How does .40 s&w recoil compare to .45acp recoil in the same brand/make gun?

[JeffDilla]

I know it depends on gun and differs for each person, but is there any general way to compare the recoil of .40 S&W to .45acp in the same make/model gun say M&P or XD's? I'm just curious, and I know the .40 vs .45 debate has been done to death forgive me, but I had a little trouble finding posts and threads specifically relating to the recoil. I've heard .40 is snappier where the .45 is more of a push, is this pretty much the difference?

 

[MICHAEL T]

I've heard .40 is snappier where the .45 is more of a push, is this pretty much the difference?

Thats the way I would describe it . I tried 40 and sold first chance.

 

[JeffDilla]

Michael T, do you shoot .45 as well and feel more comfortable with it?

 

[ugaarguy]

I'd describe it as:
9mm (9x19) - light, quick snap
45 ACP - slow heavy push
40 S&W - somewhat heavy push with a quick snap
357 SIG - lighter push than 40 S&W, heavier push than 9mm, quicker snap than 9mm.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I've heard .40 is snappier where the .45 is more of a push, is this pretty much the difference?

You might well have read it from me, since I've said it many times. I don't mind the .40 in larger heavier guns - particularly those specifically engineered for it as opposed to boring a bigger hole down the barrel of a 9mm - but find the bark and bite quite objectionable in small guns.

 

[JeffDilla]

The lone haranguer, when you say small guns, are you talking about compacts and subcompacts? Have you shot .40 from the service model xd or M&P? If so, how was it? Thanks

 

[EHL]

.45 acp has a nice smooth feel each time it's fired. .40 has a little more snap to it than does the 45. I don't much care for the .40 caliber.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The lone haranguer, when you say small guns, are you talking about compacts and subcompacts? Have you shot .40 from the service model xd or M&P? If so, how was it? Thanks

Yes to both. I shot a XD service model in .40 as a rental and did find the recoil snappy but manageable. I disliked it in the Glock 27, and would not care to go even smaller, e.g., a Kahr PM40. My PM9 is quite enough.

 

[JeffDilla]

Lone Haranguer, sorry, i meant to ask if you had shot .45 from the XD and M&P and your opinion of it, my fault.

 

[easyg]

You gys must be much more recoil aware than I am....I can't tell much difference between the two in similar size and weight pistols.
It's just not an issue.
If you can shoot one well then you will be able shoot the other one with no problem.

 

[ElectraGlideInBlue]

.40 snappy .45 heavy push

I think EHL has it right. The .40 S & W is a snappy higher speed recoil while the .45 is a good hard push. Both are inside the envelope of control, no problem. The one exception in my experience is the Baby Eagle Compact in .40. It is a well engineered firearm that seems to calm the .40 down a bit and makes it feel like an underloaded 9 mm.

The Baby Eagle is one under appreciated gun in .40. I really would like to get a .45 ACP Baby Eagle as well, but alas and alack, I am a 1911 devotee.

 

[wally]

The EAA Witness guns with their interchangeable uppers I find useful to help new hand gunners decide on a caliber.

9mm < .40S&W < .45ACP as you might expect the extra muzzle blast and shorter time course of the 9 and 40 recoil make the .45 more comfortable to shoot for many, once they've gotten actual experience over hearsay.

--wally.

 

[MMCSRET]

I tried a 40 in a Commander size and it was more difficult to control that a 45. Deputy Sheriff loved it as a backup, he got it and we are happy!!