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handgun recoil question

toad67
Recently purchased a S&W 657 6" in 41 mag and you obviously know something is going on when you touch it off[^] The wife loves to shoot the large caliber revolvers but she can't shoot much of the 41. How does a 44spl compare to a 41 mag (I don't have a 44spl yet[;)])? Currently shooting some 215gr reloads in the 41 and have no 44 spl's to start with. Thanks for the replies and happy new year!

Todd
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Comments

8 comments

Date Votes
  • dcs shooters
    Load it down some for her [;)]
    HAPPY WIFE, HAPPY LIFE [^]
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  • charliemeyer007
    I never shoot 44 Specials in my 29's. Hand loaded cast 429421 245 gr. more or less full tilt. The twins have 10 5/8" tubes. My favorite has a pre 29 set of Herrit Shooting Star grips that were made for a friend. Very right handed only. I can run upwards of 500 rounds in a session with usually no issues. I had a 629 6" and I couldn't get threw a box of shells without suffering, even with the Herrits. I gave that pistol away.

    I have had many folks try my pistol and they are surprised by how pleasant it is to shoot. The usually guess the single action pull to be 1/4 ounce to a quarter pound. I can hang the 3+ pound pistol on the trigger. As soon as my right eye is fixed, I look forward to putting it back to work. 1 gallon milk jugs at 200 yards is my favorite target.
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  • Mobuck
    There used to be a 41"special" load for police(?) use. Replicating this should not be a big problem. These were still above the 44 Sp level of around 900 fps IIRC.
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  • bpost
    Starting loads with Unique should tame it down quite a bit. I would avoid Bullseye in the bigger cases with reduced loads.
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  • 62fuelie
    210 grain plated bullets, I use Berry's, with a starting load of Unique or Herco work great in my M-57. Both wife and 5'3" daughter shot it very well. You can also find 170 gr. JHP's which work fine when run at middle of the span loads for the above powders or 800X.
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  • perry shooter
    Each person has a comfort level when it comes to recoil. When you shoot a firearm that is below that comfort level you will become a better shot
    When you go above that level you most likely will become a worst shot at target because you will in time develop a Flinch. You can always load a Cartridge down and remain safe and put less wear & tear on both Gun as well as shooter. Many choices of Cowboy and Target loads for just about any cartridge. That are loaded lighter
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  • FrancF
    quote:Originally posted by perry shooter
    Each person has a comfort level when it comes to recoil. When you shoot a firearm that is below that comfort level you will become a better shot
    When you go above that level you most likely will become a worst shot at target because you will in time develop a Flinch. You can always load a Cartridge down and remain safe and put less wear & tear on both Gun as well as shooter. Many choices of Cowboy and Target loads for just about any cartridge. That are loaded lighter


    +1 I load my .44 mag with .44 special loads for practice. I am not a big guy, and I find it quite manageable.
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  • machine gun moran
    A .44 Special loaded up, and a .41 Mag loaded down, can result in (effectively) the same thing. A bore difference of .019 and little (or no) difference in the weight of the bullets used, is splitting hairs. A heavily-loaded .44 Special became what is known as the .44 Mag, anyway.

    IMHO, I always thought that the .41 Mag police load was a near-perfect cartridge for that application, but it failed. Only to be replaced by the lesser-performing .40, in more problematic automatics.
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