History
The Smith & Wesson Model 29.44 Magnum, or simply the.44 Magnum, is the world's most famous revolver. In the United States, there are entire communities of fans of this weapon. This is a classic.44 caliber revolver for all time. It was developed by Smith & Wesson engineer for the.44 Remington Magnum cartridge Elmer Keith in 1955. The.44 Remington Magnum cartridge was chosen by Elmer specifically for the new Magnum, as its design was originally designed to withstand higher internal pressures than conventional revolvers. Below is a classic Smith & Wesson Model 29.44 Magnum with a 6½-inch (165mm) barrel. It is the six-shooter with the most powerful frame of any Smith & Wesson revolver that started the 44s and is still popular today.
And this is the Magnum barrel with 8- and 3/8-inch (214-mm) elongated barrel. Also - Model 29.44 Magnum
There were originally three 29 44 Magnums: 6½ "(165mm), 8 and 3/8" (214mm) barrel lengths, and the longest 10 and 5/8 "(270mm) barrels. Later, they were added with a short barrel - 4 "(102 mm) and a model with a 6" (153 mm) barrel. All.44 Magnum models offer excellent shooting accuracy with any barrel length.
Although, of course, the longer the barrel, the more accurate the revolver. Therefore, the Magnum with a ten-inch barrel offered the best accuracy and lowest recoil force. The Model 29.44 Magnum is also one of the most accurate revolvers made by Smith & Wesson in its history.
.44 Remington Magnum cartridges
The.44 Magnum was based on the 1907.44 S&W Special from earlier revolvers and was ideally suited to Elmer's experiments. Elmer eventually found the ideal bullet weight for the.44 Magnum at 240 grains (roughly 16 grams), allowing muzzle velocities in excess of 1,500 feet (460 meters) per second. During testing, the.44 Magnum delivered twice the energy of a bullet than the.357 Magnum cartridge. Smith & Wesson was pleased with the results achieved and decided to find a partner to produce the.44 Magnum commercially. It was the Remington company. Elmer agreed with Remington to launch a commercial version of his new experimental.44 Magnum cartridge, and Smith & Wesson was asked to make a new revolver for it.
The.44 Magnum, re-named.44 Remington Magnum, is slightly longer than the original.44 Special. Subsequently, various versions of the.44 Remington Magnum, or simply.44 Magnum, were created.
Ballistic performance (averages from Buffalo Bore Ammunition and DoubleTap Defense LLC) of some of the.44 Magnum:
Bullet weight and type: 200 grain (13 g) JHP; muzzle velocity: 1, 282 ft / s (391 m / s); bullet energy: 760 ft · lbf (1,030 J).
Bullet weight and type: 225 grain (15 g) XPB Lead Free; muzzle velocity: 1, 500 ft / s (460 m / s); bullet energy: 1, 124 ft · lbf (1524 J).
Bullet weight and type: 240 grain (16 g) Bonded JSP; muzzle velocity: 1, 500 ft / s (460 m / s); bullet energy: 1, 200 ft · lbf (1600 J).
Bullet weight and type: 320 grain (21 g) WFNGC HC; muzzle velocity: 1,300 ft / s (400 m / s); bullet energy: 1.201 ft · lbf (1628 J).
Bullet weight and type: 340 grain (22 g) LFN + P +; muzzle velocity: 1,325 ft / s (404 m / s); bullet energy: 1.533 ft · lbf (2078 J).
.44 Remington Magnum cartridges
44 Magnum cartridges were produced, and the revolver developed for them by Smith & Wesson received the designation Model 29. It should be noted that other existing.44: 44 Russian or.44 Special cartridges can be used in this revolver.
So, by 1955, everything was done, the legend was born, becoming a noticeable phenomenon in the arms world. But the new revolver has not yet gained universal popularity. Only 16 years later, when the iconic Dirty Harry movie was released in 1971, starring Clint Eastwood made the Model 29.44 Magnum world famous.
Dirty Harry
Almost everyone associates this weapon with Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry. In the episode with the punk, Harry speaks of this revolver as the most powerful revolver in the world, and it was this statement, as well as, of course, the very spectacular appearance of the 44th Magnum, that strongly influenced the public's imagination.
Shot from the film "Dirty Harry"
Magnum 44 Dirty Harry
Many people still think so. Although this statement is not entirely true, since the most powerful revolver in the world was actually the old Western-style 5-round Single Action S&W Model BFR454C7.454 Casull revolver, which was created in 1959. This revolver, however, was only made to order in small quantities, which means that the Smith & Wesson Model 29.44 Magnum was still the most powerful mass-produced revolver.
