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Recoil questions

2K views 9 replies 8 participants last post by  Vector16 
#1 ·
I have a S&W Sigma 9, and a Kel-tec PF9. Both seem to kick up when I fire them. Is this a problem with polymar framed pistols, or a problem with me? or both? I've been watching videos about grip, to see if that helps, but haven't been able to get back to the range yet.
I'm thinking it's technique rather than strength, I'm 6'2" 235, and worked in the oilfield for 28 years.
Any suggestions?
 
#3 ·
There is no way that you will be able to get rid of all recoil, unless you use a Ransom Rest. Try to keep as high a grip that you can. Hold firm with the firing hand and tight with the support hand. Death grips on the firing hand usually result in some shaking and pulling left or right. For your SIGMA, you might want to look at Hougue (spelling?) Grips website. They make grip gloves for the SIGMA for around 15$, and they do work good with their finger grooves in them. As far as the Kel Tec? Good luck. They are good guns to carry a lot, but shoot a little. I shot one of the PF-9s once, and hated the feeling of holding onto a furring strip and having someone whack it with a hammer. It just plain ol' hurt to shoot.:smt1099
 
#6 ·
Thanks for the replies.
I might not have been clear what I was asking about. Each shot causes the muzzle to come up high. I thought I had read this more of a problem with polymer framed guns than it is with metal framed.
Generally, the polymer frames tend to help soak up some recoil by "giving" a little bit. Then, on the other hand, a heavier all steel or alloy and steel gun can weigh a little more and do the same. Sounds like you need to adjust your grip or get a different handgun to shoot. The PF-9 is a difficult gun to shoot and the SIGMA could use some finger grooves on the front strap of the grip. JMHO.
 
#7 ·
The Steyr pistol, which is highly regarded by the cult-like following it has, has a very high grip position as a natural grip. This will cause the kick to come directly back to you rather than flipping upwards.

See: STEYR PISTOL S-A1 .40SW $543.00 SHIPS FREE

These are high-quality weapons and should minimize the flip. There are a few video reviews out there. Watch the muzzle flip on the shooting videos and compare it with other weapons.

The down-side is that there are far fewer holsters available for this weapon.
 
#8 ·
Rather than buying a different gun, I suggest that the better solution would be to revise your grip on the pistol you've already got.

Assuming that you are right-handed...
Grip the pistol in your right hand in such a way as to line its barrel up with the bones in your forearm. Looking from tip of muzzle (or front sight) to right elbow, the gun-and-arm unit should form a rigid straight line.
Your right hand should grip the pistol as firmly as possible. Your thumb, and your middle, ring, and little fingers should be squeezing the gun's grip very tightly. Your wrist should be locked.
Now place your left hand over your right hand, so that the heels of your two hands meet, and the fingers of your left hand wrap around the fingers of your right hand. Your left thumb can rest atop your right, or it can extend in front of your right thumb, pressing against the pistol's frame (but not touching its slide in any way). Your left index finger should be wrapped around the outside-front of the gun's trigger-guard.
Your right index finger should be free to move independently of all your other fingers. This is an important point. When you press the pistol's trigger, none of your other fingers should move at all.
Extend your right arm so that its elbow locks. Step forward with your left foot so that your body is at about 45° to your target. Pull straight back with your left hand, forming a "V" at your left elbow. Your left elbow should be pointing straight down at the floor.
Push forward with your rigid right arm while pulling back with your bent left arm. This places the pistol in a "trapped" position, and keeps it from moving.
Aim. (The pistol's sights come up to your eyes. Do not try to bring your eyes down to the sights.) You may slightly cock your head to one side, and rest it on your own right shoulder.

Hold tightly.

Press the trigger while continuing to hold tightly.

There. See: The pistol didn't recoil as much as it used to.

(Your lightweight pistols present a sharp recoil impulse. Heavier, all-steel guns feel "softer" because the pistol's weight absorbs some of the recoil impulse.)
 
#9 ·
Steve nailed it.

Go on Matt Burkett's site and watch the videos on there. That grip will help you with shot recovery (it will still flip up in recoil), the key is? Let it. Your weenie little arms cannot overcome 20,000 pounds of chamber pressure, so go with it. Matt's grip will help you minimize the flip AND speed upyour second shot.
 
#10 ·
That is normal for the sigma esspecially if you don't shoot alot. Your wrist has not devoloped those muscels yet. I do own sigmas and like them I alot so don't take this the wrong way. I am going to make a Glock comparison. With the angle of the grip on the sigma, when the muzzle flips, it puts almost all of its power up and back and puts alot of strain on your first joint of your thumb which causes your wrist to give. With the Glock, I just bought one 4 weeks ago, if you held the gun at the same angle as the sigma the muzzle would be pointing upward at around 30 deg. with the glock when you hold it straight, the recoild shoots directly back, straight into your arm and the muzzle flip is kept to a minimum. so its back and up instead of up and back. you can practice quite a bit to get this a littel more controlled with the sigma is you keep a reall tight, firm grip and even more so with your little finger and your ring finger. after a while your muscels will get stronger and the flip will be kept a little more under control. You may also want to use less powerfull rounds to target shoot with and keep the big ones for when you need them like when some Ahole breaks into your house.
 
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