N-Frame 329PD Air light (44 Mag) vs Gen 4 Glock 20 (10mm)

[Hams42]

There is another popular thread about 44 mags right now but I really need the nitty gritty on the air light smiths.

I have a gen 4 glock 20 right now that I carry in the woods with me. This is my 2nd glock 10 mm. I got the 23sf in 2020 and sold it a year later when I found the 20. If i am being honest I don't like this gun. I hate the trigger and the sights and can barely hit the 8 inch plates at 15 yards with it.

Last week I saw my local gun store had a used S&W 44 mag air light for $1000. I have thought that these were nice looking guns for a long time but have never shot one. I do assume they kick like a mule and torque pretty bad in the hand.

Anyone have a bit of experience with this exact revolver? What are your thoughts and what should I expect? I'm thinking about selling/ trading my glock and another shotgun that I don't love for the revolver.

 

[marksjeep]

329 with factory grips is not pleasant with magnum loads. 500s&w grips fit well and cover the strap, providing minor improvement. Its fun to shoot with specials. Its big, it fits well in the hand, it just kicks exactly how you expect a lightweight 44 mag to kick.

 

[std7mag]

329 with factory grips is not pleasant with magnum loads. 500s&w grips fit well and cover the strap, providing minor improvement. Its fun to shoot with specials. Its big, it fits well in the hand, it just kicks exactly how you expect a lightweight 44 mag to kick.

Like an Army mule? Lol

 

[mtmuley]

I have a gen 4 glock 20 right now that I carry in the woods with me. This is my 2nd glock 10 mm. I got the 23sf in 2020 and sold it a year later when I found the 20. If i am being honest I don't like this gun. I hate the trigger and the sights and can barely hit the 8 inch plates at 15 yards with it.

I have a G20 and love it although I know they aren't for everyone. Tough to find, but the Taurus Tracker Titanium 7 shot .357 is a great woods carry gun. Friend of mine sold one to a member here a long time ago. He still has it. mtmuley

 

[elkhuntinfool78]

I've been carrying the 329pd for probably 15 years or so and I love it. That said it's definitely not for everyone. I have no problem holding 3" groups at 15 yards with 300 grain hardcast loads. However you won't be rapid firing this gun accurately so take that into account. As mentioned above the xframe rubber grips help some with the recoil.

 

[elkhuntinfool78]

I should also mention since you are looking at a used one in particular that in 15 years I've actually owned two. I put about 500 rounds of full house loads through the first one when it started to need repair. Loosened up enough that I had to install an oversized hand and bolt stop to tighten it back up.

I would also recommend stripping the lock out of it for reliability/ peace of mind

 

[El Jason]

What’s the intended purpose of the handgun?

I really doubt you’ll see an improvement in shoot ability, but I’m not you. As far as not hitting a plate at 15 yards? It’s not the Glock sights or trigger that prevent that.

 

[Hams42]

I should also mention since you are looking at a used one in particular that in 15 years I've actually owned two. I put about 500 rounds of full house loads through the first one when it started to need repair. Loosened up enough that I had to install an oversized hand and bolt stop to tighten it back up.

I would also recommend stripping the lock out of it for reliability/ peace of mind

I have only seen it in the case and haven't handled it yet. I'll take a look at it this afternoon if it's still around.

What’s the intended purpose of the handgun?

I really doubt you’ll see an improvement in shoot ability, but I’m not you. As far as not hitting a plate at 15 yards? It’s not the Glock sights or trigger that prevent that.

It will be my bear gun. I know my problem with the glock is the trigger. And I may be fooling my self thinking I'll be shooting double action better than the glock.

 

[mtmuley]

I have only seen it in the case and haven't handled it yet. I'll take a look at it this afternoon if it's still around.

It will be my bear gun. I know my problem with the glock is the trigger. And I may be fooling my self thinking I'll be shooting double action better than the glock.

Double action won't help in a bear situation. You ain't thumbing the hammer first. mtmuley

 

[MTLabrador]

As far as striker fired handguns go, the Glock actually has a really good trigger for defensive purposes. Just takes some practice to learn how to use it. I’d honestly recommend a Glock 17 or 45 in 9mm and a few thousand rounds of good practice and you’d be surprised how well you can shoot them. I can consistently ring steel past 100 with my 17.

Nothing against the .44, I like my 629, but it’s harder to shoot than a Glock in double action and it recoils a lot less than that 329 will.

 

[El Jason]

It will be my bear gun. I know my problem with the glock is the trigger. And I may be fooling my self thinking I'll be shooting double action better than the glock.

All right. If you want a bear gun it’s actually hard to beat a Glock 10mm IMO.

First, it wouldn’t hurt to clean out the internals good. You can give a shot or two of non-chlorinated brake cleaner onto the trigger assembly. Then, put a drop or two of oil on the cruciform in the trigger assembly.

Glock sights work just fine for what you want. Put the steel plate right on top of the front sight post. Don’t overthink it.

Your grip is what needs the work. Think of holding a banana in your firing hand and adding grip pressure with your non firing hand. You’ll find when you tighten up your grip your accuracy will increase drastically. For bench shooting, it’s all about trigger. For this fast shooting it’s all about grip and structure.

MTLab is right. Practicing with a 9mm is a lot more pleasant and will help you learn the basics. We shoot steel out to 100 all the time with factory G17s

 

[MTLabrador]

If you have the factory plastic sights and want a good upgrade that’s not too expensive look at some Ameriglo sights. I would recommend having someone with a sight pusher install them as they’re a tight fit.

 

[Mato]

329 with factory grips is not pleasant with magnum loads. 500s&w grips fit well and cover the strap, providing minor improvement. Its fun to shoot with specials. Its big, it fits well in the hand, it just kicks exactly how you expect a lightweight 44 mag to kick.

I don't mind the 329, especially with the 500 grips, add Specials to it for practice and life is easy!

I do have a 360 PD, it's a caustic little prick! I wouldn't go this way again....

I do carry a G20 with Night Sights, carry it in a Gun Fighter chest rig. I run a couple hundred rounds a year thru it at close range (21'). As well, I have a G17 set up the same and a G44 (the 22 LR) set up the same. Both of these work with the chest holster I have for my G20 so I can run a lot of rounds a year thru it.

I'm not a big fan of the Glock trigger either, but it's not hard to learn to work with. I typically shoot a case or two of 9 ammo a year.

My EDC is a P365 with an optic, that's a going dude and is really easy to run.

Last thing, consider going to an optic with a 5 or 6 mil dot in it, you'll be amazed at how quickly things go with it.

If you're going to get this way and have some time let me know and we can hit the range and run some rounds thru them.

 

[Hams42]

I went and handled that bad boy. I may be a pansy but that sucker is going to rip my hand off. I really didn't expect it to be that light. I guess I just need to put more rounds through the glock.