and it's a pussycat with those loads (700-800fps range). I've loaded some reduced power .44 mag loads for it which aren't TOO bad, but the full house .44 mag hunt loads are brutal. I load it with these loads if I'm going to be near dangerous game, reduced power loads when deer hunting. BTW, if you reload, and are shooting high power loads, make SURE you have a heavy crimp on the bullet. They WILL back out under recoil if you don't.

Do I like it? Sure do. I think it's very versatile, great trigger, great weight to carry, very good accuracy. Wish it didn't have the J-lock, but I can live with it.

MKane160

I've had one for a while now, great gun, not so fun to shoot. I own both the big smith X frames and a BFR and this smith kicks far worse than any of the big boys.
I got the gun to use as a backup, hogue grip, 300 grain cor-bons will get your attention pretty quick. I've never shot anything but .44 mag out of it, so i couldn't tell you how smooth it is with .44 special. then again, if you buy something like this, you're kind of asking for it anyways, why not thump the .44 mags?

Great guns, especially to carry. I carried one for 10 days in Africa last year and have toted mine on may hunts here in the US. They are a bit of a challenge to learn to shoot well and the express sights don't really lend themselves to precise placement. They are certainly guns to be carried alot and shot a little. I bet you 375 would serve the same purpose for your needs.

Perry

PWN375-I originally bought that 357 for concealed carry and I am happy with it in that role.Since it is a double action only with a 2 1/2" barrel,I would like a larger caliber,longer barrel and the ability to shoot single action to take hunting with me.Plus,something about that lightweight 44 just tickles my fancy.

Love mine! and it is my daily carry piece. I have fitted crimson trace laser grips to it so that I don't have to worry about the front sight in the dark.

Shoot 230grn round nose at 800fps through it for practice and carry 270grn Steal Jacketed solids at 1400fps for bush use or 200grn xtps at 1400fps for social use in town.

I ordered one last night for $727.00.Can't wait to get it!