Yes.
Walking perimeter patrols at the Naval Air Station receiving potshots from the highway not far from the burning apartments.
All had just returned from Viet Nam, and the remarks focused around leaving a war zone to come defend our nation's Capitol from its own citizens.

Getting back on topic
S&W Model 629 Alaskan Backpacker with Mag-na-port

David,
I wonder how the 629 compares in size with the Ruger Alaskan 44.

My Ruger is,obviously not a pocket sized snubby but it is not that large at all.

Super comfortable grips.

Wayne

I have tested the S&W maybe 5-6 times at the range.
Started with 44 Specials to get a feel for it and then one cylinder of 44 Mags.
I wear light-weight soft leather gloves when I am shooting it.
After the last few shots with the 44 Mag, I am ready to go back to the 44 Special loads.
But, I don't know if its the Mag-Na-Port, it does not kick up like the .357 mag shorter barrel Rugers I have fired.
I wore it in a David Johnston Guide's Chest Holster when fly fishing in Alaska, fired it once with the 44 mag, and did not feel any recoil.
State of mind certainly controlled my reaction.
I have not fired the Ruger 44 mag yet, so I can't compare the two.

David,
The Magna-Port does work very well. Good rig for the fly fishing stuff. I have a Diamond-D rig similar to yours and hardly notice that I am wearing the piece.

Thinking of a very hairy caliber/gun combination,a friend of mine has an American Derringer chambered in 0ne barrel for 410,the lower barrel in......................45-70.

I think that the trick is to have the bear fire it!!!!!!!!!

Wayne

Top dog, that is a handful for sure!
Walker

Wow.
There was a shooter next to me at an outdoor range that was firing a short barreled .50 pistol a couple of years ago.
He offered to let me shoot it, but I had watched his body language when he shot.
He got more tight and tense with each round and after 3 his hand was shaking.
I decided I had come to get comfortable again with my 1911 .45 and didn't want to develop any bad habits.
I think the bear shooting the .45-70 in a derringer would be the best result.
Trying to conjure up a mental image!

David,
Years ago (many) folks shooting a 1911 thought that was then end of the power spectrum.

Now,compared to today's hand cannons,it pretty much feels like a 22 short.

Now as for the 45-70 in a derringer,I will pass on trying that one out for sure.

I remember years ago when the 44 magnums first came out,some folks went and bought one,only to put in on the used gun shelf a short time later with a half box of ammo.

Wayne

The best part about .45-70 in a derringer is that if you miss, you still come out victorious due to powder burns.

Some time back,when I was deer hunting in VT,I saw an older gentleman hunting with a 45-70 Trap Door.

I commented that was a pretty big cartridge. His reply was
"If I miss him,he will have to lie down because of the wind"

Pretty good thinking.

Wayne

I can attest that shooting .410 in 3” magnum with my Bond Arms Texan is all there!

I’m sure that a .45/70 would be a significant increase.