Hearsedriver
Member
I've never shot one but, I sure have the hots for a .44 Mag. Maybe a Model 29. Just how bad is the recoil? How hard are they to control ?
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So....Just how wicked is the .44 Magnum ?
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KLNC
Member
I shot a dozen magnums in my 629 when I got it. I could handle it, but I quickly said "why"?? Since all my shooting is on the range, I only use .44 Specials. It's supposed to be fun, not a chore, although there are plenty of folks here who think it's a hoot to hear the artillery go off!
RIDE-RED 350r
Member
Well, it is definitely more violent of a recoil than a 357. I own a 629-6 Classic, 6.5" bbl. It is a stainless with a full underlug making a little bit heavier than the M29. So an M29 of the same barrel length will probably have a little bit sharper recoil. But I'm not sure if it would be terribly noticeable...
It is my opinion that if one exercises proper grip and stance that almost anyone should be able to fire a 44. Obviously that statement has a few exceptions. I LOVE my 629 Classic... Next wheelgun just might be a 460XVR, 8-3/8"....But that will be a little while.
I practice/target shoot with the same ammo that I put in the gun when I go deer hunting. In other words, I like to practice up with the stuff that will be in the gun when it counts... SO, no 44spl out of my 629, no 38spl out of my 357, except for just plinking.. My serious shooting, the shooting I do to dial in the groups and adjust my sights too, I use full house loads.
It is my opinion that if one exercises proper grip and stance that almost anyone should be able to fire a 44. Obviously that statement has a few exceptions. I LOVE my 629 Classic... Next wheelgun just might be a 460XVR, 8-3/8"....But that will be a little while.
I practice/target shoot with the same ammo that I put in the gun when I go deer hunting. In other words, I like to practice up with the stuff that will be in the gun when it counts... SO, no 44spl out of my 629, no 38spl out of my 357, except for just plinking.. My serious shooting, the shooting I do to dial in the groups and adjust my sights too, I use full house loads.
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Maximumbob54
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The three that I found used looked brand new. I'm pretty sure there are many out there that get shot once or twice and then get sold. I suppose it depends on the user. I don't find them that bad with the right grip in the hand and the stock has to fit your hand. I really like Ahrends for them. But I do confess that many of my .44 magnums are what you would call magnum lights. But I only do that for paper punching.
A lot depends on the barrel length. Many years ago I bought a Model 29 with a 4-inch barrel. Beautiful gun. I fired six rounds through it and promptly traded it off for something else. Later purchases of 6 1/2" and 8 3/8"-barreled guns showed me that the .44 magnum is better shot with the longer barrel lengths - recoil and blast were considerably reduced. It's a trade-off of power and weight. The more weight, the more manageable the recoil. I have a 4" M629, but I shoot it only with .44 specials or reduced-load magnums. There are those who regularly shoot the shorter-barreled guns, but I suspect that deep down they might be masochists...
My first .44 mag was a Ruger Super Blackhawk. With its 7 1/2" barrel, unfluted cylinder and smooth curved grips, it was quite manageable. A single action gun will roll in the hand - spreading the recoil over a bit longer time, where a double action will not. It's therefore more of a kick than a push.
John
My first .44 mag was a Ruger Super Blackhawk. With its 7 1/2" barrel, unfluted cylinder and smooth curved grips, it was quite manageable. A single action gun will roll in the hand - spreading the recoil over a bit longer time, where a double action will not. It's therefore more of a kick than a push.
John
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29aholic
Member
Aint nuttin but a thing. Do you reload??
AABEN
Member
Yes they have some kick, But you need not load hot loads or a heavy bullets. For fun shooting I load 180gr HDY with ACC #2 10.0gr vol 1.271 C.U.P. 36.500 this is a fun round to shoot after you are use to this load you can add a little more powder or a heaver bullet. GOOD LUCK
David LaPell
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I can tell you its not as bad as what the movies make you think. I used to shoot fifty rounds or so at a time in my 4-inch Model 29. Granted they were mild loads of 250 grain lead SWC and 10.0 grains of Unique. The biggest thing I found is the grips. I had a Ruger 50th Anniversary .44 Magnum and it came with those black checkered grips. They were like 60 grit sandpaper. I replaced them with elk stag and I could shoot it all day long with my handloads. To be honest I prefer the .357 Magnum for all day shooting, its too expensive to shoot the .44 like that now even when I handload.
JCS&W
US Veteran
I have a M29-2, 4 inch and yes, with a full magnum load, it will get your attention. But with the correct stocks, the recoil can be tamed...well, somewhat.
