Softest Recoil 9mm for $300
- Thread starter Piko
- Start date
sigarms228
New member
Felt recoil is very subjective and a lot depends on a shooters grip technique, skills, and strength. While weight is usually good for reducing recoil a lot of us also find certain lighter poly frame pistols pleasant to shoot. Design of the springing in the pistol including the recoil spring assembly can be a big factor as some use a double design. Recoil goes upward and straight back and the degree of each depends on many factors in the pistol design and shooters preference may favor a recoil pulse that goes more straight back while others like more upward. How well a pistol fits the shooters grip is also very important in recoil control and felt recoil. Many poly pistols come with different size back straps to help customize a pistol fit to your hand.
IMO the only real way to find a pistol that works best for a particular shooter is to try out those under consideration. I understand that can not always easily be done but it can get pretty expensive buying pistols and finding out you do not like them after the purchase.
When a shooter has fairly poor forearm strength/gripping ability, that probably is going to make it difficult to find most any 9MM pistol that they will find enjoyable to shoot.
Depending how bad the problem is, it might be a good idea to also consider .22 LR for a pistol and at least try a couple out. There are also a lot of nice ones at or close to your budget. A good quality .22 LR pistol with good quality ammo like CCI Mini Mags can be very reliable. In a self defense situation being able to hit the target in a critical zone is of great importance.
As always one should check with their doctor/health provider in such a situation to see what they say as the one thing you probably do not want to do is make things worse for yourself. I have a shoulder impingement issue and asked my doctor about pistol shooting while under therapy. He basically asked if I hurt worse than usual after a range session. I told him no, because shooting did not bother me, and he said fine go and enjoy your shooting unless pain becomes an issue.
As far as 9MM within your price range, which greatly limits options, see if you can rent a Walther Creed. I am not saying it will be gold for you but worth looking into for new in your price range. If you see used 9MM pistols that appeal to you in your price range also try to rent them at the range too. Nothing beats trying one out.
I have read many times that the Glock 42 in .380 is a very pleasant shooting pistol but that is well out of your price range.
You may also want to read this thread about discussion of felt recoil with some of the more popular pistols.
http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/430601935/m/9800050334/p/1
Good luck!
IMO the only real way to find a pistol that works best for a particular shooter is to try out those under consideration. I understand that can not always easily be done but it can get pretty expensive buying pistols and finding out you do not like them after the purchase.
When a shooter has fairly poor forearm strength/gripping ability, that probably is going to make it difficult to find most any 9MM pistol that they will find enjoyable to shoot.
Depending how bad the problem is, it might be a good idea to also consider .22 LR for a pistol and at least try a couple out. There are also a lot of nice ones at or close to your budget. A good quality .22 LR pistol with good quality ammo like CCI Mini Mags can be very reliable. In a self defense situation being able to hit the target in a critical zone is of great importance.
As always one should check with their doctor/health provider in such a situation to see what they say as the one thing you probably do not want to do is make things worse for yourself. I have a shoulder impingement issue and asked my doctor about pistol shooting while under therapy. He basically asked if I hurt worse than usual after a range session. I told him no, because shooting did not bother me, and he said fine go and enjoy your shooting unless pain becomes an issue.
As far as 9MM within your price range, which greatly limits options, see if you can rent a Walther Creed. I am not saying it will be gold for you but worth looking into for new in your price range. If you see used 9MM pistols that appeal to you in your price range also try to rent them at the range too. Nothing beats trying one out.
I have read many times that the Glock 42 in .380 is a very pleasant shooting pistol but that is well out of your price range.
You may also want to read this thread about discussion of felt recoil with some of the more popular pistols.
http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/430601935/m/9800050334/p/1
Good luck!
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Sigarms228, interesting link. This low recoil search is really a rabbits hole. I've spent way too much time over the past few days reading about perceived recoil and softest shooting guns. The strange thing is that perceived recoil is fairly subjective - I've read comments that suggest there's not much difference in recoil between gun X and gun Y and other comments swearing the same gun X has twice the recoil of gun Y!
