Yep, it really kicks alright. I carried mine last week while hiking in Montana Glacier National Park for a week. It is very comfortable to carry and lightweight as you know. I ended up practicing with .44 special ammo to not only reduce recoil, but keep cost down. When I finish practice, I always shoot a few rounds of .44 mag just to know how it handles with the "real" stuff. Of course, I don't think you will notice the kick when Mr. Griz is charging you........
Overall, I really like the Model 329PD. It is perfect for carrying long distance or all day long.