.45 ACP felt recoil?

[Maddog_Enigma]

I'm a 9mm shooter and want to move up to a .45. How's the recoil compare? I've heard .40 is much snappier than 9 but 45 not so much. Is that true?

I'm real good with 9mm as far as getting back on target very quickly for follow up shots. Is 45 going to be harder to do that?

[JoeHatley]

Using the recoil calculator over at Real Guns for common ammo:

9mm, 115 grain bullet at 1190 fps = 3# recoil
45 acp, 230 grain bullet at 835 fps = 6# recoil

Calculations were done assuming the same weight gun and powder charge in both calibers (39 oz/5grains).

Bullet weights and speeds are for Winchester USA ammo.

Joe

[rcupka]

I have a question about recoil that may have been covered, but I see it come up frequently and it seems that the information is contradictory.

In my personal experience firing my Ruger SP101 .357 Magnum (2.25" barrel) the recoil is greater with the heavier bullets. It seems that I have more felt recoil with a 158 gr bullet than with a 125 gr. In my mind this is because the heavier bullet requires more force to accelerate and therefore is pushing rearward on the gun harder. Yet I continue to see posts from people that say they have less recoil with the heavier bullets.

Am I thinking about this wrong, or could it be that they are comparing differnt ammunition with different loads?

Dick Cupka

[solz56]

I'm a novice shooter and went from 9mm to .45 when I got my 1911. I decided to get the 1911 after shooting the range rental 1911s and enjoying the experience.

I like shooting the .45. Although the bullet is bigger, the muzzle velocity is slower than a 9mm. So, while the 9mm has kind of a snap and light recoil with the report, the .45 pushes back more but feels more gentle at the same time - if that makes any sense. To me, the .45 is more enjoyable to shoot.

This is with a full frame steel pistol. I've never shot .45 out of a polymer so I don't know how that will affect the recoil feel.

[edit] As for .40, I've only rented a .40 a couple times and didn't really care for the feel as much as a 45.

[chris in va]

It's gonna be more hefty, but it all depends on the weight of the firearm too. My P11 9mm has sharper recoil than my Sig 220 .45.

On a scale of 1-10, my CZ 75 9mm is about a 3. P11, 7. Sig 220...6.

Oh, and the 40...lets just say I sold the firearm not long after buying it.

[MADISON]

I have been shooting for 46 + years.

The 9MM I do not like.

I have only fired one magazine of .40 S&W and it felt just a little bit more than a 9MM in recoil.

I began shooting a .45ACP in the Air Firce in 1962. The recoil, to me, is no more than a BOUNCE.

My advice is to find someone[S] who have a .40 S&W and a .45ACP and ask if you can run a magazine. That shoould tell you which one you want.

[Maddog_Enigma]

Thanks Madison, but .40 is out. It's just not a caliber I'm interested in.

I want to punch big holes in things hence my desire for a .45.

[Tom2]

I have had full sized 45 autos with steel frames, and although the recoil is notable, it is not like it jumps out of the hand or stings your hand or anything. I think alot of it's recoil rep. came from the old days when military as well as others were shooting handguns with the old one hand technique. Not that bad to control with a weaver stance or the like. I bought a steel frame officers one time, and was suprised that it was not that bad to shoot either. Had a 45 Glock too. It was not that bad but the thing felt like a 2X4 in my hand being double stack, so it got traded later. I think the 40 is just a comprimise round meant for police, and I have had one gun in it but don't want another. Probably real hot 40's generate alot of recoil, I never tried anything but the standard loads. Now I just have the one full sized gun. 185 gr. loads might even be not so bad to shoot, unless you go for anything that is "+P". Many opine that the 45 does not need that extra speed, unless it is some kind of HP ammo that needs it to open. I will not shoot 357 snubs so you know I don't go for wrist breakers at all. Even loaded my 44 mag down to lower power.

[croyance]

I feel that the .45 ACP has a slower, heavier push than the 9x19. Because it is slower, it is controllable.
The 9x19 has all its recoil in less time (snappier) but is lighter, so it is also very controllable.
The .40 S&W is heavier than the 9x19, yet snappier than the .45 ACP. While it can be controlled quite well, it is not the idea combination of attributes.

[orionengnr]

The weight of the pistol is paramount.
Comparing a 14 oz 9mm to a full-size 36 oz Government Model 1911 is folly.