Of course a low caliber like a 22 will have much lower recoil, but my intended use for the gun will be principally as a home defense weapon - so I prefer a reliable 9mm, although a .380 is not out of the question. Overall, the most common recommendations have been to go for a heavier gun -Beretta 92, Steel frame CZ or CZ clone, Ruger P89 or P95 etc. Since I have small hands, I've eliminated the Beretta 92 as people have complained about the excessively larger grip.
Also, since so many have recommended the PX4 storm, I'm still considering this model. As far as .380s are concerned, the Walther PK380 that has been recommended does not get great reviews as far as reliability is concerned. I have also read suspect reviews about the other often recommended budget .380 model, the Bersa Thunder - some swear by this gun, but there are enough poor reviews for me to avoid it. The soft shooting .380 models that get great reviews are well over my budget - Beretta 85 or CZ83.
Of course a low caliber like a 22 will have much lower recoil, but my intended use for the gun will be principally as a home defense weapon - so I prefer a reliable 9mm, although a .380 is not out of the question. Overall, the most common recommendations have been to go for a heavier gun -Beretta 92, Steel frame CZ or CZ clone, Ruger P89 or P95 etc. Since I have small hands, I've eliminated the Beretta 92 as people have complained about the excessively larger grip.
Also, since so many have recommended the PX4 storm, I'm still considering this model. As far as .380s are concerned, the Walther PK380 that has been recommended does not get great reviews as far as reliability is concerned. I have also read suspect reviews about the other often recommended budget .380 model, the Bersa Thunder - some swear by this gun, but there are enough poor reviews for me to avoid it. The soft shooting .380 models that get great reviews are well over my budget - Beretta 85 or CZ83.
Piko, i need to clarify one thing since I recommended the PK380.
The PK380 and the Glock .380 (I believe) use a barrel to slide lock-up system like a 1911 or 9mm Sig.
Fixed barrel .380s are completely different. I thought a Walther PPKS would be a neat pistol to have until I shot one. Despite shooting the .380, the recoil was punishing. I've shot full power .357 magnum revolvers that were milder. It wasn't until shooting a PPKS that I appreciated what an incredible miracle of technology a 1911 in 45ACP is.
Don't assume that just because a pistol shoots a mild round that it will have mild recoil.
The PK380 and the Glock .380 (I believe) use a barrel to slide lock-up system like a 1911 or 9mm Sig.
Fixed barrel .380s are completely different. I thought a Walther PPKS would be a neat pistol to have until I shot one. Despite shooting the .380, the recoil was punishing. I've shot full power .357 magnum revolvers that were milder. It wasn't until shooting a PPKS that I appreciated what an incredible miracle of technology a 1911 in 45ACP is.
Don't assume that just because a pistol shoots a mild round that it will have mild recoil.
Spats McGee
Administrator
^^I had a similar thought. I shot a buddy's Sig P232 (a blowback action) a few years back and it beat the living bejeebers out of me.
Onward Allusion
New member
I have two guns in mind. Both 9mm.
The first is the Hi Point C9. I am not trying to be funny. I have shot a lot of 9mm pistols and the HP C9 is by far the softest shooting 9mm that I have ever shot. The reason is due to the massive slide needed for a straight blow-back design. The downside is that cycle time is slower than most 9mms. Then there's the low capacity (8 + 1).
My other suggestion is a 3rd gen Smith - a 5906 or 5904. Good and heavy and higher capacity.
The first is the Hi Point C9. I am not trying to be funny. I have shot a lot of 9mm pistols and the HP C9 is by far the softest shooting 9mm that I have ever shot. The reason is due to the massive slide needed for a straight blow-back design. The downside is that cycle time is slower than most 9mms. Then there's the low capacity (8 + 1).
My other suggestion is a 3rd gen Smith - a 5906 or 5904. Good and heavy and higher capacity.
SauerGrapes
New member
My wife shoots a G42 380 auto. They are probably one of the larger 380 pistols out there. I had her shooting Hornady Critical defense ammo in it. She's 70 years old and 90lbs soaking wet.
Low bore axis and a 5'' barrel will help a lot with felt recoil. Not just weight. I've always thought Glock did a good job with their recoil system.
1911 in 9mm with the right ammo can be about as soft as anything. Rock Island GI model comes to mind for price.
