Difference in feel between 9mm and .45ACP?

[BerksCountyDave]

So, I'm a .45ACP guy. My pistol of choice being my Glock 21SF. That gun, however, is giving me some issues, and I just can't trust it to work properly at the match I'm shooting this weekend. So, I'm going to be shooting a friend's Glock 19. The problem is that it is beginning to look like I am not going to have any time this week to shoot the G19 before the match.

I'm wondering what kind of differnce in felt recoil, which of course translates to speed of acquiring the target for follow up shots I will feel going from the G21 to the G19.

I load my own .45 rounds, and the rounds I use for competition are loaded pretty darn light. I'll be shooting factory 9mm ammo. The 21 is also a longer barreled, heavier gun than the G19, so I'm kind of thinking the G19 is going to feel really snappy and may slow down my stage times a bit.

[Chazman321]

9mm is a little snappy, where a .45 is more of a push... Just keep an eye on your front sight and all will be fine my friend...

-Chaz

[1blindref]

I think that the weight of the gun would have something to do with recoil and perceived recoil. The heavier the gun, the less perceived recoil is.
I've never shot either of those model Glocks. I have shot a Sig P226 and a P220. Both guns weigh about the same loaded.

The .45 (P220) "pushes" more into your hand than the 9mm (P226). Other than that, I don't think the difference is all that great.

[Paradigm]

Not to swerve your thread off topic, but when I read:

Difference in feel between 9mm and .45ACP?

...my first thought is, "I don't know...I've never been shot by either!"


Good luck at your match!

[Lycanthrope]

You're going to notice less flip. The gun will also seem to cycle faster....at least for me.

On close targets you should be faster with the G19.

Lycandon'tgetspoiledthrope

[WhiteShadow]

On close targets you should be faster with the G19.

Yeah i agree. I personally think you'll be faster all around with the 9mm. It might not be very noticable, but i still think the difference will be there.

[Shawn.L]

I have been shooting mainly 45 for a bit now, and a lot of it, so now when i shoot my G19 (as opposed to the 1911) it feels like a snappy .22. very controlable and very fast.

[1911shooter]

the 9mm will be a little faster in the cycle department. i think
you will be fine as in my experiance the 9mm feels a lot lighter in recoil then the 45.
less flip, muzzle jump. heck you may find that you like the 9mm for matches instead of the .45acp.

[Guns4Fun]

I shoot a G19 and an XD45.

The recoil felt in the 9mm is going to be a bit more snappy / flippy. If that makes sense.

The .45 has more of a thud / push with less muzzle flip.

It's hard to say if it will slow you down. i shoot both of mine pretty much the same but you need to be aware of the differences. But like said, just keep your eye on the front site post and all will be good. I actually think the 9 is a little slower to bring the muzzle back on target.

[Lycanthrope]

I shoot a G19 and an XD45.

The recoil felt in the 9mm is going to be a bit more snappy / flippy. If that makes sense.

The .45 has more of a thud / push with less muzzle flip.

I'd like to see your grip and watch the gun cycle because 9mm has significantly less flip in every platform I've ever shot in comparison to the .45....

....but then recoil and felt recoil are often two entirely different beasts.

Lycanallcomesdowntopreferencethrope