Recoil of SA Ruger .44 magnums

With equivelent (or nearly so) length barrels I realy do not find the two platforms to feel a whole lot different. They are easy guns to shoot well with sufficient practice. Also, I generally load my 44 Mags around the 1200 fps level with 250 - 280 gr bullets rather than wind them up as I have not seen a need to.

It's about the same, maybe a little less. SA's tend to flip upwards in recoil because of the grip shape, but it's not uncomfortable. The barrel length has a lot to do with perceived recoil, with the longer barrels tending to feel more stable.
Before you buy, check out a Ruger Bisley. The grip angle is designed to minimize recoil and it works quite well.

I've just shot my buddy's model 629 along with my Super Blackhawk. I could not tell the difference between the two recoil wise. Both are very solid guns that shoot well with the factory ammo we had with us. I did notice a significant difference in the recoil between the Blazer (aluminum case) ammo I brought and his Remington (brass case) ammo.

I'm not a particulary recoil sensitive shooter and on the other hand I'm certainly not a "recoil junky" type shooters that loves having my hand pounded by a jack hammer every shot.

I find the Ruger SA to be actually a bit harder on recoil than a DA Smith N Frame or Dan Wesson or Ruger Super/Redhawk. I have a few of each (DA and SA .44Mag revolvers) and my favorite just becasue of it's accuracy is a 7.5" Stainless Ruger Super Blackhawk. I say HARDER but it's really just a completely DIFFERENT feeling recoil wise.

The thing for me with Ruger Super Blackhawk and all SAA type pistols is the "plow handle" grip shape combined with smooth grips that allow the gun to slide or "roll up" in your hand under recoil.

The feeling takes some getting use to if you've only shot DA revolvers or auto pistols your whole life. It does allow you to get on the hammer for follow up shots. However after launching a 240gr or 300gr full house .44 mag out of 7.5 Super Blackhawk - The last thing your thinking about (after it goes off) is a follow up shot.... This is my practical recoil limit. After maybe 15-20 rounds I'll have to force myself not to flinch.... guess that's why Remington use to sell those green boxed 240gr SJHP's in boxes of 25rnds .

The grips on a Smith N Frame or my Dan Wesson, ect are just easier for me to handle under recoil - but I don't shoot either as well as my SBH.
Will

The Smiths will recoil more straight back while the Blackhawk will roll upwards. Most people grip the Blackhawk much too tight and not allow it to roll up. With a little practice. you can apply just enough grip to let it roll up to the web and felt recoil is a lot better/softer than the Smith.
I have a M29 nickel 6 1/2" 44 Mag and a 3-screw 7 1/2" 44 Mag blued Blackhawk.

It gonna depend on which Ruger you go with. The Blackhawk and Bisley aren't bad. The standard Vaquero, however, is gonna rotate in your hand. I used to have one, and typically shot it with my pinky under the grip to keep the hammer from biting the web of my hand.

but my Redhawk, to me, recoils less sharply than does the Model 29 family.

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I imagine so. The RH is a good bit heavier.

I much prefer the plow handle, allows recoil to be dissipated as it rolls in the hand. A well placed little finger under the grip will situate the gun in the proper grip as the thumb cocks the hammer for the next shot. It's really quite natural, but then, I cut my teeth on single actions. I just prefer them in heavy calibers.

The grips on the 50th Anniversary Blackhawk .44 Magnum will chew up your hands with their "cheese grater" checkering.

44 magnum

I agree with the comments on SA's. I have small hands,but have no trouble shooting .44 magnums in Single Action revolvers if I don't hold tight and just let it roll up in my hand. Double actions beat me to death.

What's recoil of a Ruger SA in .44 mag like compared with the 629, which I was able to handle pretty well?

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I am a big wuss. I don't like recoil. Wooden grips on a 629 hurt my hands, the original Hogue grips had an open backstrap and that hurt, the only grips that made the recoil manageable are the Hogue X grips I put on my 629.


Still, the recoil is not fun. It is manageable, but not fun.






I can fire a lot more full power 44 Magnums through my Super Black Hawk than my 629. The greatest objection I have is that stupid square back "Dragoon" trigger guard. The square edges just eat up the fingers of my support hand and the middle finger of my shooting hand.

Recoil is HIGHLY subjective but most shooters will tell you that single actions are more comfortable under recoil. This is especially true when you get up to the five shot .45Colt, .475 and .500Linebaughs. There is a reason that 99% of those big bores get built on Ruger Bisleys and that reason is recoil. The single action grip causes the sixgun to roll back, exaggerating recoil but absorbing much of the recoil energy. Whereas the double action puts a lot of the recoil forces directly into your palm. This is why I can shoot a couple hundred rounds of .44Mag in a session with one of my Bisleys but if I'm lucky enough to get half that out of a S&W my hand will be worn out.

Grips are also a major consideration and you have to find what works for you. I find that not only are the rubber grips on the market ugly but they are too narrow and actually exacerbate the problem. I need my grips a little thicker but nicely rounded, SA and DA. Ahrends Retro Targets are not bad for DA's, they could still use a little reshaping. Herrett's Roper stocks are the best for me, on DA's. On single actions, from the Colt SAA to the Ruger Bisley, I like them a little thicker than factory with little or no taper towards the bottom. Flat bottoms on Bisleys and 1860's, beveled bottoms on the rest. 99% of my Ruger grips come from CLC. They are made right.

http://www.clccustomgrips.com

Smiths (double action) large caliber revolvers definitely recoil differently than single action (longhorn or Bisely grip) revolvers.

I have a .500 linebaugh and a .500 S&W. While you can get more powder in the S&W you can load the two fairly closely with regards to bullet size and velocity. Frankly, the S&W sucks compared to the Linebaugh, which is built on a Ruger Bisely frame. The harder recoiling revolvers are always more comfortable to me if they can roll in your grip, unlike the S&W which comes straight back into your hand/wrist.

Just a thought to steer you towards reloading for your eventual choice of .44Mag. By getting into reloading right away for this round you can tailor your loads to do the job you're after. You can load up recipes that work well for hunting, general plinking with soft or serouis loads and also tune the load for the most show in terms of impressive fireballs and huge BOOMS! for indoor ranges. Or you can load down and send the bullets on their way with all the recoil of a .38Spl 148 gn waddcutter target shooting load.

The bigger the cartridges the more flexibility there seems to be in results with different loading recipes.

CraigC: Recoil is HIGHLY subjective but most shooters will tell you that single actions are more comfortable under recoil. This is especially true when you get up to the five shot .45Colt, .475 and .500Linebaughs. There is a reason that 99% of those big bores get built on Ruger Bisleys and that reason is recoil.

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Bingo! If recoil is a concern, then go with the Bisley. My wife shoots hot 325 grain .45 Colt loaded up to Ruger specs out of this Bisley with no problems at all. She's 5'3"....