[bushmaster1313]

Looking for practice ammo for a Kahr MK40.

Low recoil would be a big plus.

[RedAlert]

I know you are asking about ammo. As a side note, I had my PM40 mag-na-ported and it reduced recoil nicely. I'm able to shoot standard 180 grain FMJ comfortably now. Its worth a thought.

Ralph

[The Lone Haranguer]

A caution on such ammo (if it exists): the only way to reduce recoil is to reduce the power of the cartridge. An autoloading pistol, especially a small one like this, must have a certain recoil/power level to function.

[Bovice]

I load my own. My 165 grain load is very flat shooting, mild recoil, and still has plenty of power to cycle the slide. That's really the only way to get a milder 40. However, the faster "full house" loads are only marginally harsher recoiling... So it's all relative. By nature, the 40 S&W has some recoil on it.

[gofastman]

I gotta think this stuff wold be on the lighter side of life, 368ft lbs :barf:
I have never used it though.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/AMM5481-1.html

[TonyT]

I believe your only option would be to reload for the 40 S&W. You would have to adjust the load to properly cycle the action while reducing it's velocity. I shoot milder 40 S&W loads in my CZ-40B which function flawlessly with loads generating 750 fps. My PO16-40and STI Trojan required a lighter recoil spring to function with reduced velocity 40 S&W ammo.

[bds]

Federal makes "Low Recoil" Hydra-Shok line called "Premium Personal Defense Reduced Recoil Ammunition" - http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=227533

http://media.midwayusa.com/ProductImages/Medium/227533.jpg

If you reload, 180 gr bullet with 3.8 gr of W231/HP38 at 1.125" OAL is very accurate and lightest recoiling 40S&W load I use for training new shooters to 40S&W and those transitioning from 9mm to 40S&W (It recoils less than even mild 9mm reloads and cycles Glock 22 slide well).

Once the shooters get comfortable with this 40S&W training load, I incrementally increase/change the powder to match the recoil/point of impact of factory JHP they use.

[Bovice]

Well, like TonyT mentioned, you CAN get a lighter weight recoil spring and shoot some real creampuffs. This is ideal for a competition shooter... Lower recoil, faster hits on target.

I know this isn't the handloading/reloading section, but since you're interested in good target loads for the .40, I suppose I can let you in on my "secret formula"

My ideal .40 load for target practice is a 165 grain FMJ over 4.6 grains of Hodgdon's Titegroup. Be careful with your powder charges though... it only fills about 1/3 of the case. And it does NOT take much! However, it's a cheap load and I can make them for approximately half the price of factory ammo. I hardly ever have to buy powder because each round uses so little.

[Grey Morel]

"Low-Recoil" 40 S&W? I'm not trying to be a jeark but the 40 is ALREADY a reduced recoil load... that's why it exists.

I'm also not hating on OP's choice of gun: the 40 Kahr is a quality made gun, and if it works for you, then great!

But OP needs to realize that his pocket pistol pistol is throwing even fairly stout loads at around 900-950 fps - SUBSONIC - from that short tube. The gun wont make much more than 320 ft-lbs of energy. Switching the ammo to some kind of neutered low power version will rob it of what it has left.

IMO, "Low recoil" ammo and short pocket gun tubes are not good combinations... especially at the price they are going to charge you for that "low recoil" Federal.

Even as a practice round it wont shoot anything like your carry ammo - that could couse some problems.

[buck460XVR]

"Low-Recoil" 40 S&W? I'm not trying to be a jeark but the 40 is ALREADY a reduced recoil load... that's why it exists.

I'm also not hating on OP's choice of gun: the 40 Kahr is a quality made gun, and if it works for you, then great!

But OP needs to realize that his pocket pistol pistol is throwing even fairly stout loads at around 900-950 fps - SUBSONIC - from that short tube. The gun wont make much more than 320 ft-lbs of energy. Switching the ammo to some kind of neutered low power version will rob it of what it has left.

IMO, "Low recoil" ammo and short pocket gun tubes are not good combinations... especially at the price they are going to charge you for that "low recoil" Federal.

Even as a practice round it wont shoot anything like your carry ammo - that could couse some problems.

My thoughts exactly. I load some ''powder puff'' loads for my .357s that my son compares to his .40 S&W factory loads. Like Grey Morel, I'm not dishing the OP's choice in firearms, nor his desire to shoot reduced loads, but question the advantage of shooting high-priced/over hyped factory reduced loads over plain ol' WWB target ammo.

[bds]

Looking for practice ammo ... Low recoil would be a big plus.
Now now, this is THR, let's help out bushmaster1313. :)

Most of my co-workers in the office I work with have bought G22/G23/G27 and G17/G19/G26 for SD/HD and they had the same issue as many never shot a pistol before.

For some, shooting the full size G22/G17 were fine but had issues with the compact/subcompact's snappy recoil, especially the G27 for female shooters. I used the 180 gr light training rounds and they were able to comfortably shoot with tight shot groups. Some opted to use Lone Wolf 40-9 conversion barrels and found 9mm recoil manageable for practice. I also had them do hand/wrist/arm exercise using therapy balls available from Walmart/Big-5 (can also use a balloon filled with sand) and if they have gym membership, do focused training on their hands/arms.

After several months of practice and incrementally increasing the powder charge, most have graduated to shooting factory pressure loads well. My wife used to like G17 best due to lighter recoil, but G22/G27 are her favorite pistols now and shoots factory pressure loads without much issue.