So I went to the range today to shoot 2 of my new firearms, a S&W Model 29 6 inch and a Walther P99 .40 S&W.

First, the Walther. Yeah, it's plastic but I wanted a semi-auto .40 in plastic. I handled plenty and this is the only one that fit my hand. This pistol shot like a dream. The recoil was very manageable much to my surprise. My only reference was a SA 1911A1 in .45 ACP which to me has a lot of muzzle flip. I enjoyed the Walther tremendously, putting a couple 100 rounds thru it with no problems.

Then came the M29. OK, I've shot my M28 .357 many times and was thinking I was prepared. I loaded up a cylinder full of .44 Special first. Hmm, bang, not too bad at all. Next came the .44 Mag ammo. OK, big bang. No, make that BIG BANG!! Wow, I had to catch my breath a little. Anyways, I shot half a box of ammo and decided I had had enough. OBTW, I was shooting with stock target grips and quickly figured out I needed some rubber to shoot this puppy w/o major hand damage.

Conclusions: Really like the Walther and will shoot it a lot. I also loved the M29 and will shoot it also, but not as much as my others. I do want to shoot it enough to get comfortable with it.

I guess I'm a bit of a wuss, but there you go...

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Barry, youngest son of Claud

The worm has turned.

Remember, gloves and earplugs.

I had the same experience when I shot my first .44 Magnum when I was 19 (Smith 29 6 inch barrel, I wish I had that one back). That too had the target stocks. With full power loads it felt like somebody smacked my palms with a bat. The recoil never bothered my wrists though. Now, I love the big boomers, and would hate to be without my .44's.

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Vaya con Dios

I've heard a lot of similar comments about the .44 mag. I never found it to be all that bad.
I let my wife shoot my 4" model 29. I let her shoot at a .22 silhouette ram @ about 15 yards. I figured it'd be safe. She bent it up pretty good. That gal ain't afraid of any of my guns, though she's not too fond of the model 60 with full magnum loads.

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Regards, Ron
USASA 1965/69

Yep, you need to get some rubbers . I remember my first time, with a 44 magnum, as far as this conversation is concerned that is. I remember the concussion hitting me in the chest. Even now that I shoot a 460 XVR, I still remember the power and authority I felt while shooting the mighty 44 mag.

I think most peole have somewhat the same feelings you experienced their first time out with a 44 mag. Has nothing to do with being a wuss.

My first experience was with a 4" and I remember it well. My next experience was with an 8" Dan Wesson. Wow, what a difference.

I have since come to find shooting a 6" both exciting and fun. With repeated shooting you will probably find the same to be true.

It's never relaxing. It's always thrilling. A 6" is my favorite to shoot now and since I no longer shoot the 44 mag as often as I used to, it still takes a few rounds for me to settle down with one.

G'luck and enjoy that fine revolver.

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" I don't recall, senator."

The 1st 44 mag I had was a Ruger Super Blackhawk. Shot it a lot before getting my first M29.

The felt recoil from The M29 seemed twice as much as the Ruger.

The Ruger kinda rolls in you hand, where the M29 doesn't. I don't want a gun with more recoil than the 44mag.

On rifles, the .375 is all I want. No larger

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Regards,
Windjammer

Alot of the recoil is the muzzle flip from the bore being so high above your hand.
I like magna grips on my model 29s because they recoil BACK more than UP!

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Jeb

Ahhh...... the memories. Thanks for sharing Reminded me of my first handgun. 629 8 3/8 bought the revolver 100 rounds of winchester 240 jhp's $280.00. Shot up over a thousand store bought full bore 44 mags that summer. How much would I have to spend today? I now have a 500 and 460 but the memories of that first shot with the 629 will never be matched.

First round down range with the 50 BMG came close.