Sportsterguy
Member
With the stock grips and full loads it can cause severe flinching if you're not used to a hard recoiling revolver. Seen it more times than I can count when I lived in Alaska and everyone just had to have a .44 or .454 for bear protection and never shot anything more powerful than a .357 mag. They would be lucky to hit a 10" paper plate from 10 yards after 1 cylinder and thats no joke! I could actually watch em close their eyes before yanking on the trigger.
Put a good set of full coverage rubber grips and work your way up from light loads to heavy and with time it is a very manageable round. I went with my model 57 and 210 gr. hard cast LSWC's and had great penetration with less recoil and muzzle blast than with a 29 or 629.
If I were to buy another .44 mag it would not be a S&W. Had 3 and now own none. I'd go with a 5.5" Ruger Redhawk, rubber grips and have the trigger worked over. Very heavy revolver that's built like a tank and will gobble up 300 gr. bullets loaded hot with no problem. The extra weight and a good set of grips really tames the standard 240 grain round down. JMHO
Put a good set of full coverage rubber grips and work your way up from light loads to heavy and with time it is a very manageable round. I went with my model 57 and 210 gr. hard cast LSWC's and had great penetration with less recoil and muzzle blast than with a 29 or 629.
If I were to buy another .44 mag it would not be a S&W. Had 3 and now own none. I'd go with a 5.5" Ruger Redhawk, rubber grips and have the trigger worked over. Very heavy revolver that's built like a tank and will gobble up 300 gr. bullets loaded hot with no problem. The extra weight and a good set of grips really tames the standard 240 grain round down. JMHO
Shadow1006
Member
I have a S&W Model 29 8 3/8" barreled nickel plated 44mag, it has a superb target trigger action and target sights and hammer. That thing is deadly accurate too! I took down a deer at 180 yards with the open sights, thru the heart. I suppose it helped that I had just finished target practicing with that behemeth! It came in the wooden presentation case.
I handload for it and feed it mostly 240 grain bullets...
I handload for it and feed it mostly 240 grain bullets...
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StatesRightist
Member
How harsh the recoil is depends on the gun and the load. In a model 29 or Ruger with mild .44 mag loads, it's not bad. The barrel length matters, 4 inch and under is much stouter than the longer barrels. A mild load is low recoil, a 3oo grain full house load is punishing. I carry a 3" 629 with light loads in it for CCW sometimes and it's manageable. I have no idea why anyone would want the titanium/really light versions of a 44, besides carrying it as a hunting backup, they are brutal.
I'm going have to say I'm not sure where the people who are comparing it to the .357 are coming from, they are in no way comparable. You are talking high 500 to low 600 MVE in the .357 to double that or more in the .44. It's like comparing bench pressing 250 to 500 and saying it's not much different.
I'm going have to say I'm not sure where the people who are comparing it to the .357 are coming from, they are in no way comparable. You are talking high 500 to low 600 MVE in the .357 to double that or more in the .44. It's like comparing bench pressing 250 to 500 and saying it's not much different.
fat tom
Absent Comrade
Well,I started my son off early with shooting. When he was 10,he had moved up to the .44 mag with an 8 3/8" bbl. He would sit cross-legged on the ground and rock backward with each shot. He LOVED it! So did several of his buddies. We start 'em young down here. 
f.t.
f.t.
RIDE-RED 350r
Member
After re-reading the whole thread, I see where nobody has claimed a 357 compares to a 44...
I guess I was comparing the differences because I own a comparable gun in 357 (my 686 6") and know from experience the difference is stark. And it seems that many people are familiar with shooting 357's. I believe I did say it was definitely a more violent recoil than firing a 357.
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iLikeOldGunsIlikeNewGuns
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After a little practice, I can now safely and accurately fire my 4" 629 one-handed. Get to know the gun and make sure you are in control of it, but it really isn't as bad as you may imagine.
ColdBlueSteel
Member
Agreed. But let's not forget the shooter, their hold, and the way they handle recoil in the first place. I find the recoil produced by lightweight .357's far worse than the kick from the larger caliber magnums. Reason being, the need to "choke up" on a small frame/grip compared to the hold for a N frame gun. If you aren't trying to manhandle the .44 it will become much more pleasant to shoot. I absolutely love shooting the N frame .44's, J frame .357's...not so much.
StatesRightist
Member
Not trying to down you Dooman, recoil is subjective, I was just giving him a little different perspective. Have a good one.
RIDE-RED 350r
Member
No problem Sir!
I just wasn't sure where you were coming from.. But I agree, really depends on the gun.. One thing about 44's is they are all on large frame pieces, I have never fired a J-frame 357, but I can't imagine it being a real shooter friendly piece for a day at the range! LOL! I have no trouble firing a box or 2 of full house 44s at a time, well, except for the price... I love shooting my 44!
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
I would rather shoot my 29 (with smooth presentation grips) than a hot loaded J frame!
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