Recoil not the issue I thought it was

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dakota.potts

New member
Had the opportunity to go out to the range with a couple of friends yesterday and try out some of their guns. I'm a 9mm guy and I've been spoiled by my CZ 75 which is a truly soft shooter.

Several months after I started shooting, I had had the opportunity to fire a compact .40 as well as a .45. My verdict on both was that I liked the .40 the least because the recoil was very snappy and it took far too long for me to get on target. It also hurt the webs of my hands. I liked the .45 more but the recoil was a little pushy for me and, again, slower to keep on target. This was a year and a half, almost two years ago at this point.

Fast forward to yesterday, I load up my friend's Glock 22. I wasn't expecting to like it much as I don't like Glocks (great gun, just don't like shooting them) or .40 caliber guns. But I was able to handle it very well. There was a little more authority to the recoil but it hardly made any difference in my ability to keep it on target like I could the 9mm. Then the other friend I was shooting with loads up his XDS to hand it to me. He'd already loaded it so I didn't see the magazine and just had to rack the slide to chamber it. I thought he had told me previously it was an XDS 9mm. The first shot I found the recoil to be a little snappy, but blamed it on the small size and the grip. I actually believe I limp-wristed the first shot as the next shot was a click with an empty chamber so I don't believe the slide went back far enough to pick up the new round.

I fired the remainder of the magazine and found that although the recoil was a little heftier than I was used to, proper grip made it very possible to keep on target even for some somewhat rapid shots - probably even better if I had the gun for longer to practice regularly with it. It was only after I shot that I found out it was a .45, which I assumed would have been very difficult for me to manage in a sub-compact.

Obviously both the .40 and the .45 have more recoil than the 9mm that I'm used to. I've yet to find another handgun that I enjoy or can shoot as well as my CZ 75. But the difference in shootability between the calibers is not what I thought it was. I think my initial experience of both of them was tainted by my inexperience, where recoil and noise created adrenaline and overwhelmed the senses of a new shooter like myself. I still remember feeling nauseous after shooting my first gun, a .380, as the whole experience was initially loud and frightening.

Although I don't see myself moving up to a .40 or a .45 for a variety of reasons, I don't feel now that my choices would be as hindered by my inability to learn to shoot either successfully as I once found them objectionable.
 
I think that's probably it. Since the last time I fired anything more than a 9mm, I have done hundreds (or thousands) of dry trigger pulls and put at least 1,000 live rounds down range, as well as competed in a competition or two with a handgun. I think all of these things really helped develop my technique a little bit which helped with control.
 
It was only after I shot that I found out it was a .45, which I assumed would have been very difficult for me to manage in a sub-compact.
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Recoil for the 45 Auto and 9 mm are very similar for equally balanced guns. The 9 MM does recycle a bit faster than the 45 Auto basically because of the faster speed of the 9 MM. The pistol on the left is a Bersa Thunder 45 Compact Pro that holds 9 rounds of 230 grain bullets (2,070 grains of lead) the one on the right is a CZ 75 P-01 9 MM that holds 15 rounds of 124 grain bullets (1,860 grains of lead). The 45 has a 3.6 inch barrel the 9 MM a 3.8 inch barrel they are pretty much similar in size and weight. While the 45 has a slightly smaller grip it is slightly wider at the slide. You might even say the 9 MM has a slightly stronger recoil with the 9 MM traveling at 1,200 fps where the 45 will be about 850 fps.

It has a lot to do with pistol weight an recoil springing.

Just my observations.
Jim

 
Jim, on a similar note, how do you like your P-01?

I have about 10 months until I'm old enough to get my CWP and I'm looking ahead for the type of firearm I'd like during that time. My 75 BD is the nicest pistol I have ever shot and the one I would pick first (and I've shot many) so I'm thinking I'd like to stick with a CZ model or at least a clone. I like the decocker model with no safety personally but a single action would be OK. I'm kind of looking at the RAMI, D PCR, P-01, or even a clone like the Canik. Prefer a metal body (even aluminum or alloy) to polymer. Curious to know what you think of yours as a concealed carry pistol.
 
The individual gun and load make a far greater difference than the caliber. Glocks grip design along with a bit of flex from the plastic frame really softens recoil. My steel framed 1911's in 45 ACP are much heavier, but with a very narrow grip that concentrates recoil into a smaller portion of my hand. They recoil much sharper than my Glock in 10mm shooting full power 200 gr loads at 1300 fps.

The Glock grip design probably does the best at getting the gun back on target after recoil too, less muzzle flip. There are good reasons why they are so popular.

Some 9mm loads, in some guns can be harsh. One of the most uncomfortable guns to shoot I've ever owned was a Makarov in 9X18, substantially less powerful than 9mm.

Of course perception is a big part of it. I only owned magnum revolvers in my youth. The hottest 40, 45, or 10mm loads from semi's are all soft shooting in comparison. In the same gun 40 is a tiny bit sharper than 9mm, but I really have to concentrate on it when shooting to notice. I've never been able to tell any difference between 40 and 45 if fired in comparable guns.
 
Jim, on a similar note, how do you like your P-01?
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This is a pistol that once you have it in your hand, you can not put it down. It forms to you hand as if it was built just for you. I picked it up in the store and was crushed I had to wait two days (Illinois) before I could take it home.

Shoots like a champ very accurate, easy to shoot will eat any and all 9 MM ammo made and exceptionally well built. Holds 14 +1 and you can obtain accessories for it (grips, lasers, lights, mags, night sights) without any problems (uses sig sights)

It is easy to conceal, but to be truthful, because of the extended mag, it is more comfortable to carry the Bersa 45 Compact Pro. Sorry, I wear each about 50 % or the time each.

Hope this helps, I would buy another with out a second of hesitation.
Jim

My next purchase is a CZ 97 (45 Auto) The PCR is the same gun but with out the rails, the RAMI is a smaller gun.

 
Jim, if you like the CZ 97, see if you can get you hands on an SAR K2. I happened to fondle one today, and was quite surprised how nice it felt. The action on the trigger was also something of a surprise, just how nice it felt.
 
I think that for any given shooter, some gun-ammo combinations are never going to be comfortable or fun. But, I've found that if one is shooting a new-to-you and more powerful caliber, easing into it over time (sometimes a good bit of time) cures most ills. I feel the body does learn to respond, but it can't be done in one sitting.

I've seen many YouTube videos of shooters new to some particular gun, with dramatic displays of the muzzle rising a foot or more or the shooter losing control of the weapon completely. I guess that's a hoot for some video watchers, but it's no way to get introduced to more recoil and I think it spoils the experience...possibly for a lifetime. If this is where a shooter develops his/her opinion of a gun/caliber, it's a real avoidable shame.

Glad things were different for you. Even if you have no interest or need to shoot anything different than 9, you at least a much better basis than many for forming opinion.

Acclimating to more recoil, as well as other factors that change with different guns, isn't of course a matter of a challenge or heroics (like learning to enjoy Scotch). I think it's just something that's good to do to enjoy and become proficient with a much broader array of options--a little more recoil means a LOT more options, if you want options, OR it means a lot better experience at the range when your associates bring their arsenals.
 
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