Recoil reducers

[Ironhand54]

Which recoil reducer works better, the mercury filled or the weighted? What are the pros and cons of each?

Specifically I am asking about the ones that slide into the stock.

Trying to tame recoil on a A5 light 12.

Thanks
Ironhand

 

[PapaG]

They both work as do the hydraulic piston versions, which don't completely hide in the stock. I'd go with mercury if only to spite the Karens. The hydraulics have an annoying shuffle to me but on a double shuffle A5 it would not be noticeable.

 

[roo_ster]

A5 Solution:
I have found the hydraulic recoil reducing mechanisms on shotguns to work for me. YMMV. Good luck.

Cheapest Solution:
Sell your A5 and buy a used Remington 1100 Wingmaster. You'll get the recoil reduction you seek from mass and gas operation without having to add mass to a lightweight shotgun (making it no longer a lightweight shotgun). I like Browning/FN guns of all sorts, too, but the A5 (especially a lightweight A5) is about the recoiling-est semi-auto shotgun on the planet.

 

[PWC]

Win mod 1200, 12 ga with the Win Recoil Reduction System (1971) on a cycolac walnut stock (plastic) Works great; after 2 rounds of trap or skeet, my friends are ready to go to the club house; I could still do 2 more....

 

[Hookeye]

IIRC...

The 870 is the Wingmaster.
1100s are just 1100s

1100s are slow and heavy, so they tend to be pretty comfy recoil wise.

Newer types of recoil pads can also help

 

[DustyGmt]

I bought a "dead mule" mercury weight for my 870 and it was a noticeable difference with a direct with/without comparison. I don't know how much it weighs but I was a lil skeptical at first but the mercury filled cylinder types seem to work well. Not sure about the others but I've heard of people and I think our own member entropy said he has had luck filling a couple shotshells with lead shot and using those to good effect. My apologies @entropy if it wasn't you who told me about that.

 

[roo_ster]

IIRC...

The 870 is the Wingmaster.
1100s are just 1100s

D'oh! Correct. I will apologize to my 870 wingmasters this evening. The receiver and wood are just so well finished my mind turned to wingmasters contemporaneous with my 1100.

1100s are slow and heavy, so they tend to be pretty comfy recoil wise.

Newer types of recoil pads can also help

Slow? Not so much. I like the way mine swings with its light PLAIN 26" bbl. Changes the character of the gun. Sure, slap a heavier-contour & longer vent rib bbl on it and it is slow(er), but with the 26" plain bbl, it is quick as the mass is in the receiver. With an 18" beaded bbl, it is slicker & quicker than owl snot relative to other SD/HD shotguns.

But I admit I am somewhat atypical. Heck, my plain bbl doesn't even have a bead on it.

 

[I6turbo]

Trying to tame recoil on a A5 light 12.

Thanks
Ironhand

I haven't tried any recoil-reduction devices, but to me, the Auto 5 (I'm talking about the old Belgium version and assume you are as well) strikes me as perhaps the lightest-recoiling shotgun I've ever fired. For example, I have some pumps that kick like mules with the same loads that the A5 just eats up. That said, I've seen other people also post that they thought the Auto 5 kicked a lot. <scratches head>

 

[Lo-Profile]

I've tried a couple. They'll upset the balance and need compensated for that.

I've found a limbsaver recoil pad works just as well

 

[Hookeye]

Slow....as in slow cycling. Not swing, but there a heavier gun should be slower.....maybe smoother

I have a Benelli clone recoil operated. That thing is light and fast.....beats the heck outta me

Back in HS/ college...if I remember right ....1100s were a pound heavier and a hundred bucks more.

When a hundred bucks was kind of a big deal

 

[Hookeye]

Like 1100s, have had about a dozen of em, and as many 870. Still have one of each.

