.40 S&W "Too much recoil" embellished statement..

[Ninjaflip11]

Hey all I am brand new to this site but I just wanted to have a mini rant. I have spoken with many individuals and have read online from various sources claiming the .40 has too snappy of recoil when being compared to its relatives 9mm and .45 (both great,popular rounds)

Anywho I bought a Glock 22 .40 in the first place seeking a handgun that would potentially be the best of both worlds of its caliber relatives. 4 years later and many rounds spent I think it's funny how many people complain about the round when I find the recoil to be quite manageable and I have plenty of seat time with other rounds and handguns.

Anyways yesterday I went to a local indoor shooting range with my mother ( she hasn't fired a gun in 20 plus years. Anyways she has been interested in acquiring a handgun. I recommended her to try a Glock 19 simply for its eaz of use and semi compact size. So in turn she rented one from the range.
She didn't do bad but I thought it was funny that because I didn't even explain to her or tell her of my knowledge about how much flack the .40 gets
Well I let her spend a couple mags through my .40 after she ran out of 9mm and she asks " why does yours feel smoother" I laughed because I was surprised and asked " what do you mean smoother" and she explained how she felt it was more manageable to her and wasn't as "jerky" as she stated
Both glock models were gen 3 with factory springs.

I just found it interesting that she found the G22 more manageable then the G19
I am not saying the round is less or even the same in contrast to the 9mm but I don't feel it should get as much criticism as it does.

[Chapped Hide]

Same experience here. My son was shooting my G23 when he was 7 without a single limp wrist issue. My G22 was one of the more accurate and easy shooting guns I've ever owned. While I do agree that they are "snappier" than a 9mm, what do you expect? No longer own any .40's but my plan is to add one in the near future, most likely it will be another G22.

[jdben92883]

G22 isn't "snappy" to the point it should be avoided. I shoot my Glock .40's just fine. However, there is NO denying that a 9mm is softer shooting. I have a 9mm barrel for my G35 and the difference is obvious. I've left the .40 camp a couple years ago after using it as my primary cartridge for 2 decades. Follow-ups are simply quicker and easier to make in 9mm and for CCW/HD, shot placement is key.

I don't have any idea why your mom would think a G22 is "smoother" than a G19. It's not, although a more valid comparison would be G22 vs G17. I recently took my own mother to the range so she could figure out what kind of handgun to CCW since she didn't like her .38 revolver any more. Between a half-dozen various semi's, she shot the G19 the best.

[Citadelgrad87]

I shoot a g27 subcompact in idpa. Never noticed an issue.

[Daryl Dixon]

I've always felt like my xD in .40 was smoother to shoot than my Beretta 92 FS which I always thought would be the opposite especially since the Beretta is the all metal gun. I believe the 9mm (on average) is a higher velocity round than the .40, maybe this has something to do with it? I'm sure somebody else for experienced can chime in here.

[titan2]

I agree....I have an S&W M&P .45 FS, 9c & 40c....

The 40c is a little snappier, but nothing to complain about and it's very manageable. Looking to get a .357 Sig barrel for it and try that round also!!!

If your mom likes the .40 SW then she should go with it....doesn't matter what the naysayers say!!!

[stormvet]

Your right, nothing snappy about a .40. Most negative comments involve people trying to justify their choice of a different caliber, or further their reputation and sell spots in their training course and sell products. The 40 S&W round is a great alternative to other choices and is a great performer for a handgun round. It's rare that I choose to carry one of my 9mm over one of my .40s, I believe it's a slightly better performing round and I shoot them just as well.

[SonofWWIIDI]

Meh. .40 is a great round. I don't notice it to be "snappier" than other rounds.

I recently fired a friends .380. Had a Fixed barrel. Recoil was much sharper and noticeable that the 9mm or .40. So sometimes it's the gun, not the caliber

[BamBam-31]

Full size G22 vs. compact size G19?

[FeuerFrei]

Felt recoil is subjective to the user?
Who would have thought?

[Ninjaflip11]

Yeah I know she shouldn't have had that reaction to it but she told me she felt it was smoother. Maybe she like the full frame size better I don't know. I personally have always loved the G22 I'll guess I have had 4k rounds through it and no misfires only thing that gets better is my over all aim.
I thought she would be more comfortable with the G19, not that she didn't like it. I still want her to try some other models and makes too before she chooses what she likes best.

[pauloween]

40 is just a little bit snappier than 9mm. but it feels like the extra snap contributes to a faster, more positive cycle. this most probably helps minimize malfunctions cause by limp wrist. this should also help with faster shooting.

[Ninjaflip11]

I do agree recoil is subject to the user as well but when she had fired a good amount of the g19 then went right to mine so she had a fresh felt comtrast- that was just surprising.

[Fenr1r]

9mm does everything I need and more. The only use I personally get out of .40sw is using more powerful brands for practice in my Glock 20. I have a keep it simple approach, out of 9mm/40sw/45acp I have decided that 9mm works for my purposes and if I need anything more powerful I step up to 10mm.

[k1dude]

I find the .40 to be snappy compared to 9mm and .45. Since I'm not really affected that much by recoil, I don't mind any of the 3. But, if you put all 3 in front of me and told me I could take 2 home for free, I'd pick the 9mm and .45.

I know women that much prefer a full size to a compact even though they have small hands. It gives them more to hang on to during recoil so they feel they have more control. The extra weight probably helps as well.