A sure remedy for pain is adrenaline. You might hate practicing, but if you ever need to use a gun in a self defense situation, I'll bet you'll never feel any pain.
Low bore axis and a 5'' barrel will help a lot with felt recoil. Not just weight. I've always thought Glock did a good job with their recoil system.
1911 in 9mm with the right ammo can be about as soft as anything. Rock Island GI model comes to mind for price.
A sure remedy for pain is adrenaline. You might hate practicing, but if you ever need to use a gun in a self defense situation, I'll bet you'll never feel any pain.
Quick survey, let me know what you guys would pick for the $$:
Ruger P95 Used $270
Ruger P89 Used $300
Beretta PX4 $390 new or $340 used
TR Imports Mega Steel Alloy CZ clone: $350 new
Stoeger Cougar 8000: $350 like new
Stoeger appears to be a steel alloy version of the PX4 Storm, heavier so perhaps even slightly less recoil than the PX4
Note: My hands are relatively small - so if this is a factor please let me know.
Ruger P95 Used $270
Ruger P89 Used $300
Beretta PX4 $390 new or $340 used
TR Imports Mega Steel Alloy CZ clone: $350 new
Stoeger Cougar 8000: $350 like new
Stoeger appears to be a steel alloy version of the PX4 Storm, heavier so perhaps even slightly less recoil than the PX4
Note: My hands are relatively small - so if this is a factor please let me know.
SauerGrapes
New member
I would go Beretta all day long. IMO, better gun than anything you have listed.
Also, try 147gr bullets. Less powder, more of a push recoil than 115gr FMJ. I've always thought Blazer factory ammo had slightly less recoil than some of the others. 2nd would be Remington IMO. Worst IMO for recoil is the Russian stuff. PPU, Wolf
My .02
Also, try 147gr bullets. Less powder, more of a push recoil than 115gr FMJ. I've always thought Blazer factory ammo had slightly less recoil than some of the others. 2nd would be Remington IMO. Worst IMO for recoil is the Russian stuff. PPU, Wolf
My .02
sigarms228
New member
I agree on easily the Beretta from that list.
Also most any CZ clone will not have a decocker and unless you want to use cocked and locked only I would recommend a decocker for a DA/SA hammer fired pistol. I am not a fan of manual decocking and with your physical condition that would probably make it significantly more risky.
Also most any CZ clone will not have a decocker and unless you want to use cocked and locked only I would recommend a decocker for a DA/SA hammer fired pistol. I am not a fan of manual decocking and with your physical condition that would probably make it significantly more risky.
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I would get the new PX4. $50 isn't a big enough gap for me to want to go used. I don't have any experience with the metal Cougars, but they have a good reputation. Again, though, the price gap isn't big enough for me to want to buy used. Picking up a new PX4 for $390 is pretty darn good.
One caution: In the Px4 line, the full sized and the compact have the rotating barrel, but the subcompact does not. It doesn't sound like you are looking for a subcompact anyway, but be aware of the difference. Personally, I find the compact to be a really nice size for comfort, and a very sweet and soft shooter.
One caution: In the Px4 line, the full sized and the compact have the rotating barrel, but the subcompact does not. It doesn't sound like you are looking for a subcompact anyway, but be aware of the difference. Personally, I find the compact to be a really nice size for comfort, and a very sweet and soft shooter.
The Stoeger is actually new for $350 and the PX4 is no longer on sale - best price I can currently find for a new model is $420. I don't think I should have any issues lowering the hammer on the CZ clone.
As far as ammo is concerned, can anyone recommend some budget reliable 9mm ammo - of course preferably a lower recoil variety. That Hornady is probably nice, but way too much for me.
As far as ammo is concerned, can anyone recommend some budget reliable 9mm ammo - of course preferably a lower recoil variety. That Hornady is probably nice, but way too much for me.
For practice I shoot mostly Winchester white box 115 grn fmj or federal 115 grn fmj. I can get 100 round boxes for under $20 at the big name department store. For defensive rounds, 115 grain Winchester white box jhp will only cost you a little more. These rounds have been reliable for me in my firearm and economical, but it's important you try them out for yourself. Results may vary.
brian33x51
New member
The EAA witness pavona was supposed to be designed around this concept: reduced recoil and easier slide racking.
