Do you feel a difference?

[Alan Fud]

Unless I'm shooting them side-by-side, I don't notice a difference in recoil when shooting a 9mm compared to a .40S&W compared to a .45ACP. Does anyone else notice a difference or am I just recoil insensative?

[10-Ring]

Shooting primarily factory "practice" loads, I do notice a difference in 9mm, 40 S&W & 45 acp.

[Boats]

The difference I notice is not in "recoil force" per se, but in recoil "type." For me at 6' 8" and 270, with huge mitts, none of these calibers are much of a recoil challenge. The 9mm is pleasant, especially in large duty weapons like the Beretta 92. In fact the 9mm is so pleasant to shoot I do not trust it to harm the target as much as I feel the larger bores will.

The .40 S&W seems sort of muzzle "flippy," a kind of short, sharp recoil that denotes to me that it is higher pressure than the .45ACP, which in turn feels like it is pulsing back into my hands rather than climbing, though I know it is climbing if I videotaped it. I prefer the recoil characteristics of the .45.

I am probably a good candidate for the un-neutered 10mm. I am exploring that option if the mag ban dies its much deserved death.:evil:

[JohnBT]

I find the shove of a full-size .45 relaxing, even for extended sessions.

The 9 is just a snappy little thing in my hands. Not painful, just a tad irritating, even through my CZ75 or BHP.

Don't really have much an opinion about the .40 due to lack of exposure.

Now the +P .38LSWCHP in a 442 is a handful.

John

[JohnK]

Unless I'm shooting them side-by-side, I don't notice a difference in recoil when shooting a 9mm compared to a .40S&W compared to a .45ACP. Does anyone else notice a difference or am I just recoil insensative?

Are you shooting them in IDENTICAL guns? Say all steel frame 1911's? If you aren't then the ergonmics of each gun will play a huge factor in how they feel.

I definately feel a difference between a 45 ACP and 38 Super in the 1911, neither is bad of course but there's more flip with the 45.

[coonan357]

the .45 is a mild push , the 9mm doesn't do anything except in +p loads , the .40 is a slap in the wrist its recoil is rather sharp . sharper than some of my .357 reloads

[sanchezero]

I'm with you Alan. I don't notice a whole lot of difference, even if you throw 10mm into the mix.

I'm insensitive. :)

[kalibear45]

What's recoil? :D

[MoNsTeR]

I can tell between 9 and 45, sure. Load the 9 hot enough and the 45 soft enough and it gets close.

What's more interesting to me is how different the recoil of a 45 seems indoors vs. outdoors. For whatever reason, the loudness of shooting indoors (even with plugs & muffs) seems to amplify felt muzzle flip.

[DeltaElite]

I am recoil insensitive.
I believe that barring physical infirmities, recoil is primarily psychological.

[NewShooter78]

I don't know about .45. I was at the range on Thursday shooting my SigPro in .40 and my friend's SW99 in 9mm. My .40 has a little more muzzle flip but not that much more. I was shooting two handed, right hand only, and left hand only. I shot better with my gun, of course. I am a big guy, so maybe that has something to do with it as well. From what other's have told me, a .45 isn't all that much more different in recoil from the other two calibers.

[seeker_two]

Funny you should ask...

I just spent the afternoon shooting my 1991A1 .45ACP & my brother-in-law's XD 9mm. The .45's recoil has always felt like a "slow roll" in the hand, while the 9mm XD was more like a "quick slap". In the SIG 220, it was a slow roll too, but you could feel a little more force. B/t the two, I prefer the .45. (...but the .38spl in a Security-Six is best of all :D )

I'd like to try the 9mm in a Beretta or Taurus 92 for comparison. If the recoil's a little friendlier, I might buy one. And I'd like to try an Officer's size .45 too.

(...but then again, S&B .357 loads in my S-S are fun stuff to me...:evil: )

[Shane]

In my opinion....

The 9mm is snappy, but low in overall recoil for a defensive centerfire round. The .40 is snappy and sharp, but still controllable with most loads. I favor the 180 grain practice loads in .40, as they are not as snappy as some of the hotter loads. The .45 ACP has the most overall recoil when measured, but in terms of comfort I like it the best. Its more of a long push, which I prefer over snappy.

[Dave R]

The pistol is a big factor in all this recoil stuff.

My BHP feels very soft in 9mm. My 14oz P-11 feels a lot snappier.

A 1911 is a well-designed pistol with enough weight to counter a 230gr bullet. I have not tried .45 in a compact or subcompact, but I'll bet the recoil feels zippier there.

Same with 10mm. In the mini-Glock, it may be a handful. In a full-size, may be pleasant.

.357 in a Titanium hurts a lot worse than .357 in a nice steel pistol. I know that from experience.

So the pistol is at least as important as the load.

[Skunkabilly]

As with candy, toothpaste or coffee, I really don't notice if I spread it out, but I do if I shoot them one after the other and go back and forth.

[Kahr carrier]

Recoil doesnt really bother me ,unless its a 45/70 Contender .:) :what: :neener:

[meathammer]

I shoot a 1911 .45 and a Beretta 96 .40cal. I notice a different type of recoil, and I would say my 1911 has a little more perceived recoil. The 96 handles the .40 very well in my opinion. I haven't had the opportunity to shoot a .40 in a smaller framed pistol.

[Onslaught]

Ditto... different, not really more or less. Mostly, they sound more different than they feel. 9mm is a pop, .40 is a pow, .45 is a boom.

The only true comparisons I've ever done... USP40 vs. USP45 (both full and compact) and P99 9mm vs. P99 .40, I couldn't really tell the difference between the .40's & .45's, but the difference between the 9mm & .40 was a little more obvious.

[Spackler]

Depends on what I'm shooting. I find very little difference between 180gr .40S&W Gold Dots out of my 4013 and 124gr 9mm Gold Dots out of my P225. Compared to my buddy's Glock 22, my 4013TSW feels like shooting a 9x19, even with stout loads. I find .45 Glocks much more comfortable and easier to shoot than .40S&W Glocks.

[andy]

This thread really proves that individuals all perceive recoil differently. Like a previous poster I prefer a push rather than a snap. The 9mm has a very sharp unpleasant snap and for that reason I won't own one. The .45acp has a strong push which is just a tad too much for me which is bad cause I otherwise like the cartridge. The .40 S&W also has a push but it is less punishing than the .45. There is also a little muzzle whip but nothing I can't manage so I've settled on this one for self defense. I read quite a bit from people who complain about the .40 saying its too snappy but I consider it the easiest of the three to shoot, for me anyway.;)

[ryucasta]

It’s my non scientific opinion, that felt recoil has a lot would have to do with your bullet and powder configuration and the weight and size of the handgun in question.

I have configured and shot 9x19 loads that make USPSA major pf which are completely manageable. While I have shot 9x19 minor pf loads out of a compact gun that seems to kick like a mule. In the major pf I was using a slow burning powder while the compact was using a fast burning powder both loads were using the exact same bullets.

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All,

To me, the .40S&W definitely has more recoil and
muzzle blast than the 9m/m, or the .45 ACP!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[hksw]

The times I've noticed the difference the most is when I shoot 9 mm for a while, then go to .45 ACP for a while, then go back to 9 mm. Going from .45 to 9 is when the reduction in recoil is really notice by me. Not so much (mentally) going from 9 to .45. I also usually shoot 9 better after shooting a box or two of .45 than when I shoot it in the beginning.