This is a discussion on How much Recoil within the Ruger Single Action forums, part of the Pistol & Revolver Forum category; I have a chance to get a like new Super Blackhawk, stainless, in .44mag, with the 4 5/8 inch barrel, my question is do any ...
I have a chance to get a like new Super Blackhawk, stainless, in .44mag, with the 4 5/8 inch barrel, my question is do any of you have or shot this, and how much recoil will it have.
Sunday I shot 50rds of full-power .357 handloads through my 4-5/8" anniversary blackhawk, which should weigh about the same. I'm not a recoil monster, and thought it was managable, but that evening my thumb joint and wrist were a little tender. Feels ok today, but reminiscent of carpal tunnel pain.
A lighter .45colt with oddball loads felt gentler (lower pressure, less snap). Personally, if offered to shoot a full-power .44mag that size I'd pass. But I shoot mainly .22, .38, .45acp.
I don't ride fixed-gear bicycles for the same reason: I like my knees too much.
On the other hand, some guys were shooting full-power .44mags thru what looked like an 8" Taurus Tracker, and the recoil didn't look bad. But it's a big gun with a well-reviewed padded backstrap grip. I lusted after that same 4-5/8" stainless blackhawk for awhile (unfluted cylinder), but now I think my eyes were bigger than my stomach.
-Daizee
Last edited by daizee; August 11th, 2008 at 09:50 PM.
I must confess I had a bit of fear before touching off my 5.5" Redhawk .44 Mag (ported). But really it ended up being not bad at all. I've shot 100 rounds in 3 sessions. It had been 5 years since shooting any handgun over .22
Basically, I recommend just getting a really firm grip and giving a try.
The recoil will depend on your ammo which is why it's a good idea to roll your own, if possible. Then you can go from mild to wild, 44 spl type loads to full throttle magnums.
Thanks guys,
I recently had wrist surgey and was wondering how much recoil this gun would have, so far my 50th Anniversary 44 blackhawk doesnt bother me, my Glock 36 don't and my S&W's 29-2 and 620 have not caused me any problems. I always wanted one of these revolvers.
I have the SBH with a 7 1/2" barrel and it's a one-hander with full house loads. It really surprised me. I'm with the crowd that says "Hey, if you like the gun buy it and just use lesser ammo if it's too punishing." I recently saw a sweet Vaquero that was made in .44 mag. Custom job via Talo. I'm still following up on it but if it turned out to not handle recoil as well as my SBH, which I doubt it would; I would shoot weak .44 mag or .44 special. The gun looks that nice.
I have the 4 5/8 barrel .41 Magnum blackhawk, and the recoil in that gun is quite pleasant using Remington 210 JHP's. I think every person experiences recoil differently. I know a guy who broke his wrist, and now he can't shoot hard kicking handguns. The guns I might be able to shoot comfortably might be too harsh for someone else. An example, I had a 3-inch barreled .45 ACP that I had no problem shooting, and my wife hated it.
I had one for two weeks. A neighbor needed some cash and sold it to me for a song. Took it out and shot it, then found someone else that wanted it more than I did. Was not fun.
I do have a .41Mag SRH (7+") and find it quite reasonable.
I have a chance to get a like new Super Blackhawk, stainless, in .44mag, with the 4 5/8 inch barrel, my question is do any of you have or shot this, and how much recoil will it have.
To answer your question without using any other type of .44 magnum handgun, I own a Ruger SBH .44 Magnum 4 5/8ths and recoil can be subjective depending on what bullet grain weight and powder load your using. I have been shooting .44 Magnum's for a long time and can handle the stoutest recoil as I load a 305-gr WFN GC bullet that clocked across the chronograph at 1288 fps.
But there are loads that you can start off with that are light and then work your way up.
Anniihilator, I think you will enjoy your new gun. Actually Crazy Ed has the right idea shoot .44 Specials in it. It'll be a pussycat with them. Handloading is the real answer you can tailor your loads to your likes. About your original question if you shoot 180gr loads the recoil will be mild to moderate depending on your tollerance for recoil. Heavier bullets will cause recoil sensations to go up. Have fun with your new gun. Frank
IMO the 4 5/8" version is the handiest of all SBH's. Hottest I've loaded in mine is 23.5gr. of H110 under a 240gr jacketed. That is my deer load so it doesn't get fired much. With that load, recoil too isn't sharp and gun is easily controllable.
All my just for fun shooting is with cream puff cast loads, (est. 900 fps). They are a joy to shoot and very accurate at 25 yds.
The only issue I had on my SBH was with the original grips the revolver would slide in my hands and come back and bite. I put pachmyers (ugly but functional)and that solved the problem. I then switched to Herretts (too big and way too sharp) and recently to a set from Jim (41 magnum) and they work just fine. The recoil really isn't bad in 44 mag and soon you get to enjoy shooting it full power. I would follow the advice here of starting light until your wrist is healed and strong and then you can load it hotter. Enjoy it will last a lifetime.
Well I can tell you too, that I am tired of even the rounded trigger guard nailing me in the middle finger joint. I'm pretty sore from getting beat up today from mild to wild loads practicing for handgun hunting.
So I replaced my standard Ruger panels and put the Hogue mono grip back on.
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