Posted: 6/19/2026 8:06:12 PM EDT
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Anyone have one? Reliable or reasonably cool? I’ve got the 4” 329PD, but there’s a used Alaskan Backpacker for $800 locally. Might have to get it |
Bleeding edge of retardation
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They are a dream to carry, and a bitch to shoot. $800 is a fair deal. If it's used, take a look at the top strap just above the forcing cone to make sure there isn't a deep groove being eaten into the scandium by the blast of the fired cartridge. When they first came out, the Mountain Gun back in the day, a S&W engineer I spoke with at SHOT informed me that they are not designed to be fired more than a few thousand rounds, at most. The top strap gets eaten away above the forcing cone and will break at some point. |
Doing the OP's job... With the SS cylinder vs your 329PD titanium cylinder, I don't see much point of it all. But that doesn't matter. Buy another gun. Duh. ETA: Looks like it has the blast shield to prevent top strap erosion. |
Fantrax ARFCOM PICKERS Champion 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
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Originally Posted By AT-ST83: They are a dream to carry, and a bitch to shoot. $800 is a fair deal. If it's used, take a look at the top strap just above the forcing cone to make sure there isn't a deep groove being eaten into the scandium by the blast of the fired cartridge. When they first came out, the Mountain Gun back in the day, a S&W engineer I spoke with at SHOT informed me that they are not designed to be fired more than a few thousand rounds, at most. The top strap gets eaten away above the forcing cone and will break at some point. The top strap flame cutting should be no factor if the steel blast shield is in place. Doesn’t change the fact that the user may not want to fire more than a few thousand rounds from it at most during their lifetime, though!  I’m actually mulling over a 329PD 4” myself. I have less than zero need for a .44Mag, but I’ve always wanted one and the 329 would be easy to carry. I’d more than likely shoot Specials 95%+ of the time, but a 25oz N-frame is amazing lol. Problem is, what I REALLY need is something on the opposite end of the spectrum, a sub- or micro-compact in 9mm or maybe .380. As I always say, decisions, decisions… Post photos and shooting impressions if you hate your wrists enough to buy the Backpacker! 
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| Wonder what the weight difference is. I always thought the various Backpacker's were cool guns. If you already have the PD then you know what it's all about. It's going to be similar experience. |
BikerNut:
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
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I have a 4" 329PD Mountain Gun 44Mag, and it is awesome. I bought it from a guy who was 74 years old, and it LITERALLY broke his wrist after 52 rounds of 44 Mag. He sold it to me for $700. I have put 48 rounds through it over the past 8 years. As I originally stated; it is a dream to carry, and a bitch to shoot with full power 44 Mag rounds. It's actually not THAT horrible, a 7 out of 10 on the "not fun" recoil gauge, but it surely is not enjoyable for more than 10-20 rounds of 44 Mag. It is my companion on camping trips, and the carry weight is excellent. Even with 44 Special, Mr Newton is king. The dildo of mass vs force rarely arrives per-lubricated. |
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Looking on Gunbroker, $800 looks to be a good price. https://www.gunbroker.com/all/search?keywords=329&pagesize=96&sort=4&view=1&ch-manufacturername=smith%20%26%20wesson I shot the 4 inch version at a Gun Shop / Range Factory Shoot way back when it was 1st released. I didn't need to be reminded what pain is and used 44 special cowboy loads. |
| I remember seeing those for sale in Fairbanks back when I lived there when I was stationed ar Fort Wainwright. I asked my wife to pick up the 329 PD vs the back packer, because i had to have the lightest one of the two. That was back in 2013 time frame. I suspect I’ve shirtless than 200 rounds of ammo through my 329 over the years 😬 |
ive carried the one in 45acp and after about 7 or 8 moonclips of 230 grainers doing about 890ish fps it will begin to rub the skin between your pointer and thumb clean off. of course you shoot it enough and you build up a callus and the problem goes away. 
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"when tyranny becomes law rebellion becomes duty"
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Originally Posted By jagdkommando: I bought a 329PD when they first came out. No one is going to shoot one a couple thousand times. I am not recoil sensitive and enjoy big guns. However a heavy 44mag load out of a 329PD is brutal. lol that's how I feel. I had a customer that straight up wore one out. Had a couple major repairs and at some point after telling them the round count they politely told him these guns weren't made for his volume of shooting Still makes me laugh.
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BikerNut:
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
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I've had a bunch of M629's - 3'-4'-5" and two of the 4" Mountain Guns, a 44spl NightGuard, a 4" M69 and two different M696's. My favorite one is my current; the 4" M69. Shooting 300gr bullets at 950-1000fps. It's a manageable weight, not bad on the recoil, and any hard cast or solid brass/copper bullet's in the 275-300gr range will certainly do the job on anything in North America with excellent penetration. With the right loads (300gr Defenders from Garrett) the 329 should be just fine for you. |
Dave Funk
Past President and now a Board of Directors member Iowa Firearms Coalition. Past President of the Iowa Chapter-SCI.
Past President and now a Board of Directors member Iowa Firearms Coalition. Past President of the Iowa Chapter-SCI.
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I had a 329 PD, the 4" gun and it wasn't that bad to shoot. First cylinder wasn't the best but for some reason, after that first cylinder, it wasn't really that bad and I was usuing VZ G10 grips on it too. It does kick a good amount, no question...but still not as painful as the small J-frame .357 scandium guns. One word of caution though, stick to relatively "standard" 44 Magnum, the spicier 44 Mag will stick the brass bad, as in you're not reloading that thing kind of bad. The titanium cylinder does well with standard level 44's but will stick the spicey stuff. That said, Buffalo Bore does make a load that is safe for the 329, they have it listed on their website, have to look at the notes but it says it won't stick in the titanium cylinder. |
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Originally Posted By Sticklebackbob: Well, after a few drinks last night, I realized I’ve got a 2.5” 44 and 454. So I decided to pass on this. Alcohol must work differently in Alaska. If I have a few drinks I think things like 26oz 44 Mags and that girl over there make sense. Maybe I need to move to Alaska? |
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