Recoil Reducers and Self Defense

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RegBarc

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Interesting question that I can't seem to get a straight answer on amongst my friends.

A trusted, aftermarket recoil assembly to reduce muzzle flip during defense situations sounds like a good idea, right? Well, I would think it is, but as long as it is meant for hotter loads and isn't very suseptible to breaking from the packed rounds. I can only imagine these things snapping when you need them the most.

The reason I ask is because I am thinking of getting an aftermarket rod from Sprinco for my P99 9mm, while carrying the Speer Gold Dot +P's. As a little bit of customization on my tight budget, is this a good idea if this P99 is my primary carry weapon? If it's not a good idea, please clue me in, I can't seem to find a consensus around here.
 
I belive if the people that designed the pistol felt it was needed they would have installed.one. Then again when comes to guns people can t resist tinkering So do what you want its your gun. Most of my pistols are box stock except for grips and there more for looks
 
Well, let me put it this way:

Can I use a recoil rod reducer safely in a self defense weapon with +P ammo? I've seen people say that these rods are great and that they do nothing, so I believe that it is subjective. Aside from effectiveness, I am more concerened with the safety of it.

Is the application of a recoil rod reducer for a self defense semi-automatic a good idea?
 
"...to reduce muzzle flip..." The only device that does that is a compensator and adding weight to the pistol. However, if felt recoil is a problem, you have the wrong pistol. Chances are it doesn't fit your hand properly and you need different grips or a different pistol. Or just use non-plus P ammo. If you can't hit what you're shooting at, hotter ammo won't help.
 
Oh, I can hit what I am shooting just fine at 25 yards with FMJ or non +P JHP. However, I am in need of a little more help with recovery when I load +P and +P+.

The P99 is the best fitting handgun I have ever held, so the handgun and me is not the issue. It's hot loads and the handgun at medium ranges. I am not recovering fast enough in quick-fire with +P to hit accurately as I would like, albeit they still make it on the target paper. I would like to use the recoil rod reducer to help out with the recovery time and recoil with the +P and +P+ loads.

But trust me, it isn't me. It's just a question of me wanting to double tap more quickly with the hot loads at an extended distance. Basically, beyond the manufacturer's intent with their recoil rod.
 
Hi. Plus P ammo isn't the be all and end all. Accuracy with the ammo that shoots best in your pistol is more important. A well placed first shot is far more important than any second shot. In any case, and a long range shot doesn't apply to a defensive shooting, practice with that ammo is the key.
IPSC other shooting games are another thing entirely.
 
A Caveat

A recoil reducer is an accessory that was designed mainly to sell,
and mainly for the game/target range. It also changes the way the pistol functions in some way. Changing one thing usually changes several other things...and it's not always for the good. A malfunction on the range is
a nuisance. A malfunction during an UTYAIA event can get you dead.

Tuner's law:

"The more gadgets it's got, the more Murphy it gets."

Cheers!

Tuner
 
There is a distinct line in the sand between the games and the real world. You should realize what side of the line you are standing and think accordingly. Bells and whistles are for the games where a problem only cost you points.
If you can't manage your shots with +P ammo, then don't rely on a mechanical device to help you. If it breaks then you still will not being able to handle the rounds. If this happens in a SD situtation then you may lose something more important than points.
 
For any semi-auto pistol that I am going to stake my life upon, I'll take it without any gadgets that can malfunction or break and tie up the gun. Such things are fine on the range, but have no place in a serious uses gun.
 
Don't "gadget up" your carry gun. If you need it, you need it to work. A jammed gun has no muzzle flip but won't help you much.

Don't push the power level on your carry ammo to the point that you have accuracy issues. If you need it you need to be able to hit with it. The power level of your ammo is meaningless if you miss.

Guide rods do a great job of being a spring guide. Don't try to make them something they're not.
A trusted, aftermarket recoil assembly to reduce muzzle flip during defense situations sounds like a good idea, right?
Click to expand...
You know of one? I don't. It's the 'trusted' part of that statement that's the sticking point for me.

Go see a good pistolsmith. Someone who builds race guns for competition. Ask him what he carries/has on his nightstand. Ask him why. I'll bet that the vast majority of the time if his gun's not bone stock it's so close you can't tell the difference. I'll bet he'll tell you that all those gimmick work great in competition MOST OF THE TIME but aren't reliable enough to bet your life on.
 
Why is it everyone who buys a piece immediately overpowers it?

Is your pistol rated for +p or +p+ by the mfg?

If it's not, the 'recoil reducer' isn't worth it.

It sounds to me like you need to back off to a std pressure load and practice more. Recoil is a perceived thing, you can 'get used to it'.

There are plenty of ways to reduce recoil... from changing the way you grip your pistol, to the grip panels to ammo choices before you go swapping out internal components. Didn't your P99 come with 3 different backstraps?

Try all three with 200 rounds each, with a variety of 9mm ammo. Take notes about your impressions on how the gun 'felt' and SHOT with each grip. Compare notes when you finish your third session.
 
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