softest shooting .45 ACP?

N

nodule

New member
Hi,

I am considering one of 3 .45 ACP pistols....Glock 21, Springfield XDM or the S&W M&P.

Out of these 3 choices, which one is generally known to be the softest shooting with the least felt recoil?

Thank you all!
 
I've carried 45's for over 30 years mainly a SIG P220 and a 1911. Recently I bought a XDS in 45 and was pleasantly surprised on how well it shot. Mine is the 4.0 so I'm not sure how the 3.3 handles the recoil but mine is about the same as my 220 or Colt 38 with +P's.
 
Of the 3 listed in the OP, the G21 is the only one I've shot. That said, it's a soft shooter. As is the XDs in 3.3". That one surprised me, but it's pleasant to shoot.
 
Taming recoil is more about technique than the gun.
While some gun designs can help with that, it's not a huge amount.
Good grip and stance helps with recoil far more.
The choice of ammo has a lot to do with it, too.
Just choose the pistol that fits you the best and learn to use it.
 
I bet the 1911 shoots softer than any of those?
I shot a glock 21 but it was years ago and I was young probably 15 or younger. Don't remember the rrcoil
 
I've owned Glocks, HK, XD, Ruger P90-97 and 345, Sig, M&P as well as several 1911's in 45 ACP. The 1911's with the narrow single stack grip concentrate recoil into a smaller area of the hand had have the most felt recoil despite the weight. The Glock, with it's wider grip, lower bore and more natural grip angle has the least. But any of the plastic guns are very comfortable to shoot and the 1911's aren't uncomfortable.

Some with smaller hands simply can't make the fat grip of the Glock work for them. I've never fooled with a Gen-4 with interchangeable grips. They may help, maybe not enough. I liked the M&P pretty well, but liked the Glock better. Just didn't want one of each is the only reason for letting it go.
 
g.willikers said:
Taming recoil is more about technique than the gun.
While some gun designs can help with that, it's not a huge amount.
Click to expand...

Bull... I have 7 different 45 ACP pistols. My softest shooting is a Ruger P97. The next one that is close is my FNX-45. I also have a Ruger P90, Ruger P345, Ruger SR1911, and 2 different Kahrs, a CM 45 and a CW 45. My SR1911 will beat you badly. Compare the P97, and the SR1911, and you will change your statement that taming recoil is technique.
 
A .45 ACP's felt recoil isn't horrible. Even with hot loads. However, the least will come with cast bullet target loads out of a pistol that weighs the most. It's simple physics.
A 3.8" XDM barrel is mostly about muzzle blast not recoil. The thing weighs 27/28 ounces vs the ~ 37 ounces of a 1911. It's going to have a bit more felt recoil. Still shouldn't hurt to shoot though.
 
As mentioned above, more weight really helps to soak up recoil, and a low bore axis helps keep the handgun from muzzle rise.

I am impressed with the XDS 3.3" in 45ACP, it shoots much softer than it should.
 
A non-answer here - I own NONE of the pistols in consideration. I do however own the Springfield XDS .45 and two Colt 1911s, both steel. The XDS is hard hitting and not much fun after about 100 rounds. The steel Colts I can shoot all day without issue. My son has a Sig 1911 and my son-in-law has a Springfield 1911. I have shot theirs and they feel the same as my Colts. Heavier weight equals less felt recoil imo. As a side note, I owned a Sig P220 in .45 and it was an absolute joy to shoot with reduced felt recoil because of the weight.
 
One must remember, at least 90% of recoil is between our ears NOT between our hands.
Furthermore, on 1911 pistols at least 90% of the felt recoil is the slide hitting the back of the frame.
IF you ever get the chance to shoot a 45ACP autoloading pistol with a slide lock you'll be dumbfounded at the non-existent woosy recoil. Recoil will be more of a twitch as the pistol barely moves.
And so it goes...
 
I have found the EAA Witness .45 to be a soft shooter in .45, partly due to its weight, partly due to the design and partly due to the grip ergonomics.
 
With its lower bore axis, the Glocks in .45 shoot with less muzzle flip than any 1911 I've fired. The recoil seems the same but the muzzle just doesn't flip up as much in recoil. Rod
 
I have a XDm 3.8 45c. The recoil is more of a push than snap. Have fired mostly 230 gr FMJ's and 220 gr +P and find the recoil easy to absorb and get back on target. Rounds per range visit are more about economics than discomfort.
 
Of the 3 pick the heaviest one with the longest barrel -..it will be the softest shooter for a given cartridge.....

( then compare the weight of that gun against a full sized all steel 1911 with a 5" barrel....). ..and it'll be softer yet....

But pick the gun that suits your hands the best - reaching controls, width, grip angle, feel of grips, etc....and ignore the recoil & learn to shoot it....
 
Interesting, eh wot?
For some the lightest guns have less recoil.
For others it's the heaviest.
Or one particular design over another.
Maybe it is more about the shooter than the gun, after all.
 
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