I put the X-frame grips on my .44 to tame the recoil and they work great. They cover the backstrap with padding, increase the trigger reach slightly, and fill out the hand better than the N-frame hogues which don't cover the backstrap. Makes shooting full-house a breeze.
Shot my first 44 magnums tonight...
- Thread starter MikeChandler
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Titegroups
Member
Pickup a 500 and put things into perspective.
snowman
Member
Mike,
I don't know if I would say you could shoot it "all day" without discomfort, but certainly you could fire it considerably longer than you did, I would think. Training really isn't necessary, just a little practice. If most of your shooting practice to this point has been defensive in nature, or if you fire semi-autos most of the time, then that might explain why your .44 is hurting you. In defensive practice or in shooting semi-autos, we keep our arms and wrists fairly stiff so as to stay on target for fast follow-up shots or, in the case of semis, to keep from "limp-wristing" the gun and thereby cause cycling problems.
With large caliber magnum revolvers, we want our elbow bent somewhat and both elbow and wrist slightly relaxed, allowing them to flex when the gun recoils, thereby allowing the recoil to take the gun upward and backward without jarring and twisting in the hand as much as it would with our arm in a straight, stiff position. If you've seen any of the Dirty Harry films, Eastwood appears to have mastered the technique(whether the gun recoils as heavily with blanks or not, I don't know). When he fires his 29 in those films, it very much resembles the movement I've experienced with my .44, and it doesn't really cause much discomfort at all.
As others here have indicated, sometimes a different grip helps. But I think I would try the above technique and see if it doesn't help some. Then if you're still getting hurt by the gun, try a different grip.
Best wishes,
Andy
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Jerry N.
Member
I'm sure it's not this way for everyone, but for me, a trip to the range with my M29 is "hang on and go for a ride" experience. I love it. 25 to 50 rounds of Win 240gr JSP is a good session.
one eye joe
US Veteran
Jerry, I'm with you on this one. That's about all the recoil I care to "enjoy"......
OP
MikeChandler
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You have nailed it across the board in my technique; my shooting has been defensive practice, and I have spent the most time with semi-autos.
I'm going to give it a try, and thanks!
snowman
Member
You're welcome, Mike. It will take a little practice and maybe some fits and starts to get used to. I might describe things another way as follows:
In defensive practice and with semis we force the gun to move as little as possible during recoil; with heavy magnums we allow it to move as much as it wants. The only restriction we place on it is to guide it upward so it doesn't hit us in the forehead(which happens to inexperienced folks occasionally).
You might look up some of the Dirty Harry clips on YouTube for a good visual of what generally should happen when shooting a .44.
Let us know how things go if you get a chance.
Andy
In defensive practice and with semis we force the gun to move as little as possible during recoil; with heavy magnums we allow it to move as much as it wants. The only restriction we place on it is to guide it upward so it doesn't hit us in the forehead(which happens to inexperienced folks occasionally).
You might look up some of the Dirty Harry clips on YouTube for a good visual of what generally should happen when shooting a .44.
Let us know how things go if you get a chance.
Andy
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I know in internet Commando Land there are many Chairborne Rangers who will tell you how much they Love shooting the hard recoiling calibers, and that they shoot them all day everytime they go to the range. Now I belong to two different clubs and shoot a handgun at least twice a week. I also reload all my ammo and go through 10,000 .22lrs and about 5,000 centerfire rounds in a year on average. I seldom ever shoot full house loads.
I also virtually NEVER see anyone at either of my clubs shooting full house magnums, even at the 100 yard sillouhette matches held two or three times a year.
Last time was about a year ago when I saw a member bring out a new 500 S&W magnum with some Buffalo Bore hunting ammo. The first couple shots at 25 yards were on the paper. By shot six he was hitting the front of the knee wall below the target, and by 10 the ground two feet in front of the target holder.
Hi teenage son then shot the gun and had similar results. after about 30 or so shots they packed up and left. I haven't seen them there with the 500 since.
I also virtually NEVER see anyone at either of my clubs shooting full house magnums, even at the 100 yard sillouhette matches held two or three times a year.
Last time was about a year ago when I saw a member bring out a new 500 S&W magnum with some Buffalo Bore hunting ammo. The first couple shots at 25 yards were on the paper. By shot six he was hitting the front of the knee wall below the target, and by 10 the ground two feet in front of the target holder.
Hi teenage son then shot the gun and had similar results. after about 30 or so shots they packed up and left. I haven't seen them there with the 500 since.
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dwpmusic
US Veteran
OK, the old novice back to ask another question. In considering a 629 I have been thinking about a 4" barrel. How much easier would the recoil and manageability be if I went with a 6"? I really don't care to consider anything longer than 6".
The 6 inch will actually recoil more than the 4" because the barrel dwell time is longer. Now you are also getting into Perceived recoil and thats where the 4" will Seem worse.