Smith & Wesson Model BFR454C7.454 Casull
Thus, the.44 Smith & Wesson Magnum was really the most powerful pistol in the world for only four years: in 1955-1959. After the screening of Dirty Harry, all 44 Magnums on sale were sold out in a few days, and Smith & Wesson was literally inundated with requests for additional supplies of revolvers. Thus, without realizing it (in the case of the film), the company captured a whole niche in the arms market that still exists today.
Shown below is a modern Model 629 44 with a shortened 4-inch barrel and a rubberized grip (classic models have a wooden grip).
Model 29.44 Magnum is forever associated with Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry: just type 44 Magnum in any search engine and a frame from the movie will appear, where Dirty Harry is holding it in his hand. By the way, you might be surprised to learn that Frank Sinatra, Steve McQueen, John Wayne, and Paul Newman took turns declining the offer to play the role of Dirty Harry. Clint Eastwood was actually the last candidate for this role, and he agreed. Eastwood chose the Smith & Wesson Model 29.44 Magnum for his role - even though the company did not have the revolver in production at the time. The magnum for the film was actually assembled from spare parts at their factory in Boston, Massachusetts. Before filming, Eastwood practiced shooting this Magnum for a month, which allowed him to get used to the recoil and to handle the weapon freely. After the screening of the film, he increased his acting popularity to absolute megastatus … along with the revolver. Subsequently, many of those who refused regretted this. Below is a nickel-plated Model 29.44 Magnum. This particular revolver was made in 1956.
And this is a modern Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 629 Hunter.44 Magnum with a telescopic sight
When size matters
The largest bullet in the.454 Casull WFNGC HC cartridge weighs 400 grains (26 grams); muzzle velocity: 1,400 ft / s (430 m / s); bullet energy: 1, 741 ft · lbf (2360 J). But this is not the limit. The.454 Casull is an extended and redesigned version of the.45 Colt and is a very powerful cartridge. It is capable of accelerating a 240 grain (16 grams) bullet to an initial velocity of 1,900 ft / s (580 m / s), providing it with 2,000 ft-lb (2,700 J) of energy.
Ballistic performance (averages from Hornady and DoubleTap Defense LLC) of some of the.454 Casulls:
Bullet weight and type: 240 grain (16 g) XTP JHP; muzzle velocity: 1, 900 ft / s (580 m / s); bullet energy: 1, 923 ft · lbf (2 607 J).
Bullet weight and type: 300 grain (19 g) XTP JHP; muzzle velocity: 1, 650 ft / s (500 m / s); bullet energy: 1,814 ft lbf (2,459 J).
Bullet weight and type: 335 grain (22 g) WFNGC HC; muzzle velocity: 1, 600 ft / s (490 m / s); bullet energy: 1, 904 ft · lbf (2 581 J).
Bullet weight and type: 360 grain (23 g) WFNGC HC; muzzle velocity: 1, 500 ft / s (460 m / s); bullet energy: 1, 800 ft · lbf (2400 J).
Bullet weight and type: 400 grain (26 g) WFNGC HC; muzzle velocity: 1,400 ft / s (430 m / s); bullet energy: 1, 741 ft · lbf (2360 J).
Hornady.454 Casull 240 gr XTP cartridges
In terms of bullet energy and speed, this.454 Casull cartridge even surpasses the most powerful cartridge for the Israel Military Industries.50 Action Express Desert Eagle pistol (Expansive): a bullet weight of 300 grains (19 grams); muzzle velocity: 1, 550 ft / s (470 m / s); bullet energy: 1, 600 ft · lbf (2200 J). In the very maximum load, the.50 Action Express cartridge is capable of delivering a slightly higher value of bullet energy - up to 1,800 ft · lbf (2,440 J), and still falls short of the.454 Casull from Hornady.
Greg Brush, who shot a hardened grizzly bear (bear first) with one shot while fishing in Alaska with a Ruger Super Redhawk.454 Casull with a short barrel
Ruger Super Redhawk.454 Casull
Ruger Super Redhawk.454 Casull with telescopic sight
Other revolvers in.454 Casull
Freedom Arms.454 Casull
Freedom Arms.454 Casull with telescopic sight
Taurus Raging Bull Model 454
Taurus Raging Bull Model 454 with telescopic sight
Mateba Model 6 Unica (Can be loaded with.357 Magnum,.38 Special,.44 Special,.44 Magnum,.454 Casull,.45 Long Colt)
Mateba Model 6 Unica with telescopic sight
An even more powerful cartridge is the.460 S&W Magnum. This is the longest and most powerful version of the.454 Casull.
