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Thread: My new "survival" canon.

  1. #1
    Photographer 10mm_Bob's Avatar
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    Default My new "survival" canon.

    For those who follow my work, you know that my normal sidearm has always been a .357 magnum. However, after a recent close encounter with a very large hog (estimated 500 pounder...and I have pics of him) that frequents one of my regular photography locations, I have decided to go to the 44 mag. camp. I now have the big brother to my favorite .357 mag (S&W 327 pd). I now have a S&W 329 PD scandium framed 44 mag., and an appointment to have my brains examined.

    Seriously though, I had fired this firearm several times before buying one. It's manageable with full-blown 44 mag rounds, and easy with 44 specials. The light weight is a key thing for me due to the amount of gear I have to carry. This is definitely a "special purpose" item for my photography outings. I regularly encounter large gators and hogs. Not saying the .357 can't handle it, but this one should be a better solution for the really big ones. It'll be loaded with 250gr Doubletaps in the field. Not for the meek, that's for sure.
    Last edited by 10mm_Bob; 01-19-2012 at 07:09 PM. Reason: corrected bullet info
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    I would fire a few cylinders of 300 gr. Double Tap, just to make sure it does not "Jump the Crimp". The 329PD was hot here for bears, but there have been so many cylinder lock-up problems, that many have gone to the Glock 20 (10MM)
    Last edited by Sourdough; 01-19-2012 at 07:17 PM.

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    Photographer 10mm_Bob's Avatar
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    Definitely will be doing that. I'm well aware of the crimp issue with this one, and will be testing it out. Buffalo Bore makes ammo specially for this gun, but Mike at Doubletap has assured me that his crimps are not going to creep. Still, ya gotta find out for yourself.

    I mistakenly posted that I was shooting the 300 grains. I'm shooting the 250's. Should be a bit more tame, but still have plenty of energy.

    This won't be one that I run a lot of rounds through. Just enough to stay proficient. It'll be out in the swamps with me a lot though.

    Thanks!
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    Photographer 10mm_Bob's Avatar
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    BTW - Only reason I don't like autos for what I do is that I definitely get them messy, and even glocks can jam up from crud faster than a good ol' revolver. It's wheel guns in the swamp for me.

    As my name implies, I love the 10mm, and have three of them.....but none for carry in the swamp. I carry those in the "other" jungle ;-)
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    I also prefer wheel guns to self-loaders for reliability. My understanding about the 329PD is that you don't want to mix bullet weight cartridges in the cylinder.

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    I have a "Kimber" full size 1911 in .10MM and love it.

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    Photographer 10mm_Bob's Avatar
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    Hadn't heard about the mixed ammo, but not something I'd do anyway.

    All my 10mm's are also 1911s. Dan Wessons. Love the 1911 platform for 10mm.
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    Quote Originally Posted by 10mm_Bob View Post
    Hadn't heard about the mixed ammo, but not something I'd do anyway.

    All my 10mm's are also 1911s. Dan Wessons. Love the 1911 platform for 10mm.

    Please be advised that if you own a "Bobtail" Dan Wesson in 10MM that I hate you. I wish I owned one.

  9. #9

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    Quote Originally Posted by Sourdough View Post
    I also prefer wheel guns to self-loaders for reliability. My understanding about the 329PD is that you don't want to mix bullet weight cartridges in the cylinder.
    Why would that matter?

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    Photographer 10mm_Bob's Avatar
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    LOL - Well, I guess I'm going to have to live with being hated then ;-)

    I have a CBOB and two Razorbacks. However, one of the Razorbacks is actually a full custom job (Done for me by Dave Severns out of Carson City, NV), and it too has been bobtailed. It's my primary carry firearm. I have to admit that I love those bobtailed 1911's for carry. I use the other Razorback for hunting.

    Let me know if you want pics :-)
    Last edited by 10mm_Bob; 01-20-2012 at 08:21 AM.
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    Quote Originally Posted by lucznik View Post
    Why would that matter?

    It has to do with the light weight of that firearm, and some basic laws of physics. Mainly a object at rest tends to stay at rest, a object in motion tends to stay in motion. This is magnafied by the weight of the object. If you have heavy bullets in some cylinders, and lighter bullets are fired, because the 329PD is so light, a cylinder with a heavy bullet, said bullet will tend to stay at rest and the case holding that bullet will recoil back from the bullet, this now locks up the cylinder. Not good when dealing with a grizzly bear.

  12. #12

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    Yes, I get that but, wouldn't this be the case when you fire any bullet? It seems locking up the cylinder is a very real potential problem that is inherent to this particular gun's super-lightweight design. I don't understand why mixing bullet weights would exacerbate this problem.

    Put in other words:

    Why would shooting a light bullet (with its inherently lower overall recoil) cause the heavy bullet to move out of its case more than if you shot a heavy bullet (with its inherently greater recoil)?

    and/or vice versa

    Why would shooting a heavy bullet cause a light bullet (which is easier to "put into motion" i.e. follow the gun & case with the recoil force) to move out of it's case more?
    Last edited by lucznik; 01-20-2012 at 11:12 AM. Reason: unclear question

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    I think for your application, the 329 is a great choice. You might want to consider getting a steel frame .44 if you don’t already have one. I have a nice 629 Mountain Gun, and at 40 oz. it drew blood until I put the Hogue grip from the .500 mag on it. I don’t think I am interested in a scandium .44. I have a couple of scandium frame guns, but I also have nearly identical stainless guns that I use for range practice to avoid wear and tear on the scandium gun. With anything approaching full power loads, my scandium .357 has nastier recoil than my .44 Mtn gun or my 4” .500.

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    Resident Wildman Wildthang's Avatar
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    I like the old Ruger Redhawks in a .44 caliber. I just feel safe with that gun!

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    Photographer 10mm_Bob's Avatar
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    I do have an old Ruger Redhawk. It's just too large and heavy for any real practical use in my world. I keep it for sentimental reasons (was my dads). The 329 PD is a very application specific firearm. It's really only practical as a back country protection tool against potentially dangerous critters. I don't think it has any other practical application. I would never carry it as a concealed carry firearm, and it certainly won't see any more time on the range than I have to give it to keep the sites true and to make sure I'll know what to do should I ever need to break leather with it. That's about it. I could see this gun never getting a thousand rounds through it. But it's perfect for what I bought it for.
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    My .44 Redhawk was originally a 7 ½”, but after shooting out (and excessively cleaning with abrasive bore cleaner) the barrel, I had it replaced with a 5 ½”. It is a great gun, but even with the 5 ½” it weighs 10 oz. more than the 629 Mtn gun.

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    Senior Member SemperFi's Avatar
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    I too have the Redhawk and a Model 66 (357) , but you say you like revolvers over autos and your a 10 mm guy ,than why not the Smith & Wesson Model 610 stainless steel revolver chambered for the 10mm auto? http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore...odel%20610.pdf

    You can use either 10mm or .40 cartridges , unfortunately I dont believe its in production, so it could be rather expensive to purchase ,(I would love to have one myself!!!) I stand corrected , I guess they do produce them again with some kind of locking system added, but I dont think it interferes with there legendary accuracy!

    See what happens when you read good post???? Now Im looking for one of these guns myself and I think the 4 incher is where Im headed!

    Listen here 10mm guy you got psyched again , not only am I gonna start looking for this revolver I am seriously considering a Glock 20 or an EAA Witness in 10mm!
    Last edited by SemperFi; 01-21-2012 at 10:46 AM.
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