The Thompson/Center Association had T/C build a few (43 as I recall) 6 " blue .44 Mag. Contender barrels a few years ago. Fired with full charge loads and wood grips, the recoil was/ is ...invigorating! Cracked my wooden grip after about 100 rounds.
I shoot mine with lighter loads now. They are fun guns. I have a 1" Ultra Dot on mine, as well as on my TCA 6 " .22 LR barrel.