Has anyone tried the S&W 329 Scandium Airlite 44 Mag. At only 26 oz with a 4" barrel, it seams likeit would mae a great back up pistol.
DR B

There have been some sold here ,., One guy said he loves to pack it but has shot it very little as it is a violent kicker ........I understand it could really use a recoil cushioning rubber grip ...

Great back up or emegency Bear gun. Just don't shoot it! When practicing use a .44 spcl. tatget load.

The ones I have fired with full powered loads seemed no worse than 454 Casulls and less than 475 and 500 Linebaughs.
I did not like the fact that extraction was very difficult - as the titanium cylinders expand slightly when fired and then tightened up on the expanded brass. This happened with factory Corebond and Buffalo Bore loads as well as my handloads. All those loads work and eject fine in my standard 629 Mtn gun.

With a nice light SWC load my recoil sensitive wife LOVES to shoot her 329PD. She compares it to shooting her 22... And she'll pack it as opposed to leaving it in the safe.
I've fired it with stiff loads, and regular 'to spec' ammo and it's a bit 'stingie'. We put pachy's on it and that helped a bit. I've been told that the Corbon loads are loaded hotter than the pressure specs for the 44 mag. and they do stick in her 329 - have not fired the Buffalo Bore 44's.
She practices with 44special or light 44mag (6 gr 231 under a 240 gr SWC)and then puts in some hard cast heavies loaded to less than max - so that they prove extraction wise.

TTFN

Dr B,
We have enjoyed the use of our 329 for a few years now and do not find the recoil objectionable. Have not experienced any problems with sticky extraction with either normal factory loads or our own handloads.
Ours came with two sets of grips and prefer the wood as they distribute the recoil comfortably across the palm.
Best Wishes

Nickel coated brass stops sticky extraction.I have handloaded both brass and coated,I had great results with the coated. If a hunter decides to always carry a backup handgun,I guess it is a pretty good option.It is quite light, but it is as bulky as any 4" .44 mag..

DrB, I have handled them at the Sportsmans whrhse-pretty nice handgun. Don't believe I would ever own one though-too light for me-good one eh?

I do however like to shoot an carry my 629-1 4", can do that all day and into the next wk. I reload for that as well and prefer hardcast by BTB and H110.

Figure if your paws are big enough you will do well. I have enjoyed my 2 Casulls in the past and handled them well-just to heavy to carry around.

just my thoughts.

I have one, and have made the switch to the S&W 500 grip. This helped alot with recoil. Also, I believe Buffalo Bore and Garret have loaded ammo for this specific handgun. I carried the Garrett Defender in my in Alaska. In preparing for the trip, I shot many rounds and was rewarded with a bruise in the palm of my hand. My last shots were wearing a leather insulated glove with a towel wrapped around the grip. This was quite the sight at my local range, but I was glad to have it on the trip. The big fluffy grip made a huge difference. I also have the Sc .357, and it's a little hand spanker also, but the piece of mind in a tent in the wilderness around here (Georgia) is priceless.
Don

Does anyone know if Crimson Trace makes a grip for it ???

I have the CT laser grip on my little Sc .357, but I don't know about the .44mag
Don

Yes they make the lazer grip for the N frame.

I'm only assumeing that the 329 has a normal grip frame don'nt know for shure.

...........It,s built on the N frame , ok ..I didn,t know if it was or if it was a unique frame .....The few I,ve handled , for some reason ,,I thot they were a little smaller , but it was probably just their lightness ...........I sure do like the sights that come with it from the factory ., ....My wife really likes the laser grips she has grabbed ahold of .....I know the laser can,t be used fps hunting ,,,but it can be for defense .......,I,ve always thot it would make a very good option with a belt mountain punch bullet @ 1000 fps for her but like Kelson . I would make up a probably 200 gr cast blasting load @ about 800 fps .,., ....She can shoot a 40 S&W fine so that recoil level would work for practice and blasting .....

I have a friend that retired from S&W 2 years ago after putting in 35 years with them. He was a test shooter for their new revolver products. Down in the basement shooting range they have these plexiglas shields that the shooter stands behind just to protect their face in case of a catasrophy. Well out of all the revolvers he tested over the years he said that the 329 was the most violent he ever tested and this included testing the new 460 and 500 S&W revolvers. This little light weight is the only revolver that he tested that ever recoild back and hit that plexiglas shield.

I've had one for a few year's now. I carry it in a shoulder holster whenever I'm in the bush. I've got to say I really like mine, it's a great carry gun.
I broke my wrist years ago and full loads certainly remind of that unpleasant experience, so I pratice with 44 specials. The recoil is quite managable.

I bought one, shot it, and sold it.
It is great to carry, expensive, and kicks like hell. I quickly sold it.
I carry my 4in 500 but only if I am out where it is inconvient to carry a rifle.

The 329 has a round butt N-frame grip.

I have a 329 and love it!

I have settled on factory 270 Gold Dots and have been very pleased with accuracy and performance.

Recoil? Yeah, she kicks like a mule with hot loads but is easy to shoot with .44 specials.
Switch to the light loads every other cylinder to avoid becoming pained or flinchy.

I think it is easier to shoot than the SW 340 PD (12 ounce .357 mag)
The 329 hits me deep in the web of my hand. The little 340 does evil things to my trigger finger.

The only extraction issues I encountered were with some very hot hand loads.(I don't remember the load but the recoil was MUCH worse than the 270 Gold Dots!)

Buy one and see if you can shoot it as well as a 629. If you shoot them the same you should keep it. If you can't, then be honest with yourself and sell it to someone else that wants to try one!