44 Magnum Help/Suggestions

I have one question -- how many here that comment on the M69's recoil have actually shot one?

Paul

DblActionJEB said:

- Not a fan of the look of the Super Redhawk so it's definitely not on my list, but that 5.5" Redhawk looks pretty sharp. Anyone have experience in shooting a standard Redhawk and standard 629 with similar barrel lengths that can discuss differences in shootability and recoil?

Thanks!

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I don't think I've ever shot a 629, but I do have a Redhawk that sees some heavy loads (though not as heavy as Craig's 355gr at 1350fps). The Redhawk looks good, and it's more than strong enough. But in my opinion, is not a great choice for hunting, unless you like hunting with a DA trigger.

This was recently discussed but.... The hammer spring and trigger return spring is one and the same on a Redhawk. This means you only fight against one spring when shooting double action. But in single action, the tension put into that spring when the hammer is cocked, is also pushing the trigger forward. This makes for a heavy SA trigger.

It can be lightened, and the action smoothed. Primers know to be softer can be used, to make ignition more reliable with a lower spring weight. But too low and the DA will have light strikes. I've been down this road, and though a sample size of 1 is all I have to offer, I'd suggest you pass up the Redhawk if a light SA trigger is what you want for hunting.

A SBH Bisley Hunter, on the other hand, sounds like a great idea. Then maybe later you could consider a lighter weight S&W for a woods gun or whatever else.

My 69 recoils quite a bit with 1450 FPS 240 grain loads. That said, I bought a Pachmayr Compac grip for it that has taken the bite out of it a lot.

I had a model 69 4” with the hogue tamer grips. I didnt think it was bad to shoot at all. Heaviest stuff I shot was hsm “bear load.” 305 grain hardcast going at around 1150 fps on my cheap chronograph. However no matter how many grips I tried it never fit my hand as well as the Taurus tracker with hogues, so it got sold. Same load in the tracker shoots even better with less muzzle flip from the ports, but dang is it loud, double ear protection loud. Was only getting 1120fps out of the tracker.

paul105 said:

I have one question -- how many here that comment on the M69's recoil have actually shot one?

Paul

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I haven't commented yet, but I have shot one. Same ammo in the 69 as in a 5" 629 Classic. The half pound of frame weight does make for a considerable difference in recoil along with muzzle flip. That said, being used to recoil, it was not unpleasant, at least for me to shoot. Not nearly as pleasant as my P.C. 629 Magnum Hunter, but not rip the web of your hand recoil either. For someone that was going to shoot 20 rounds during an out, I doubt if it would make much difference. Want to shoot 50-100 rounds per out, and IMHO, it would. As per Gunbroker "buy now" prices....the 629 Classic is about $40 less than the Ruger 5.5" BH. Comes down to what trips your trigger.

Howdy

I'm going to pile on here.

Several years ago I was in a gun shop and one of the clerks handed me a 44 Mag Model 69. I hefted it and asked are you kidding? The S&W website says the Model 629 weighs 41.5 ounces, the Model 69 weighs 34.4 ounces. I sure would not want to fire much standard 44 Magnum ammo out of it.

Very portable for a 44, deltapoint red dot and JP mount, Hogue tamer grips help immensely IMO. Gun is very shootable, I found the moderate 4227 load to be about right for me with a 240 Xtp. Target was offhand standing on the edge of a cold snowy field on a windy November day, I was satisfied the vertical string was me and not the gun. Top end 296 loads that day I found unpleasant from a muzzle blast standpoint were more scattered...again that’s me. I try not to aggravate my tinnitus, even plugs and muffs are not enough with a loud barker.

I have both 629 (3 inch bbl) and 69. I am impressed with the 69. Now, I only shoot standard factory loads, but the 69 handles recoil well. Yes, there is muzzle flip. But that is an important way to dissipate energy. I put Karl Nill grips on the 69 for a much more hand filling, larger surface area, dissipation of recoil impulse.

The 69 carries better. If it’s a back up, companion gun to your lever, it’s a great pairing. But if you want a range gun for a steady diet of full house magnums, get a heavy gun. Just don’t bitch when the heavy gun is a pain to carry in the field.

edit: BTW, all magnums have less felt recoil, and are more accurate when shot in single action. Shooting in double action increases the felt recoil. The hand fits to the grip differently with less purchase. The back strap tends to punch the web of the hand harder in double action.

jamesjames said:

edit: BTW, all magnums have less felt recoil, and are more accurate when shot in single action. Shooting in double action increases the felt recoil. The hand fits to the grip differently with less purchase. The back strap tends to punch the web of the hand harder in double action.

