.40 vs. .45 recoil

[jreXD9]

I shot a S&W .40 yesterday. That's the first .40 I've shot. I'd always heard that .40's were snappier than a .45. It wasn't true yesterday. My CW45 had a good bit more kick. So, is that just a myth or is the S&W just a mild .40? Sorry, don't know what model it was.

[jlottmc]

Well if there was a bunch of steel in the frame it would help absorb some of that impulse. Polymer flexes to absorb it as well. The general consensus is that because a 40 builds it's energy in a shorter amount of time than the 45, and that is why people say that the 40 can be a bit rude. Personally, I care not what the caliber is as long as it bucks, roars and goes BOOM. The angle of the bore axis also plays a part in the perception of recoil, as does shooter sensitivity, and a few other factors. Overall, I'd say shoot what you like and don't worry too much about the recoil.

[rnpollard]

If you shoot the two out of the same platform I think you will find that the .45 is more of a shove and the .40 is more of a slap.

In Kahrs I enjoy the .45 recoil. Not a problem at all. I usually shoot 230 grain ball and love it. If I'm not shooting the 45 it is usually a 9. I look forward to shooting the .40 and when I do I will share my impressions.

[copterdrvr]

If you shoot the two out of the same platform I think you will find that the .45 is more of a shove and the .40 is more of a slap.

I agree 100%. I have a TZ75 series 88 and an Astra A75 in 40 S.W. both of these guns are all steel, fairly heavy guns and even with that, they are kinda snappy if I'm shooting anything over 155 grains. My Colt model 70 doesn't weigh near the full-sized TZ (and pretty close to the A75) and it's alot more enjoyable to shoot in that it "pushes" instead of "snaps" with regard to recoil.

It's not just the round its also the gun as I own some Keltec pistols as well as Kahrs. Example-the Keltec P9F is not NEARLY as much fun to shoot as my PM9. I can shoot my PM9 until I run out of bullets. I can shoot the P9F until my fun-meter is pegged which is no more than 50 rounds MAX.

If I'm gonna carry my A75 I load it with 135 grain "low recoil" bullets from Federal as I want my follow-up shots to be on target.

I'm not afraid of recoil but I don't want to have it slow me down when I need a follow-up. Just shot my friends Ruger 45 LC with some of his 300 grain handloads-that was pretty SNAPPY!

[jeep45238]

You can't compare different manufacturer firearms for recoil comparisons of different cartridges.

My CW40 was extremely snappy compared to my steel 1911 .45ACP.

The S&W M&P40 compact felt the same as my steel 1911 in .45ACP, and I ran it just as quickly and accurately.

My S&W 9 is a baby in recoil.