gun weight in 3 inch barrel where you feel shooting .357 magnum felt recoil is accept

chrisintexas · May 26, 2013, 02:54 AM

what would be the gun weight in 3 inch barrel revolver where you feel shooting .357 magnum felt recoil is acceptable? Is there a weight where felt recoil goes down significantly? thanks.

Carmady · May 26, 2013, 06:20 AM

In my limited experience "good" grips are more important than more weight.

I had two .357s, a 39oz 6" M-19 with factory wood grips, and a 22+oz 2 1/8" M-60 with UM's Combat grips.

The same .357 loads were much more comfortable to shoot from the M-60.

Ozzieman · May 26, 2013, 08:19 AM

What feels acceptable to me might not for you and this can depend a lot on experience. I think you should look for the heaviest gun that you can comfortably carry then go from there.
357 mags have a lot of recoil when you get into light guns but with enough practice you can get over the recoil.
Is this for SD or just the home and target?
For the 357 I would not go less than a Ruger 101 or 100 then get a good set of grips that fit your hand. If the mags are too much then stuff it with +P 38’s.

WC145 · May 26, 2013, 08:22 AM

If the barrel length and ammunition are the same then the larger, heavier framed gun will move less movement under recoil since more energy is spent moving the greater mass. For example - let's say 100lbs of force moves an object weighing 10lbs 5 feet in 1 second, that same amount of force will move a lighter object further and a heavier object shorter distances in the same amount of time. So, a 3" large frame revolver weighing 45oz will move less under recoil than a 3" small frame revolver weighing 15oz when shooting the same load. Frame geometry and grip shape and material will make a difference in how the recoil feels to the shooter - rubber grips will absorb some of the impact where wood will not, etc. - but that doesn't change the physics of force vs mass.

Beyond that it is what you, the shooter, are comfortable with. I don't mind shooting my 327NG with full house magnum loads, I don't enjoy it, but I don't mind it. Put that same ammo in a 6" steel M27 and I'll shoot it all day and have a good time doing it.

weblance · May 26, 2013, 12:10 PM

I have a Ruger LCR, and a couple Ruger SP101s and a GP100. Shooting full power 357s out of the 17 oz LCR isnt pleasant. From the 25 oz. 2" SP101, they are much better, and from the 40 oz. 4" GP100, they are mild. So somewhere between 17 oz and 40 oz is your answer.

Buzzcook · May 26, 2013, 12:47 PM

I'd say a 30+oz. K-frame would be the minimum for my comfort.

My personal preference is to get the heaviest gun I can easily handle.

May 26, 2013, 02:54 AM	#1
chrisintexas Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2012 Posts: 388	gun weight in 3 inch barrel where you feel shooting .357 magnum felt recoil is accept what would be the gun weight in 3 inch barrel revolver where you feel shooting .357 magnum felt recoil is acceptable? Is there a weight where felt recoil goes down significantly? thanks.

May 26, 2013, 08:19 AM	#3
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	What feels acceptable to me might not for you and this can depend a lot on experience. I think you should look for the heaviest gun that you can comfortably carry then go from there. 357 mags have a lot of recoil when you get into light guns but with enough practice you can get over the recoil. Is this for SD or just the home and target? For the 357 I would not go less than a Ruger 101 or 100 then get a good set of grips that fit your hand. If the mags are too much then stuff it with +P 38’s. __________________ It was a sad day when I discovered my universal remote control did not in fact control the universe. Did you hear about the latest study.....5 out of 6 liberals say that Russian Roulette is safe.

May 26, 2013, 08:22 AM	#4
WC145 Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2008 Location: Downeast Maine Posts: 1,836	If the barrel length and ammunition are the same then the larger, heavier framed gun will move less movement under recoil since more energy is spent moving the greater mass. For example - let's say 100lbs of force moves an object weighing 10lbs 5 feet in 1 second, that same amount of force will move a lighter object further and a heavier object shorter distances in the same amount of time. So, a 3" large frame revolver weighing 45oz will move less under recoil than a 3" small frame revolver weighing 15oz when shooting the same load. Frame geometry and grip shape and material will make a difference in how the recoil feels to the shooter - rubber grips will absorb some of the impact where wood will not, etc. - but that doesn't change the physics of force vs mass. Beyond that it is what you, the shooter, are comfortable with. I don't mind shooting my 327NG with full house magnum loads, I don't enjoy it, but I don't mind it. Put that same ammo in a 6" steel M27 and I'll shoot it all day and have a good time doing it. __________________ "If violent crime is to be curbed, it is only the intended victim who can do it. The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge or jury. Therefore what he must be taught to fear is his victim." - LtCol Jeff Cooper Last edited by WC145; May 26, 2013 at 08:28 AM.

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May 26, 2013, 06:20 AM	#2
Carmady Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: on the lam Posts: 1,735	In my limited experience "good" grips are more important than more weight. I had two .357s, a 39oz 6" M-19 with factory wood grips, and a 22+oz 2 1/8" M-60 with UM's Combat grips. The same .357 loads were much more comfortable to shoot from the M-60.

May 26, 2013, 12:10 PM	#5
weblance Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2012 Posts: 1,229	I have a Ruger LCR, and a couple Ruger SP101s and a GP100. Shooting full power 357s out of the 17 oz LCR isnt pleasant. From the 25 oz. 2" SP101, they are much better, and from the 40 oz. 4" GP100, they are mild. So somewhere between 17 oz and 40 oz is your answer.

May 26, 2013, 12:47 PM	#6
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	I'd say a 30+oz. K-frame would be the minimum for my comfort. My personal preference is to get the heaviest gun I can easily handle.