Recoil: .45 ACP vs 9mil vs .40SW

There are still physicists who don't believe a curveball is possible. They believe it is an optical illusion. I've read about this and heard physicists argue against the curveball on NY Yankee broadcasts. Just like many sciences, their are two schools of thought.
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Every discipline and occupation has crackpots. Who are dead, flat, wrong.
 
I'll echo the others. In my limited experience, the 40 definitely has the least-pleasant recoil. I remember shooting two XDs back to back when they first came out (my brother and a buddy in the Corp of Cadets at Virginia Tech both had one) and the 40 was definitely snappier, whereas I shot the 45 and wondered why people ever complained about the recoil - it's a sweet shooting round. It's been a while since I shot a 45, so I can't compare it to a 9mm, but if memory serves, the 9mm is weaker but snappier, if that makes any sense. If I didn't have to sacrifice magazine capacity and ammo cost, I would carry a 45. As it is, I'm leaning towards 147gr. 9mm
 
I have two Browning HP's in .40 S&W, and they're among my favorite autos. I tried a HK mid-size in .40 S&W, and I didn't like it at all. Before I traded in the HK, I did a bit of measuring (crude to be sure), and the Browning had a slightly lower bore axis compared to the top of my hand. I surmised that the HK would recoil differently.

IMHO, it would seem like the 1911 frame would be ideal for the .40 S&W round. However, they're not offered but very rarely. I've seen and shot them in "officer's"-sized models, but those are a bit snappy for my liking. Not enough weight.

I also have a Springfield 1911-A1 in .38 Super. It's the finest shooting of all my 1911-types.
 
I have guns in all three; 9mm, .40S&W and .45acp. I find the 9mm round very pleasant out of my CZ PCR. I also had a Ruger P89 that was a good 9mm shooter. I have a SigPro in .40 that has a very sharp snap in recoil. I have a couple of guns in .45acp; a Taurus P145 and a SA 1911. My SigPro feels like it has about the same recoil as my Taurus. My SA 1911 is about as pleasant to shoot as my CZ.

All that being said, the gun you use plays a big part in felt recoil.

Oh, and my GP100, 6" shooting .357 magnum loads has more felt recoil than that of all my handguns.
 
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40 is the snappiest recoil. Similar velocity to the 9mm but with a largest bullet. The 45 has the largest bullet but is the slowest so its recoil feels powerful but smooth. 9mm is more snappy than the 45 but lass than the 40. I would say that the 40 has the most recoil and that you could go with way on which has more.
 
My all Steel 5906 9mm shoots them like nothing, the weight soaks up the recoil like a champ. All I recognize is the action working and a slight muzzle climb. That said, my favorite round to shoot is the 45 with the 9mm second. I also dont understand when people complain about the 45's recoil. To me it is like a push as others have echoed, plus I can shoot the best with a 1911. However, I also thoroughly enjoy the 9mm and shoot that often as well. I have never felt the need for a 40. My 45 and 9mm are capable of doing anything the 40 is.
 
I think a lot of this is dependent on the gun, as well. A short-barrelled .45 may well be as snappy as a .40, a lightweight 9mm might kick as hard as a bigger or heavier .40, etc.
 
It's definitely the gun, more so than the caliber.

The worst gun I ever shot was a sub-compact .45acp. It literally snapped up almost to my head. Didn't even want to finish the mag.

I'm thinking that most of the people who make this comparison are using a 1911 style .45acp with probably a 5" barrel, and comparing it with a Glock 22 type platform, which has a 4.5" barrel. I would agree, the .45acp through a long slide is a nice, smooth push, better than firing my Glock 22 which is a bit snappy in comparison.

But that's where the comparison ends. My Glock 35, also in .40S&W, feels like a longslide .45acp in terms of recoil. It's more of a smooth push. The Glock 35 has a 5.3" barrel though, more like a 1911, less like a Glock 22. You can easily feel the difference in recoil between the 2 glocks, at least I can.

So I think it's really a lot more gun related (size, platform) than actual caliber when it comes to recoil.
 
Depends on the Gun

I am 65 and I've shot 45ACP since I was an 18 year old recruit.
I find 45 ACP in a 1911 to have a "push" recoil which is very easy to manage.
I usually shoot 9mm in Browning HP's or a Springfield EMP.
The recoil isn't vary noticeable except for very hot rounds.
Same with 38 Super in a steel 1911(RIA),and even with Corbons there is little recoil.
Now,40-I don't like shooting it because the recoil is kind of "twsty" and it's hard to regain sight alignment fast.
Strangely,I got a Glock 20SF in 10mm and the recoil isn't at all unpleasant,though it is stout with some rounds.
I would not want to shoot it from a Glock 29.
OK,now I shot some 9mm from a Rorbaugh and it was downright painful.I can assume any little,tiny semiauto with full power 9mm is no fun.
The EMP is small,but very sturdy,and the action soaks up the recoil.
I have experienced nasty recoil from hot loaded 45 Auto Rim and ACP's in 45 revolvers-I switched to a Pachmayr grip on my S&W 22-4 because it tore up my thumb with the little Thunder Ranch grips.
My 1917 Colt Army with the walnut grips is also a little tough,but I'd never sully such a good old classic with rubber grips.I've discussed it with my thumb:).
Basically,the platform determines the felt recoil,whether we're discussing semiautos or revolvers.
 
I like .45. I find the quick recoil of 9mm to be kind of irritating. Maybe it's because it's fast and I'm big and slow. :)

I can shoot 9mm; I have a Rohrbaugh, BHP, CZ-75B, and a Sig X-5 Tac. I just prefer to shoot .45 when I'm relaxing and plinking.
 
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