Will I have trouble going to a Model 29 from my Model 19?

[MagnumForce73]

I love my Model 19-3 snub-nose. It has good firepower, good accuracy and surprisingly mild recoil (though it does have a good kick with Federal 158 grain JSP). That aside, ever since I saw the Dirty Harry movies, I've always wanted a Model 29. I wonder, though: will going to that big bad .44 cause me a lot of trouble compared to my compact .357? I mean, I am a pretty big guy (5'10" and about 235 lb the last I checked), and I do a decent amount of strength training at the gym.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Be like dancing with a fat girl...........You'll get the hang of it.

 

[IrishFritz]

I suppose that depends on the ammo you choose to shoot. No question that full house 44 magnum ammo recoils, but you can shoot 44 Special or 44 magnum mid range loads and the recoil becomes quite manageable. Another consideration is the size and weight of the firearms; a 29 has got to be near a pound heavier that your 19 and the grips are a fair bit larger as well- this may be a problem if you have smaller hands. Certainly most people can learn to manage a 29, it pretty much comes down to your determination to do so, but make no mistake about it- a 44 magnum 29 is a horse of a different color than a 357 K frame. May I suggest you find someone who owns one who will let you shoot it before you buy one. Good luck

 

[glenncal1]

Any .44mag will let you know that you have pulled the trigger. A 6" or 6.5" barrel will soak up the recoil pretty well (obviously a full lug barrel will lower the felt recoil even more). I have a 4.25" model 69 and shooting magnum loads out of it.... With .44 specials it is a sweetheart. Do you have any friends that might let you try their .44s, or possibly a range with rental guns available.

 

[Doc44]

I own both and have no trouble switching back and forth. You shouldn't either.

Bill

 

[gen3guy]

Then you should now know that Detective Callahan carries a "light special" in his behemoth. Pay attention!

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I recommend some type of Rubber Grips.
Try several until you find a pair that best fits your hand.
The top 629 has Pachmayr Presentations which I generally prefer on big N Frames.
The bottom one has Hogues which came on it.
The Hogues are OK but I’m not crazy about the finger grooves.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

I carried a .44 Magnum as one of my duty weapons. I shot full factory at the range, 25 and 50 yards. On duty I carried Factory .44 Special. Only needed it twice. First time I shot it, bad guy gave up! You shouldn't have a problem.

 

[DeplorabusUnum]

I have a 19 and a 629. They are definitely different. The added weight of the N-frame helps absorb some of the extra recoil, but I guarantee you'll feel plenty of recoil from a full 44 magnum load. That being said, I'm a skinny old guy with small hands, and if I can handle it, you should have no trouble at all. +1 on the rubber grips though. The 629 is probably my favorite of all my revolvers to take to the range. If you don't like yours, send it to me I'll take care of it for you.

 

[Drm50]

44 mags like Colt 1911 has had the recoil hyped for years. It is nothing that the average shooter can’t get use to. The worst for me was my first 29 back in 60s had 4” barrel, muzzle blast was real. I was use to Ruger SBH with 7.5” barrel.

 

[rubiranch]

I shoot hot loads in all my Magnums, from my 640-1 .357 Magnum to my .44 Magnum.

That's why I love them. They're like driving a fast car with a redhead seated next to you.

 

[raljr1]

When Mrs and I were dating she weighed 110 lbs and has tiny hands. She shot my buddy's 8-3/8" Model 29...she had no trouble with the recoil, but the 6th shot went into the ground well ahead of the target... seems that 4lb revolver was too hard to hold up that long.. i too am 5'10c and 230 lbs...you won't have any trouble shooting a 29 if you shoot full magnum loads out of a snub model 19.


Robert

 

[Engine49guy]

Have a six and a half inch 29-2 that is pleasant to shoot and .44 special feels like 38 special in that gun.
The 4" Model 629-2 Mountain gun is another story, 6 rounds of 44 magnum leaves my palm bright red.

 

[Doc44]

I read many years ago shooters are much more sensitive to muzzle blast than to recoil. That has been my experience with the 44 and 41 Magnums. Blast will cause a shooter to push the revolver away from their face in anticipation of the blast. When I first started shooting the 44 Magnum my shots would print downward as I was pushing the revolver away from my face.

I use smooth stocks on the magnums I shoot routinely as checkering can be a bit rough on your hands.

Bill

 

[Rodan]

Every one has hit on the recoil... it's a personal thing, and depends a lot on the ammo you shoot.

What no one has mentioned is the frame size/ trigger reach. Depending on your hand size, the N frame may be more difficult for you to shoot double action because of the longer reach to the trigger. This can be 'adjusted' by grip choice, but the bigger frame = longer reach all else being equal.

I can shoot an N frame well, and love my N frames, but when it comes right down to it, I'm faster and more accurate (shooting fast double action) with a K or L frame. If you're just shooting single action, it probably won't make a difference.

 

[Hair Trigger]

I look at it like this. Compare shooting your M19 snubbie to being stung by a paper wasp; compare shooting a .44M to getting stung by a hornet. They both have a sting (the recoil and how your hand feels after a cylinder full), but one is a bit harder to endure than the other when getting repeatedly stung. Both can be gotten used to.

 

[Claymore33]

I love my Model 19-3 snub-nose. It has good firepower, good accuracy and surprisingly mild recoil (though it does have a good kick with Federal 158 grain JSP). That aside, ever since I saw the Dirty Harry movies, I've always wanted a Model 29. I wonder, though: will going to that big bad .44 cause me a lot of trouble compared to my compact .357? I mean, I am a pretty big guy (5'10" and about 235 lb the last I checked), and I do a decent amount of strength training at the gym.

It is all felt in the WRIST. Go fire 50 rounds of .44MAG and your wrist will be sore the next day. Fire .44SPL and it will be as smooth oiled glass. I am 5'10" 180# and am very strong but I am good for about 18 .44MAG a day then I go back to .44 SPL.

 

[sipowicz]

Too bad “The Gauntlet” was such a bad movie...then you could have kept carrying the same gun, albeit it in stainless.

 

[ZGrand]

The first time I fired my 6.5" 29-2 recently, I shot a full 50-round box of full-load .44 Magnum. While the recoil was indeed stout, it was not that bad. I had shot 50-round boxes of 38 Special from a M15-4, and .45 ACP from a 1911 beforehand. I'm late 60's, 5'-10" and 175 lbs. I had no wrist or hand issues the following day.

 

[merl67]

I'm 5"6 155lbs you're going to be just fine. It does take a bit getting used to, but you are most of the way there shooting a snub nosed 357 mag...