We all know what recoil feels like. The best way to describe it is by using the term "kick". As far as a friendly conversation between shooters, that's about it for a definition. When someone says a gun has low recoil or if a gun kicks like a mule, we all know exactly what they mean. Of course, there is a little science behind recoil. A lot of things go into motion before you feel the final result of a complete firing cycle. If you were to use one word to describe what happens that causes you to feel recoil, I would probably use the word "momentum". When you feel the recoil of a gun, what you are feeling is a backward movement that results from forward momentum. It all comes down to physics, and as the old additive says, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction (Newton). Internal combustion occurs when the firing pin strikes the primer. The combustion comes when the powder inside of the cartridge is ignited. This ignition creates a small explosion that causes the bullet to separate from the cartridge. The bullet is then forcefully thrust down the barrel. The surge of energy created by the combustion sending the bullet traveling down the barrel also releases energy in the opposite direction, which is toward you. The energy has to be released somewhere. If you are shooting a rifle with a longer stock, that will help absorb some of the energy. If you have the rifle placed in the pocket of your shoulder, you will also absorb some of that energy, therefore what you are feeling is recoil.

Christensen Arms Traverse 6.5 Creedmoor Bolt Action Rifle

 

A FIREARM WITHOUT RECOIL?

I am not a physicist or an engineer, but I don't think that it is possible to create a firearm without recoil. However, there are some firearms that can mitigate recoil on the users, and thus, in theory, improve accuracy. If you have heard of a recoilless rifle, I have to. I kind of shrug my shoulders at that term. It is quasi true in my opinion. The energy required to send the bullet down the barrel still has to be released in some form, there is no such thing as the energy propelling in just one direction. The "recoilless rifle" is a launcher, so think about a bazooka. The explosion still occurs and creates energy. The energy, on one hand, sends the bullet down the barrel, the countermeasure is released from the rear of the weapon. In short, what is released at the rear of the recoilless rifle is propellant gas, with the spark that creates the explosion, in other words - FIRE! So don't stand behind one of these. There is still recoil in fact, it is just not felt by the shooter. I think a better term may be a greatly diminished recoil rifle. It is however possible to greatly reduce the recoil felt by the shooter by venting some of the gases directionally to release energy and compensate for the recoil. Browning even created the recoilless shotgun. They add a weight block and an inertia block that moves forward during the firing process to mitigate the recoil. These devices are in the stock and the shotgun weighs about 8 pounds. Again, while it advertises recoilless, it still only greatly reduces the recoil. It's actually a pretty good system though. It is successful in reducing recoil in the shotgun by about 70%.

Cobra Derringer .22

DOES FIREARM WEIGHT AND SIZE AFFECT RECOIL?

I want to answer a common question about firearm weight and recoil. There is no need to get scientific on this one, I can give you a real-life example. I was doing some research on this theory and I shot an array of firearms with the standard ammunition for each. I shot everything from a pen gun to a 50 cal. The two most noted firearms that I remember from this are the Derringer .22 and the Smith & Wesson 500 with a 6.5" barrel. I am 5 foot tall and weigh about a buck25, well that's all I am going to admit to anyway, and I was pretty intimidated about shooting the S&W 500. I had someone stand behind me and brace my shoulders because I had seen YOUTUBE videos where it knocked folks down when it was fired. First I fired the 500 to get the anticipation out of the way. The recoil felt like "whomp", and I felt it throughout my body, but I was able to control it fairly easily and it didn't hurt. However, when I fired the Derringer, it lit my hand up! My hand physically hurt in the palm area and it stung like a big ol' red ant bite. Take whatever you want from my experience, but there is a lesson in it about recoil.

Smith & Wesson 500 Stainless 6.5" 5rd Revolver

ROUND UP

While there is not a sure-fire way to eliminate recoil, there are many recoil reduction systems that you can add to your firearms. There are rifles rests, low recoil ammo, recoil pads, and new stocks to mention a few. Although some swear by compensators, their primary function is to reduce muzzle climb, shooters that have compensators also frequently say that recoil reduction is an added benefit. Stay safe out there! BTW, that Browning recoilless rifle that we talked about earlier is great for trap shooting! Welcome to fall, get out and enjoy! Shop All Long Guns
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