Recoil is subjective to the individual. Small people can sometimes handle recoil better than bigger people, and vice-versa.
The effects of recoil; pain, muzzle blast, and muzzle flip can be mitigated by different aftermarket grips, hand position while gripping, and longer barrels. And magna-porting or something similiar.
Fullhouse .44 magnum loads in a 4 inch M29 can be loud and punishing to the hand or wrist [depending how the weapon is held]. But in the same revolver with an 8 3/8 inch barrel the same load is very less excessive.
One can simply become accustomed to something that initially seemed oppressive as well.
One can also reload down, or buy lesser powered ammunition to shoot in their "heavy recoiling" firearm. As in .38 Special wadcutters in .357 magnum revolvers, or .44 Special ammunition in a .44 Magnum revolver.
I have 4, 6, and 8 3/8 inch M29-2s. I have shot full house loads in the longer barrels and in the 6 inch I have to "re-acquaint" myself with the recoil and muzzle blast but it is not troublesome to me.
I have not fired the 4 inch with a full house load but soon I will, just to experience it. But usually I will shoot it with a lesser load as I do not need that amount of power and pressure in that particular firearm.
All of my M29-2s are better served by loads held to about 1000 to 1200 fps as it is less wear and tear on the gun. However if I truly hunt pigs or deer with them I will load them to the maximum safe levels to ensure success.
BUT, a 240 grain bullet at 1,000 fps will probably kill as well as the same bullet at 1400 fps, if placed well to begin with. The only "edge" the higher velocity may have is if the bullet enters at an angle or has to plow through bone.
Buy that .44 magnum and take good care of it and shoot it. In a certain number of years if you are tired of it you will at least get your money out of it if you did not put too much into "customizing" it.
