Reducing SR40c recoil

[Bruiser]

I've noticed that my SR40c has, at least to me, more recoil than my SR9c. I can hit COM, but it's hard to control past the 2nd shot. It's a little easier with Blazer Brass, but Federal kicks hard.

I've read in some places that changing out the guide rod with a heavier one helps with the recoil. Is that true? And should I go to 18 or 20? I'm thinking 18 for now.

Thanks.

 

[shaffe48]

My first post in the pistol forum but even I can answer this one:

If I'm not mistaken the SR40 is chambered in 40 S&W and the SR9 is chambered in 9mm. Typically, the 40 has more muzzle energy than a 9mm. This muzzle energy out the front end equates to more recoil energy out the back end, explaining why your 40 recoils more than your 9.

On a more serious note, shooting the SR40 is one of the few experiences that made me consider owning an auto, especially at the fantastic price this gun is offered for. While both powerful and concealable, it was extremely managable in terms of recoil and trigger pull and easy to shoot, especially compared to my SP101 with .357's. Definitely great for a beginner.

For the record, however, I say this holstering a six gun.

 

[Rei40c]

"but it's hard to control past the 2nd shot"

I think your making the same mistake I did I it may be your problem is not mechanical but mental. The 40c was my first semi auto. When I got it I instantly wanted to put rounds into the x ring as quickly as I saw others on the range, or other experts doing it. My results where that my accuracy was horrible even at 10 yrds.

My advice is to slow down and shoot only as accurately as you can hit well and no faster. It seems slow at first and you are slow. But the speed does come later. For me there was no shortcut. In my case it took over 3000 rounds before I felt confident "rapid firing" by my definition with any hope of acceptable accuracy. That's a lot I suppose, others may not need that many.

Concentrate first on getting good first hits, then challenge yourself to speed up the time between those following good hits. I remember being very flustered and feeling even after two or three back-to-back range trips that I wasn't getting any better at all, and I'd spent a lot of money on ammo I thought at the time was for nothing. But looking back I was way ahead of the first day I showed up with it on the range.

I don't really believe different parts will be the ultimate solution, it may have some effect I don't know, I've not tried them. But overall, never substitute speed for accuracy. Just my opinion, let your skill catch up to your accuracy not the other way around.

 

[pjvrefugee]

I went to a Galloway recoil spring set and that helped some. if you go to a heavier recoil spring be sure your weapon will function reliably with the extra resistance. I have gone to a heavier spring in my full size SR40, SR45, and SR9 but factory weight in my SR9c. the rest is simple, practice. make haste slowly. you will get used to it and not even think about it after a while. when I shoot 40 or 45 and then follow with 9mm, the 9 seems like a cap gun. the SR series handles recoil better than anything else I have tried. the key is still practice.

 

[PiratePast40]

I can definitely relate to your experience. Very frustrating to have the first shot dead on and then subsequent shots not even close.

I've found this web site very helpful: http://pistol-training.com/drills. It's helped me become more accurate and controlled with multiple shots.

Don't be insulted that people are pointing more toward the carpenter than the hammer as the problem. One of the expressions used in competition shooting is: "you can't miss fast enough to win". The term "make haste slowly" that pjvrefugee is very true. I've found that I have to push myself pretty hard to speed up and still stay accurate. It just won't stick with you until the muscle memory takes over and you can do it without thinking about it.

Dry firing, and especially the wall drill is fantastic practice. Just be aware that you should remove the mag disconnect or use snap caps if you'll be dry firing this gun extensively.

 

[Bruiser]

Thanks for the advice, I do appreciate it. And yes, I know I need to practice.

This is probably me misunderstanding, but when I read the responses, it seems like it's with the goal of hitting a tight grouping near the target. I'm talking more about CCW/self defense, where you just pull it up and fire off 3 or 4 as fast as you can for COM. I'm sure I'm reading the responses wrong, but that's how they come across, to me anyways.

I can hit the COM for 3 shots, but I have an upward creep, and the 3rd one is (pardon the pun) hit or miss.

 

[jnichols2]

When shooting socially, you don't need or even want a real small grouping. What good does it do to place the 2nd shot in the same hole as the 1st? Let it move over 2-3" and make a "new" hole.

As for developing speed, this helps me: Slow is smooth -- and smooth is fast.

Besides, 2 or 3 shots center mass is a GOOD result. Now you have time to AIM the head shot.

 

[ArmedinAZ]

I've noticed that my SR40c has, at least to me, more recoil than my SR9c. I can hit COM, but it's hard to control past the 2nd shot. It's a little easier with Blazer Brass, but Federal kicks hard.

40 has more energy thus more recoil than 9mm, can't change that. Blazer is low powered as you've noticed. If you carry you gotta practice with your carry ammo, and if you can't get the results you want...different gun or different caliber.

In a social situation you had better have control of your pistol.