recoil on .40 S&W

[neck4752]

What is the recoil like on a .40 S&W pistol. Is it tolerable. Is it painful? I bought one that I pick up on tuesday but the guy said if I change my mind I can swap to the 9mm.

Thanks
Jim

[CapDog]

It's quite mild, not much more than a 9mm. You can shoot it all day and not have a problem.

[Roskoe]

I think it might be about 25% more than a 9MM - based on the increase in strength of the recoil spring going up to the .40. But they both kick - and neither is real bad. There are lots of female police officers who shoot and carry .40 caliber autos - have to qualify every quarter. You might consider staying away from the 135 and 155 grain full power factory loads - they feel a lot sharper and harsher than the 180 grain stuff. Also, Federal makes a factory round called "Personal Defense" that has pretty mild recoil. Good luck. Roskoe

[semi]

not bad at all. don't let it worry you. Shooting any rifle of any caliber is probably worse then a pistol in a .40.

[Hunter06FlKy]

i don't think it's that bad compare to the 9mm. of course i'm only shot the 40 in a glock subcompact. the only thing about it was that it had a good bit of muzzle flip, not really recoil though.

[rybohunter]

I've shot the 40S&W in compact models and full sizes and I would not even consider the recoil as any type of turnoff. A little practice and you won't notice it at all.

[HUNTER74]

I'll concur with the above posters. I've never found the recoil of a .40 S&W to be offensive in the least, and I've owned and/or fired many .40 pistols. It is a little sharper than a 9mm of the same size, but not much. You'll like the .40.

[Maine Shooter]

Have shot them in full size and compacts and it's best described as a sharper 9mm in terms of felt recoil. Depends on the model too. Some models handle the recoil differently than others.

[uncle matt]

What recoil? Heck .40 is kind of a shorty round in my book.

Uncle Matt (in IL)