44mag (mod 29) vs 357 mag (mod 27,28) recoil

[collectordude]

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.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

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.

 

[38magnum]

what loads are we talking about?

300+ grain bullets in a 44 magnum? not for a smith and wesson anyway.

or 220-240 at 1,000 fps in your 44?

158 grain bullets at 1,000 fps, or 158 grain at the hopeful 1,500 fps in an 8 inch barrel load?

180 grain loads from buffalo bore?

there are several online websites that have calculators for expected muzzle energy and recoil as well. one should look at that perhaps.

But as the other more experienced user noted, handgun grips make the difference. I have the current factory 629 grips installed. They are ok feeling, but after 4-5 cylidners of factory ammo loaded to full velocity i get tingling and numbness, i have hand and wrist issues..

But I once held an original mountain gun in 44 magnum. It had some sort of pearl type grips on it that made the gun look like a pimps model 27 or model 20 from 1940 new orleans... they felt bad, and i would not be dumb enough to use the gun with those grips.
Its why the Tyler T grip adapter become a big market.

 

[Yendor357]

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.

 

[Jmp50]

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

 

[Engine49guy]

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.

 

[.455_Hunter]

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.

 

[stansdds]

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.

 

[Wyo]

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.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

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.

 

[Alk8944]

"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!

 

[rockquarry]

"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.

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!

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.

 

[Arm]

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

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

 

[dave1918a2]

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?

 

[Arm]

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.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

... 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.

Spot on! Same here.

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

 

[oink]

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.

 

[BillyMagg]

UGGGHHH!

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!

 

[BillyMagg]

It's all "physics"

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

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??

 

[BillyMagg]

It really is "all physics"

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

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!