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Not in my experience. I handle the recoil of my Redhawk better double action. And seem to be more precise shooting offhand in DA than SA (probably due to the trigger/hammer design). I think it's more about the particular shooter and their gun than it is about any hard and fast rules when it comes to Magnum revolver cartridges.

WrongHanded said:

Not in my experience. I handle the recoil of my Redhawk better double action. And seem to be more precise shooting offhand in DA than SA (probably due to the trigger/hammer design). I think it's more about the particular shooter and their gun than it is about any hard and fast rules when it comes to Magnum revolver cartridges.

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I have to concur with WrongHanded here. Double action all the way. I can't remember the last time I thumbed a double action revolver back. Whether is a magnum like 44 Mag or more sedate cartridge like 38 Special I shoot revolvers, in general, better double action than single action when shooting unsupported. If I am shooting over a good rest then single action is probably better but shooting freestyle double action is more accurate for me. It does not seem to effect my tolerance to recoil much either way.

.44 magnum recoil is substantial. The advice about renting revolvers to try them out is sound advice.
Also, I find that as I age .44 magnum recoil seems to become increasingly more unpleasant.
So, try out single and double actions, Smiths and Rugers, and see what you like best.

I find that suggesting DA shooting over SA shooting with a .44 magnum most peculiar unless you happen to be involved in a shootout with a 10 foot tall assailant.

Old Stumpy said:

.44 magnum recoil is substantial. The advice about renting revolvers to try them out is sound advice.
Also, I find that as I age .44 magnum recoil seems to become increasingly more unpleasant.
So, try out single and double actions, Smiths and Rugers, and see what you like best.

I find that suggesting DA shooting over SA shooting with a .44 magnum most peculiar unless you happen to be involved in a shootout with a 10 foot tall assailant.

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Renting/borrowing is always a good plan with a new gun IMHO.

I would say most shooters would be better off with SA but it not true for all shooters. If our already an experience double action revolver shooter moving up from my lighter caliber revolver the only issue is recoil. I don't think single action or double action makes a huge difference in controlling recoil.

In my personal case the double action trigger control was already there from years of USPSA revolver competition when I bought my 44 Mag. I didn't even think about it on my first outing with my 44 Mag. I load it, point at the target and pulled the trigger (double action) like I do with all my revolvers. It was all the same right up till it went BOOM! That was a bit different...

For years I hunted West Virginia with a Ruger 44 Carbine and a S&W Model 29 5 1/2" barrel. I just like the 29 but also both the Ruger Blackhawk and Super Blackhawk. They have all served me well and in a 44 Magnum I prefer the longer barrels like 5" to 6". My 29 came with the S&W Hogue rubber grips which I immediately;y changed to S&W Wood. After a single range trip the wood lies in the gun safe. While I would not cry punishing that gun simply stung.

The only thing of importance here is you getting what you want for you. Get what feels comfortable in your hand. The revolver needs to fit you and nobody else. They are all very good well made revolvers so you won't go wrong with any of them.

Ron

mcb said:

I don't think single action or double action makes a huge difference in controlling recoil.

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The design and geometry of those revolvers can make a huge difference. Whether they're fired single or double action is immaterial. The shape of the grip is the most critical but the height of the bore axis has a dramatic effect on where recoil forces go. The .44Mag is just the bottom rung of the ladder where it becomes more and more crucial the higher you go.

[QUOTE="mcb, post: 11520158, member: 62536] I don't think single action or double action makes a huge difference in controlling recoil.
[/QUOTE]

It makes a substantial difference. The recoil dynamic is considerably different between the two designs. DAs tend to come straight back whereas SAs attempt to rotate upward.

MaxP said:

It makes a substantial difference. The recoil dynamic is considerably different between the two designs. DAs tend to come straight back whereas SAs attempt to rotate upward.

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Sorry I was not clearer, in this case I was talking about shooting a double-action revolver in SA vs DA. I don't find much difference in recoil management with my M29 between shooting it SA vs DA. I personally shoot double action more accurately so that is what I do whether it's 38 Short Colt or 44 Mag but that has very little to do with recoil management and more to do with how much double action shooting I do in general.

DblActionJEB said:

Wow, thanks so much for all the feedback and suggestions from everyone, and thanks to CraigC for sharing all that revolver eye candy.

I admit I'm still not fully decided on what to get, but I have decided on a couple things:
- As much as I like the look of the 69 it sounds like recoil will make it pretty much a 44 special only, so I'm probably going to cross that one out as a first 44 option (might revisit down the road though)
- If I go Blackhawk, then it will be the Bisley Hunter model. I shoot a lot of double action revolvers and am much more comfortable with the similar type of grip I can get on a Bisley vs the plowhandle.
- Not a fan of the look of the Super Redhawk so it's definitely not on my list, but that 5.5" Redhawk looks pretty sharp. Anyone have experience in shooting a standard Redhawk and standard 629 with similar barrel lengths that can discuss differences in shootability and recoil?