Comparing a steel Beretta 92 to an 18 oz Kahr P45 is likewise apples to oranges.

Try comparing equivalent weight pistols in different calibers, or different weight pistols in the same caliber to get an idea of what you really want to shoot.

Also, it should go without saying that with a given load and pistol weight, a semi-auto will absorb more and transfer less thn a revolver. (I did not think this through before I bought a 23 oz S&W 325 .45 acp revolver. To me, it is fairly unpleasant to shoot, esp compared to my 18 oz Kahr P45)...

Enjoy your search...

[FS2K]

What it comes down to is muzzle flip. Being a 9MM guy you should befamiliar with the way a 9mm pops it's front up when shot, and the gun almost seems like it is pivoting at your wrists? Well the .45 doesn't do that. It's recoil will seem slowed down in comparison and the entire gun will rise when fired, pushing its energy back into the operator and seemingly moving the pivot point back to the operators elbows/shoulders.

[LTC_Para]

had a XD40, sold it after a few months, too snappy

bought Para LTC 1911, loved it and still do

HK USPf 9mm - just shot it and love it

[T. O'Heir]

Since you can shoot a 9mm well, you're going to love the .45. Depends on the ammo, but the difference is mostly in the muzzle blast. The .45's is less. Mind you, orionengnr has a good point too. Any light weight pistol will be more uncomfortable to shoot than a heavier one. Physics being what it is, a heavier pistol will be more comfortable to shoot in either calibre than a light one. Especially if the pistol doesn't fit your hand well.

[CU74]

I haven't fired a 9mm, so I can't make a comparison, but I can second FS@K's comments about .45 recoil "mechanics". I shoot a Basic John Moses Browning Pistol, a 1911A1, and thoroughly enjoy it.

If you "lock" your elbow, the recoil action is a push that raises the pistol and arm with the pivot point at the shoulder. Without the elbow "lock", some of the push will still transmit to the shoulder, although the main pivot point will be the elbow. Either way, the recoil is not punishing.

The .45 "push" lets you rock with the recoil easily and I find the drop back onto the target almost a natural reaction. The arm is pushed up and will be naturally pulled back down by the weight of the pistol.

Try it. I think you will like it.

[robertbank]

I 9MM out of my STI Trojan 1911 is not much different than shooting a .22LR - well maybe a little stronger but not much. If you haven't tried shooting 9MM our of a 1911 you really should. The STI Trojan is a great gun and fun to shoot.

Take Care

Bob

[john in jax]

All good info above, but another thing to keep in mind is that a short, 3.5" bbl, Officers style or compact .45 will have more muzzle whip/lift than a 5" bbl, 1911 style or full size model.

But it still ain't bad.

[Maddog_Enigma]

Let me clarify precisely what pistol I'm looking at getting. Springfield Armory XD-45 compact (4" barrel). Compact refers to the shorter grip (10+1 vs. the 13+1 standard service model).

I already own two XD-9's the Service and Subcompact.

[GeorgeF]

All good info above, but another thing to keep in mind is that a short, 3.5" bbl, Officers style or compact .45 will have more muzzle whip/lift than a 5" bbl, 1911 style or full size model.

AGREED. I was shooting a 1911 since I was young teen and it was always pleasant to shoot. I recently took a early Colt Commander in .45 (Coltalloy frame). After two magazines it became apparent that this was not fun to shoot. I was using pretty generic ball ammo - nothing hot - yet the pistol punished the web of my hand.

That's the major problem I have with firearms - very hard to try one out before you buy - can try a car out before I drive yet not possible with firearms (or VERY rare). In my mind I would have thought the Commander was great, but in practice it is terrible. For me at least.

All that weight realy helps tame the .45 round. By all means try to see if you can test one out from friend or rent one or whatever - too much money to just say 'ooops.'

[chris in va]

The XD-45 will flip pretty good. You'll notice a rather large difference from the XD9. But it's not sharp, just a lot more heft. You'll *know* there's a 230 grain bullet leaving that barrel.

Can you rent one?

[robertbank]

The all steel Combat Commander does not have much more recoil than the full size 1911. Never shot the alloy version so I can't comment. I prefer the balance of the Commander over the full size 1911.

Take Care

Bob