Snappy .40 recoil

[rhmcl]

I bought a P2000SK and chose the .40 calibre over the 9mm. The gun fits me well but the snappy recoil is not pleasant to shoot at the range. Are there any tips to minimizing this in a subcompact or should I just live with it?

[Sapper326]

Its funny I was just talking to a guy who was trying to decide between a new P2000 SK in .40 and a used P2000 SK in 9mm at Kittery trading post. I think that the more you shoot it you might get used to it. The .40 is a snappy round and sometimes takes a little getting used to. They make an X grip adapter that will allow you to use the longer P2000 mags which will give you more of a full grip. That could be one option. Here is a link to what I am talking about.
http://www.topgunsupply.com/X-Grip-HK-P2000SK-pr-1061.html
On another note you are never stuck with anything. If you find that the .40 is not the caliber for you you should definitely not stay with it. Try and find the caliber that works the best for you. I suggest trying as many as possible and finding the right one for what you want it for.

[Gerber]

I can't disagree more with the "snappy recoil". As documented in other posts, I have shot plenty of firearms in a variety of different calibers; .38, 9mm, 45, .357 and obviously the .40, yet I have only experienced the "snappy recoil" with certain rounds i.e. Remington 180gr. I went for Magtec 180gr, WWB 165gr and I will be using Speer Gold Dot 165gr at a later date. Now with that said, I could guess that it has to do with your weapon, the P2000sk, but some people are just more sensative. And now let the burning begin.

[spyder1439]

try a lesser grain bullet like a 165 or a 155 grain (think lawman makes it) that may help to reduce the recoil. If that dont work try getting a bigger recoil spring im not sure if they make one for the sk though? another option is to swap out the barrel for a .357 sig barrel.

of course you could always get used to the gun as is or sell it. im sure someone will buy it

[LCSO264]

you want "snappy", try the SK in .357sig. like the others said, try a lighter grain bullet.

[Fbuckshot]

I understand your use of the word "snappy." I use the term "abrupt" to describe the sensation that small .40 and .357 Sig guns transmit. I think it's because these two rounds are real high pressure rounds. I've owned and shot lots of hand guns and was suprised when I got a Glock 32 in .357 Sig. It was real snappy too, even when I used a .40 barrel. IMHO the .357 Sig was the snappiest of the two calibers. Agree with the advise regarding lighter bullets and anything that will increase the grip width. In short, you'll just have to live with the recoil charactistics. FYI, .357 Sig is real expensive in factory loads.

[bordercop]

I, myself, have yet to understand the whole craze about miniature pistols. If you're worried about the recoil, just get a gun with more mass.

[harrydog]

In my opinion you should have gotten it in 9mm. If you're surprised by the recoil of the .40S&W then you made an uninformed decision, probably based on the recommendation of an idiot gun shop employee. So many people just have to have .40 because that's what the police departments use and they must be right! :rolleyes: Of course they carry Glocks too, so that must be the best pistol as well. And everyone knows 9mm is a wimpy round which is totally useless for self defense! Sorry for the sarcasm but I've never been a fan of the .40S&W. I think it's the round that most gun noobs end up buying, based on the hype, not rational thought.

[MaD HuNGaRIaN]

I, myself, have yet to understand the whole craze about miniature pistols. If you're worried about the recoil, just get a gun with more mass.

LOL!!! Some of us can only comfortably conceal the SK. Anything bigger, and I'm printin' like Johannes Gutenberg. So, the craze is one of necessity.

[alpha6164]

Thats the reason that I didnt get the .40. I can be a lot more accurate with my follow up shots, double taps and doing the Mozambique drills accurately with my 9mm than .40.

[Sapper326]

In my opinion you should have gotten it in 9mm. If you're surprised by the recoil of the .40S&W then you made an uninformed decision, probably based on the recommendation of an idiot gun shop employee. So many people just have to have .40 because that's what the police departments use and they must be right! :rolleyes: Of course they carry Glocks too, so that must be the best pistol as well. And everyone knows 9mm is a wimpy round which is totally useless for self defense! Sorry for the sarcasm but I've never been a fan of the .40S&W. I think it's the round that most gun noobs end up buying, based on the hype, not rational thought.

I know many people who's first pistol was a .40 and they love it. I have also met people who just don't like the 9mm. This is why we need more shops that let you test drive before you buy, like they do with cars. If I went by what I have read online and what I hear from other people I definitely would not have the guns that I have now and enjoy very much. If I had a dime for every gun I bought and had for a bit then traded or sold to fund another I could finally afford that Barrett M82 A1.

[nuc_squid]

If you check out www.brassfetcher.com you'll see why the 40 is an overall better choice than the 9mm, IF YOU CAN SHOOT IT WELL. The majority of 9mm loadings out there really don't get the 12+ inches penetration and reliable expansion that is optimal. Obviously something you can hit with is better than something you can not. Although honestly, at 21 feet (supposedly the max distance for the majority of self-defense shootings) most anyone can hit with a compact-framed 40, with a little practice.

[Artood2s]

My first pistol was USP 40 full-size. I agree that the .40 does have some abruptness to it. If you can't get used to it, do what I did, get an HK45c :)

If you can conceal it of course.

[guncrazy17]

I bought a P2000SK and chose the .40 calibre over the 9mm. The gun fits me well but the snappy recoil is not pleasant to shoot at the range. Are there any tips to minimizing this in a subcompact or should I just live with it?

Do some push-ups!!

