My new Polish girlfriend (M44)

[benEzra]

Took my new Polish M44 to the range yesterday and sent some Wolf 148-gr and 200-gr FMJ downrange.

BOY DOES THAT RIFLE KICK! The total recoil impulse is comparable to that of my M39, but it is a LOT sharper--reminded me of my great-uncle's single-shot 12-gauge. The M39 is like a shove, while the M44 is like a hammer blow to the shoulder. I pulled it in tight and it still left blood blisters. (Is there some technique to this that I'm missing?) I may be investing in a recoil pad . . .

I was probably flinching a little, but still managed a little over 2" at 50 yd, which isn't too bad for me with an unfamiliar rifle.

The muzzle flash was impressive, even at midday under a Florida sun. Wow! (Left powder marks on the bayonet, too.)

 

[Oleg Volk]

Technique: use hasty sling. What gets you is less the kick than a muzzle flip with has your shoulder as the pivot point.

Hardware: get a wearable recoil shield (PAST makes a good one).

I can run through 120 rounds with runt's M44 over a couple of hours with no trouble...and I am recoil-shy.

 

[DMK]

Cabela's makes some very nice slip on leather recoil pads. They are very effective, don't look odd on these classic old rifles, and they are easily removable.

Click Here

 

[benEzra]

Oleg,
Thanks for the tips and the encouragement. I've been shooting for many years, but have never owned a hard-kicking longarm of any stripe and so am a "newbie" at this. The sling idea makes a lot of sense; not only are you slowing the rifle's pivot, but the mass of your forward arm adds to the mass of the rifle, slowing the recoil velocity.
Your mention of Runt and her M44 was also an encouragement; I know I outweigh her by at least 50%, so I know if she can shoot this gun well, I should be able to likewise. BTW, do you use a garment with a built-in shield, or is this a separate item that you wear over your clothing?

DMK,
Thanks for the link; those do look good. (All I've ever seen before are the 1-piece rubber kind that would look really out of place on this kind of rifle.)