A concise look at why the .44 Magnum became the standard by which powerful handgun cartridges are judged.

One of the first, if not the first handguns to take advantage of the .44 Magnum round was the Smith & Wesson Model 29 revolver. A blued, six cylinder revolver, the Model 29 weighs nearly three pounds ...

While not an ideal anti-personnel weapon for anyone but the likes of “Dirty Harry,” the .44 Magnum handgun does fill a niche, satisfying gun enthusiasts, hunters and fictional police detectives alike.

There are as many handguns in the U.S. as there are adults. Perhaps none is more iconic than the .44 Magnum revolver. “The most powerful handgun in the world,” Clint Eastwood says with a mix of ...

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** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. ** The modern era of powerful ...

A Smith & Wesson Model 29 revolver chambered in .44 Magnum is displayed at the Shootit gun store in Phoenix, AZ, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills) (Dario ...

There are as many handguns in the U.S. as there are adults. Perhaps none is more iconic than the .44 Magnum revolver. “The most powerful handgun in the world,” Clint Eastwood says with a mix of ...