Originally Posted by danski

Once again, I feel compelled as I was a year or so ago to clear up the entire controversy.

First, Clint's not as big as he looks on screen; he's actually quite diminutive.

Second, because of his size, a Model 19 6-inch .357 was used throughout the series but consistently referred to as a Magnum .44.

It was all just movie magic that for decades has fooled all but the most discerning. Case closed!