Fired my first .44 Magnum Sunday
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Doc Mark
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Morning, All,
I fell into hand guns the way many do, beginning with a .22, then getting a .38 Special, and a .357 Maggie. On a desert camp out, many years ago, a friend, who hand-loaded, asked me if I wanted to shoot his Ruger Super Blackhawk, firing his "burn the hair off a bear" loads. With a bit of trepidation, I did so. Even though I was really holding tight to the pistol, the heavy recoil rotated the gun upwards, and dug the hammer into the web between my thumb and forefinger! It bled for a while, and convinced me that the .44 was just "too much gun" for me. My friend got a great laugh out of it, and that would have been that, had I never tried to shoot one again. He later told me, once I got into hand-loading, myself, that those loads consisted of as much 2400 powder as he could stuff inside the cases and still seat the 240 grain bullets!! Too much horsepower for a new .44 shooter, for sure!!
But, years later, our band was working in Gillette, Wyoming, and the bartender found out several of us were shooters, and asked us to go shooting with him on a weekend at the range. He had a wonderful 6" S&W M29, and asked if any of us wanted to shoot it. Nobody did, and I told him about my earlier experience with the SBH. He just smiled, and told me that his Smith was loaded with .44 Specials, which were very pleasant to shoot. Overcoming my fear, I gave it a go, and ended up shooting the X ring out of the target!! WOW!! What a difference those loads made!! He let me shoot more of them, then switched me to a regular .44 Maggie load, giving some advice on how best to hold and handle the big Smith. Not bad. Not bad, at all, actually!
Soon after that, I got my first big bore handgun, which was a Ruger Blackhawk .41 Magnum, with a 6 1/2" barrel. I fell in deep lust with that gun, and also the .41 Mag cartridge. However, over the years, I continued to think about that bartenders wonderful M29, and when I chanced upon a buddy of mine at a gunshow, selling off his collection, my fate was sealed! He had a NIB S&W M29, with 8 3/8" barrel, pinned and recessed, in it's wooden presentation box, with all the goodies, and it's original cardboard shipping box. This M29 was nickel-plated, and was one of the most lovely handguns I'd ever seen!! I asked him what he wanted for it, and when he said "$400", I about fell on the floor!! Of course, I bought it from him that day, along with another NIB Smith, this one a nickel-plated M58 .41 Mag, in it's blue box, with all the goodies, also for $400!! To this day, I think that God was watching over me back then!! Though I've kept the M58 unfired, I have shot the heck out of that M29, and it is an outstandingly accurate handgun, with many different loads. Sweet Bride even won a "Housewives Revenge" shooting contest with it at our local range, once! At 100 yards, pots and pans were hung by wire from the target frames, and each woman had to fire a certain number of shots at her designated pot or pan. The winner was the one with the most hits. Whilst all the other Gals were shooting .22 rifles, and such, from prone positions or the bench, Sweet Bride stood up on her one two legs, and from a good isosceles stance, blew the smithereens out of her target, the pan ringing loudly with each hit!! I was very proud of her that day, and many of the other husbands were envious that she was not only willing to shoot that big .44, but also could hit with it, and off-hand, at that!!
That .44 M29 is one of my most cherished handguns, and even though I actually prefer the .41 over the .44, for many reasons, I'll never get rid of that wonderful nickel-plated Smith .44!! Great gun, and I was blessed to have been able to find and buy it for such a great price! Take care, and God Bless!
Every Good Wish,
Doc
I fell into hand guns the way many do, beginning with a .22, then getting a .38 Special, and a .357 Maggie. On a desert camp out, many years ago, a friend, who hand-loaded, asked me if I wanted to shoot his Ruger Super Blackhawk, firing his "burn the hair off a bear" loads. With a bit of trepidation, I did so. Even though I was really holding tight to the pistol, the heavy recoil rotated the gun upwards, and dug the hammer into the web between my thumb and forefinger! It bled for a while, and convinced me that the .44 was just "too much gun" for me. My friend got a great laugh out of it, and that would have been that, had I never tried to shoot one again. He later told me, once I got into hand-loading, myself, that those loads consisted of as much 2400 powder as he could stuff inside the cases and still seat the 240 grain bullets!! Too much horsepower for a new .44 shooter, for sure!!
But, years later, our band was working in Gillette, Wyoming, and the bartender found out several of us were shooters, and asked us to go shooting with him on a weekend at the range. He had a wonderful 6" S&W M29, and asked if any of us wanted to shoot it. Nobody did, and I told him about my earlier experience with the SBH. He just smiled, and told me that his Smith was loaded with .44 Specials, which were very pleasant to shoot. Overcoming my fear, I gave it a go, and ended up shooting the X ring out of the target!! WOW!! What a difference those loads made!! He let me shoot more of them, then switched me to a regular .44 Maggie load, giving some advice on how best to hold and handle the big Smith. Not bad. Not bad, at all, actually!
