Is all-metal better?
- Thread starter Millie
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Recoil is a matter of physics. Force, mass, acceleration and stuff.
Generally speaking, heavier firearms of the same caliber will have lighter recoil. Normally, all metal firearms are heavier. So, in general, yes, metal firearms will have less recoil than other similar firearms of the same size and caliber.
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Generally speaking, heavier firearms of the same caliber will have lighter recoil. Normally, all metal firearms are heavier. So, in general, yes, metal firearms will have less recoil than other similar firearms of the same size and caliber.
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Ikarus1
Avtomat Krishna-kov
also, things like bore axis, grip angle, etc come into play in felt recoil. Getting something that fits your hand is very very important. In my XL glove sized hands, small steel pistols have more felt recoil than full size poly pistols with similar weight
This^^^^^^^^ Years ago I had a machinist make a set of grips for a Pin gun I was shooting. They were made from bronze. They looked just like any other grip after they were stippled and painted black. They weighed I POUND. When on the bottom of a 1911 platform, the slide just went pop pop pop, almost no recoil. This even with pin loads. Mass, as stated above, is the answer when recoil reduction is the goal.
OP
Wow! I'm not exactly sure what you're talking about here. Lol.
If we're talking about getting the grip centered just right in your hand, so your lightweight revolver doesn't bruise your thumb (it did!) , or the slide on your other gun doesn't bite you (which it hasn't!), I'm with you!
Otherwise, I'll need some pictures.
I don't really know what else to add!
Felt recoil is the key. I tried a Ruger (can't remember the model) in 44 mag and hated it(and I am a Ruger Fan). Every time I fired it the revolver spun in my hand till the muzzle was pointed almost straight up and my hand was still pointed down range. When I tried the Smith and Wesson 29 (Dirty Harry gun) the recoil with the same loads was straight back and up slightly. Much easier on my hand. I bought the Smith.
OP
Can't say for sure. Never been there myself. I think it is where all things not fit for public consumption are sent to.
I will let ya'll decide who was " provocative" but my money is on you cause I don't swing the other way. LOL.
It's all good. We are friends here and for the most part adult enuff to handle a little risque every now and then.
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While I totally agree with the heavier is better with respect to recoil reduction (yep, physics wins every time 
I will say that *all* else being equal, the tupperware guns flex a bit and soften the impulse. So if a plastic and metal gun weigh the same, and the bore axis, grip placement, etc. are all the same, then the plastic gun will likely feel a bit softer in recoil.
Also, for Millie, a pin gun is one used for bowling pin shooting. 5 pins are placed 1' back from the front of a 4' x 8' table (usually metal), and the fastest time to knock all 5 off wins. you have to hit the pins hard in the right place to knock them straight back and off, rather than end up with them spinning around on the table, you have to be fast, powerful and accurate.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowling_pin_shooting for more details
I will say that *all* else being equal, the tupperware guns flex a bit and soften the impulse. So if a plastic and metal gun weigh the same, and the bore axis, grip placement, etc. are all the same, then the plastic gun will likely feel a bit softer in recoil.Also, for Millie, a pin gun is one used for bowling pin shooting. 5 pins are placed 1' back from the front of a 4' x 8' table (usually metal), and the fastest time to knock all 5 off wins. you have to hit the pins hard in the right place to knock them straight back and off, rather than end up with them spinning around on the table, you have to be fast, powerful and accurate.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowling_pin_shooting for more details
I was not referring to the grip of the gun, I was referring to your grip ON the gun. As in the technique you use and your grip strength.
Grip dimensions of the gun is certainly relevant.
But it is a good grip technique that kills recoil more than anything else.
