1911 .45 Recoil

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OleCodger

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I have a 1911 (brand not mentioned hopefully to eliminate the normal bashing crowd). Absolutely love it. The problem is that I have arthritis in my fingers, hands and wrists. The recoil is sheer torture. Also have a CW45 that I carry....same problem. I plan to keep both guns for defense purposes and would like to shoot them occasionally for familarity. Does anyone know of a suitable grip for the 1911 that would eliminate most of the recoil (or anything else that I could do short of selling the gun?) A Hogue wrap around would probably solve the CW45 problem.

I bought a new Ruger Mark III 22/45 earlier this week to have the feel (for the most part) of a 1911 and to eliminate the recoil and also cut out some weight. This will be my "shooting range" 1911. I considered a .22 conversion kit but that wouldn't solve the extra weight problem with the 1911.
 
Do you handload? You could make your own light practice ammo that will be much, much easier on your hands. You could also try different types of factory ammo that's loaded lighter. Winchester White Box is generally pretty tame. Most target loads are very light, but much more expensive. Some of these are light enough they may require a lighter recoil spring to cycle.

Another option would be to look at loads with lighter bullets, like 200 grain or 185. Light bullets also reduce recoil.

ETA: You could also buy a .22 conversion kit for your 1911. Marvel makes good ones, and there are several other companies that make them as well (Kimber, Cienar, etc)
 
I've "heard" of replacing the firing pin stop plate with one from EGW (??) that has more of a squared shoulder on the bottom rather than a large radius. The theory is that the more square the shoulder, the more of the recoil energy it takes to re-cock the hammer, whereas the more of a radius, the less force required to cock the hammer, so more force transfers to the hand.

Probably need a smith to fit one. I think they come a tad oversized and need to be filed to fit, but it should be cheap. The plate itself is about $15. I keep meaning to get some. I've heard they work very well.
 
I bought a new Ruger Mark III 22/45 earlier this week to have the feel (for the most part) of a 1911 and to eliminate the recoil and also cut out some weight.
Click to expand...

The controls are in the same place. I have the same Ruger, and I love it. A real joy to shoot. If you can handload some powderpuff rounds and switch to the 22/45 when you get sore, that might work too. The 22/45 would have been my fix.
 
Other than a shooting glove I can't thing of anything that will help you out.
Click to expand...

This is also an excellent suggestion. El-cheapo padded bicycle gloves work well, too. I wear one while shooting my .44 mag. Without it, 50 rounds is my comfortable limit. When I'm wearing it, I've done as many as 200 in one sitting with no discomfort of any sort.
 
"Getting on"----recoil hurts!

Well, since you didn't mention brand, I guess I can't really relate to you problem. I have a Para P-14, all steel, double stack 45. I love the wider grip--it spreads the "felt" recoil around so well it's a joy to shoot. I can shoot it all day (when I have the cash for ammo!) I've had three other 1911's (all single stack.) They all hurt my 1st thumb joint. I have a plastic frame 9mm which bangs my had harder than my P-14. No way on earth do I want anything to do with a plastic 45 or one of those lightweight titanium "thingies." My joints are beginning to let me know they're there, but no outright arthritis yet--I think. And, I've already lived far past the established "expected life expectancy." I think my P-14 is actually gentle!
 
+1 on the double stack helping spread out the recoil. All steel and full length barrel helps also.

Sorry about the arthritis. After my neck fusion I had to give up trap shooting. It sucks getting old and I'm barely 40.
 
Tungsten guide rod and powderpuff handloads are the best solution, but neither is all that cheap. I wanted to reduce recoil as well (but only so I could shoot faster). That's what works for me.
 
I'll even throw this one in there........

Go to a local sport shop and get a gel lined wrist guard or a good pair of fingerless bicycling gloves (padded). This may take up a bunch of the "shock" of the recoil. Possibly do some research on line as well for better selection

Try skateboarding companies, motorcycle companies, baseball/softball companies, golf companies(? too thin), etc.

Try medical companies too for more orthopedic support products, and don't be afraid to load up on some advil before you go shoot too. Ice your wrist before and after, and use Ben-Gay or ICY HOT or similar.

Do strengthening excercises (those spring loaded finger blocks)
and take a real holistic approach to it. You'll see a big improvement.
 
Why not sell the .45 to fund another 1911 chambered in 9mm? You would still have a "full power" 1911, but it would be much easier on your hands. The 9mm is nothing short of great these days with the vast array of modern hollow-point ammunition available. Check out the picture in this thread a few posts down. You will see that the 9mm is *practically* just as effective as the .45, but it obviously won't make a .45-sized entrance wound.

Basically you will have the same satisfaction of shooting a REAL 1911, and not a little .22:) Just something to consider, I guess. Good luck!
 
I agree with the gloves, i've got a pair for when i shoot my .45's. A motorcycle "shortie" glove works great.
 
Last edited:
CP Shooter I was going to say the same thing.

+1

image002xc1.jpg
 
I certainly appreciate everyone's response......

In all fairness, I should have given the brand name of the pistol.......it's a Taurus PT1911SS (was just trying to keep the bashers at bay and it seemed to have worked.......how refreshing).

I'm overwhelmed with your responses.....thanks so much. The beauty of it is that I can use several of your "cures" and they will be compatible with each other. Might even consider trading the Taurus in for another 1911 in a 9mm. That along with several of the other measures I believe will get me to where I want to be. This is what I appreciate so much about The High Road.

I'll soon be three score, ten and one years old and believe you me......."this gettin' old ain't what its' cracked up to be!!"
 
I'll second the EGW oversized firing pin stop. It will require fitting. And, it is the design the pistol was originally given. Horse mounted cavalry complained it was difficult to rack the slide with the hammer down, so a more distinct bevel was made. That method has stuck, for whatever reason.

With this FPS, a 16lb recoil spring and a 23lb mainspring, the recoil, to me, is akin to that of .38spl out of an L-frame revolver.

You can read more about them here http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=13060

and here: http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=164678&highlight=egw+firing+pin+stop

They are available for purchase directly from EGW as well as Brownells and Midway.
 
Fastback:

I guess I overlooked the Hogue wraparound for the 1911. The ones that I've seen mount on the side and front of the grip which wouldn't help the recoil or at least that's my opinion. They'd have to leave an opening for the "grip safety"
 
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