This recoil stuff is pretty subjective, isn't it?

[Zen21Tao]

I even ran into a guy last week with one of those new .500 S&W Magnum howitzers (which I'd been kind of itching to try because I've been thinking about deer hunting with a pistol) and it made a lot of noise and flash, but I couldn't see what the big deal was in terms of recoil

I'm sorry but I have to call BS on not noticing the recoil of the 500.
I am a big fan of .45 ACP (I have four) and I also have a compact .40 S&W and a subcompact 10mm and have owned 9mms and .357s in the past. I have never bothered to notice the differences in recoil until I got my .500 S&W. If you didn't notice the recoin you must have been firing very undercharged reloads. Even factor 275 grn loads pack a punch. I recommend you get a couple of 400gr and 500gr (and some of the custom 700gr) loads and fire them. Then when tell me you don't notice the recoil.

 

[RugerSAFan]

Recoil has differed at different stages of my shooting.

When I first got my Ruger Blackhawk 7 1/2 .45 colt, it felt like it kicked. After getting the smaller birdshead vaguero, the Blackhawk seemed like a pussycat.

Shot a friends 1911, and the recoil seemed uncomfortable. Purchased a G27. Sharp recoil. The subsequent G22 seemed like it had much lower recoil.

Purchased a .38 snubnose. Lots of muzzleflash and noise. Afterwards, shot the Glock .40's, and these seemed much easier to shoot.

Finally purchased a 1911. Felt almost like shooting a .22. Very little apparent recoil. Only difference from the first time I shot a 1911 was experience shooting something with a sharper kick (.40 sw and snubby).

Also, went to a very noisy range two weeks ago. Did not stay very long....

My fatigue level (or lack of) also can impact my recoil sensitivity...

 

['Card]

I have never bothered to notice the differences in recoil until I got my .500 S&W. If you didn't notice the recoil you must have been firing very undercharged reloads.

Who said anything about "not noticing" the recoil on it?

What I said was "...it made a lot of noise and flash, but I couldn't see what the big deal was in terms of recoil - I've got an old 16-gauge that knocks you around a lot more than that thing did." Saying that I couldn't see what the big deal was means I was surprised that the recoil didn't seem to live up to the hype. That obviously doesn't mean there wasn't any at all.

 

[Double Maduro]

ARPerson, Pax,

Thanks for your replies. It always frosts me when someone tells someone they can't do something, especially when they don't know anything about the person.

By the way, my petite friend bought a SA Loaded Target and loves it. Within an hour of picking it up we were up in the woods giving it a try. She shot it pretty well and then asked if I would like to give it a try.

Now I believe that John Browning had the same size hands as I do, I have never held a 1911 that didn't point for me. There was a target about 15 yards away, and in a little over 5 seconds, no we didn't have a timer, I put seven holes in a space about the size of a silver dollar, one of the real ones, not one of the new quarter size.

When I got done shooting she asked if I liked it. We walked down to the target and her eyes got kinda big, I said, "it'll do".

She took it to a womens night at one of the local ranges last week. One of the RO's is into competition and asked if he could shoot it. He really liked it. He let her shoot his full race 1911. She did quite well and was impressed with the trigger's 1 pound pull but said she felt better with hers.

I think we do everyone a disservice when we try to limit people based on our perceptions of what they are capable of.

DM

 

[Double Maduro]

Pax,

On the other hand, I had opportunity last week to visit with a lady who is very accomplished in shooting IPSC. She's quite small (several inches shorter than my 5'4") and, well, scrawny. She shoots a .45, and points out that it's always been difficult for her because she doesn't have the mass to do the work of snapping the muzzle back in place after each shot -- she has to do all the work herself.

I have always believed, and taught, that we shouldn't force the muzzle back down. I find it much easier, more consistant and faster to let gravity do the work. If you have a correct grip and stance, the muzzle will rise and fall back naturally.

Try to get your friend to try letting things happen. She might be surprised.

But then if she is succesful with the way she has been doing it, maybe she shouldn't tamper with succes.

DM

 

[The Scandinavian]

The thing that mystifies me is that pistol people are always talking about recoil with this gun being less than that gun, etc. I just don't get it. I haven't ever noticed what I'd call 'significant' recoil with any of them.

I've never noticed what I would call uncomfortable recoil from any handgun that I have fired, from a .25 pocket pistol to .44 magnum.

However, an example of where it becomes 'significant' is competitive shooting - shooting IPSC double taps as fast as possible you really notice significant differences.