OP
OP
Sounds like fun! How have I never heard of this before?While I totally agree with the heavier is better with respect to recoil reduction (yep, physics wins every time
Also, for Millie, a pin gun is one used for bowling pin shooting. 5 pins are placed 1' back from the front of a 4' x 8' table (usually metal), and the fastest time to knock all 5 off wins. you have to hit the pins hard in the right place to knock them straight back and off, rather than end up with them spinning around on the table, you have to be fast, powerful and accurate.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowling_pin_shooting for more details
The grip thing is really about getting your grip as high as possible relative to the barrel of the gun. The closer you can get (normally that means a higher grip) the more the recoil pushes the gun back instead of flipping the barrel up.
There are a couple of funky looking revolvers that fire from the _bottom_ cylinder for this reason. Recoil is straight up your arm.
Grip technique and strength make a huge difference too.
There are a couple of funky looking revolvers that fire from the _bottom_ cylinder for this reason. Recoil is straight up your arm.
Grip technique and strength make a huge difference too.
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In particular, steel is better. Aluminum, titanium, and some alloys are lighter than polymer for the same strength. Great for carry guns but not for reducing felt recoil.
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So deeper and bigger? That rules me out.
This is a 3rd gen Smith and Wesson I think it fits your bill. Also look for a P89 ruger.
Bigger isn't always better...... Heavy is what matters with recoil.
OP
Ooh, I like that one! The reason I'm thinking bigger is I want to be able to not need a grip extender like I did with one of the guns I own, because my pinkie fell off into air, basically.
And not to risk going to Tortuga, but I'm pretty sure bigger IS better!!
But I'll add both your suggestions to the research list. Once I get some more reading done to hopefully weed out some, then the smaller list will be what I'll try to try out. If I can't get to actually fire one, I'll have to go with how it feels....or maybe revisit the whole idea.
OP
I'll go look it up right now. I think I've read reviews. I'll let you know if I think it's pretty. I might be ok carrying it, I'm a big girl, though not as big as I was a few weeks ago, thank goodness! Unless it weighs about 6 pounds....
Edit...ok went and found a review. The guy thinks it's ugly. It's definitely heavy, good! And I think it looks good! Not CZ goodlooking, OBVIOUSLY, but I like it! Thanks for responding.
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And ugly as sin. Give us a picture of you holding the pistol, maybe we can see if your making some mistakes. Pistol in hand picture.
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I recommend you get some shooting lessons from a qualified instructor before committing to any new gun.
I think it will help you a lot.
OP
Now how can I take a pic of me holding a gun in my right hand! My left hand won't do that, I'm sure, especially with this tablet! lol.
Anyway, aren't we on th topic of my NEW gun??? We've all seen pics of my revolver and the Kel Tec already.
One of the dictionary definitions for recoil is "the distance through which a weapon moves backward after discharging". Another is "to spring or fly back, as in consequence of force of impact or the force of the discharge, as a firearm".
To complicate the matter, there is "recoil", as defined above, and then there is "perceived" or "felt" recoil, which is what the person subjectively feels when experiencing the physical recoil of the gun.
Perceived recoil is different from person to person for the same firearm for a variety of reasons.
Perceived recoil is also different from firearm to firearm for the same person for a variety of reasons.
So, now that I've confused the issue with this, let's talk about some of the things which affect recoil and perceived recoil.
In the simplest terms, recoil is caused by the forces of expanding gases which act to push the bullet in one direction (out of the barrel of the gun) and the gun in the opposite direction. The movement of the gun is called "recoil".
If you have a heavier gun, then the expanding gases are less able to push the gun back, therefore recoil is less.
If you use lower velocity, lighter bullets, then the expanding gases are less able to push the gun back, therefore recoil is less.
This is recoil in a nutshell.
Perceived recoil, however, has to do with how the person holding the gun FEELS the recoil forces being applied to the gun. Several factors affect this.
If the person has a weak grip, then the perceived recoil will be larger than for a person with a stronger grip.
If the person's grip on the gun is not comfortable because of any number of reasons, then the perceived recoil will be larger than for a person to whom the grip is more comfortable.
If the gun's construction has the barrel mounted higher above the grip than another of similar weight/design, then the perceived recoil may be larger because this increases a leverage effect between the barrel and the grip. It tends to make the gun pivot up much harder, causing the gun, and therefore the hand/arm to rise more during recoil. Or the wrist to bend/flex more.