Soon after that, I got my first big bore handgun, which was a Ruger Blackhawk .41 Magnum, with a 6 1/2" barrel. I fell in deep lust with that gun, and also the .41 Mag cartridge. However, over the years, I continued to think about that bartenders wonderful M29, and when I chanced upon a buddy of mine at a gunshow, selling off his collection, my fate was sealed! He had a NIB S&W M29, with 8 3/8" barrel, pinned and recessed, in it's wooden presentation box, with all the goodies, and it's original cardboard shipping box. This M29 was nickel-plated, and was one of the most lovely handguns I'd ever seen!! I asked him what he wanted for it, and when he said "$400", I about fell on the floor!! Of course, I bought it from him that day, along with another NIB Smith, this one a nickel-plated M58 .41 Mag, in it's blue box, with all the goodies, also for $400!! To this day, I think that God was watching over me back then!! Though I've kept the M58 unfired, I have shot the heck out of that M29, and it is an outstandingly accurate handgun, with many different loads. Sweet Bride even won a "Housewives Revenge" shooting contest with it at our local range, once! At 100 yards, pots and pans were hung by wire from the target frames, and each woman had to fire a certain number of shots at her designated pot or pan. The winner was the one with the most hits. Whilst all the other Gals were shooting .22 rifles, and such, from prone positions or the bench, Sweet Bride stood up on her one two legs, and from a good isosceles stance, blew the smithereens out of her target, the pan ringing loudly with each hit!! I was very proud of her that day, and many of the other husbands were envious that she was not only willing to shoot that big .44, but also could hit with it, and off-hand, at that!!
That .44 M29 is one of my most cherished handguns, and even though I actually prefer the .41 over the .44, for many reasons, I'll never get rid of that wonderful nickel-plated Smith .44!! Great gun, and I was blessed to have been able to find and buy it for such a great price! Take care, and God Bless!
Every Good Wish,
Doc
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knotbrush
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I fell into an M-29 at auction while searching for a M-57. A buddy loved his .41s and I wanted one! The pictures of the M-29 Nickel were TERRIBLE, it went cheap at auction because it looked so bad. When it arrived I was amazed! It was a bit dirty but my FFL guy said he doubted if it had fired 50 rounds. It seems it's a common occurrence for big-bores to show up at the pawn shop or gun shop with a box of 44 out of 50 cartridges. Somebody decides that a .44 Mag isn't their cup of tea after 6 rounds.
I met my FFL guy at the local club to accept delivery and I had brought a box of hand loads. I had bought the dies, new cases and a 6-hole mold for 240gr SWC. The loads were very light with 5gr of 700-x. Our range has no trolleys so 50' is the only option. My first cylinder full were all on the paper in a 6" group! I was hooked on the big gun and those mouse-fart loads were so gentle! I have no need of shooting bears and it's not a practical defense carry. Everyone I've let shoot it was very surprised, they expected a painful experience. I haven't had the heart to tell anybody how light the loads are in comparison to what they COULD be. Those big soup cans are so easy to work with on the loading press. I imagine the 500 new Starline cases I bought will last a long, long time with these loads. I'm still hoping to fall into an M-57!
I met my FFL guy at the local club to accept delivery and I had brought a box of hand loads. I had bought the dies, new cases and a 6-hole mold for 240gr SWC. The loads were very light with 5gr of 700-x. Our range has no trolleys so 50' is the only option. My first cylinder full were all on the paper in a 6" group! I was hooked on the big gun and those mouse-fart loads were so gentle! I have no need of shooting bears and it's not a practical defense carry. Everyone I've let shoot it was very surprised, they expected a painful experience. I haven't had the heart to tell anybody how light the loads are in comparison to what they COULD be. Those big soup cans are so easy to work with on the loading press. I imagine the 500 new Starline cases I bought will last a long, long time with these loads. I'm still hoping to fall into an M-57!
Doc Mark
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Hey, Knotbrush,
As good as the M29 is, don't give up on seeking out a good M57! I dearly LOVE the .41 and think that it can do most of what I might want to do with a handgun. Lots of game has been taken with the .41, by many shooters all over the US, including bear. Like the .44, it can be loaded very mild and enjoyable, or up to "rompin' stompin' burn your hair off loads", whichever you prefer!
Both the .44 and the .41 are well worth owning and shooting, and I love them both. But, in truth, the .41 is my most favorite pistol caliber, bar none! For what it's worth.... Take care, and God Bless!
Every Good Wish,
Doc
As good as the M29 is, don't give up on seeking out a good M57! I dearly LOVE the .41 and think that it can do most of what I might want to do with a handgun. Lots of game has been taken with the .41, by many shooters all over the US, including bear. Like the .44, it can be loaded very mild and enjoyable, or up to "rompin' stompin' burn your hair off loads", whichever you prefer!
