NICE!
The illustration you show depicts the M29 in all its classic glory--Glossy blue, nicely figured wood stocks in the S&W Target configuration. I owned its older brother for a while some years ago.
Those beautiful handles, however, are a big part of the .44 mag's fearsome reputation for heavy recoil. They were designed for exacly that: Target work. This generally indicated fairly light loads. the fact that they are larger at the bottom than the top allows the recoil from a heavy load to rock the barrel upward and drive the gun down, out of the stable grip. the rounded bottom, where the stock rests on the middle finger, concentrates the blow there. Put these things together with the fairly coarse checking and the rather wide, gouged out, border of the checked panels, tends to abrade the hand, emphasizing the recoil.
If the factory target stocks are replaced with something better designed, this fine revolver becomes a good deal easier to shoot well and comfortably. Rubber stocks, from Pachmayr or others, allow for a firmer hold and make the recoil more manageable. They are ugly as a mud fence, true, but this is offset by their durability and reasonable price.
The well designed, well executed wood stocks, with a smooth finish, wider recoil shoulder, a broad flat to rest upon the middle finger, and narrower heel, likewise do wonders for recoil control.
Resist ordering these with decorative checking or stippling. The natural grain of nice wood is decorative enough. These custom stocks will actually enhance the appearence of the ensemble. Need I mention that such quality and workmanship is usually not cheap? Herret's execution of the Jordan Trooper stocks is excellent. The Wilson Mickulek stocks - - the ones WITHOUT finger grooves, are just superb, as well. If you get these, make sure they are well fitted before firing heavy loads.
The late, great, Bill Jordan wrote a very good section on stocks for heavy recoiling revolvers in his fine little book,
No Second Place Winner. It covers proper design and recoil control. His emphasis, of course, is on the fighting handgun, but the comments are equally applicable for handgun hunting and plinking.
The regular target stocks will handle mild, .44 Special level loads pretty well.
Min, congratulations on your new acquisition. I hope you enjoy your association with the .44 as much as I have through the years.
Best,
Johnny