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SC Army National Guard

A few years ago, a friend and his stepfather were all hep to get a .50 Smith & Wesson. Power this, and velocity that, and bullet weight this and so on.
Neither had ever fired one.
So one day, I invited my friend out to shoot my S&W Model 29 6".
Loaded it with lead 240 gr. semiwadcutters at about 900 fps. Piece of cake, he thought. "Heck, that's nothing," he said.
Then I loaded it with full-power 250 gr. SWC at 1,400 fps. Maximum load.
He lines up ... and nearly dropped it from fright after the first shot.
"Holy Screaming Jeebers!" he said, or something akin to that.
I had to grin and say, "And don't forget, you got 5 more of those to go!"
He got through them, but everything from snakes to helicopters was in peril, from his flinching.
"And that's still not as much recoil as the .50," I added.
The oddest thing. He never mentions the .50 S&W anymore.
I heard he went back to his stepfather and said, "You don't want a .50! Trust me. You do NOT want a .50!"

Frankly, I've seen darn few shooters who can accurately fire the .44 Magnum with full-power loads.
Oh, they may brag about shooting their .44 Magnum and getting great groups, but odds are it's with less than full-power loads.
Heck, I only keep one box of full-power loads on hand myself, just for the occasional demonstration like above.
I shoot lead 240 or 250 gr. semiwadcutters at 900 to 950, or so, mebbe 1,000 fps. Can't see much point in revving it up just to shoot tin cans or rocks at long range.
But once in a while, it's fun to drop in the full-power stuff to be reminded what the ol' girl can do.

You might try smooth grips. Works for me.

If you reload, try my pet load of 7grs. of IMR 700X and a 240 cast SWC. Its manly enough to know you are shooting, but not so unpleasant that you cant shoot it all day.

Shoots good too!!!



FWIW I rarely shoot the hot ones anymore...this load will do all I need to do short of bear.

With grips that fit the shooter well (and we are all different) PLUS a nice, firm and high grip, a 6" M29 can be a pure joy to shoot. With the wrong grips it can be hell I guess.


However, if anyone has ever shot that rare, 1st year or two little Thompson Center Contender .44 Mag with the 6" octagon barrel you'll soon wonder what could possibly hurt more. I traded mine off FAST.

T.

I've found the opposite to be true. The shape and size of one's hand, along with their grip and shooting technique must have something to do with it. I'd much rather shoot 100 rounds through my 29 than a cylinder full through my Blackhawk.

Been there done that!
Couldn't believe how much more the TC kicked than the 29!

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Jeb

Try a 454 mag with a Ruger Alaskan.

It'll make the .44 mag feel like a pussy cat.

I do love shooting a .44 though!

Instead of changing grips try using leather shooting gloves. They make a big difference.

If you want some fun try shooting Winchester White Box 240gr. magnums out of a 4" 29 with targets. When I got the gun back from a friend after ten or so years, it had magnas on it. I didn't even try to shoot it with those. I ended up shooting about a box and a half of Winchester through the gun while trying to get various problems straightened out. I eventually switched to a set of Pachmayer Signatures. It's still rough with those. With the targets, it was vicious.

Got some gloves and Pachs on the way...

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Barry, youngest son of Claud

I've just ordered some Pachmayr Presentations for my .44 Mag.

Normally I just fire a few rounds from mine just before I leave the range.

Just to keep all those semi-auto guys in their places.

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Regulate Banks, not guns

The only thing I've heard louder on our range was a guy with a High Point .45 with a muzzle break. Of course my .44 could always get through six round without a stoppage...

This is why my .44 magnum revolvers seldom see anything but specials anymore. I usually only shoot the magnums through carbines these days, but have been toying with the idea of a SA Ruger in .44 mag. The rolling of the single action grip in your hand upon recoil greatly reduces felt recoil. Some people put rubber grips on the SA's but they just serve to increase felt recoil on such a weapon. IMHO.

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Formerly know as Lucky Derby

Youv'e obviously never heard a Ruger Blackhawk in .30 Carbine. And very light recoil too.

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Formerly know as Lucky Derby

Hi:
I am not a regular .44magnum shooter, but I use a rubber grip that covers the back strap.
Jimmy

My 29s carry small Pachmeyrs when I go to the range. I took my little cousin shooting the other day. He just got back from his 2nd tour in Iraq. He's a Navy Corpsman. He's interested in guns, and doesn't know much about revolvers, so I took a Colt Government Model .45, a SAA, a Model 13 and my favorite 629 4". He really got a kick out of the first three, then I shot the .44 with 240 gr. Win. full house loads, reloaded it and handed it to him. He liked it, but it did intimidate him. He's a small guy. I never saw where he hit, it was too much fun watching him while he shot. I got him an NRA membership for his birthday. He wants my 13, he can't have it.