Both the .44 and the .41 are well worth owning and shooting, and I love them both. But, in truth, the .41 is my most favorite pistol caliber, bar none! For what it's worth.... Take care, and God Bless!Every Good Wish,
Doc
mkk41
US Veteran
At one time I owned 3 .44 mags. An old Model Super Blackhawk , an 8 3/8 Model 629 and and Interarms Virginian Dragoon. Couldn't get one load to shoot to my liking in all 3 guns. Then I bought my first .41 mag Redhawk. Then a few more .41s as nobody wanted them back then. Sold the 629 and Dragoon. Kept the SBH till this day. Bought a few more .41s. Handloading for the .41s is so easy , it's seemingly impossible to find a load that doesn't shoot well in all my guns.
Would still love to find a Model 29 Classic Hunter with 7 1/2 full lug barrel and non-fluted cylinder.
I once watched a guy (like described previously) load up his Model 29 for his girl to shoot. He loaded 5-.44 Special loads and the last was a 240gr magnum load. She did OK with the specials , but the mag load caused the gun to smack her across the face with front sight blade damaging her eye.
Would still love to find a Model 29 Classic Hunter with 7 1/2 full lug barrel and non-fluted cylinder.
I once watched a guy (like described previously) load up his Model 29 for his girl to shoot. He loaded 5-.44 Special loads and the last was a 240gr magnum load. She did OK with the specials , but the mag load caused the gun to smack her across the face with front sight blade damaging her eye.
Mikie
Member
I own 2 44s
I have a 6" Colt Anaconda and a 4" Model 29 and I love them both. My near full power load is 20 gr of 2400 under a 240 SWC. I love to shoot these loads SA and I am amazed at how accurate they are. I also load the same bullet with 6.5 gr of Unique in a 44 Spl case for DA shooting. The 44 Magnum is just so much fun!
I have a 6" Colt Anaconda and a 4" Model 29 and I love them both. My near full power load is 20 gr of 2400 under a 240 SWC. I love to shoot these loads SA and I am amazed at how accurate they are. I also load the same bullet with 6.5 gr of Unique in a 44 Spl case for DA shooting. The 44 Magnum is just so much fun!
TheHobbyist
Member
Good on ya! 
The .44 is a great round and very practical for several types of game.
Either the model 29 or a Ruger, they are great!
The .44 is a great round and very practical for several types of game.
Either the model 29 or a Ruger, they are great!
millbilly
Member
The first big hand gun I fired was a Ruger Super Blackhawk......I was 15..When I turned 21 I bought a Super Blackhawk and later, fell in love with Smith and Wesson model 29's......That was 31 years ago.....I now have 8 Smith and Wesson model 29-2's and 1 629 and the same old Super Blackhawk, and a Winchester 9444 trapper and always on the look out for P & R Smiths......I can not begin to count the number of 44 mag rounds I have fired, It is my favorite round !!!
I've been a 1911 guy for years, but when I broke down and finally bought a revolver, the .44 mag was what I wanted.
LOVE shooting the .44 mag- for all the resons listed in the preceding posts. As a handloader, the whole spectrum of velocities and projectile weights is available, and at the range it is not uncommon to put 300+ rounds downrange in one session. Don't think that grizzlies are much of a problem here in southern Louisiana, but alligators certainly are, and I never worry about being overmatched. Thank you, Elmer Keith!
LOVE shooting the .44 mag- for all the resons listed in the preceding posts. As a handloader, the whole spectrum of velocities and projectile weights is available, and at the range it is not uncommon to put 300+ rounds downrange in one session. Don't think that grizzlies are much of a problem here in southern Louisiana, but alligators certainly are, and I never worry about being overmatched. Thank you, Elmer Keith!
I've been a 1911 guy for years, but when I broke down and finally bought a revolver, the .44 mag was what I wanted.
LOVE shooting the .44 mag- for all the resons listed in the preceding posts. As a handloader, the whole spectrum of velocities and projectile weights is available, and at the range it is not uncommon to put 300+ rounds downrange in one session. Don't think that grizzlies are much of a problem here in southern Louisiana, but alligators certainly are, and I never worry about being overmatched. Thank you, Elmer Keith!
LOVE shooting the .44 mag- for all the resons listed in the preceding posts. As a handloader, the whole spectrum of velocities and projectile weights is available, and at the range it is not uncommon to put 300+ rounds downrange in one session. Don't think that grizzlies are much of a problem here in southern Louisiana, but alligators certainly are, and I never worry about being overmatched. Thank you, Elmer Keith!
S&W-Keeper
Member
I made you grin didn't it? You got to get one.
Especially since Harry kept his 29 stoked with "light Specials".Yup, a 44 mag is great fun. Some think its lost its luster since the birth of bigger bores, but if it was good enough for Harry Callahan, you can bet your sweet bibby its good enough for me.
knotbrush
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Especially since Harry kept his 29 stoked with "light Specials".
I heard that it was actually a M-57 in .41 Mag used in the movie(s).
Yes, I heard that, too. Apparently the M29 was hard to find during the filming of the first movie and Melius used a 57 in some scenes.
In the range scene in "Magnum Force" Harry tells the rookies that he uses light Specials a guy makes up for him for control.
