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Gun Kick

buckeyedave
Hi

My question is ; does a more expensive better quality pistol ( revolver or semi auto ) give less kick then a lesser quality cheaper one of the same type/caliber?

Dave
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9 comments

Date Votes
  • joshmb1982
    there are way more variables to factor in with recoil then price. price i would think would be near the bottem of the list of factors. weight of the pistol/revolver, porting of the barrel,even the basic design would have major influences. how it fits into your hands. a pistol that beats me up might fit you better and be a joy to shoot for you.
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  • Laredo Lefty
    Generally speaking.... no. Some designs manage recoil better than others but it is not based on cost.
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  • Floyd58523
    Nope, law of physics. The only felt recoil difference is in the design such as a single action ruger or a double action. Also the weight of the gun. A cheaper gun might be heavier and kick less.
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  • beantownshootah
    quote:Originally posted by buckeyedave
    Hi

    My question is ; does a more expensive better quality pistol ( revolver or semi auto ) give less kick then a lesser quality cheaper one of the same type/caliber?

    Dave


    There is no direct correlation between the price of a gun and the amount of recoil it delivers during shooting.

    The bullet and laws of physics generally aren't aware of the price tag of the gun. They do their thing regardless of how much you paid [;)]

    **BUT**

    a. Better GRIPS (which MIGHT be found on a better gun) can lessen PERCEIVED recoil. "Good" grips fill out the hand to spread out recoil forces, have no sharp edges or checkering, and MAY be (but don't absolutely have to be) made of rubber or a similar resilient compound to absorb shock.

    b. A HEAVIER gun will have less recoil.

    c. Some gun DESIGNS lend themselves to lower perceived recoil.

    For example, some people think that polymer frames (in guns like Glocks, for example) will flex slightly during fire, absorbing some recoil energy.

    Guns with lower bore axes (eg the barrel lower and closer to your hand) may have less muzzle FLIP, making them a bit easier to keep on target for repeat shots.

    Semi-automatics generally offer lower PERCEIVED recoil than revolvers of similar caliber/power because the reciprocating slide arrangement with spring tends to spread out the DURATION of the recoil.

    Guns with ported barrels or muzzle brakes can also offer lower muzzle flip or recoil compared to similar ones without those features, but the advantage comes at a cost of greater expense, sometimes greater muzzle flash, and usually significantly more shooting noise.
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  • buckeyedave
    Guys

    Thanks for the input and advice. I found it informative.

    What does "ported" barrel mean?

    Thanks, Dave
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  • gunnut505
    Porting a barrel simply means cutting holes or slots in the metal of the barrel near the muzzle (front)end to divert gases from the burning propellant behind the bullet in the barrel in a different direction.
    Some pressure is relieved that way, but the reduction in perceived recoil actually comes from the "push" given by the gas when it's directed back toward the shooter.
    Look at the muzzlebrakes on some of the .50caliber guns for an exaggerated example of this.
    Kick, or recoil is going to be the same among guns of the same weight firing identical loads; you could mitigate that somewhat by adding resilient grips, porting the barrel, shooting lighter loads, working out in a gym, or all of the above.
    Cost really has nothing to do with the recoil, some very expensive guns fire really big cartridges that kick very hard, like anything you'd see on Safari in Africa; but if the grip panel is cracked on your .22 Lorcin, it's gonna sting as well.
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  • gunnut505
    Porting a barrel simply means cutting holes or slots in the metal of the barrel near the muzzle (front)end to divert gases from the burning propellant behind the bullet in the barrel in a different direction.
    Some pressure is relieved that way, but the reduction in perceived recoil actually comes from the "push" given by the gas when it's directed back toward the shooter.
    Look at the muzzlebrakes on some of the .50caliber guns for an exaggerated example of this.
    Kick, or recoil is going to be the same among guns of the same weight firing identical loads; you could mitigate that somewhat by adding resilient grips, porting the barrel, shooting lighter loads, working out in a gym, or all of the above.
    Cost really has nothing to do with the recoil, some very expensive guns fire really big cartridges that kick very hard, like anything you'd see on Safari in Africa; but if the grip panel is cracked on your .22 Lorcin, it's gonna sting as well.
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  • beantownshootah
    quote:Originally posted by buckeyedave
    Guys

    Thanks for the input and advice. I found it informative.

    What does "ported" barrel mean?

    Thanks, Dave


    A "ported" barrel has holes (or "ports") cut on the top front of the barrel.

    When the gun fires, hot gas vents out of these ports, pushing the muzzle down to partially counteract the "flip" associated with recoil.

    "Magnaport" is the name of a company/process that applies this porting to guns.

    Here is a ported Taurus revolver. Notice the open horizonal slots near the front of the barrel under the front sight:
    Taurus_425SH4C.jpg

    Here is a ported Glock:
    003.JPG

    And here is a muzzle brake:
    5c3f3a7d-8151-4e53-a5d0-6c83816c42f4.jpg

    Muzzle brake is sort of the same idea, though these are usually attached to the end of the barrel (rather than being drilled into the barrel) and usually also act to direct gases backwards towards the shooter. This has the effect of reducing REARWARDS recoil, as well as muzzle flip.

    A complete discussion of the advantages disadvantages and complexities of ported guns is beyond the scope of this post, but briefly, competitors like them since they allow faster follow up shots.

    Use in combat or defensive weapons is controversial, with many being of the opinion that the increased muzzle FLASH and possible increased fire hazard outweigh any benefit of less recoil/muzzle flip.
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  • beantownshootah
    By the way, this is my flow chart for dealing with pistol recoil:

    a. Does gun have too much recoil?
    Yes: Go to b.
    No: Congratulations, you have "beaten" the recoil issue.

    b. Are grips of gun comfortable?
    Yes: Go to c.
    No: Switch to more comfortable grips; go to a.

    c. Is caliber of gun greater than .45 ACP?
    Yes: Switch down to .45ACP caliber; go to a.
    No: Go to d.

    d. Practice with gun. Wear proper eye and ear protection. Make sure to have proper FIRM grip with two hands and good stance. Squeeze trigger gently, and do not "anticipate" shot. Fire 1 full magazine, or 1 cylinder full of rounds. Go to a.

    [;)]

    OK, admittedly this is a bit oversimplified and tongue-in-cheek, but its my belief that pretty much everyone except physically tiny or frail people can handle shooting pistols up to .45 ACP from ordinary all steel guns with some work and practice.

    I've seen 10 year olds cheerfully firing mags of .45 acp. In fact, last week I saw a 10 year old on the range putting out cylinders of .44 special from a 3" bbl revolver (whose recoil exceeds .45ACP, I think), and the recoil APPEARED to my eye to be pretty harsh. . .but he didn't stop shooting. . . and he kept reloading the gun and repeating.

    I'll make valid exceptions here for individuals with small hands, who lack hand strength, or have arthritis, etc. I'll also except small subcompact type, or lightweight guns that can actually put out tons of recoil (eg alloy frame revolvers in 357 magnum, teensy polymer 9mm luger guns, etc).

    But for everyone else, recoil is about 90% psychological and 10% physical. You practice, you get accustomed to it, and you ignore it.
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