Recoil change with slide mounted optic?

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WestKentucky

WestKentucky

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Recoil is a very touchy subject as it feels different to so many people. I perceive recoil in a way that it seems like slide mass hitting the stops is a big factor. Adding an ounce or so of weight in the form of an optic would theoretically not work well for me because of that, but mass also slows down the slide so I’m not sure if it would be an exaggerated slam as the slide hits hard stops, a slower more pleasant recoil, no notable difference, or something else totally different. Folks with experience, I am very curious.
 
Adding or subtracting weight from the slide, changing the recoil spring or the mainspring can all change perceived recoil. It's a balancing act that the dern things work at all! :)
So yes, an optic should make a difference, but how much, or any effect on operation I do not know. You can get optic mounts that replace the left grip on a 1911, eliminating the problem.
What kind of pistol are we talking about?
Moon
 
Depends on the optic but:
  1. Todays slide-mounted units are very, very light compared to when I first saw mounted competition optics.
  2. Most are mounted into the slide a bit. Some of the slide mass is removed, and I tend to think the smaller volume of steel is around the weight of a typical optic.
I can't tell the differences in my otherwise identical iron or RDS slides and a Kahr (tiny things are always picky) I had cut works exactly the same, 100% reliable.

I bet it would come up more, aside from using bigger optics, with certain types of match shooting; if you have a very tight gun optimized for a specific load, you might notice. But then just re-optimize the load or spring rate.
 
Do you want to reduce the recoil or muzzle jump? If it is more muzzle jump, and you have a picatinny mount under the slide, you'd be better off putting a flashlight on the gun. even if you don't use it, the extra weight will help hold down the gun under recoil.
halfmoonclip said:
Adding or subtracting weight from the slide, changing the recoil spring or the mainspring can all change perceived recoil. It's a balancing act that the dern things work at all! :)
So yes, an optic should make a difference, but how much, or any effect on operation I do not know. You can get optic mounts that replace the left grip on a 1911, eliminating the problem.
What kind of pistol are we talking about?
Moon
Click to expand...
What kind of pistol are we talking about?
 
I can see where some of the big, fat tube type red dots might make a little difference but have no idea of how noticeable it would be. I'm thinking you would have to be extremely recoil sensitive to notice any difference. All my hand gun mounted red dots are the dovetail mounted reflex dots that are extremely light. I can tell no difference in recoil or function.
 
tightgroup tiger said:
What kind of pistol are we talking about?
Click to expand...


Nothing in particular. Just curious. I would like to build a 10mm and would do an optic ready build if it’s sensible. I have hunting handguns so it would just be another option for me, but I currently don’t have a semiauto that I would use for hunting purposes. Thinking maybe Glock 20, sig 220, witness, 1911... very general thoughts at this point.
 
The optic typically replaces a chunk of steel or aluminum that prob weighs almost as much. Assume we’re talking about RMR style red dots

I’d think wind resistance lol would make more difference than the change in mass

that said I do like that my new fav pistol has the RMR mounted on a non reciprocating part of the slide.
 
I had a Vortex Viper installed on a Glock 26. Take this for what it's worth as it's a sample size of one, but I haven't notice a change in recoil.
 
The only time that I have noticed people having issues after adding an optic is if they are shooting cheap 115Gn 9mm ammo that is slightly underpowered. It happened but isn't real common.

I have Swampfox reflex sights on several of my 9mm Glock clone builds and haven't had any issues nor do I notice any difference in felt recoil.
 
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