.44 Mag 29-2 vs 500 Mag

[tcloud]

I tell my wife I love her. I think she believes me.

But I've found a new man-crush -- my 500 mag. Damn, that's a sweet gun!

A disclaimer -- the 500 ammo I was shooting is pretty mild compared to other loads, so the comparison might not be fair.

My son and I went shooting today and, with some trepidation, I loaded the beast up and shot. Hmm, not too bad, so two more and then I let the R.O. shoot the remaining two. He shook my hand and other people at the range came to see what was causing the explosions near them. My son then shot three and I finished the last two. Ten rounds all total at $3.00 a round. Worth it!

I'm 81, don't see as well as I used to, and my hands shake. When I shoot my 9 mm, I have to lean against something to help steady me. My 1911 is easier for me to control, more accurate for me. But this 500. I don't shake, probably because it weighs a ton, resulting in more accurate shots.

Now, to the comparison to my 29-2 "Dirty Harry" .44. Don't get me wrong, I love this gun too, and I won't tell it I'm seeing someone else. But when I shoot it, it leaves the grip-pattern imprinted in my hand the first shot. I don't like firing more than three rounds at a time because of the recoil. The recoil is sharper than with the 500, and it's definitely not pleasant to shoot. Except for the cost of ammo, I'd shoot the 500 over the .44 anytime. I just need to go out in the woods somewhere and shoot something more substantial than a paper target so I can see it blow up.

I plan to buy some more potent ammo and try that.

Stats:
Armscor 500 S&W, 300 grain JHP, allegedly 1195 FPS and 951 foot lbs.
vs.
PMC .44 Mag, 180 grain JHP, rated on the box 1750 FPS, 1225 ft. lbs.

 

[stansdds]

As much as I like wood stocks, put some rubber Hogues on that 29-2 and it will seem much tamer.

 

[DEF3]

81 still shooting at the range. Shoots 500 mag. You have my respect sir! Good for you. Keep on keeping on.

 

[skwchock]

Wow!! At 81 shooting a Heavy? That is impressive. I am 78 and shooting my .44 mag leaves an imprint. I guess I need to keep my .38+ as my EDC.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Try some shooting gloves

Wow!! At 81 shooting a Heavy? That is impressive. I am 78 and shooting my .44 mag leaves an imprint. I guess I need to keep my .38+ as my EDC.

Something else that might help is investing in a nice pair of lightweight shooting gloves. Not only do they improve your grip (non-slip), they provide another layer of recoil protection for your palms and wrist when shooting heavy loads in revolvers. Just sayin'.

 

[flundertaker]

There’s plenty of 500 mag ammo out there that’ll change you opinion quick.
As you mentioned, the grip is probably the biggest thing. Throw some Goodyear on that 29 and it’s a different story. The weight of the X frame also goes a long way to taming 500 recoil especially with light loads.

 

[BE Mike]

I've always hated S&W wood target grips. When I discovered Hogue grips, decades ago, my life changed for the better.

 

[cgt4570]

I see the .460 as a much more versatile round than the .500. You can shoot .45LC, .454 or full .460 in it. I love my several .44mags, but if they ever produce a .460 without the lock, it will go in the safes!

If I ever find myself needing something stronger, I have a custom single shot falling block pistol in .45-70! I've never crono'd it, but TC says the Contender .45-70 pistol was capable of 2,500 ft/lbs with some of the faster rounds.

 

[flundertaker]

I see the .460 as a much more versatile round than the .500. You can shoot .45LC, .454 or full .460 in it. I love my several .44mags, but if they ever produce a .460 without the lock, it will go in the safes!

If I ever find myself needing something stronger, I have a custom single shot falling block pistol in .45-70! I've never crono'd it, but TC says the Contender .45-70 pistol was capable of 2,500 ft/lbs with some of the faster rounds.

Agree on the .460 being the better choice. I had one and stupidly sold it. I won’t pay what they go for to replace it so I bought a 15” .460 S&W Magnum barrel for my Encore.

 

[Bald1]

Based on load info it kinda seems like you’re shooting 500 Special. I’ve seen 44special loads with more umph. As noted before, the Goodyears would make a big difference. But I get it. You want your girl all dolled up and pretty.

 

[bones001]

I've shot the same PMC as OP and also Remington UMC 180 Gr. 1610 FPS and 1035 ft-lb in my 629 Mountain Gun and the Remington kicks much harder than the PMC. Go figure...

 

[Snowwolfe]

You really should start to reload It is never to late even at 81!
You will love the 500 even more if you do.

 

[tcloud]

You really should start to reload It is never to late even at 81!
You will love the 500 even more if you do.

30 years ago, I shot competition. Had a Dillon 550B. My youngest, 15-year old, daughter got hooked on reloading .45 ACP and became hypnotized by it, popping out cartridges by the dozens. I finally had to stop her -- so many bullets -- and I still have some of those reloads after all these years (she just turned 43).
When I moved, I gave away my reloading equipment and all my precision metal working tools to my son and nephews. No room anymore for reloading and I probably shouldn't be reloading as I don't see little things anymore. I think I'm better off just paying for commercial ammo, even though it's more than I want to spend. I also gave away my spotting scope, so have to bring the target up to the bench to see where I put 1/2" holes in it.