1st post, .380, 9mm soft recoil?

J

jb65

Inactive
This is my first post but I have read a lot of threads and may have an answer but thought I would post and see what added information I could get.

I have some hand issues (as well as back issues) and am sensitive to recoil.

I currently have 2 S&W revolvers, a 38 special Pro 60 with a 3" barrel, a 22 with a 5" barrel. I also had a 686 with a 4" barrel but found the gun too heavy (otherwise shooting was pleasant recoil wise).

I have shot some 9mm but found the recoil too much, they were not large guns. While researching I came across the Beretta Cheetah 85fs (I think I know where a couple in my very restrictive state may be had). It seems the 9mm that are described as soft shooters, 92fs and Sig 229 are larger and heavier.

My dilemna is that i cannot drive to the shop that has the 85's, I am in the process of gallbladder treatment and will not be able to get around for a month or more.

Everything I have read about the 85 seems to make it almost perfect, described as comfortable, low recoil, .380 is ok with me. I do not carry, never know in the future but seems that while a bit large I would be able to manage with the 85 if I wanted to. I have read that it can be hard to rack but cocking it prior to racking makes it much easier.

If I decide to buy one it woud be a leap of faith as I would have it sent to my local gun shop.

I am wonderind what opinions of my rambling story might be and if you might think I am nuts to buy an 85 sight unseen.

If you got though reading this, thanks, opinions welcome.
 
I have an 84F (same gun but double stack). It's SUPERB, in my opinion. Very soft recoiling, and a bit larger than most mouse gun 380's today, but easy to carry.

If you're sorry you bought after you shoot it, I will be ok if you blame it on me. My 12 year old niece used to have a ball shooting mine.
 
There are some Israeli surplus Beretta 84s on the market for far less than a new 85 (a single-stack 84) if you want to reduce your financial risk.

The 85 is blowback operated, so the moving slide is doing less work than on a comparable short recoil operated pistol. As a result, more of the free recoil energy is going to be directed into felt recoil. I can't tell the difference in felt recoil between my blowback operated CZ 83 chambered in .380 (free recoil of 2.3 ft·lb) and my similarly sized short recoil operated CZ 75 Compact chambered in 9 (4.2 ft·lb), but I may be oblivious, although I, too, consider myself recoil sensitive due to peripheral neuropathy.

The three ways to reduce felt recoil are:

- use a heavier gun, which you cannot do;
- use a less powerful cartridge, which you are considering; or,
- use a pistol that is short recoil operated.

I can't think of a short recoil operated .380 that isn't a subcompact, the lighter weight of which would likely more than offset the mechanical recoil reduction.

What about a compact .32? The CZ 83 was also chambered in .32, is the same size as the Beretta 85, is blowback operated, but has only 0.85 ft·lb of free recoil. You'd have to find one used. I think Beretta used to chamber some of the series 81 pistols in .32, but I've never seen one.

Good luck with your destoning.
 
When you say hand issues, how is your hand strength?

Both the 84/85 are stiff and racking the slide can be difficult for people with weak hand strength.

If you want something that is good for recoil sensitive people, I would recommend a 5" 1911 in 9mm. Very soft shooting, cheaper ammo than .380. Easy to rack the slide. Lots of choices out there.
 
Thanks all. Living in MA majes approved guns slim. I do not see the 1911 on the list and cannot buy from out of state unkess it is a pre ban gun.

Hand issue have been the joint that connects the thumb and wrist, i wear supports which help when shooting. Also i gave read that cocking the hammer will make racking much easier.

It just seems this may be tha best SA akternative for me, slimmer than mr 38, about the same weight. I am a bit shy of 9mm's at yhis point and was of .380's until readind about the Cheetahs. I will call the shop tomorrow, if the list is correct they have 1 used and 3 new.

Thanks for the replies.
 
I have a LTW Colt Commander in 9mm its a cream puff to shoot. Way less recoil than big brother in 45 I have both '

A blow back 380 will have more recoil .

My Colt Mustangs are soft shooter compared to my PPK/s or Bersa Thunder .
 
Quality and availability may be an issue, but many of the Llama .380 pistols that resembled baby-1911s were locked breech. Perhaps one could be found for not very much money.
 
JB what guns were you shooting that you thought 9mm had too much recoil?

.380 is normally chambered in smaller framed guns so the weight/size typically what feel about the same as shooting a 9mm.

If you don't plan to carry then look into full size 9mm pistols.

Shooting 9mm out of a Glock 17 or 19, CZ 75B or other full size frame make the 9mm a dream to shoot for most people.

My wife shoots 9mm+P's out of her compact EAA Pavona and she loves it. When she shoots my CZ 75 she says it is like there is no recoil.
 
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My friend yhought i shot his sig 229 but i thing he also had a smaller sig that i shot. I did not seem to like the recoil on either.
 
JB when I saw that list you posted I cringed at the fact there is such a list! Who is the deciding party in which makes the list is scary!

Sorry I am not trying to derail your post.
 
Xfire, i am as miffed as most. We supposedly have to have a 10# trigger pull to protect children, no more than 10 rounds. Gun manufacturers have to spend money to get on the list, even S&W, a local manufacturer only has some that are MA compliant. I will move one day but for now this is me list. Scary it is, stupid may be a better word. No problem with a derail, i have made up my mind. I found a nice used blued but wondering if stainless is worth sprndind more. The used one is on cocsignment, wood grips, asking $700 but I can get a new one for $750. Will go to see hoe it fits in my hand and if i like make an offer, have to decide what i feel is fait. Supposedly it is mint. Will see. I believe if availabkt stainless is $100 plus more. Never had a blued gun before.

I think the list is totally dependent on manufacturers who are willing to prove they are compliant.
 
My friend yhought i shot his sig 229 but i thing he also had a smaller sig that i shot. I did not seem to like the recoil on either.
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The P229 is a smaller gun. The P226 is larger and about 5-oz. heavier.
 
jb65 said:
The list of aoproved pistols here in MA is limited. Colt does not rven make the list. Here is a link. http://www.mass.gov/eopss/docs/chsb/firearms/approvedfirearmsroster05-2015.pdf

I will find out which 9's I tried and post, they were either glocks or sigs. colts and others are not on the list, that is part of the problem, companies do not go through the expense of having their firearms approved for 1or 2 states that make it difficult for ownership.
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I see there is a S&W 1911 in 9mm on the list. I don't know why others would not be. I assume capacity is the deciding factor on what makes the list. As others suggested I would assume this would meet all your needs.
 
Something like that. When i started and wanted a revolver it was challenging. Hard to order from out ot os state, Buds won't ship to Any gun shop in MA, even if the gun is approved. So i pay more.... Ammo is not allowed to be shipped here either.
 
I have a Beretta 84, the double stack version. It's a nice shooter. My FiL's CZ83 is perhaps even a little nicer.

Of the half dozen or so 380's we have between us, my Colt Government Model is the softest shooter. It smaller than the Beretta, steel-framed, and fires from a locked breech. I am not positive, but I think they only made them during the 1980's.
 
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