The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Is the impact of being hit by a bullet the same as the recoil felt by the shooter?

Sefner · December 17, 2009, 04:31 PM

This was best described to me in a thought experiment of sorts... We all know that energy (and mass etc) cannot be created, only transferred. Thus, in a pure (as in no outside variables) environment, the bullet would exhibit the SAME force in both directions (as per equal and opposite reactions). So if it were to knock the victim down it would also have to knock the shooter over. But as many have pointed out, you have a stock, grip, shooter's stance versus victim's balance, etc etc etc. When I answer this question, I say the above: "if it were to knock the victim down it would also have to knock the shooter over". Obviously though if the shooter is a brick wall and the victim is a cucumber balanced on a board this does not hold

Also internet physics argument lol

December 17, 2009, 04:31 PM	#27
Sefner Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 769	This was best described to me in a thought experiment of sorts... We all know that energy (and mass etc) cannot be created, only transferred. Thus, in a pure (as in no outside variables) environment, the bullet would exhibit the SAME force in both directions (as per equal and opposite reactions). So if it were to knock the victim down it would also have to knock the shooter over. But as many have pointed out, you have a stock, grip, shooter's stance versus victim's balance, etc etc etc. When I answer this question, I say the above: "if it were to knock the victim down it would also have to knock the shooter over". Obviously though if the shooter is a brick wall and the victim is a cucumber balanced on a board this does not hold Also internet physics argument lol