Handgun Recoil 101: How much recoil do handgun calibers produce?

[Annihilator]

Decent read on how different is recoil for assorted calibers...

Handgun Recoil 101: How much recoil do handgun calibers produce? - Shooting Times

Are you curious about how much recoil your handgun produces? You'll want to read this report.

www.shootingtimes.com

 

[Cedric]

We've seen this before where the author misinterprets Newton's Third Law: action-reaction. The action-reaction pair does produce equal force, but Newton's Second Law: Force equals mass times acceleration, means the acceleration is inversely proportional to mass. A person holding a two pound pistol will not accelerate back as much as the much less massive bullet goes forward at a great rate. I.e., "felt" recoil. Then there is the operating mechanism, semi, bolt, revolver etc. Do all the calculations you want to, but F = m x a is what counts. In a practical sense that is.

 

[Talyn]

An example of Newton's Law in action...

 

[Phaser]

This is why Mag-Na-Porting is so effective. It aids in expelling that "jet blast" the author speaks of. Owned a Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 Mag years ago Mag-Na-Ported...huge reduction in muzzle flip as well as felt recoil. My .300 Win Mag same thing...still have it.

 

[LDB]

Another interesting article, and a tab I keep open in one of my browsers, is this one on rifle recoil. I wish the included chart had a dozen or two more listings.

Rifle Recoil Table: Updated for 2026 with all popular cartridges – Backfire

backfire.tv

 

[ECS686]

Yawn!!!!

People worry to much about crunching numbers.

1 A 45 acp is more than a 9mm.

2 Magnum pistol rounds are more than 45 acp

3 split times are a competitive thing , .50 or so you will be just fine (ask LAPD and LAPD SWAT

4 if your gun comes with a 15 round mag instead of a 17 round mag you will be ok as if 2 more rounds in the teens makes or breaks your defense you have bigger issues.

5 slightly higher bore hight mean much less than peolme make if it!

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

I heard there would be no math today.

Interesting information, not sure how useful it really is. Big guns, big bullets, big boom, lots of recoil. And vice versa.

And that's my profound glimpse into the obvious for today.


Although, the calculator may be fun. I'll tinker with that. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you for your indulgence,

Basscliff

 

[TEXASforLIFE]

A predominant factor is powder bullet combo! For those that reload most will understand? You can have equal amount of muzzle energy between 2 bullets 50-100gr in difference (pistol or rifle) shot from the same firearm and the lighter faster bullet will produce less recoil felt or not! On other gun forums I've started that many times for those that want less recoil. Several members agreed to that fact. Do i have numbers to prove it, no, but it does work