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S&W 329PD Airlite shooting experience

Don't a lot of people use the S&W 329PD Airlite .44 mag as a mountain hike or woods gun? Knowing it is painful on the hand, but in a "I need it now or get the big bear off me moment", the pain quickly disappears? Kind of like toting the Ruger .454 Casull Alaskan- it's sounds and handles like hell came back on earth, but when you need it in an emergency up in bear country, suddenly you forgive its' sins.
Your right. Use the gun for what is intended for.It is not your everyday plinker.I use mine as a carry in the woods,no problem.
 
Wow, lots of good information, you guys are great, this is what I was looking for. I am not looking to shoot it regularly at the range but want something light to carry that will handle bears if needed. I have had plenty of experience with steel frame .44 mags and I am not shy of recoil but wondered if the weight savings is worth it and if the recoil is so bad that it takes much longer to recover from for follow up shots as needed. The gun store guys were making it sound like I would be crazy to get one so I wanted to ask the community.
Thank you guys for all the great information, this definitely helps.
 
I have carried and shot a 329pd and frankly, I choose a different route as most of the guides in AK have. They have moved to 10mm Glocks and usually have a 12ga close at hand for Bear control. Shot placement is still very important and I would rather have 15/16rds of 10mm hot loads than 6 shots of 44mag. I do have a 44mag carbine however and 44mag Smith 3" for fun really. My buddy asked me, why don't you carry a 44mag?

I said, what about if there are more than 6 bears.


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I just don’t understand snub nose .357 or 44mag revolvers. They kick like hell and their power isn’t really much better then a micro 9mm or micro .45acp. The pistol is just too light to really be effective and it very unpleasant to shoot. If you want a revolver go with a 4” or 5” barrel so you can really get the performance. I may be wrong but I think the 5” .357mag is normally the standard for an effective barrel length for that caliber.
A 2 inch 357 magnum still has more power than a 4 inch 9mm!!!!
 
A 2 inch 357 magnum still has more power than a 4 inch 9mm!!!!
No it doesn’t. Out of a 2” barrel it’s a couple FPS slower then a 9mm. Even a 2” 9mm barrel outperforms a .357. You need a 4” or longer barrel in a .357. It also sucks to shoot full loads of .357 out of a snub nose, let alone out of a super lightweight.357. I know it’s shocking but it’s true. Check out the below two links which clearly prove my point. You need a longer barrel for pressure expansion with the .357 magnum cartridge.
http://ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html

[URL]http://ballisticsbytheinch.com/9luger.html
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I love my 329ng, it has a scandium frame, 2.5" barrel, and makes a great woods gun. Thick rubber grips help mitigate felt recoil, but without practice, you'll be hard-pressed for quick follow up shots due to muzzle rise. I usually caution those that want to shoot it if they haven't shot 44mag before. Indoors it is LOUD, I'd say comparable to shooting rifles at indoor ranges but the concussion really isn't bad at all. I've reloaded both 44mag/special rounds for it but honestly prefer the mag loadings. Accuracy, who needs accuracy when you're punching a nearly 1/2" hole? Joking aside, the tritium front sight lends itself for quick pickup, and it's plenty accurate for my needs.
 
No it doesn’t. Out of a 2” barrel it’s a couple FPS slower then a 9mm. Even a 2” 9mm barrel outperforms a .357. You need a 4” or longer barrel in a .357. It also sucks to shoot full loads of .357 out of a snub nose, let alone out of a super lightweight.357. I know it’s shocking but it’s true. Check out the below two links which clearly prove my point. You need a longer barrel for pressure expansion with the .357 magnum cartridge.
http://ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html
http://ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html
http://ballisticsbytheinch.com/9luger.html
Check out Yankee Marshall YouTube video on it
 
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