 

[entropy]

I bought a "dead mule" mercury weight for my 870 and it was a noticeable difference with a direct with/without comparison. I don't know how much it weighs but I was a lil skeptical at first but the mercury filled cylinder types seem to work well. Not sure about the others but I've heard of people and I think our own member entropy said he has had luck filling a couple shotshells with lead shot and using those to good effect. My apologies @entropy if it wasn't you who told me about that.

It was, but the shot-filled hulls are as much for swing dynamics as for recoil reduction. Back in the day I had shot wrapped in plastic in the stock bolt hole also for recoil reduction, as well as a good Pachmyr Trap recoil pad on my 870 Wingmaster.

I haven't tried any recoil-reduction devices, but to me, the Auto 5 (I'm talking about the old Belgium version and assume you are as well) strikes me as perhaps the lightest-recoiling shotgun I've ever fired. For example, I have some pumps that kick like mules with the same loads that the A5 just eats up. That said, I've seen other people also post that they thought the Auto 5 kicked a lot. <scratches head>

The Auto 5 still kicks, but compared to it's contemporaries, pumps and break open actions, it was the softest recoiling gun around. Being a long recoil action semi auto, it's kick is delivered as barrel rise, then fall as the barrel moves forward, much as the machine guns of it's day. ( One of which still soldiers on, the M2 .50 BMG) Gas operated semi shotguns have the bolt and the action arms moving, which translates to less motion, hence less noticed recoil. Inertia guns split the difference, but are more user friendly as to cleaning, and will suffer dirty operation a lot longer than either gas or long recoil action shotguns.
That said, the Auto 5 is a classic, and I really like the Sweet Sixteens.

 

[12Bravo20]

Tagged for interest. I want to tame the recoil on my 12 gauge Mossberg 500.

 

[I6turbo]

I've tried a couple. They'll upset the balance and need compensated for that.

I've found a limbsaver recoil pad works just as well

I picked up a 1" thick Limbsaver (the Classic model, IIRC) slip-on recoil pad on clearance someplace. I didn't have a particular plan for using it, but I tried it on a 7.25 pound 12-gauge shotgun while firing 1.125 ounce field/target loads at 1200 FPS muzzle velocity. I was amazed at how much the addition of the pad reduced the felt recoil. The Limbsaver website says it can reduce felt recoil by up to 50%. That sounds like a lot, but I might actually believe that claim.

 

[entropy]

The Falconstrike pads reduce it even more, but are harder to fit, because they can't be ground to fit. You have to measure your stock. It's best to call them to get the best fit

https://www.falconstrikeusa.com/

I have shot a Model 12 with one on, and it really makes a difference. I plan on putting one on my SKB 600.

 

[JamieC]

I have one of the Blackhawk Knoxx recoil absorbing stocks on my 870. I like it, my 4' 11" 98lb wife shoots it with no problems.

 

[Cvans]

The Limbsaver website says it can reduce felt recoil by up to 50%. That sounds like a lot, but I might actually believe that claim.

I do believe it and can't recommend them enough. I suffer from neck, spine, and shoulder pain. They make it possible for me to still enjoy shooting.

 

[Hole maker]

I've tried a couple. They'll upset the balance and need compensated for that.

I've found a limbsaver recoil pad works just as well

Off base abit but I bought a 444 Marlin yrs ago not really trying it, they had a 45-70 that I handled and it felt nice, when I got the 444 it was barrel heavy, go figure same gun same barrel diameter but smaller hole, I agree putting weight in the stock most likely would throw things off, Ron.

 

[jmr40]

I had one of the mercury filled devices that Benelli offered for their Nova back in the day. It worked, but it also added quite a bit of weight to the stock. I often wondered if worked because of the mercury, or because of the added weight. I didn't care for the way it changed the guns balance so I took it out.

IMO the new high tech recoil pads such as Limbsaver are the best answer they reduce recoil significantly without changing the guns weight or balance. They make a 30-06 feel like a 243. Many newer rifles and shotguns are coming with similar recoil pads now from the factory.