Handgun recoil levels (subjective)

[Wedge]

Hangun recoil levels (subjective)

I was wondering where other people put the recoil of handguns they shoot next to each other. I have only shot a few different handguns so don't laugh at my list (from lightest recoil to heaviest).

.22 - Ruger Mark II
.38 - Ruger Security Six
.45 Colt - Ruger Super Redhawk
.45 Colt - Ruger Blackhawk
.45 ACP - Ruger Blackhawk
.40 S&W - Glock 23
.45 Colt (300 gr @1300 fps) - Ruger Blackhawk
.454 Casull (260 gr @ 1800 fps) - Ruger Super Redhawk
.454 Casull (300 gr @ 1625 fps) - Ruger Super Redhawk...ouch

That is where I put the stuff I have shot. Hopefully you guys that have shot different calibers can expand on this!

 

[stans]

Very subjective and there are variables to be considered.

I think 38 Special +P in an aluminum or scandium 2 inch barreled revolver is going to have more perceived recoil than a 357 magnum in an 8 inch Python.

 

[valnar]

I asked the same question a couple months ago and had various responses. I merged them together in a cohesive, but somewhat subjective list. Here were the results in descending order.
-Robert


.500mag
.357mag (scandium J-frame)
.454Casull
.480Ruger
.44mag
.41mag
10mm
.357mag
.45acp+P
.357sig
.40S&W
9mm+P
.45LC
.45acp
.38spl +P
9mm
7.62x25 Tokarev
.38spl
.380acp
.22mag (NAA mini)
7.62Nagant
.32H&R magnum
.32S&W Long
.38S&W
.32acp
.25acp
.22mag (S&W K-frame)
.22lr
.22short

 

[Sean Smith]

Having shot them side-by-side, I'd still put 9mm +P and even +P+ below .45 ACP by a fair margin.

 

[X-out]

Don't see it on the list, but to my warped mind there's nothing like the recoil of a 7mm-08 thru a handgun! (Rem. XP-100)

 

[sturmruger]

I bought some Federal 9mm +p+. I went to the range to see how it shot. I really didn't notice any difference in my P89 or M9. I wish I had a chrono so I could see if it is really any faster. I was expecting the recoil to feel like a weak .40 round, but it felt like a standard 9mm round to me.

 

[jem375]

a couple of more recoil bangers.....375JDJ and 45-70 in Contenders.....they get your attention in a hurry.........

 

[cratz2]

Well, I group guns into three categories - negligable recoil, slow pushy recoil and fierce snappy recoil.

Neglibable recoil would basically be something I would hand to someone that had shot a centerfire handgun before and wouldn't require any sort of warning other than the basic safety precautions. 22s, 32s, heavier 380s, 4"+ 38s and service weight 9mms, 40s and 45s.

The slow pushy recoils are longer barrel 454s and 44 Magnums, 6"+ 357s and the like. As long as you have a solid grip and the grip fits you reasonably well, they aren't likely to leave your hand really stinging.

The snappy recoil guns are the 2" ultralight 38s and 357s. Ten or twelve rounds will likely have most shooters shaking their hands a bit.

I'd put 10 rounds through a 7.5" Freedom Arms 454 than a 2" 12 Oz 357.

I haven't had a chance to shoot one yet but I heard the big Smith 500 wasn't really as bad to shoot as many folks thought. I'd have to think the new ultralight 44 Magnum would be more painful to shoot at length.

 

[dairycreek]

A personal observation on felt recoil!

It may be only me but the better my hearing protection is the less I feel (or am bothered by) recoil. On those rare occasions I fire a gun without any hearing protection the more I seem to feel the recoil. Always wear a hearing protection device when shooting


Good shooting

 

[JNewell]

It depends so much on the platform. To borrow a couple of easy non-handgun examples, my boys shoot 20 ga 6 1/2# shotguns for skeet; I shoot a 7 1/2# 12. To me, the recoil is identical (all are gas guns). My 7 1/2# .308 Rem 700 has less recoil than a Win 70 at 6 1/4#.

Talking handguns (this forum, right? ), grip angle, bore height, etc. matter a lot. Even in identical platforms, like a J-frame S&W, the size of the grips, the material they're made from, and the weight of the gun matter a lot.

Hard to draw bright lines here...

 

[cratz2]

I agree with the bore axis and grip angle... Not that it makes a tremendously huge difference, but three people (me, my wife and another adult male) shot my SIG Pro 2340 and my Glock 23 with two different loads (180 Gr Winchester HPs and 165 Gr Gold Dots) and we all agreed that the Glock felt like there was a bit less recoil. Again, not dramatic, but enough to notice.

Like I said, someone that can't stand the recoil from the SIG Pro isn't likely to embrace the G23, but for someone that doesn't like recoil, it might make a slight difference.

 

[Mannlicher]

Normally I don't have much reaction to recoil. I touched off some loads I worked up for my Marlin 1894, in my .44 Smith Mountain Gun. All I can say is "ouch". 270 grain Speer GDSP at 1400 fps in a lightweight revolver is NOT fun.

 

[Myself]

I have to aggree with cratz.

I have fired 45-70, 500 mag., etc. thru large handguns and the recoil is not bad.

Fire a hot 357 load in a S & W 640 and it really stings.

A real hot and heavy 454 load in a medium revolver stings and pushes.

 

[Ultima-Ratio]

Recoil Calculator-

I saw an online calculator program for most firearms related formulas at www.realguns.com

 

[jarhead]

I'd have to say that if we are comparing "overall" calibers like 9mm vs. .380acp... that the .380acp has more perceived recoil. In my experience the straight blowback nature of almost all .380acp's versus the delayed blowback lockup of almost all 9mm's makes the felt recoil more for the .380acp...

Does anyone else feel the same way?

 

[Sunray]

Felt recoil doesn't occur to me. When I started shooting, the .45 ACP out of a Colt Government was supposed to have been a big, heavy recoiling pistol. According to the gun rags of the day. The first handgun I had, that worked, was a Colt USGI Government. Recoil? Big? Nope. Fit my hand perfectly and nice to shoot. Even with ball and trace. Much more so than my Inglis HP.
Long story short, I don't care what the firearm is. I'll shoot it. Shot a .44 Desert Eagle one time that had been worked on by Cylinder and Slide, I think it was, to make the grip smaller. Still too big. Shot it anyway. Hit anything? Geezuz, no. I could barely reach the trigger. But I can say I shot one.
My point is that shooting is fun. If you get the opportunity to shoot any firearm, jump on it. If some guy says, "You want to try it?" Say, "Yes please". Even or maybe especially if it's something you have no interest in owning. And more importantly, if you're shooting and some FNG is sniifing around, say, "You want to try it?" Lots of good friends are made that way.

 

[Moparmike]

.45acp in a commander style 1911 had more perceived recoil to me than my 10mm Witness (20lb recoil spring) firing 170gr PMC @ 1200-1250fps according to the box.