how bad is the .44 magnum in regards to recoil?

Everyone perceives recoil differently. A lot depends on the size and weight of the revolver, as well as the grips. I have a pair of them and would describe them as being a handful, but by no means unbearable. Two way different revolvers and felt recoil is a lot different. One's a Ruger 50th anniversary blackhawk, lighter weight and hard grips, the other is a S&W 629, heavier with some nice beefy grips. The Ruger has a lot more felt recoil due to it's weight and grips, Not too hard to handle, but I really don't like to shoot it a lot at once. The S&W with it's heavier weight and cushier grips is still a handful but a lot tamer.

I would say if you can handle 3" turkey loads you should be able to handle a .44 mag. However recoil to the shoulder and recoil to the wrist is two different things, and a lot of it involves what you're used to. The best advice I have is fire a few shots and see how you like it.

The recoil absorption from a handgun is indeed different, but not because it "imparts almost all the recoil into the shooter." That happens with shotguns or rifles, too, if you're shooting offhand. Personally, I find the roll of a single-action revolver is more pleasant than that of a double-action (with its typical "hump," all else being equal. My wife, BTW, is 5'0" and weighs under 100 lbs, and she thinks of my heavy loads in 44 Spl in her little snub-nosed wheelgun as a fun plinker, with full-power 44 Magnum in a more full-sized revolver as quite tolerable. I haven't had her shoot some of my heavy loads with 300 or 320 grain bullets, which are at the limit of my recoil tolerance. You simply have no way of knowing how you'll feel about it until you try.

Having owned botha Ruger Super Blackhawk and a Smith and Weson model 29, I can tell you from experience that the recoil from the S & W is a bit easier to handle--possibly as a results of the better ergonomics of the grip. The recoil is heavy, but it is a different kind of recoil than what you experience with a rifle. Shoot it with both hands first. Then try it with one hand.

You might try shooting .44 Special out of the revolver first, in order to give you an idea of what to expect. But the .44 Magnum's is significantly heavier.

If the recoil was not manageable it would be a rifle:-)

If at a range be courteous enough to step out from under the roof. The other shooters with appreciate that if you are shooting .44 magnum cartridges. This is one of the few cases where you can safely shoot a cartridge other then the normal. The .357 and .38 and the .44 Magnum and .44 special. You can shoot .44 special out of the Magnum gun safely and this will make your shooting more pleasant. Unless you are just a fire breathing recoil fuming animal.

UNLESS YOU KNOW, NEVER LOAD AMMUNITION INTO A FIREARM THAT WAS NOT DESIGNED FOR THAT AMMUNITION. IT IS GENERALLY STAMPED ON THE BARREL.

You may want to shoot your other stuff first. If you start with the .44 you will be flinching with your others. Best to always work upwards.

I think it mainly depends on how you hold it. My personal opinion is that you should load ONE, that is ONE round, and test fire it. The cylinder rotates counter clockwise when you're looking down towards the breech. With that said, load a .44 magnum round one chamber to the right of the breech (the barrel).

Why do you want to do this? Well for started you can easily bump fire. What this means is that the recoil of the gun bounces so that you're letting go of the trigger then pulling it. Great way to blast yourself in the head or others.

After that, if you feel you can handle it, then go crazy!

Depending on the size of the gun greatly impacts the felt recoil. A longer and heavier gun will make it manageable. A barrel less than 4" requires managing the recoil more.

Its when you brace for the recoil, leaning back, before you shoot that you mess up and make the recoil uncontrollable. Lean forward into the shot, drive your weight into the pistol. It will be easy squeezey.

Watch the way the pros shoot.

Recoil is one of those things that affects different people differently. The size of the hand is important and your dimensions suggests you have a smaller hand. But consider reloading ammunition. It is possible to reload considerably reduced loads and, as you get used to them, gradually raise the velocity and power until you have reached full power. The cartridge is accurate and powerful. I've seen some smaller women handle the pistol with little problems.

One person's bad in another person's fun.

I once taught a Women's Pistol Class and had a 70yd old grandmother take a liking to my Ruger Redhawk in 44Mag. After firing 50rd of 44Mag target, she then fired over 100rds of my full power handloads. She was rippin' them out the barrel just as fast as she could load them. And loved it. I would bump into her in the store now and then - and the old gal would just light up and tell me about how much fun she had!

How bad - depends on the firearm. The heavier the firearm - the less free recoil - laws of physics. Most people - after the first round is over - understand how the pistol is coming back - and then the fun starts. And most people - especially if you are going to shot allot of rounds - find gloves are a help. I'm not big on gloves - but - they do help with recoil when I have worn them.

If granny can handle it - so can you.

* Bad and severe but after a while you get use to it with lots of practice.* However you can also shoot 44 Special ammo in it that's very comfortable to shoot and yet a very powerful caliber itself .*...

Imagine shooting your 12 gauge shotgun as a handgun.