Softest Recoil 9mm for $300

Wikipedia lists the Star BM as weighing 25 ounces which is a bit on the light side if you are trying to minimize recoil.
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Sorry, but Wikipedia is WRONG. The Star BM does indeed weigh 34 oz. They may be, mistakenly, thinking of the alloy frame version, the BKM. Do you really use Wikipedia for reference ??

:):):)
 
xcc_rider - I haven't had surgery, but I had visited an orthopedic surgeon several times, had some MRIs completed of the neck and shoulder area. The surgeon had initially suspected the issue was due to pinched nerves in the neck/shoulder area, but this proved not to be the case. He wanted to then go ahead and get an MRI of my brain at which point I decided to hold off. I've since learned to manage the issue and avoid certain activities. Perhaps in the future I'll get it looked at again.

I posted a similar thread in a CZ specific forum asking about CZ clones and their relative recoil. Someone suggested I should look at the Canik clones. What would be informative to me is if someone with experience firing multiple of these guns commented about how the recoil differs between some of the models mentioned in this thread. If the difference is insignificant, I'll just choose the cheapest option.

Here are the guns I'm currently considering. I'll add to the list if anyone has other suggestions. I've already eliminated a few of the models mentioned in this thread for various reasons.

Canik S120 or P120
Star Super B
Beretta PX4
Beretta 92 (I've seen some surplus 92s models available)
EAA Witness or SAR B6 CZ clones (preferably steel, but these seem difficult to find at a reasonable price)
 
Welcome to TFL, Piko.

Weight is certainly a large factor in recoil, but I have to say that I've been pleasantly surprised at the soft recoil of an XDs in .45 that I got to shoot as well as my own 9mm Shield. I'm no engineer, but I suspect that there's some flex in polymer pistols that absorbs some of the recoil.

Also, I know little or nothing about Star pistols, but I did notice that Aim Surplus has the BM model on sale for $199.95 right now: https://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?groupid=10444&name=STAR+Model+BM+9MM+Handgun
 
I use batting gloves for range practice. IDK if I have carpal tunnel issues but the gloves stop numming hands for me. I have a Canik C-100 and like it a lot, especially w batting gloves. The S-120 should even be less recoil.


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Piko, I think softer recoil is good for everyone because it makes shooting more controllable and more fun. Like you, I have health issues that increase the value of such a feature. (Another one is good ergonomics.) Having owned and shot a variety of handguns over the years, I have to recommend that you expand your budget and maybe start exploring the used market. Consider that you'll have ammo costs after you buy it anyway and prepay your way into some more options.

For instance, that Beretta PX4 Storm is an amazingly soft shooter in 9mm. The rotating barrel system favorably changes how recoil is distributed in the hand. There are lots of soft-recoiling 9mm handguns out there but this one has to be my favorite. Honestly, I'd take it over more popular DA/SA options from Sig or CZ any day.
 
CTS

Give some consideration to the .380acp cartridge and a striker fired pistol.

Both will significantly reduce felt recoil, allow you to work the slide easier and will have you practicing more often. Once at ease with the weapon you could advance to a +P type ammo.
 
Take a good look at a Walther Creed, a nice 9mm service pistol that is commonly available at under $300.
 
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Pico, Zukiphile beat me to it. Yes, they are BHP "pattern" guns, not clones. The 94 is a single action and the 98 is a double action. They are built like tanks and quite accurate.
 
If you find a Stoeger Cougar try it for feel. About 34 oz DA/SA with a Beretta rotating barrel. Very easy to shoot, easy take down, low recoil.
 
Another one to consider is the Bersa Thunder in either .380 or 9mm. They are light, fit the hand well and the slide is very easy to rack. Just my .02
 
Ive been throwing batting practice for the last 15 years, and about June the tendonitis and rotator cuff and elbow all announce themselves ... I've found the cz sp01 w/ 10lbs recoil springs and 147gr 9mm to be easy to shoot. I also ride the extended safety and G10 palm swell grips to help keep the nose down. I'de look at the CZ 75 P01 clones if on a budget.
 
The CZ75B guns are very soft shooting and mine is very accurate, but pretty doubtful you'll find one for less than $450.00 or so. The CZ P07/09 are also pretty soft for lighter plastic framed guns, but pretty hard to get them under $400.00. If you could stretch the budget up to this level you'd be happy with either of these guns.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions.

I'm leaning towards one of the steel alloy CZ clones - they're just tough to find within budget.

The Beretta PX4 (also slightly over budget) is next on my list. That Stoeger Cougar is an interesting alternative that I need to research.
 
Polymer CZ clones are available for under $300, but I don't know how the recoil compares to the all steel cousins. Sarsilmaz B6P, K2P, CM9 gen2(2nd generation K2P) and Tanfoglio Witness P are examples. I know of others , but they are higher priced. The slide in frame design of the CZ style guns offers a lower bore axis which is a good thing, but there is also less slide surface to get ahold of for racking the slide. It's something to consider given your issues with your hands.

I do have a K2P and it has proven itself. I would have no reservations acquiring another Sarsilmaz pistol.
 
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After reading about the Star BM in this thread, I started searching online. Saw them for $229 and $199 depending on condition. Watched some positive youtube reviews and found it interesting. Might be of interest to me at some point, but not now.

Today, I was at a local gun show and a vendor had two of them, priced at $239. I picked it up and looked it over, felt the weight, etc... Guy says it has a good weight to it. I told him I had just read about these online last night. He tells me that I won't find them for under $400 online. I said well, I've seen them priced less than this. He said, well make me an offer. I sort of looked at him and he said, give me a number, any number. I told him thanks, but I was just looking at it as a novelty and that I wasn't really interested.
 
Actual recoil(vs felt recoil) is about the ammo used, not the firearm. The fit to your hand can make a difference, but not as much as the ammo. Mind you, the weight of the pistol maters a bunch too. A 115 grain bullet at 1155 FPS out of a 1.5 pound(24 ounces) pistol gives 5.2 ft-lbs of recoil energy. Vs the 3.8 ft-lbs. out of a 2 pound(32 ounces) pistol.
After all that, I suspect that shooting any pistol with any ammo is going to hurt with "significant carpal tunnel issues". You may want to talk to your MD first.
 
Sorry, but Wikipedia is WRONG. The Star BM does indeed weigh 34 oz. They may be, mistakenly, thinking of the alloy frame version, the BKM. Do you really use Wikipedia for reference ??
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They cited a credible source: Phillip Peterson (2016). Gun Digest Book of Modern Gun Values. p. 224. ISBN 1440245010. For non-critical, non-political references, Wikipedia is not bad. I certainly would not call it authoritarian.
 
I surprised I haven't seen(or seen and missed) the 3rd gen S&W's mentioned, granted most models start at around $350 it seems. It is of course subjective, but I find them to be both light recoiling and quite easy to rack.

I believe the Walther CCCP was marketed as being especially easy to rack, and light on recoil as well.
 
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