For those that have shot both a model 27 and model 29 how much more recoil does the 44 magnum have. I have a Ruger Blackhawk 44 magnum and is not really something I would want to shoot a lot at once. Its also quite a bit lighter than a 29 so I would think a 29 wouldn't be as bad.

Recoil is highly subjective, and comfortable grips-like comfortable footwear on a hike-make a BIG difference. S&W factory grips do not suit me, all my S&W revolvers have either Pachmayr's or Herretts. Haven't fired my Ruger Old Model Super Blackhawk in years, would get Pachmayrs if I was going to shoot it more often.

The design of the Blackhawk/ Super Blackhawk in my opinion were never meant for the recoil of the 44M. The Bisleys aren’t quite as bad, but they’re not a a lot of fun for long either. 975 fps with a good old Lyman 429421, 250 grain will pass through any deer we have here in Indiana. Now that load is pretty nice.

I have a 4 inch 629 Mountain Gun that I’d rather shoot with heavy loads than my 7.5 inch Super Blackhawk. All my old -4 629s have the factory rubber finger groove grips. They’re not unpleasant. Double up on ear pro.

Even more pleasant than the 629s is the new Anaconda. Those things weigh even more than most of the Classics. They’re a load. But you can shoot them all day.

About 1.5x more for 44 given equal gun weights.
Max 158 357 vs 240 44.

4" 28 (40 oz) 357 is a pussycat. 11 oz 340pd recoils harder than most full size 44's

Model 27 vs Model 29 recoil is pretty vauge considering different models and barrel lengths etc.

If your talking straight 6.5" vs 6.5" the 29 has more recoil but if it's too much for you it also takes .44 special.
General rule of thumb is the bigger the caliber and shorter the barrel and lighter the gun the more you feal the recoil.

For me, a 4" 28 with magnas in .357 is perfectly fine. My 4" 629 "No Dash" wears Pachmyar Presentations (size small). I have L/XL hands, but most popular oversized grips seem ridiculous to me.

Comparing the felt recoil of a Ruger Blackhawk 44 Magnum and S&W Model 29/629 is an apples to oranges comparison. The S&W weighs more than the Ruger, but the bigger comparison is the size and shape of the grip. My first experience with 44 Magnum was with a Blackhawk and I found it to be a little on the painful side, especially after the Ruger cut the web between my thumb and finger. The S&W has a totally different grip shape and is far more pleasant to shoot.

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You asked about the recoil of the M27 vs. the M29. So, assuming similar barrel lengths of 4", factory target stocks and full power factory loads of 158 gr. vs. 240 gr. I would say the M29 recoil is about 2x that of the M27. That is all subjective, of course. I can shoot full power loads in a M27 all day long, no problem at all. I can shoot maybe 25 rounds of full power loads in my 4" 29-2 before it gets uncomfortable. Beyond that, I don't enjoy it much.

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Everybody could shoot

Have shot a bunch of full power loads in my 27 and other N Frames.
Never really thought too much about recoil.
Full power loads in 29s, 629s, Red Hawks, Blackhawks?
Recoil does smooth out in a 7 1/2 inch Red Hawk.
It’s pretty significant in the Smiths.
That’s why you’ll see Rubber Grips on my shooters.

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"Perceived recoil", aka felt recoil, is quite subjective dependent on the individual. It is also dependent in large to the handgun type. Perceived recoil is far different between single-action (Ruger, Colt) revolvers than double-action types like S&W. Stock/grip type (plastic, wood, rubber) and shape also greatly influence the felt recoil.

I own Both a 6 1/2" Model 29 .44 Magnum and 6 1/2" Model 27 .357 Magnum. With similar velocity loads and standard weight for caliber bullets in both the perceived recoil as I feel it, in my opinion, of the .44 Magnum is nearly twice what the recoil of the .357 is. This is logical as the .44 bullet is 51% heavier than the .357 bullet.