THAT SAID:
Recoil management is a balance of ammunition type, gun weight, gun design, and individual physical grip/strength.
When choosing a firearm, the weight has to be within the individual's "comfort zone", so to speak. Not too heavy...yet not so light for the ammunition as to be a recoil concern.
It must also fit comfortably in the hand. The grip should not be so large or so small as to be a gripping/control issue. It must also "feel good" in your hand, like it "fits". Angular edges/corners, contours, etc. which are uncomfortable may cause pain, irritation, or distractions when using the gun. It may also affect control. A gun which comfortably fits one's grip is one you will grip properly and control better.
Once you've found one or more which fit your grip, try them out on the range. See how the recoil feels to you.
To complicate the matter, there is "recoil", as defined above, and then there is "perceived" or "felt" recoil, which is what the person subjectively feels when experiencing the physical recoil of the gun.
Perceived recoil is different from person to person for the same firearm for a variety of reasons.
Perceived recoil is also different from firearm to firearm for the same person for a variety of reasons.
So, now that I've confused the issue with this, let's talk about some of the things which affect recoil and perceived recoil.
In the simplest terms, recoil is caused by the forces of expanding gases which act to push the bullet in one direction (out of the barrel of the gun) and the gun in the opposite direction. The movement of the gun is called "recoil".
If you have a heavier gun, then the expanding gases are less able to push the gun back, therefore recoil is less.
If you use lower velocity, lighter bullets, then the expanding gases are less able to push the gun back, therefore recoil is less.
This is recoil in a nutshell.
Perceived recoil, however, has to do with how the person holding the gun FEELS the recoil forces being applied to the gun. Several factors affect this.
If the person has a weak grip, then the perceived recoil will be larger than for a person with a stronger grip.
If the person's grip on the gun is not comfortable because of any number of reasons, then the perceived recoil will be larger than for a person to whom the grip is more comfortable.
If the gun's construction has the barrel mounted higher above the grip than another of similar weight/design, then the perceived recoil may be larger because this increases a leverage effect between the barrel and the grip. It tends to make the gun pivot up much harder, causing the gun, and therefore the hand/arm to rise more during recoil. Or the wrist to bend/flex more.
THAT SAID:
Recoil management is a balance of ammunition type, gun weight, gun design, and individual physical grip/strength.
When choosing a firearm, the weight has to be within the individual's "comfort zone", so to speak. Not too heavy...yet not so light for the ammunition as to be a recoil concern.
It must also fit comfortably in the hand. The grip should not be so large or so small as to be a gripping/control issue. It must also "feel good" in your hand, like it "fits". Angular edges/corners, contours, etc. which are uncomfortable may cause pain, irritation, or distractions when using the gun. It may also affect control. A gun which comfortably fits one's grip is one you will grip properly and control better.
Once you've found one or more which fit your grip, try them out on the range. See how the recoil feels to you.
One more thing to add to his dissertation - another big factor in felt recoil is how abruptly it happens. The same absolute amount of recoil energy feels very different delivered more quickly or more slowly - a “hit” vs a “push”. When someone says that recoil is snappy, they mean the former. It really can feel like a punch in the palm or a push on your shoulder through your arm, depending on how quickly the recoil energy is transferred to or through your hand. Slower heavier bullets like 45ACP push while faster smaller rounds of similar energy like a 40S&W are snappier.
OP
I'm hoping I can find a range with rentals. I'll grab and feel some guns at the local store, which is close, then try to shoot the ones that fit my hand the best. I'm hoping I won't have to travel far to do this! We'll see....
OP
Yes! The .38 revolver seemed snappy. (Because I let the gun guy sell me a "girly" airweight!) The .380 seemed more "pushy" than snappy, and I was able to shoot it more comfortably. I'd like to try some 9mm, but might try other rounds too. You never know what might work.