Okay, I have a tendency to complain, so bear that in mind:
The recoil is very mild compared to my 7-08 or 308. More than the 223, though, without a doubt. My issue is with the "useless, shapeless club of a stock" (I cringed when I read that article) that the Handirifle uses. My experience is that with the 300 gr XTP and 19.5 gr H4227, the recoil is mild but the muzzle jumps a lot. I had shoulder surgery. I can shoot 50 rounds and never feel a thing painwise. But, I have a hard time keeping the muzzle down. I really think that the stock is too short for me. I know that it doesn't drop enough.
In any event, the 44 is my favorite barrel, my go to gun. I can't maintain a sight picture with it though.