Unless you are comparing straight apples to apples as above the original question is un-answerable!

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Gunsmithing since 1961

Alk8944's response is easily the best one.

Textbook recoil tables don't mean as much as we'd like them to. The weight of the revolver has much to do with recoil but it's not the only factor. I shoot a variety of 27s and 29s with heavy (not necessarily maximum handloads) and I use suitable weight cast bullets for the cartridges (158 grains for .357 and 235 or so for the .44 Magnum).

You asked about 27s and 29s...the most comfortable 27 I've fired has been a 6" version; the most comfortable 29 I've fired has also been a 6", but it's still a handful and I'm unlikely to shoot more than a box of ammo, if that much, in one range trip.

Regarding the most comfortable .357s I've fired, brands notwithstanding, have been the new Pythons, any barrel length. The 2.5" version is the only short-barreled .357 that I can fire a lot in one trip to the range without becoming fatigued. It seems heavy for what it is and that may be the reason for the lack of punishment in comparison with a lighter snub nose .357.

My 6" Colt Anaconda .44 Magnum is far easier on the shooter than my 6" 29. It's not bad at all with Magnum loads, but it's a big and heavy gun in comparison with the 6" 29.

Shooting a lot probably has something to do with perceived recoil as well.
I guess we become conditioned to it to some degree.

Yup, I carry a 340 M&P, refuse to load 357's in it anymore. Wrist can't handle it, pack it with 38 special+P in 158 flavor. Thank me latter...LOL

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I'm gonna step up here and make soma ya'll angree. I just shy of 80 and I go to the range alot when it's above 30 degrees. I take a 475 Linebaugh, two or three 44's, and two 41's. Usually have a couple of 17's and a 48. 357 is for wimps. There, did I do it?

I'm in the same ballpark for age, I've done some fool things in my life(which is getting short) but I no longer care to damage what I got left, so I abstain from punishing my body for no reason. I've shot many a weapon, even had to under certain pressure while in the fun paradise of some tombstone called Vietnam. So bless you for enjoying the pain, I'll pass until I'm called to do so.

6TH BN 29TH Arty HQ SVC BTRY Radio SGT
Hell hath it's fury...I had enough.

Spot on! Same here.

In my youth I prefer the Rugers for full blast 44 Magnums.

You can get used to full house loads in a 29 if you shoot enough. When I decided to carry my 6" 629 on duty I shot the heck out of it to make sure I was competent with it. I shot many Dept. supplied factory magnum duty rounds and many I rolled myself. I got to where the magnums weren't an issue at all. I did have rubber grips on it. Unfortunately my gun suffered from all of those magnum rounds.

I now also have a newer 5" with full lug that I use when I have the itch. I also have a 6" N frame 357. It's very pleasant to shoot but I think I like my 686's better. Lately I've been shooting mostly 38s in my 686s as I no longer have a free ammo source and I've shot up all my magnum rounds both factory and hand rolled.

Yes, there is considerably more felt recoil from a 44 mag as compared to a 356 mag, all else being equal.

Let me add that I have a Ruger Super Blackhawk in 44 mag that I don't like to shoot. It has the dragoon frame and the trigger guard just hammers the heck out of my middle finger knuckle. Other than that it shoots great.

I used to fight a flinch, an over analytical dude,, weighed about 145lbs when I graduated High School... I had a 1969 Garnet Red Z-28 with black stripes,, I loved the Python and model 27, but didn't have a spare dime after buying gas for the Z...

I did sneak my Dad's little .25 Beretta out to the junk ditch and light off a few rounds at our old washing machine... as "Dirty Harry" said, "a man's got to know his limitations...

