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?

Kyo · December 17, 2009, 03:23 PM

ok, first of all, the answer is no. because there is air resistance, and the slim resistance in the barrel traveling to its target.
second, the force is "similar" but felt in a different way. You are feeling the force acting back at you from the recoil. But, you are holding a gun that is at least a pound in weight, and it is being distributed throughout your fingers, palms, arms, and so forth. You are absorbing the "shock" of the blast with more of a surface area than the target is. Way more
The bullet on the other hand on its traveling path, through air resistance, and other forms of resistance such as gravity(pulling it down at 9.8 feet/second) but it will impact in a MUCH smaller point of pressure per square inch than the recoil in your palms.
The best example is this classic question : Who is exerting more force per square inch, the fat lady in heels? Or the 2 ton elephant? The answer is the fat lady in heels. The back of the heel has to support all of her weight in that little .5 inch-1 inch heel boot. That is LOTS of pressure/square inch. The concept is the same for feeling recoil/bullet felt.
Caveat: Different people have different perceptions on what recoil really is. Lots to you, can be nothing to me.

December 17, 2009, 03:23 PM	#20
Kyo Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2009 Posts: 897	ok, first of all, the answer is no. because there is air resistance, and the slim resistance in the barrel traveling to its target. second, the force is "similar" but felt in a different way. You are feeling the force acting back at you from the recoil. But, you are holding a gun that is at least a pound in weight, and it is being distributed throughout your fingers, palms, arms, and so forth. You are absorbing the "shock" of the blast with more of a surface area than the target is. Way more The bullet on the other hand on its traveling path, through air resistance, and other forms of resistance such as gravity(pulling it down at 9.8 feet/second) but it will impact in a MUCH smaller point of pressure per square inch than the recoil in your palms. The best example is this classic question : Who is exerting more force per square inch, the fat lady in heels? Or the 2 ton elephant? The answer is the fat lady in heels. The back of the heel has to support all of her weight in that little .5 inch-1 inch heel boot. That is LOTS of pressure/square inch. The concept is the same for feeling recoil/bullet felt. Caveat: Different people have different perceptions on what recoil really is. Lots to you, can be nothing to me. __________________ 1. The gun is *always* loaded. 2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. 3. Keep your finger off the trigger unless you are ready to shoot. 4. Be be sure of your target and what is beyond it.