4" has more muzzle blast, that's noise and flash and the pressure wave you can feel in your sinuses. The 6" will seem more pleasant because of reduced blast and flash. But if you measured recoil objectively a longer barrel produces more.
4" has more muzzle blast, that's noise and flash and the pressure wave you can feel in your sinuses. The 6" will seem more pleasant because of reduced blast and flash. But if you measured recoil objectively a longer barrel produces more.
Clean Break
Member
The whole let the magnum raise up and recoil naturally (roll with it) technique is absolutely true and why, for shooting stout loads (very few listed above) in .44 magnum, I much prefer a Ruger Single action. Of the three .44 mags I've owned, shot, handloaded for & hunted with (Ruger Super Blackhawk 7.5", Ruger Bisley Vaquero 4 5/8" & S&W 629 4") the smaller Ruger with those hand filling, smooth and hard, easy to rotate grips, handled the considerable recoil of a 300 gr. Nosler HP over 21.6 gr. of 296 or 19 gr. of 2400 by far the most comfortably.
My needs have changed, I understand my practical applications better, sold my Rugers and now fully embrace the ability to shoot .44 spl & mag (medium pressure 240 gr loads) both single and double action in a durable, all-day portable and classy package. CB
My needs have changed, I understand my practical applications better, sold my Rugers and now fully embrace the ability to shoot .44 spl & mag (medium pressure 240 gr loads) both single and double action in a durable, all-day portable and classy package. CB
...A .44 Magnum is not meant as a target gun. It is meant to hunt suitable game or to save your life if attacked by a large animal. If you fired 18 rounds without getting a bad flinch, you're good to go!
Mike, you have received a lot of good advice here. Stocks do make a difference, but the technique of handling the recoil described by Snowman and others is important, too. What Texas Star says above should be absolutely obvious to anyone, but in "internet commando-land" it is not fashionable. The point is, find the stocks you like, refine your technique, and practice. It may not be possible for you to tolerate 100-rounds of 44 Magnums in an afternoon. If not, don't worry about it. It is more important to be able to fire 18- or 24-rounds that are carefully aimed and hit the target than to blaze away and do nothing but tear up the berm.
As to the 4- versus 6-inch barrel thing, I have never seen anyone seriously argue which is more comfortable to fire - it's the 6-inch gun. A lot of folks do seem to get along reasonably well with 4-inchers (I am not one of them) but the general rule has always been: 4-inch = "mean!", 6.5-inch = "better!", 8.375-inch = "almost tame."
one eye joe
US Veteran
I agree. It's DEFINITELY better to fire a cylinder or two of well aimed shots than to blaze through a full box of ammo and accomplish nothing--EXCEPT to perhaps develop a flinch....
Clean Break
Member
But if you actually plan to carry and wear that .44 all day in a holster, especially hiking/hunting in the mountains... a 8 3/8" gun is extremely tiresome and likely to be left in the truck; here, ounces count and a much lighter 4" shines.
As far as accuracy with magnum loads, it is hard to imagine a scenario where more than 2-4 well aimed shots would not be enough to neutralize most any threat I am likely to face, but yeah, I guess methies sometimes travel in packs. Good thing I've got 6 fast ones and a few backups in the pocket. CB
CB
As far as accuracy with magnum loads, it is hard to imagine a scenario where more than 2-4 well aimed shots would not be enough to neutralize most any threat I am likely to face, but yeah, I guess methies sometimes travel in packs. Good thing I've got 6 fast ones and a few backups in the pocket. CB
CB
one eye joe
US Veteran
I agree. I think the N frame 625 or 629 Mountain Guns in either .45 Colt or .44 Mag are the MOST versatile of the big bore revolvers. They are easily carried, and deliver the power on command............
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bronco45
Member
My standard load for 29s of all stripes over the past 30 years has been a 255 Keith and 18 grains of 2400 for a load that is controllable and reasonable for me to shoot.
It's powerful, very accurate, and has met all the challenges I have given it. does right at 1100 fps in my 5" 629.
It's powerful, very accurate, and has met all the challenges I have given it. does right at 1100 fps in my 5" 629.
10-4 on that load, its a dam good one, the majority of my 44's like it but a few of them like a little more powder (19gr) its pretty hard to beat 2400 and a 250 Keith
The only issue that I have while shooting a lot of 44Mag is that my right hand thumb contacts the cylinder release, eventually taking a good chunk of skin off. I have to consciously hold my thumb down with my left hand thumb to avoid it. Lowering my grip helps too but I have less control. Does anyone else have this issue?
One of the best threads discussing grips, hand-loads, and the collective issues regarding handgun/shooter performance I've seen in a long time!
Not a single invalid point among the posts, IMO... Lots of knowledge and experience here!
Not a single invalid point among the posts, IMO... Lots of knowledge and experience here!
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