Recoil question

[Dodge Man]

I am somewhat of a novice to handguns. My question is dose the grain of the bullets effect the recoil at all? I am buying some different ammunition to try for my wife to practice with. I have bought her a 9mm and a 38 special to have. Just wondering if there is any difference much in ammunition for practice that might be lower recoil.

 

[DaveTN]

Bullet weight will effect recoil, but not by much, especially in a 9mm. Gun weight greatly effects recoil. If that .38 Special is a lightweight J-frame she will think she has a cannon in her hand and probably won't like to shoot it, neither will men. Put that same round in an L-frame 686 and it shoots like a cream puff.

 

[Yotehntr]

Simple physics, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. The heavier the bullet that you're moving the more it kicks. Lighter bullets have less reaction. A heavier gun or an semi automatic absorb some of that reaction but it still boils down to the heavier the bullet the harder the kick.

 

[Dodge Man]

Sounds like the best option is just to get a larger frame gun for her to shoot more often.

 

[DaveTN]

Sounds like the best option is just to get a larger frame gun for her to shoot more often.

That would be the best option if you want her to enjoy shooting. K or L frame S&W revolvers are very popular for both range and home defense. Small J-frames are very popular for carry because of their concealability. But you probably won't see anyone cranking off 100 or 200 rounds target shooting with one, that's not their application.

 

[PossumSlayer]

I can mix varieties of weights in my full size m&p and can barely notice a difference. But do the same in my sub 2000 and can tell a big difference… it's a weird rifle anyway

 

[skipperbrown]

This is where hand loading can make a world of difference. Shooting very light target loads, I call them bunny loads, will greatly reduce recoil, noise, and flash. You will still get a bigger bang over .22 lr and know you are shooting centerfire but the flash, muzzle rise, noise, and palm pain are gone even from an airweight s&w. My wife can easily go through 100 rounds of bunny loads in a session but we keep the full power loads for the last target. She only wants a few of those.

I can't tell the difference in a 125 gr bullet in .38 special vs a 158g, but I can sure tell the difference in a 158 gr .38 special loading vs. a 158g .357 magnum loading in the same gun.

And as noted above, weight is your friend for range time not only for recoil management but also accuracy.