"a man's got to know his limitations",to quote an old Clint Eastwood movie. I also have both of the big Smiths, and i think the recoil is manageble. The X frame(8 3/8") weighs a little over 5 lbs when loaded,and with the leupold VXIII scope,even heavier, so if you can't hold it steady with one hand,don't shoot it! My SRH .454 casull with hot 360 grn loads is a little harder to handle than the big X frame
I would'nt say it's a bad choice for a first gun if your buddy is a competent shooter, as long as he keeps his thumbs and fingers away from the cylinder gap! Someone posted a thread about a newbie firing a .460 with his thumb next to the cylinder gap, what a mess it made of his thumb.
I would'nt say it's a bad choice for a first gun if your buddy is a competent shooter, as long as he keeps his thumbs and fingers away from the cylinder gap! Someone posted a thread about a newbie firing a .460 with his thumb next to the cylinder gap, what a mess it made of his thumb.
If he keeps it , better for him!! 
