Reducing recoil

[HamburgBoy84]

I recently bought my SP2340 (see sig) in .40. I know I'm relatively new to handguns but is there anything I can do while shooting to control the recoil? I was also looking at getting a ported barrel for it, but don't know if that would help or not. I've only put about 40 rounds through it, so will I just learn to manage it better as I get more experience.

Thanks

[adymond]

Maybe a more knowledagable member can comment, but what I know about recoil is that it has to do with a few different variables. Weight of the firearm, direction of recoil force, and slide action are the three I am most familiar with. I am not sure you can really effect any of them in a noticable way. I would just continue to fire the weapon and learn how to absorb and react to the recoil.

[GRIZ]

I wouldn't port it if you intend on uisng the gun for self defense. Ported guns will blow gases in your face when fired from the hip or any position lower than eye level.

adymond is correct in his assessment. You can try a lighter bullet but this may not give give the reduction you're looking for.

[625]

Practice will definitely help. You could try to hold the gun slightly higher in the grip. You may want to shoot 180 grain loads since the lighter, faster loads tend to have a snappier recoil.

I wouldn't port it if you intend on uisng the gun for self defense. Ported guns will blow gases in your face when fired from the hip or any position lower than eye level.

Not only that, the extra muzzle flash would be bad in a low light situation. Most good defensive rounds have very little muzzle flash, but still.

[knight0334]

If you like your hearing avoid porting.

Recoil, Newton's 3rd law of motion. If you want to reduce recoil you must either use:

1. a lighter bullet
2. or a slower bullet
3. or have more gun mass to absorb the recoil
4. or a combination of the three things mentioned above.
4a. a slightly heavier recoil spring rate may help a little, but you negate using some lesser powered loads.

If the maximum rear thrust is not a problem, but the acceleration of recoil(the usual complaint of 40S&W) is too "snappy" - you need a slower accelerating loading, something that gains its velocity at a slower rate and peaks closer to the end of the barrel.

[625]

If the maximum rear thrust is not a problem, but the acceleration of recoil(the usual complaint of 40S&W) its too "snappy" - you need a slower accelerating loading, something that gains its velocity at a slower rate and peaks closer to the end of the barrel.

That's why I suggested the heavier 180 grain loads, and I'm assuming he doesn't reload, so we are discussing factory practice type rounds. The 180 grain .40 loads that most ammo companies produce, have less muzzle energy than the 165's and 155's, hence the slightly lower percieved recoil.

[QuakertownRich]

In my experience, I found the .40s&w round to be too "snappy" for me. I liked the numbers(fps), muzzle energy, available bullet weight choices, and the variety of guns that used it. I didn't like the ammo cost/availability, and my inability to have cosistent, quick follow-up shots in rapid fire mode, and that was using two different guns(CZ-40b and XD-40 service model). Many ppl here and other forums proclaimed they had "no problem", so I guess it was just me.
As far as an answer to controling it, I would try a different grip as well as the above suggestions. Try a higher trigger-hand grip, and with your supporting hand, try moving forward on trigger-hands' fingers, and putting the index finger on the front of trigger guard.

[normanvin]

In my experience, I found the .40s&w round to be too "snappy" for me. I liked the numbers(fps), muzzle energy, available bullet weight choices, and the variety of guns that used it. I didn't like the ammo cost/availability, and my inability to have cosistent, quick follow-up shots in rapid fire mode, and that was using two different guns(CZ-40b and XD-40 service model). Many ppl here and other forums proclaimed they had "no problem", so I guess it was just me.
As far as an answer to controling it, I would try a different grip as well as the above suggestions. Try a higher trigger-hand grip, and with your supporting hand, try moving forward on trigger-hands' fingers, and putting the index finger on the front of trigger guard.

I also think the .40 to be a snappy round. I have a glock and a kahr. It seems to be the same in either. I always just thought it was me.

If you look around they do sell replacement guide rods that is supposed to help with recoil. Some are made of tungsten some have mercury in them.

I don't know if the really help.

[talldean]

I recently bought my SP2340 (see sig) in .40. I know I'm relatively new to handguns but is there anything I can do while shooting to control the recoil? I was also looking at getting a ported barrel for it, but don't know if that would help or not. I've only put about 40 rounds through it, so will I just learn to manage it better as I get more experience.

You might try gripping the gun more firmly with your dominant hand. Grip as hard as you can without causing your hand to shake, specifically gripping with the middle and ring finger, while leaving the rest fairly loose.

[QuakertownRich]

I also think the .40 to be a snappy round. I have a glock and a kahr. It seems to be the same in either. I always just thought it was me.

If you look around they do sell replacement guide rods that is supposed to help with recoil. Some are made of tungsten some have mercury in them.

I don't know if the really help.

I wanted to like the 40, but all of what I noted pushed me away from it. I'm much happier with the 45acp, and can do all that I wanted to do with the 40 with it. I didn't try a steel-framed 40, so it's not set in stone I won't give it another try someday.
The above advice sounds good, talldean.