H&K P7 vs. Sig P226 Recoil

[MMH]

My wife started shooting a H&K P7. She is complaining about recoil. She also shot a Sig P226 right after that & complained that the recoil was worse. So, I shot the guns back to back. First of all, I never thought that the P7 was bad, recoil wise, but in the back of my mind expected more recoil due to the 'delayed blowback' action. Secondly, when I shot the P226 right after the P7, I had to agree w/ her - the recoil w/ the P226 seemed worse.

This makes no sense to me. Is it even possible for a P7 to have less felt recoil than a P226??

[sprrdhawk44]

Scientifically, ammunition being equal, it's not possible for a P7 to have more recoil than a P226. You're looking at 4.44 ft/lbs of free recoil energy with the P7 vs 3.62 ft/lbs with P226.

That said, felt recoil is another thing entirely. How one person perceives recoil may differ greatly from how another person perceives it. So yes, she may be perceiving a difference.

A proper grip will mitigate a good amount of that.

[arjohnson]

The weight of the slide, coupled with low bore axis and delayed blowback action leads to less felt recoil.

[harold63]

With the dynamics involved, I agree with those two fellers ^^^.

It isn't uncommon for some people to not like the recoil amount of 9mm. To get the most gun with the least recoil in 9mm, MO is to use a 9mm 1911 that is sprung (recoil spring) just right. Ejects cases well, but not over the head of the dude in the next stall. It is an amazing gun to rapid fire if sprung, correctly.

Honestly, unless that particular P226 just has a clapped out recoil spring, that gun doesn't have a lot of recoil, so she may be overly sensitive to it (recoil) if she's complaining about it. Shooting time and some strength training will help her be more comfortable when she shoots, and it doesn't take long if she applies herself.

[1blindref]

The weight of the slide, coupled with low bore axis and delayed blowback action leads to less felt recoil.

^^^ this ^^^

[BionicMan]

Honestly, unless that particular P226 just has a clapped out recoil spring, that gun doesn't have a lot of recoil, so she may be overly sensitive to it (recoil) if she's complaining about it.

/\ THIS /\ Unless you're running +P+ through it, the 226 is a soft shooter.

[MMH]

/\ THIS /\ Unless you're running +P+ through it, the 226 is a soft shooter.

It is a fairly new 226. Perhaps it has a bad spring? Ammo is not +P, just 115 gr. FMJ.