Model 29 Smith 44 Magnum

[Vaquero]

I shoot the Anaconda and the Blackhawk... No problem. They have the weight to dampen the recoil. I shot the Blackhawk 357 Maximum, the Bigga Boom shocked Tina and she was fifteen yards away filming.

That smaller, lighter model 29... Just not enough weight for hot loads.

the boom shock, reminds me.
Several years ago I shot the SBH off the deck one afternoon, just 2 rounds.
As I was coming in, the side hollered, " Next Time Shut the Dang Door".
I told her it was shut.

RP

[cpaspr]

BOM -
I haven't shopped for presses lately, but you might look into a used single stage press to load .44s. Even though I have a Dillon 550b, I still do most of my loading on the SS. The 550b is nice to do the size, deprime, bell on, in one trip through the press. I prefer to clean my primer pockets and then prime using a hand primer, so the priming setup on the Dillon just sits gathering dust.

Just a thought.

[BrokenolMarine]

I have looked at some of the used stuff around here. Poor condition, ill cared for. My loading area is a bit crowded with the dillon setup and storage of supplies anyway.

I had seriously considered a move to another location within the farmhouse, but space is at a premium, and we don't want to add on. I don't want to move the loading area to anywhere not climate controlled.

I still could stumble across a setup for a good price down the road, but the heavier calibers won't see as much Range Time as the .22, .38, 9mm, and .45. I was set up for the last three, as well as .40 due to match shooting.

[Steve51]

I agree wholeheartedly with you on the wood factory grips and hot .44 magnum loads.
I am 74 yrs old now and still shoot my .44 magnum revolvers but I have Pachmayr Presentation grips on them. I would prefer to use the pretty wood grip panels but I like keeping the skin on my knuckles more. Beauty ain't everything.

[BrokenolMarine]

I agree wholeheartedly with you on the wood factory grips and hot .44 magnum loads.
I am 74 yrs old now and still shoot my .44 magnum revolvers but I have Pachmayr Presentation grips on them. I would prefer to use the pretty wood grip panels but I like keeping the skin on my knuckles more. Beauty ain't everything.

Do the presentation grips cover the backstrap?

[JVogler]

I don't load for 44... Sadly. The cost these days to set up my dillon for a new caliber would buy several cases of ammo. Lol. I'll look into pachmyers.

I have looked into additional tool head setups for a couple calibers, and after buying the setups, and bullets, it would take a lot of loading and shooting to recoup the cost of just buying bulk cases of ammo from somewhere like Ammunition Depot. Right now they have free shipping on orders over $149.00. I have ordered from them several times in the past and it makes sense.

I was going to Add 45 long colt and 44 mag, but ...
Case lots...

Good evening Broken, occasionally Lee has the breech lock press and set of dies for between $89-99 from the assorted online retailers like Missouri shooters supply, Brownells, can't remember who I got mine from. For $89 I got the 357magnum version that I have dedicated to only 357.

[BrokenolMarine]

I'll look for that. I am a Brownell's Member

[5shot]

Mr. Marine

I hated to pull the Bobby Tyler wood grips from this Mountain Gun but the little beast was a little over the top on recoil. I will be carrying this during crossbow deer hunting because there's a lot of bears in the area. If a mama doesn't believe my story about how I was in the tree before her cub was.......

I load a 255 gr. cast bullet to 1045 fps and a 240 gr. Speer Deep Curl to 1080. About all the recoil I can stand. I've tried a few 255 gr. bullets at 1300 and gotta wonder if that's worse than being slapped around by an angry sow.

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Pachmayr in the holster pic helped a bunch with comfort but it's wearing a Hogue "Tamer" now. I think the Pachmayr is available for a square butt grip.

[BrokenolMarine]

I'll look for the pachmayrs.

[daytime dave]

That's a nice model 29 marine. I have heard the 4" barreled 29s are pretty rough on recoil. I like .44 special, so I'd probably try a 4" on full recoil and then enjoy it with specials. I see many more 629s than I do 624s or the blued counterpart.

[BrokenolMarine]

Yup, I'm good with the 44 specials for most of my shooting. I'll find some 44 special hp or just use the magnums for truck duty.

If I come across the pachmayr grips in one of the gunshops, I will probably pick them up. I want to test the fit in my hand first.

[daytime dave]

I find that Pachmayr grips that cover the back strap on an N frame are a little too big for my hands. The 629 I use hunting has Pachmayrs with an exposed back strap and finger grooves. It fits my hand just right and the recoil goes to the palm of my hand.

[fortyshooter]

Very nice 29 BM! Try those full mag loads in the smaller M-69 5 shooter! 9 gr. Unique or even BE-86 would be a sweet load with a 200-240 gr. cast bullet and that's what I shoot mostly in 44 Mag. Great shooting with the 44 Specials too!

[BrokenolMarine]

Yeah, No. I shoot the 357 Magnum Full House loads in the M&P340 EDC Smith and Wesson J Frame I lovingly call The Beast at the end of each practice session, AFTER practicing with 38 wadcutters and 38 Semi-Wadcutters. That Scandium Frame puts the Beast at 11.5 ounces empty and it's brutal as well. I make SURE it's hitting where it should, clean 'er up and then put it in it's holster and we are good to go until the next range session. I KNOW I don't want to shoot 44 mags in a five shot 44 magnum like the Bulldog Pug.

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[BrokenolMarine]

Good News, found a clean set of used pachmayr gripper grips on ebay for half the retail price... They are on the way. Can't wait to see how much difference they make on the recoil for the magnum rounds.

[Steve51]

I agree wholeheartedly with you on the wood factory grips and hot .44 magnum loads.
I am 74 yrs old now and still shoot my .44 magnum revolvers but I have Pachmayr Presentation grips on them. I would prefer to use the pretty wood grip panels but I like keeping the skin on my knuckles more. Beauty ain't everything.

Do the presentation grips cover the backstrap?

Yes they do

[cpaspr]

BOM -
RE: THE BEAST
Years ago a good friend acquired a S&W Bodyguard in .38 Special as a gift from his son. Weight right around that 11.5-12 oz range. I shot it with .38 Special "practice" ammo, and it was brutal. I'd rather shoot my 357LCR with full snort .357 Magnum 158gr SD rounds (which are quite a handful) than that thing again. He traded it in on a 9mm shortly thereafter.

[North Country Gal]

I used to shoot all the alloy J frame models, too, as well as the larger scandium frame 357 Smiths. They really are amazingly light, but they can also be amazingly nasty to shoot. For actual shooting, I do prefer the steel J frames. The steel J frames aren't that much heavier and I think they age a bit better.

On the other hand, I have been looking at some of the new J frames without the lock, such as the Performance Center models and Ultimate Carry models. These have much improved sights over the traditional J frame gutter sights.

[BrokenolMarine]

Tina found a classic model 36 Chief's Special on Gun Broker. Due in tomorrow.
I'm comfortable with the Beast in hot weather, we've been together a long time.

[North Country Gal]

Good find. Bet she will like it. I sure like mine.