[alpha6164]

If you check out www.brassfetcher.com you'll see why the 40 is an overall better choice than the 9mm, IF YOU CAN SHOOT IT WELL. The majority of 9mm loadings out there really don't get the 12+ inches penetration and reliable expansion that is optimal. Obviously something you can hit with is better than something you can not. Although honestly, at 21 feet (supposedly the max distance for the majority of self-defense shootings) most anyone can hit with a compact-framed 40, with a little practice.

I am sorry but i tend to disagree with you. Ammo technology has come a long way. Most current 9mm SD ammo definitely meets the criteria. We are not talking about cheap crap ammo. Have you seen the performance of the Federal HST 147gr or +P 124g? The following ammos definitely will do the job:

1) Federal HST
2) Golden Saber
3) Gold Dots
4) Corbon DPX
5) God Dots from DoubleTap ammunition. We are talking .40 caliber performance here.

[Destro]

I understand your use of the word "snappy." I use the term "abrupt" to describe the sensation that small .40 and .357 Sig guns transmit. I think it's because these two rounds are real high pressure rounds. I've owned and shot lots of hand guns and was suprised when I got a Glock 32 in .357 Sig. It was real snappy too, even when I used a .40 barrel. IMHO the .357 Sig was the snappiest of the two calibers. Agree with the advise regarding lighter bullets and anything that will increase the grip width. In short, you'll just have to live with the recoil charactistics. FYI, .357 Sig is real expensive in factory loads.


"357 Sig is real expensive in factory loads."

You just need to know where to shop check the price at ammoman.com and there is barely any difference.

[Sapper326]

I am sorry but i tend to disagree with you. Ammo technology has come a long way. Most current 9mm SD ammo definitely meets the criteria. We are not talking about cheap crap ammo. Have you seen the performance of the Federal HST 147gr or +P 124g? The following ammos definitely will do the job:

1) Federal HST
2) Golden Saber
3) Gold Dots
4) Corbon DPX
5) God Dots from DoubleTap ammunition. We are talking .40 caliber performance here.

When we start talking about +p and +p+ 9MM then we are right at the same point of a normal power .40 as far as "snappiness" aren't we?

[Reoze]

I know many people who's first pistol was a .40 and they love it. I have also met people who just don't like the 9mm. This is why we need more shops that let you test drive before you buy, like they do with cars. If I went by what I have read online and what I hear from other people I definitely would not have the guns that I have now and enjoy very much. If I had a dime for every gun I bought and had for a bit then traded or sold to fund another I could finally afford that Barrett M82 A1.

My first pistol was a .40 and I do love it. But I'd never buy it in anything smaller than a USPC. I've shot a few smaller "concealable" handguns in .40 and it was nothing more than painful.

[alpha6164]

When we start talking about +p and +p+ 9MM then we are right at the same point of a normal power .40 as far as "snappiness" aren't we?

Not really. Federal HST 147grn standard pressure has no where the snappiness as a .40 and has performed flawlessly. Even the +P 124 grain has much less muzzle flip than a standar .40 let alone a +p .40. Check these out on the Federal HST:

http://www.btfh.net/shoot/bullet-test-2.html

http://www.le.atk.com/pdf/PortlandWoundBallisticReport1.pdf

[USMCMP5A3]

[QUOTE=Sapper326;591808]Its funny I was just talking to a guy who was trying to decide between a new P2000 SK in .40 and a used P2000 SK in 9mm at Kittery trading post. I think that the more you shoot it you might get used to it. The .40 is a snappy round and sometimes takes a little getting used to.


Sapper326 Gotta love KTP!
Anyway when you start running the compact models you are going to get a little more zip. These babys are for CYA activities not your all day range buddies. Sure the .40 has some feedback but nothing along the lines of a 12 oz. Scandium J frame loaded with .357 mags!!!!

With some practice the .40 is an excellent round.

[spyder1439]

i carry a sig sauer p226 SA/DA .357sig pistol on duty and it has more recoil then my hk p2000 sk V3 .357. i think it has to do with the recoil spring sig has one but hk has the two.

my first gun was a .40 cal glock 23 i love the gun and the caliber. the only appeal i see to 9mm is the cost.

[BanditSRT8]

This is why a lot of people choose 9mm instead of 40 in a subcompact. I don't mind 40 (just bought one yesterday) but in a subcompact I wouldn't even think about it. I want immediate availability of a followup shot.

I went with this option for my 40, and it is quite tame compared to a standard version:

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/4517/dsc0706wo3.jpg



http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/5483/dsc0702my2.jpg

[H&K 4 LIFE]

AHH stupid caliber wars making me want to pull my hair out!

Both the 9mm and the .40 are fine defensive rounds and theres nothing wrong with either of them. For the range, I do prefer the .40 through something bigger then a sub-compact pistol, but the sub-compact .40's aren't hard to control either. I own a G26 and have recently tried a G27. The G27 was harder on the hand, but this is mainly a gun for carry. If I had to run through the mag in an emergency I don't think I'd be crying about the recoil so long as it got the job done.

Concern yourself more with shooting the gun accuratley, you will get used to the recoil in time with regular practice.

[rhmcl]

Thank you all for weighing in with your opinions. The issue is not so much recoil sensititivity, I shoot an HK .45 TAC and a S&W .357, but the snappy or abruptness of the round. I am able to shoot the pistol accurately, I was thinking more along the lines of grip, arm positioning or stance technique.

[straightgrain]

Just a couple of mentions of HK. This is why caliber wars are just not productive.