Ballistic performance (averages from Buffalo Bore Ammunition and CorBon) of some of the.460 S&W Magnum:
Bullet weight and type: 200 grain (13 g) DPX; muzzle velocity: 2,300 ft / s (700 m / s); bullet energy: 2,350 ft · lbf (3,190 J).
Bullet weight and type: 275 grains (18 grams) DPX; muzzle velocity: 1,825 ft / s (556 m / s); bullet energy: 2.034 ft · lbf (2 758 J).
Bullet weight and type: 300 grain (19 g) Jacketed Flat Nose; muzzle velocity: 2,060 ft / s (630 m / s); bullet energy: 2, 826 ft · lbf (3 832 J).
Bullet weight and type: 360 grain (23 g) Lead Long Flat Nose; muzzle velocity: 1, 900 ft / s (580 m / s); bullet energy: 2, 885 ft · lbf (3 912 J).
Bullet weight and type: 395 grains (26 grams) Hard Cast; muzzle velocity: 1, 525 ft / s (465 m / s); bullet energy: 2, 040 ft · lbf (2770 J).
Cartridges.460 S&W Magnum 395 gr Hard Cast from CorBon
.460 S&W Magnum revolvers
Smith & Wesson Model 460XVR ES (Emergency Survival Kit)
Smith & Wesson Model 460XVR
Smith & Wesson Model 460XVR with telescopic sight
But this is not the limit. The most powerful pistol cartridge to date is the.500 S&W Magnum.
Ballistic performance (averages from Hornady, Cor-Bon, Winchester, DoubleTap Defense LLC and Ballistic Supply) of some.500 S&W Magnum:
Bullet weight and type: 300 grain (19 g) FTX LEVERevolution; muzzle velocity: 2,075 ft / s (632 m / s); bullet energy: 2, 868 ft · lbf (3 888 J).
Bullet weight and type: 350 grain (23 g) JHP; muzzle velocity: 1, 975 ft / s (602 m / s); bullet energy: 3.031 ft · lbf (4 109 J).
Bullet weight and type: 400 grain (26 g) JHP PTW; muzzle velocity: 1, 800 ft / s (550 m / s); bullet energy: 2, 877 ft · lbf (3 901 J).
Bullet weight and type: 500 grain (32 g) JSP / Hard Cast; muzzle velocity: 1, 500 ft / s (460 m / s); bullet energy: 2, 500 ft · lbf (3400 J).
Bullet weight and type: 700 grains (45 gr.) Hard Cast; muzzle velocity: 1, 200 ft / s (370 m / s); bullet energy: 2,238 ft · lbf (3,034 J).
Cartridge.500 S&W Magnum 350 gr. The Winchester JHP is capable of delivering 4 109 Joules of energy to a 23-gram bullet.
A hunter who shot an elephant with a single shot in South Africa with a Sig Sauer P226 revolver with a telescopic sight
Sig Sauer P226.500 S&W Magnum with telescopic sight (Custom version of Magnum Research BFR.45 / 70 Gov't)
Other.500 S&W Magnum revolvers
Magnum Research BFR.45 / 70 Gov't
Smith & Wesson Model 500
Smith & Wesson Model 500 with telescopic sight
Ultimate 500 by Gary Reeder Custom Guns (Custom version of Magnum Research BFR.45 / 70 Gov't)
Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 500. Considered the most powerful mass-produced pistol in the world.
Magnum as art
The Magnum 44 is a revolver ideal for engraving. Below are some classic examples of such revolvers.
The Smith & Wesson Model 629, an engraved stainless steel version, was released in 1978.
Below is the engraved and embellished Smith & Wesson engraver by Russell J. Smith Model 29-2, which was produced in 1965.
Below are other engraved and decorated Models 29.
Model 29, consisting of a nickel-plated drum and barrel and a walnut grip.
Elmer Keith's anniversary model 29-3 with 4-inch barrel, engraved in gold and with mother-of-pearl grip.
And this Magnum was released in honor of the 50th anniversary of the state of Alaska.
Other revolvers in.44 Magnum
Ruger Vaquero
Colt Anaconda.44 Magnum
Taurus Model 445.44 Special (for some.44 Magnum cartridges)
Ruger Huntrer.44 Magnum
Taurus Raging Bull Model 444
Ruger Blackhawk.44 Magnum and Colt Frontier Series I.44-40 1892
