how to tame recoil of .44 magnum?

You can work on proper grip technique, use a heavy gun with long barrel or light under-powered loads, buy comfortable rubber grips and just practice more.
 
What kind of .44 Magnum are you talking about?

Stay with the heavier guns, Ruger Super Blackhawk or S & W Model 29. Got with barrels of 6" to 7 1/2".

Get rid of rubber grips, use smooth wood grips.

Problem solved!

Bob Wright
 
Mind over matter! If you dont mind it dont matter.
You know its going to kick so just accept it. Much eaiser said than done but it just that simple. To address you question, weight is the one thing that will always tame recoil.
 
The original M29 grips are poor. I.ve had Pachmyers since I got it . If you ever intend on taking more than one shot the revolver shouldn't move in you r hand. The rubber grips helped that .Then slightly bend your elbows .Then as you shoot the elbows bend more and act like shock absorbers.:)
 
The original M29 grips are poor....
Click to expand...

That may be it. Many years ago I shot a friends 4" model 29 with wood grips and that was the nastiest revolver I ever shot. I have Ruger SBH in .44 mag, a Dan Wesson 357 SM and now a S&W 460 mag and all of them are much more pleasant to shoot. Maybe it was the poor grips but I remember after about 12 rounds, it was not even fun anymore.
 
Get rid of rubber grips, use smooth wood grips.
Click to expand...

Buy a set of Hogues, much better than wood.

Shoot lighter loads or 44 specials at first and work up to full power stuff gradually.

Wear ear plugs and muff's. Loud guns trick the brain into thinking they are kicking harder than they really are. If you make it seem quieter it will seem to recoil less.
 
I had a 4" S&W Model 29, and while initially it could be intimidating with hot loads, it really wasnt bad once you got used to it. .44 Special level loads were very pleasant to shoot.

As was mentioned, the factory "target" type grips pretty much suck. I tried a number of grips, and found that I bounced around from the Magna type stocks with a Tyler T grip, Hogue rubber grips, and a set of whittled down target stocks that fit my hand. The Hogues were the most comfortable and controllable with the heavy loads.

The 29 and its recoil, also played a big part in the start of shooting my revolvers, DAO. I was starting to develop a nasty flinch from heavy loads and that light SA trigger, at a friends suggestion, I started shooting it DAO, and as I got used to that DA trigger, my groups shrank and my flinch disappeared. My shooting over all also improved.

One thing Ive found with heavy recoiling handguns is, the harder you try to hold it the more it punishes you. A firm grip, and relaxed body, and things will usually be better.


Ive also had a couple of 4 5/8" Ruger Blackhawks in 44mag. With them, I would not use the rubber grips, due to the way the gun reacts when fired. Wood will allow it to move as it should, rubber tends to tear at your palms, and deliver the brunt of the recoil there.
 
You do not say what the handgun you are trying to tame is. If it is the S&W 329PD, or a snub nose .44 you just might be whistling in the wind. A heavier gun, longer barrel, lighter loads, grips that work for you pretty much covers it.

With my 329 it takes S&W X Frame Hogue grips and .44 Special ammunition (Buffalo Bore 185 grain Heavy .44 Special) to enjoy shooting.

With the S&W 629 6-1/2" barrel Classic and the 7-1/2" LH all it took was the X Frame grips and most .44 magnum loads are not a problem.

With a Desert Eagle, 6" barrel, I have not found a .44 magnum load that was not a joy to shoot.

Are you trying to have fun with a .44 magnum snub nose ?
 
AK103K nailed it. Use lighter loads.

If you handload then no problem at all. If you don't you could use .44 Specials or .44 magnum rounds with a lighter bullet. Just cause you got a .44 magnum doesn't me you always have to use the roughest toughest hardest shooting .44 magnum round out there...you could try something with a lighter bullet.

The suggestions about different grips are good and let me add that a pair of shooting gloves might help too.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Clot...godX0QA9w&gclsrc=aw.ds&WTz_l=PPC;cat104001480
 
With the S&W 629 6-1/2" barrel Classic and the 7-1/2" LH all it took was the X Frame grips and most .44 magnum loads are not a problem.
Click to expand...
S&W designed the monster X-frame guns to utilize the K-frame sized grips. So I'm curious how you got the X-frame grips to fit the N-frame 629. Are they "close enough" that they can be made to work or did you have to modify the grip innards with some razor blade work?

As for me, .44 Magnum recoil and my handling of it has been a work in progress. I bought a 10-inch barrel for my T/C Contender in .44 Magnum and it is a torture device. Shot a 5.5" Blackhawk for a bit and that was pure evil also. A 6-inch 629 Classic was better, but not enjoyable.

So I bought a 7.5" barreled Redhawk and then had Mag-Na-Port do a four-port job on it. Then I puton a new set of Pachmayr decelerator grips. And this is (by far) the best of everything I've tried. Typically, I shoot lighter stuff through it. I have a favorite handload that sends a 240gr lead semi-wadcutter out at 870 fps, which makes it a bit beyond and .44 Special load, but it's a lot of fun to shoot. And I also have a handload that with run a 240gr LSWC at well over 1,300 fps and while it's not pure enjoyment, I can handle it.

I recommend bigger, heavier, and ported.
 
Learn to handload?

Lighter bullets with low charges make 44 mag softer than 44 special in my experience. I have one load in particular I like to use as my wife loves the gun but will refuse to shoot anything full power through it.
 
Try some CCI Blazer 200 grain .44 Special if you do not reload. I find it a very soft load for a .44 magnum gun.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top