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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Uncle Matt (in IL)