First round took the top of my strong side thumb, "clean off!!!" as Harry would later remark about the 44 Magnum... but the .25 merely dented the old washing machine, (yes, they were so much better back then),, like the 1969 Z-28!!!

anyway, I went to a community college, again, NO MONEY! and my Dad started a flying club off the neighbors farm... flying the 172 was 14 bucks an hour, and my instructor was 8 bucks an hour.. so NO Money at ALL!

anyway, I had a few kids when I was able to purchase my first 27-2 off the "Gunlist", that gorgeous, beautiful, "Christmas Catalogue", that you could buy all year long..

so yeah, I flinched a LOT,, oh I could hit sometimes, LOL.. fortunately Dave Peterson my best friend, was a bigger Gent, and LOVED the 44 Magnum,, he started with a nickle 4" 29-2, and was a minor league baseball umpire at the time.. He sent the 4" back to Smith for a 6" tube, and continued on his merry way, firing quick double taps, was no big deal for him, but he did confess he occasionally got a case of the yips...

which honestly helped me a lot, we shot together, every chance we got, which also helped me a lot.. so yes, the 44 Magnum will kick the ******* right out of you, the 357 is fairly pleasant in comparison, but the sharp report, and snappy recoil, could still give you a case of the "yips"...

I ended up around 215lbs prior to my heart attack and triple by-pass, but recoil was a lot better... so everything kicked a lot less when I was a big, strong, farm boy, LOL

Buy good "EYE" protection, then buy equally good "EAR" protection, and finally get a good pair of actual shooting gloves!

It really is just physics, the 44 Magnum does indeed punch about twice as hard as the 357 magnum, in fact the model 27 may weigh a few ounces more than the model 29.

Nobody has mentioned that the 357 report and recoil is sharper than the 44 Magnum,, the 44 report is deeper, and much less painful for my ears than the 357, and the actual recoil is different, maybe more, but seems to be spread over a longer period of time??

anyway, the .38 special and .44 special are honestly more my cup of tea these days.. why beat your old gun, (and your old body) up? when you don't have too??

Yep, physics don't lie! grip shape and density do change things up, good grips make a lot of difference, those tiny "Murado" wood combats on my 29-5 6.5" "Classic DX" were miserable, the Hogues a little less so, LOL

Good Eye, Ear, and hand protection can also totally change the dynamic, they are a must if you want to keep the yips at bay!

There is no comparison. Model 27 = creampuff; Model 29 = "WHAT THE...?!?!?!"

Really, if you have to ask, you don't need one...

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Pisgah

If you don't like the recoil of a 44 magnum in a Ruger SBH ...
You sre Not going to like the recoil of a 44 magnum in a S&W model 29 .

I've shot both , extensively and that's why my Gun of choice is a Model 58 in 41 Magnum ... Less Recoil and I can shoot it much better ...
More people need to explore the 41 Magnum ... a good round .

I'm not a 44 Magnum fan unless it's in a model 92 Winchester ...
Now you got something Sweet !
Gary

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I'm sure there is some scientific data out there. My answer: A Bunch!

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Even older, even crankier....

A 4" 629 unloaded is 43oz and a 4" 686 unloaded is 40oz, according to S&W.

Assuming both are loaded to the max charge with the most common bullet weight in H110 power...

629 with a 240gr at 1235fps recoils at 20.7ftlbs of pressure at 22.3fps
686 with a 158gr at 1300fps recoils at 10.7ftlbs of pressure at 16.6fps

Based on this, I'd say all things being equal 44mag generally speaking recoils at twice the pressure and 1.5x the speed of a 357, both from similar sized guns and both loaded with common bullet weights at max loads.

My model 27 trigger guard never bothers my middle finger. My model 29 trigger guard wacks my middle finger regularly. That could be poor technique on my part. When I shoot 44 special in the 29 it seems to be like the 27.

I have a 8.5" 29 (in lovely nickel). It tends to tear the web of my thumb when I shoot it. My 6" 28 is smoother than a fresh of jar of Skippy with 357 magnum loads.

Hit the nail on the head

And we've worked ourselves back around to the beginning, the 44 Hand Ejector 1st Model would honestly do most of what we need done with that big beautiful bullet.

