Model 29 vs. Model 57 recoil

[Wfevans4]

I wouldn’t mind getting a 6” model 57 or a 6.5” model 29. Is the 57 a lot more comfortable to shoot or is there much of a difference at that barrel length?

 

[OutAtTheEdge]

I have 4" and 6.5" M29s, as well as M57 with 8-3/8" barrel, and I've fired very little factory ammo through any of them, so my observations may not be the most relevant for you. However, if you're handloading you can do pretty much anything you want with recoil mitigation. If you're shooting strictly factory ammo, I feel the .41 mag certainly offers less recoil than full power .44 mag ammo, but with the .44 you have the option to shoot .44 Specials as well, including some pretty mild cowboy action stuff. Plus, .44 factory ammo is considerably less expensive than .41.

 

[44wheelman]

Alot more...hhhmmm, like 10-15% difference.

A .41 is a little more manageable, but it is also a lighter bullet.

 

[44wheelman]

As I think about it, my first Magnum was a 4 5/8" Blackhawk in .41. It was not fun.

My first .44 was 7.5" mag hunter plus...I preferred it to the Ruger.

My next .41 was a 6.5" full lug unfluted cylinder 657...piece of cake.

Something bigger & heavy, you won't notice, or care...as said, it will come down to ammo selection at that point.

 

[ruger 22]

If you are choosing one over the other primarily for recoil reasons then you should buy neither one. They both are very heavy kickers with full loads. The difference is negligible. That being said, however, I feel that the 44 is the more practical choice.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

If you happen to be a reloader you can make either work for you.

Otherwise, 44 Magnum has a more severe recoil than the 41 Magnum. Like others had said, you have the option of 44 Special. As an arthritic senior citizen, I can still manage 50 rounds of 44 Special on the shooting range.

 

[glenncal1]

Georgia Arms sells a .41 SWC that is loaded to 800 fps (per their web site) that is very pleasant to shoot from even a 4" 57 or 58. Full house loads from the same guns will get your attention. My 4" 69 with full .44 magnum loads are also pretty violent, .44 specials are fun to shoot. Of course if you handload you can tailor the loads to your liking.

 

[jcelect]

Newton's third law of physics

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction!

This means the force applied to the bullet too propel it down the barrel there is the same amount of force applied to the recoil shield to propel the firearm rearward(recoil). If the guns, a 44 mag and a 41 mag are exactly the same, the bullets being used are exactly the same(bullet weight and shape), and the charge of powder will propel said bullet at the same speed, the "recoil" will be the same! There are many factors in the term "exactly the same" to be considered!

All that being considered, the term "felt recoil" will be totally different for every person shooting the same firearm!

jcelect

 

[stansdds]

We just had a lengthy thread on the recoil of 41 Magnum versus 44 Magnum. The gist of that thread was that some felt a difference, others could not tell any difference.

 

[Hawg Rider]

The first handgun that I ever purchased was a S&W blued 4" Model 57 back in 1978. I was actually looking for a Model 29 (thanks to "Dirty Harry") but they were as scarce as hen's teeth. I found the brand spankin' new Model 57 in its presentation case at a local gun shop and really liked it. I had friends with .357 Magnums and .44 Magnums, but I enjoyed shooting my .41 Magnum the most. I began shooting with factory ammo, but soon started reloading. The Model 57 is actually a few ounces heavier than a comparable Model 29 which I believe is due to the slightly thicker cylinder walls. Does that help with recoil? Probably not much. As others have stated, I think the recoil differences are directly related to the type of ammo you're shooting. These days I have quite a few N-frames (Models 25, 27, 28, 29, 57) and I don't shoot hot full power loads. I believe that a standard .41 Magnum load is equivalent to .44 Special...and both can be multipurpose and fun to shoot. However, I do think that the 6-1/2" Model 29 is still one of the coolest looking and best handling big bore revolvers! Good luck!

 

[CH4]

The only 41 mags I own are two 3" 657s; I also have two 3" 629s. Using factory ammo with 210 and 240 grain bullets respectively, both are similarly uncomfortable in my hand. Applying basic physics, there is a difference, but not enough to write home about.

 

[DR505]

The search function is your friend. You will find multiple replies in the thread that was running less than two weeks ago.

 

[Jcon72]

I've never understood those folks who think the .41 Mag is a heavy-recoiling cartridge. Perhaps my .454 Ruger Alaskan (snubbie) and S&W 460 Mag has affected my opinion, but even before owning those guns the .41 seemed quite pleasant shooting for a Magnum cartridge. Certainly more so than the .44 Mag.

 

[M29since14]

With magnum factory loads in guns of the same type, I can’t tell much difference between the two. Both are unpleasant in short barreled guns, tolerable in 6-6.5 inch guns, and almost agreeable in the long barrels.

Between a 250 for the .44 and a 220 for the .41, there’s about a 10% difference in projectile weight, as so recoil should vary accordingly. That’s pretty hard for me to differentiate when both guns are kicking more than I like. That’s my .02.