Recoil Why fight it?

ZVP

New member
I have read post after post concerning the use of high powered. heavy recoiling loads in small revolvers. Face it a 2" 357 is a MONSTER! A light framed .38 Special stuffed with +P's is nearly as bad! These high preformance loads are kickers, period.
I shoot a "J" frame Model 36 all steel withS&W/Uncle Mikes rubber grips and I shoot only 158 gr lead or Horniday XT high preformance (125 gr I think) bullets. The Horniday's really kick a lot less and yet have the advantage of the hollow point expanding bullet. The standard 158 gr ammo kicks a bit but the advantage of shooting a heavier bullet outweighs the additional recoil.
My other solution to recoil is toshoot a larger framed revolver.
I also shoot the same 158 gr .38 Specials in a HB Model 10 which reduces the recoil to almost nothing. Same with my Ruger Vaquero, The heavier gun soaks up the recoil.
Moving up tp .357 loads, it only makes sense that a Model 66 kicks like a mule with full house 357's you must move up to an "N" frame toget the recoil tamed to a reasonable level.
There is little reason in firing a kicker just because you can hide it under your shirt. What use is it toharm yourself and probablly miss your target? Move up a frame size!
JMHO,
BPDave
 
Interesting thought, but totally wrong conclusions.

And for the record I have seen small build women shooting 357Mag in a 2 inch fun and loving it.
 
I think I see the point ZVP is making, and I don't disagree. There are folks who are carrying a small, lightweight revolver and are not prepared for the recoil of using high pressure ammo. Those who are not prepared can possibly endanger themselves and others if they need to discharge their weapon.

I don't think this is about some people being unable to shoot a gun with significant recoil, but more about being cautious about being familiar with the recoil.

This plays into the idea of "train with what you carry." I personally keep 5 38 Special Hornady Custom 158gr HP rounds in my S&W 642- when I take it to the range, I like to shoot Fiocchi 38 Special 158 gr target rounds. It gives me a similar feel for the pistol, allowing me to be more ready to use it in a defensive situation, by knowing how it, and I, will react to the force exerted by the expulsion of the bullet.
 
The phrase "meant to be carried a lot and shot a little" came from someplace. Just because a gun may not be pleasant to shoot, does not make it impossible to control or to become proficient with. That said, I use standard .38s in my carry snubbie cause that's what shoots the best outta it to POA. I rather shoot my .460 S&W MAG all day than to shoot 20 rounds of +p outta that little monster.
 
Perhaps it's just my thoughts and nothing else, but I think the aim is more important than a caliber or a style of a bullet. If I can put a normal LRN .38Spl in someone's head at the same time he puts his .44Mag into my shoulder who's better off? For that reason I think that if one carries a light small frame revolver they should practice and carry basic .38Spl with the least kick and worry more about their aiming under stress than the velocity of the bullet. (And that educated statement comes from someone who never carried and doesn't plan to, yea!) :D
 
why fire full house .357 from a snubby? Because if your gonna carry it, you should be used to it, at least know what the recoil is going to do so you can compensate to get back on target. Just my thought. I do prefer shooting my 6 Inch GP100 with magnum loads more than I like shooting my 3 inch S&W M36 with 158gr Remington loads. (A Pacmyr Compact grip did help over the original stock though.)
 
I remember many many years ago reading about recoil and hearing folks talk about recoil until I was ready to be knocked down and injured by some magnum beast of a gun. Well, it all turned out to be silly talk.

People should shoot more and shoot what you carry. My opinion
 
I have no problem shooting .357 magnum from my snub nose Rhino. .38 +p aren't much more than a .22. No need to go to a crazy frame size.
 
Why fight it? Because I like shooting, but want to be comfortable with any weapon, and not have to fight it to shoot it. Reduce the load, or find another weapon, but as my cousin says "if I'm not enjoying it I'm not doing it".

Life is too short for many different things.
 
My experience has been that design of the gun plays a HUGE role as well. The most painful gun I personally have shot was a .380 of all things. It was a friends Seecamp. I very much prefer shooting just about any .357 snubbie over that thing. My girlfriend inherited a .38 derringer. Even with +P's that derringer wasn't bad at all compared to the Seecamp. Don't get me wrong, it is a fine gun and all, just very painful to shoot. At least in my hands.
 
It is a matter of compromises. .38 Specials shot in an N frame will kick less than my .38 Spl. Model 36 snub. However, I need to pocket carry and the larger frame is just too big. So, I tolerate (fight) the heavier recoil when practicing.
 
When I carried a .357 snub I used to shoot and carry full power loads. Then I smartened up and started carrying .38 +p's. It's just my opinion, but the benefit you gain from .357 over .38+p in a short barreled revolver doe's not make up for the excessive recoil, muzzle blast, and flash. I can get back on target much quicker with .38's in a snub than .357, and until you fired off a .357 snub with full power loads with no hearing protection, you have no idea how loud that sucker really is. The constant ringing in my left ear can attest to that.
 
I always thought it a little silly myself to try to wrench the last possible fps out of a caliber. I doubt there are many women that can actually say they enjoy shooting .357 out of a 2" barrel light framed revolver....or actually mean it. It might be some biker babe's idea of acting tough, but those guns are pretty blasty.
I much prefer a 125 silvertip out of mine and I doubt actual performance is diminished much.
 
I don't think you would need to go as far as an N frame for 357. I have a 686 3 inch and the L frame is fine with the recoil. I even changed it to smaller Uncle Mikes grip for better CCW.
 
Not everyone is recoil-sensitive. Most people who have used their hands for a living aren't going to be overly bothered by the recoil from a 357. It may not be pleasant but it sure beats trying to stuff a full size revolver under your shirt.
 
Have many .357's pistols and in the past have shot a lot of full house .357 loads. Never have carried .357 rds. in my CCW due to slower target re-acquisition and flash. And would rather pleasure shoot anyday with .38's.
Heck, anymore I'd rather shoot 44sp. rather then mags. as well.

If I get a day I miss my arthritic hands aching, I get the 475/480 Linebaugh out and run a cyl. or two of the .475's through her, get things aching real nice and I'm good for awhile. ;)
 
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