What's wrong with me?

[Warrior]

Will someone please help me? I am a handgun shooter and I find most 9mm guns painful to shoot. I have only shot 5 or 6 different 9's, but most of them hurt somehow. I currently have a skinned thumb knuckle on my shooting hand from shooting a Kel-tec P11 (15 oz.). I like pocket rockets and have owned the P11, a Heritage Stealth 9mm, and a piece of junk Jennings 9mm. All hurt! I have also shot a Glock 17 and a Beretta P92. The only 9 that was pleasant to shoot was the Beretta.

Before you attribute my problem to primarily shooting cheap, lightweight 9's listen to the rest of the story. Another inexpensive, VERY small and VERY light gun that I own is a Kel-tec P3AT (7.2 oz.). Althought it is only a 380, those 380 +Ps are very snappy, but pleasant to shoot. I also own a Glock 30 45ACP (24 oz.) and it is fun to shoot with the hottest ammo I can find. And finally, I own a Kahr PM40 (about 16 oz.) and it is a hoot to shoot with HOT 40's. What's the deal? Every time I read a review that talks about how soft and pleasant a 9's recoil is I get more confused.

Help me understand!

Warrior

 

[Firethorn]

Well, from what I understand, even a .380 +P is going to be substantially lighter than a 9mm.

I shoot 9mm in a full size auto all the time without problem. I notice extra kick when I fire .40 or .45.

You skinned your thumb knuckle? I'd probably take a look at your grip then. Are you holding your thumb up against the slide?

 

[Hypnogator]

You may be a victim of the grip design. Some guns just seem to fit an individual's hand better than others.

A long time ago, when the S&W Model 39 first came out, I got one for a carry piece. It kicked me harder than my 1911A1!

I've shot quite a number of 9mms, .40s and .45s, and found that some kick harder than others. You can kind of predict some of the recoil by the weight of the gun, but other factors such as height of bore above the grip, and the shape of the grip, play a major role in perceived recoil.

Try a number of 9mms, if you're looking for a shooter. My only current 9mm is a S&W 5906 that I bought for a simulator weapon. Shoots up a storm, with very light perceived recoil. Good Luck!

 

[benEzra]

I would check how you're gripping the gun; the fact that it skinned your knuckle indicates hand position is probably a factor.

Also, one thing that makes shooting a handgun MUCH easier is to improve your grip strength. Get a Gripmaster (choose a model you can just barely squeeze once) and use it daily until you can fully compress every finger button.

Once you get to the point that you can fully compress a Medium strength one, shooting a 9mm will be easy. I used one for maybe two or three months years ago and it made a huge difference in my handgun shooting. My CCW gun now is an alloy-framed compact 9mm (S&W 3913LS) with very hot ammunition (Cor-Bon 115-gr JHP +P), and I can now shoot it very well.

http://www.gripmaster.net/gripmaster/
http://www.gripmaster.net/gripmaster/wheretobuy.html

 

[gulogulo1970]

What about renting at a range a steel framed 9mm? See if you like that.

But if you shoot the Glock 30 in 45ACP, why bother with a nine?

 

[Ala Dan]

Most Pleasant 9m/m To Shoot~?

In numerical order:

SIG's P210, P226, P228 ~!

 

[WarMachine]

Try shooting a full-size 1911 in 9mm.

After trying a friend's in a range outing, I immediately traded in my GLOCK 22 for one. It has to be one of the easiest shooting 9mm on the planet.

 

[rangerruck]

get you a full sized 9 ,shaped like a browning hi power a 45 or a cz. this should stop the ouchy.

 

[CrazyIrishman]

I currently only have two pistols one of which is a 9mm Taurus PT-92 AFS and the other is a Sistema Colt 1911 45acp. Until I bought the 1911 I felt that I shot pretty decent with the PT-92. After some range time with both pistols I now do better with the 1911 even though its a 45. Both pistols have Pachmayr finger groove grips but the 1911 "fits" better. The 45 is slimmer as well. The 45 does have more recoil of course but its controllable and the only painful thing was the "hammer bite" until I put a (drop-in) beavertail and commander hammer in it. If it were possible to have both pistols identical in brand and model with the only difference being caliber it might be a better comparison.

As HYPNOGATOR mentioned, "You may be a victim of the grip design". I don't remember the brand or calibers available but there is a pistol made where you can change the back of the grip to suit your hand size.

Have you tried a range that has rental guns available? Maybe you could try out some pistols and see how they feel before you make a purchase .


HTH

CI

 

[grimjaw]

You may be a victim of the grip design. Some guns just seem to fit an individual's hand better than others.

+1

Warrior, I have two 9x19's: a Kahr K9 & a Hi-Power. The Hi-Power is almost 10oz heavier than the Kahr, and more than that when both guns are fully loaded. Because both of the grip designs fit my hands well, neither of those guns is painful for me to shoot. I can blow through 200 rounds in a session with no ill effects. After 50 rounds with a 9x18 Makarov PM, which weighs just a little bit more than the Kahr, my palm starts to hurt a little bit. Grip design can make all the difference in the world.

jmm

 

[Warrior]

Everyone,

Thanks for your prompt and appropriate help! I'll probably trade my P11 in for another 9 that fits my hand better.

Again thanks sincerely.

Warrior

 

[Justin]

Once you find a 9mm that fits your hand well, you can go out and play!



Sorry, yeah, that was just awful.

 

[WillBrayJr]

You can try switching the factory grips for Hogue or Pachmayr rubber grips. You won't believe the amount of recoil is soaked up on a 50AE Desert Eagle with Hogue finger groove grips.

 

[slopemeno]

You may want to check out a .45 . Stay with me now....
.45 acp probably has more total recoil, but its much less sharp (probably due to the lower pressure .45 acp round). I'm a dyed in the wool .45 shooter, and I was kinda shocked when I shot a 9 mm a fellow shooter let me try. Kinda sharp feeling recoil if you ask me. You should go to a range that rents guns and try out a full size Govt or similar.

 

[BevrFevr]

Justin,

you are a bad bad man.

warrior,

you said it yourself. you are a fan of pocket rockets. Small pistols in the larger calibers kick more. If you get a larger 9mm you will be fine. If you already like your Kahr 40 then try one in 9. you will probably be happy with it and still have a small pistol.