Today, for the very first time, I picked up a very nice 6 1/2" 44 Hand Ejector 1st Model Target. I took it out of the box, opened that big beautiful cylinder, palmed the ejector rod back, closed the cylinder, checked the timing and lock up, when it was in full lock, with the hammer "all the way back, a LONG way back".. I picked it up and almost dry fired it, but, I didn't, LOL

I'm going to add a few of my own, I've shot my old model 27-2 a lot with full house 357's, shot a few 38's too, my first handgun, and a beautiful gun.. I ended up with a couple of 29-2's, my first real "handful of gun", yes they do kick a little bit,,

I shot a nice Ruger Blackhawk 45 Colt/45 ACP, a lot of fun, and with the ACP cylinder I had 4 rounds in 4"s with iron sights at 100 yards,, have no idea where the other two went??

I bought a very nice 29-5 Classic DX 6.5", a very pretty, very tight, very accurate hand gun, that kicked the **** out of me with those cute little "Murado Wood Combats", the Hogue's were a lot better.

I bought a 5" Stainless Super Blackhawk in 44 Magnum,, that was the most miserable handgun I've ever fired, beat me up with every round, 44 Specials were a little better.. The 44 Magnum Ruger Master, couldn't get it to group either. I sold that to my neighbor who was a big handloader, he swore he would get it to group...

Then I bought a 44 Ruger Flat top, a real 4 digit serial number Flat top, I loved that thing, even heavy loads, it just loved to
shoot, and I loved shooting it..

So I've recently sold my last two round butt N frames, a 627-0. and a 29-5, both guns I've had and enjoyed for 10 years, and picked up a very nice 44 Hand Ejector

If you go to Hodgdon’s website and lookup 44mag and 357 mag loads you can configure loads for each at the desired bullet weight and velocity and powder charge. Then lookup a recoil calculator on line and plug in the numbers. It will give you in Ft pounds the recoil for each. You’ll need the weight of each revolver as well. The weights will be very close since they’re both N frames. The 357 will have slightly more weight due to the smaller bore but not by much.

It won’t take long to pull the data together and you can determine the loads you want to calculate and then you’ll have a scientific answer based on actual data.

I think you will like the model 29, I would probably go for the full underlug guns, with good grips, and probably the 6.5" barrel, if you want to enjoy shooting the 44 magnum. I did not like my 5" Stainless Super Blackhawk, at all..

I did love my little 4 digit Ruger 44 Flattop, so go figure, and it was very accurate..

I did and do limit full house loads, 44 Specials will get you on paper, and get you some "trigger time" in a more relaxed shooting experience, and yes it does help. Just like archery, the more time you spend shooting and working on your "form", the better your results,, when your form starts to "break down", STOP!

So while we have looked at the data and the physics,, what hasn't been said, is that when shooting a heavy caliber handgun, success or failure basically happens between your two ears...

Almost every "flinches",, its true for most of us, and most of us go through stages... I flinched a lot when I started shooting 357's,, they are loud, and there is a "muzzle flash". I had a good shooting Buddy who dearly loved shooting "double taps" out of his or my? 44 Magnums, he was very honest about flinching, made me feel a lot better, more importantly, shooting with him challenged me to be a better shot, and I got a lot better, I enjoyed shooting "groups", and he enjoyed more combat style shooting.

If you think you don't flinch, let someone else load your gun, and leave out a round or two for every cylinder full,, then you will know, LOL

recoil is definitely subjective, I was, actually pretty surprised to find Magnum recoils with wood grip not as bad as everyone led me to believe the first time I shot one & after many years of shooting all kinds of Smith & Wesson 44s I find it's only gotten easier to shoot not harder. I've never understood why people say it's such a hard shooting gun not that it is less than smaller calibers of course but definitely not as bad as I thought. I find a 357 Magnum in a short barrel revolver far nastier than the big heavy 44 Mag. The Ruger I found even lighter.

I don't think that the difference in recoil between a .357 and .44 is subjective.