Thanks!

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^Don't judge the SRH on it's looks there DblActionJEB, do like the others mentioned and rent all of the formention 44 mags, you may find out that you like the SRH most shootability, that goes for all the 44mag wheelguns mentioned.

I spent forever trying to decide between a S&W or a Redhawk. Then trying to figure out what barrel length would work best for me kept me from taking the plunge and just buying one.

A Dan Wesson 744 came a long at an excellent price and I finally jumped!

(Not my DW but shows SOME of the barrel choices)

I am so happy with my DW! I love being able to change barrel lengths in a minute or two at the range!

I also love the EWK brake that I can attach or remove in a minute. It really changes the recoil characteristics considerably.


S&W and Ruger both make fine 44 mags! I have never regretted buying my DW for a second! The single action pull on my DW is every bit as good as the best S&W triggers I have shot which is considerably better than most S&W single action pulls. The DA pull on the DW is a little different but I am very pleased with it!

My DW with the 8" barrel and a red dot or pistol scope is a very mellow shooter for a 44 mag. Almost as soft as my Desert Eagle in .44 mag.

You haven't mentioned reloading and then the ability to tailor loads to the gun. Off the shelf ammo for 44 Magnum is generally the real deal in my experience, so I would opt for one of the bigger guns to handle anything. I shoot a SBH Bisley, not happy with that cartridge until arriving at single action Bisley. My Smith 629-1 shot great, but I never bonded with it. I prefer single action in the big stuff. I had the big Redhawk 5.5" in 45 Colt and can only offer that in 44 Magnum the Smith of very similar size was a much better fit for me. I did not do so well with the Redhawk's long trigger reach, but grip choice helped with that, when the back strap was exposed, letting my hand move closer to the trigger.

RealGun said:

You haven't mentioned reloading and then the ability to tailor loads to the gun. Off the shelf ammo for 44 Magnum is generally the real deal in my experience, so I would opt for one of the bigger guns to handle anything. I shoot a SBH Bisley, not happy with that cartridge until arriving at single action Bisley. My Smith 629-1 shot great, but I never bonded with it. I prefer single action in the big stuff. I had the big Redhawk 5.5" in 45 Colt and can only offer that in 44 Magnum the Smith of very similar size was a much better fit for me. I did not do so well with the Redhawk's long trigger reach, but grip choice helped with that, when the back strap was exposed, letting my hand move closer to the trigger.

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I think you and I would have a lot in common. I like shooting 44 magnum single action as well. I have a tuned 627 that I plow through DA shooting with. I like to take my time with 44 magnum.

I'll say that I really started to see what that round could do when I started reloading. Most off the shelf 44 magnum rounds aren't the strongest. I know there's companies like Buffalo Bore, Black Hills, Underwood that make the hot stuff, but most companies don't get that hot.

...now, my reloads...yikes, I've made some serious boomers...

Typetwelve said:

...now, my reloads...yikes, I've made some serious boomers...

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And that's what H-110 is for. Some serious boomers in .357 and in .44 with that stuff. Hornday XTP stuff is similar for those who don't roll their own.

This might be my next 44 mag revolver, https://shopkahrfirearmsgroup.com/d...research-44-magnum-revolver-5-inch-barrel.asp

I have had a couple of RedHawks, 5” and 7.5”. A 7.5” Vaquero and a 4” 629. The Redhawk had the softest recoil. I like shooting the Vaquero, the 629 is the easiest to carry and slightly harder recoil. All are accurate. I sold the RedHawks. When shooting 44 Spl all of them have a relatively soft recoil. With 44 Mag if recoil comfort is most important go with the 7.5” Redhawk. Carry comfort is best with the 4* 629.

My 6.5" 629 is a sweet shooter but a bit ungainly, but my 4" 610 is just right. So I think a 4" 629 would be perfect for me. It's going on "THE List".

wgf said:

I have had a couple of RedHawks, 5” and 7.5”. A 7.5” Vaquero and a 4” 629. The Redhawk had the softest recoil. I like shooting the Vaquero, the 629 is the easiest to carry and slightly harder recoil. All are accurate. I sold the RedHawks. When shooting 44 Spl all of them have a relatively soft recoil. With 44 Mag if recoil comfort is most important go with the 7.5” Redhawk. Carry comfort is best with the 4* 629.

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MaxP would approve:

joneb said:

This might be my next 44 mag revolver, https://shopkahrfirearmsgroup.com/d...research-44-magnum-revolver-5-inch-barrel.asp

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