Thread: Small framed 44 mag?

Those Houge grips S&W sells are a definate "do" in my opinion. Steve

There's a lot of talk about how bad the recoil is with the super-lite S&W in 44remmag...I've run a bunch of loads (factory & handloads) through two different 329PD's and am not getting it. This includes Alaskan Backpacker and Corbon heavy duty bear stoppers. Please don't take this the wrong way, but have you guys shot the light-weight pistol? The kick really isn't that bad. Rabbit-trail: I remember my...

Quote: Originally Posted by S.B. Those Houge grips S&W sells are a definate "do" in my opinion. Steve Mine too. I wish I could get Rubber Hogue Grips for my Walther PPK. Smitty of the North

When I was in Anchorage I held a 629, a 329, and a ruger. The 329 was just too light and I'm worried about the kick from it. I'm thinking the 629 in either a 4 or 6" barrel will be my next gun, I really liked the feel, now I just need to come up with the cash.

Were you shooting a full-house .44 mag load? Because, though different people have different levels of recoil tolerance, that puppy kicks ****ed hard. Kind of like an alloy J-frame .357 mag with full loads. No, that's worse.

If you have money to spend, there's the S&W 629 Carry Comp. 3" barrel, 38 oz, lots of features. I almost bought one a while back but ended up saving up for a down payment on a house instead. The only other "small" .44 I can think of is the Ruger Alaskan, though I think it feels like a brick. Replacing its grips with slimmer, old-style GP100 grips would probably help with that.

Maybe an old alloy grip frame Blackhawk would be close enough.

I use a Colt anaconda in 44 mag. Magna ported. Had it for years and love it. Killed two does in SC with it and a few rattlers. Heavy though.

For a dependable light weight .44 Mag you can't beat the S&W 329 PD. It is a drop in the pocket .44, the rest are just too heavy for everyday in the woods casual carry. If you have a strap a holster on you are less likely to carry it - just a fact of life. Also good for strolls on the coast trail or the other trails around town where might meet up with a 2 or 4 legged animal. I wish they offered it in a 5" or 6"...

Stainless Smith & Wesson