I doubt that either of us has "Arthur" from shooting the 44mag (gotta love that cartridge - mine in early 1970s Ruger Super Blackhawk, totally factory); but I'll yield to your superior knowledge of your own body as to your arthritis.

On pistol, I'd have to go with the 45 Combat Commander (out of the Colt box with a "little" tweaking).

Yeh, I'm just an old-fashioned SA gunner.

Regards

Mike