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Wayne
Torn & Frayed

i concur with the shooting gloves...they do helpa lot....as to 44 mag.recoil...blast a dozen rounds through a 500 mag.then go back to the 44...you will think you are shooting a 38sp

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

Surprised no body mentioned the .41 mag. In my opinion it will do anything a .44 mag will do ,,,,love my M58 and the 657

Exactly.

I hope the Pachmeyers work for you, but they may not. Composition (rubber, wood, whatever) is less important than good fit. In my own case, I have nice wood target frips for show on my 29 Classic, and always change back to Hogue Combats for the range.

The Hogues don't look as nifty, but they fit my hands a heckuva lot better, and that makes all the difference.

If you've shot your .44 with full-house loads much, you may also have noticed that there is a considerable difference in perceived noise and concussion in indoor ranges v. outdoor -- at least, that's my experience.

Bill

I got the Pachs really cheap and they're the same as I use on my M28, so I thought I'd start there. If they don't do the trick, I'll go to plan B (whatever that is)....

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Barry, youngest son of Claud

I still have my 10" tapered octagon barrel. It certainly does get your attention!! I always 'thought' wanted one of the 6s. The 12" 45/70 isn't even as bad as that one with full loads.

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" I said, good DAY! "

I have one of those old 10" oct. 44 mag and 10" oct 30/30. I think the 30/30 is worse.and extremly loud. That thing scares the **** outa me. It hasn't seen the ligth of day in years.

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SC Army National Guard

Yep, had the 44 and 30-30 barrel in the Contender. Tried about three different types of grips, non worked very well. Keith loads in the 44 hurt after a while, but I believe the full house 30-30 was worse, made my wrists hurt after a couple rounds. My 29 is a pleasure to shoot compared to the Contender.

I heartily agree with this statement. The great majority of my .44 loads are a ~260 grain LSWC between 900 and 1100 fps. At 1100, the recoil is very manageable, and I am comfortable shooting anything that walks, crawls or flies in my area. From target shooting to hunting, that's where it's at.

And since the S&W Forum membership cannot exist without pics:

My only .44 magnum was a 5 1/2 inch Redhawk. I shot specials and even store bought loads and I thought it was pretty cool. Then my brother in law loaded up some fire breathing 180 grain loads and after a couple of cylinders of that my hand was bleeding. It was then I figured out that I didn't not need that much gun. I have stuck with .357s and 10mms since for my power guns.

My favorite carry gun is a 5" .44 magnum and it's stoked with full power loads. My guess is that the .44 Magnum can be shot well by most any young, strong, male shooter. They just have to really want to, and that takes a lot of practice.

Well, I fit 1 out of 3 of those qualifications.

I will shoot it more, no doubt about that.

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Barry, youngest son of Claud

There really just ain't nothing like shooting a Dirty Harry gun..Really need to invest in some rubber grips though..Not for me of course ;But rather for the little woman

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Duct Tape Is Like The Force.It
Has A Light Side,A Dark Side, And It Holds The World Together

If there's one thing I like shooting as much as my 10mm's it's the 44 mags. Neverr tried anything bigger or even the 329 scandium. Been tempted, and also considered a 454 Casull. If you need something larger, you need a rifle IMO.

I let other people try it, and ability to control it has nothing to do with sex, size, or physical strenght. Some can, some can't. I found that if I tell them to hold it centered in the web of the hand, they tend to have a much more favorable impression overall.

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9tenz

I am betting that if you shot the 44 first you would have LOVED the recoil on that 40 s&w. I have the SW99 in 40 and just like you I love mine

The recoil on the 40 S&W was minimal to me. I saved the M29 for last because I anticipated my reaction would be "OK, that's the way to end my time at the range..."

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Barry, youngest son of Claud