I had a father and son talked how they can handle recoil and I had them shoot my SXS 10ga . 3 1/2" . Let me say that they where not talk any thing like they did . As for 44 mag My Hunter RH with the scope mount. 7 1/2" . Shoot everything but 310 gr cast out of it you ok, when shoot the 310gr . You will know it . But when shoot the same in the Marlin 1894 no problem.