What's the lowest-recoil 9mm pistol?

[mgmorden]

The P series began as all heavy metal. 85, 89, and 95.

85 and 89 were aluminum framed - not sure if you qualify that as "heavy" metal or not, but the P95 was introduced with and has always had a polymer frame.

The picture you posted is of a Ruger P93 - also aluminum framed.

 

[allaroundhunter]

Softest 9mm that I have ever shot was a Sig P229, it also very soft shooting in .40 S&W (however since you are new to center fire handguns I would not go with a .40)

The recoil on a Glock 19 is also more than bearable, easy to control, and it is a good CCW piece.

 

[Onmilo]

I own a bunch of 9mm handguns and the softest recoiling 9 I own is a H&K USP.
It is also one of the largest 9mm handguns I own. and the USP was originally built around the .40 S&W cartridge so the guns are extremely durable in 9mm.

 

[Sauer Grapes]

My all steel pistol of choice is the S&W 5906. Did I say I really like the 5906? LOL

 

[1SOW]

The heaviest steel pistol with much of the weight "up front", using slow powder, 147gr bullet loaded light.

Phhhtt----ding.

 

[slicer22]

muchas jerry garcias

... to all for all the great references and ideas!

 

[mark1616]

the P95 was introduced with and has always had a polymer frame.

My P-95 is metal frame, and looks just like the one in the pic.

 

[mgmorden]

My P-95 is metal frame, and looks just like the one in the pic.

Unless you can show me a pic with closeups actually identifying it as a P-95, then my belief is that you actually have a P93 and don't know it. The P95 is and always has been a polymer framed gun.

 

[Storm]

Overall the Steyr GB. Of readily obtainable handguns the Steyr M9 or M9A1. the Beretta PX4 is also quite light.

 

[Serenity]

I have only shot a couple of other 9mm over a year ago, but my P226 is very nearly as smooth as my S&W 38 special. They are both monsters, though.

 

[Castblaster]

Theres no free lunch when it comes to recoil. The gun will either need to be heaver/longer or a less powerful caliber.

An alternative is two guns in the same caliber and same operating style, but one larger for practice and one smaller and lighter for carry.
Yes the lighter gun will hurt more to shoot. But if you have to use it in a defensive encounter you won't be telling the responding officer about how scary the recoil was.

I have carried for 14 years and it sucks. I started out with a heavy gun and that didn't last long. I now carry a 12oz J frame 38 Specl and it's still uncomfortable but I'm glad it's there.

And remember: keep your booger hooker off the bang switch till your ready to shoot.


Matt Hooper

 

[Dain Bramage]

Browning GP Comp, and the FEG P9L copy, have extremely low recoil. Both are basically Hi-Powers with more weight up front. Neither is produced anymore, and are sought after as collector items.

In that same vein, old Star Model B's are also soft shooters.

 

[Tcruse]

P95 is the choice for my brother with wrist problems. G4 Glock 17 is very close to the same, just a little more push back and less push up. Springfield XDM is worse than g4 17 in this area, but still not all that bad.

 

[otasan56]

I shoot a G17, and I think that he felt recoil is minimal. But I suppose that a heavier pistol will have less felt recoil. My G17 weighs only 32 ounces loaded.

 

[9mmforMe]

I believe that mgmorden is right in that the P95 has always come in a polymer configuration.

 

[aliveisalive]

1911 9mm. If you shoot light target loads (like WWB) It definitely wont bother you.

Of course if you have nerve trouble or other things in your hand, it still might hurt. But for a normal person shooting 50-100 rounds, I doubt you will even have any indication that you went shooting.

 

[johnnydollar]

1911 9mm. If you shoot light target loads (like WWB) It definitely wont bother you.

Of course if you have nerve trouble or other things in your hand, it still might hurt. But for a normal person shooting 50-100 rounds, I doubt you will even have any indication that you went shooting.

I agree on the 9mm 1911. I shot both a RIA GI (5 inch barrel) and a Colt Commander in 9mm this weekend--what great shooting, soft recoiling guns!

 

[maswell]

the HK P7 series is definitely a low recoil fast follow up machine.

 

[Inebriated]

P226 Stainless.

Or maybe a High Point?

 

[allaroundhunter]

Or maybe a High Point?

Don't Hi-Points use a blowback operation to cycle the slide? That would lead to more recoil...

 

[johnnydollar]

the HK P7 series is definitely a low recoil fast follow up machine.

Shot one of those this weekend as well. Great accuracy, very quick to get back on target, low recoil.

 

[Inebriated]

Don't Hi-Points use a blowback operation to cycle the slide? That would lead to more recoil...

I have always thought the weight of the slide would kind of mitigate that. I shot one next to a Beretta 92, and it SEEMED like less recoil, but I had just put 300 rounds of .45 ACP down range, so it all felt like a .22.

 

[GrandmasterB]

Another vote for the H&K P7. It has an extremely low bore axis and the gas system really tames recoil. Try some 147gr sub sonics and see how soft they are.

I have had Rugers, Glocks, S&W 3rd gen and M&Ps and none of them shoot as soft as the P7.

 

[heidad01]

+1 for a 5" barreled 1911 style of any brand.
It is amazing to see the number of complaits about having a hard time or being uncomfortable or too heavy. get a good holster and go to the gym if a 40 oz gun seems too heavy to carry.

 

[harmon rabb]

i own a bunch of service 9's and have fired a bunch more. my 5906 has the softest recoil of any of them, hands down.

but any full sized 9 has very low recoil ayway. any of them will be MUCH softer shooting than that pf-9.