Getting a 9mm soon....

It has been my experience that there is not a lot of wiggle room when it comes to recoil in a 9mm load because there isn't a lot of range to work with -- lowering the power with the goal of cutting recoil slams quickly in to feeding/ejecting failures in the platform.

With that said, two things come to mind to give you a start...

Many find that heavy for caliber 147gr slugs simply "feel" nicer, easier and less snappy than do average weight 115-124gr. Also, it is fact that a lead slug goes down a bore easier than does a jacketed or plated slug, so (theoretically) a cast lead 147gr slug over a small charge of fast burning powder "should" be on the lighter end of a small spectrum.

Also, it's been my experience that one of the most intimidating factors of 9mm to new shooters is the high pressure muzzle blast. To that end, outdoor shooting is far more enjoyable with a 9mm than indoor shooting that traps a new shooter with all the muzzle blast.

Good luck!
 
I use 5.2 gr Power Pistol and 124 gr FMJ (old supply). If recoil is an issue with something as basic as 9mm, perhaps fundamentals need to be reviewed with the shooters. Mohammed is supposed to go to the mountain with this caliber. Do they have 22s to use for practice of the basics?

Note that 9mm is typically supersonic, so the sonic boom along with the pressure level is part of that characteristic crack you find that makes you want to move away from someone shooting 9mm. Choose a load that is subsonic, and everyone will be more comfortable, including with the recoil issue.
 
Size matters.

I'm surprised nobody has asked you what gun you plan on getting. Because a full sized 9mm is generally a manageable piece - even for those slight of stature. Compacts and sub-compacts are a different story.

Back to ammo: Recoil is a personal thing.

Many find that heavy for caliber 147gr slugs simply "feel" nicer, easier and less snappy
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This is one of the rare times when Sevens and I part ways. Although, I agree that 147's are less snappy, and have more of a "push" over ever-so-slightly more time; I find their overall recoil to be more intense. To me, 115's, although "snappier," are more tame feeling overall.

But as Sevens also mentioned ("Many find. . ."), felt recoil is a personal thing.

All that said, I carry my 9mm with 124gn bullets (Speer GDHP +p), so I practice with 124 grainers. Practiced with it out at the range just this morning, as a matter of fact ;).
 
Haha, I also find it interesting and intriguing when Nick and I disagree, because it is indeed a very rare event! ;)

I will add just for clarity that 147's versus 115/124 is what I hear from friends -- close buddies and casual aquaintences. Alas, I have -zero- hands-on experience myself in using 147gr slugs in 9mm. For me... part of the draw of 9mm is economy and I make my component bullet purchases in serious volume, so I long ago settled on 124gr plated and I have no desire whatsoever to deviate from it.
 
They all have time behind the 22. Still have it for skill building....22 does not recoil, so getting over the recoil concer will be hard by 22 only.

My hope is to lad some 115 or 124 plated at just above 380 level of recoil.

We bought an XDS 9. The extended mag grip, small grip and texture make it ideal for them.
 
XDS 9. Good choice.

Nathan, you're going to have to just load by trial and error to find a load recipe that is tame, yet still able to cycle the action. If it were me, I would go with a 115gn plated or jacketed bullet and a fast powder. From my inventory of powder, I would (and do) use AA#2; but any fast powder (Bullseye, W231/HP-38, Nitro 100, VV N310, TiteGroup, etc.) would do just fine.

But before you do that - assuming it's a new piece - I recommend taking it out to the range and putting about 300 or so rounds of regular strength ammo through it, to get it broke in. IMO, in order to do a good work up (or work "down"?) of a light load, you need your gun to be broke in.
 
I am in the camp that goes with the heavy for caliber bullet for a more pleasant recoil sensation. Not trying to sell a bill of goods: there is not "less" recoil necessarily,just more of a straight back push with less muzzle snap. A 147 can be loaded to be very pleasant and still run the gun. That being said I know that a 124 over 4.0 grains of Titegroup is a good one that sorta splits the difference. Also Meatsaw's load a few posts back is a good one. Have fun experimenting and be safe.
 
my plink load is an xtreme plated 125gr HP with 4.0gr HP38. accurate, clean and affordable. I run lots of lead cast as well, generally with HP38, my most accurate being the lee 358-125 sized down to 357. Run with 3.8gr HP38 powdercoated

depends on your gun what you'll shoot the best, my 9mm rifle like the 147gr with HS6, and my most accurate pistol load is a 90gr XTP also with a heavy dose of HS6. Titegroup is about perfect for standard weight 115-125gr jacketed 9mm BTW
 
I don't have a very light recoil plinking load, but when I was working up loads I noted some loads with very soft recoil and an ejection pattern inside of 3ft. They has no problem cycling my 9mm SIG SP2022. These soft loads were 124gr plated bullets loaded with 3.8gr 700-x and 4.5gr Unique.
 
A 147 can be loaded to be very pleasant and still run the gun.
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I forgot about that: heavy bullets tend to cycle actions better under light load conditions. Good point.

What can I say, I'm mostly a revolver guy :p
 
I agree that under 115's and running the gun could be questionable.

I'm thinking 124 plated or coated with titegroup, for now.

I have aa#5, titegroup, long shot, SR4756 and maybe wsf.

CCI or WSP primers.

I'll probably try some acme bullets.
 
Titegroup for a light recoil, I think not. Titegroup will give you quite the opposite effect. I found myself in this scenario when I first began loading. The gunshops' only employee who had "loading experience" suggested that it was a good powder to "start" with. That was two plus years ago and I've learned a great deal about reading burn rate charts and balancing them against powder weight and bullets. Since then I've been through Ramshot Silhouette (lesser recoil than Titegroup) and now Longshot, which is my preferred and only 9mm powder [courtesy of Machinegun Tony].

Since you are working on loads for your wife and kids, I would study the burn rate charts, converse against data and bullet type and weight and test your powders with the understanding that Titegroup is the fastest burning powder in your inventory.

(PS - I will wager that your wife selects either AA#5 or Longshot)

Good luck. Be safe.
 
Mark, you are saying faster burning powders in general give you more recoil sensation? So, Bullseye or AA#2 would recoil more in the same round than HS-6 something slower?
 
Mark, I'm curious why so many Conventional Pistol (Bullseye) shooters use and suggest powders like Bullseye and Titegroup, etc. for light loads? I know when I started shooting Bullseye competition that's what was suggested to me.
 
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