Wow! 9mm is STOUT out of a J frame . . .

[Bladeswitcher]

Picked up a couple of new-to-me revolvers recently and took them to the range yesterday. One is a 940-1, all-steel J-frame, chambered for 9mm. The other is a Model 12-2, alloy (Airweight) K-frame chambered in .38 special.

I shot cheap 9mm Blazer brass 115gr FMJ out of the 940. The Model 12 was fired using mild reloads (4.0gr W231/158gr LSWC). The recoil sensation of the 9mm was considerably harsher. Even these pedestrian plinking rounds had quite a bit of smack out of the J-frame. It's manageable, but I don't think I'd want to shoot hundreds of rounds in a session. The Airweight K-frame was surprisingly tame. I'm sure +P would be a whole different kettle of fish, but it wasn't bad at all with my reloads.

 

[Bladeswitcher]

I have an LCR 9mm snub.

Very much more recoil with standard pressure 9mm rounds than I expected.

Not a gun you would want to shoot a lot . . .

Have you ever experienced rounds pulling from the case due to recoil? I've heard that's a possibility with the super light guns like your LCR.

 

[Rock185]

Yes it is. Just the opposite of what most shooters seem to assume. Chronographing various 9MM factory ammo quickly shows why 9MM recoil out of these little revolvers is a bit "stout". Along with standard pressure stuff, I've chronographed 9MM +P , +P+, NATO, etc. in the 2" S&W 940, Ruger SP101 3", S&W 547 3" and Ruger Blackhawk 4 5/8" revolvers. Not Wimpy. I wonder if people figure the 9MM must recoil less than .38 Spcl., since the 9MM is a smaller/shorter cartridge?

BTW, I did a very informal test of bullets pulling in a light 9MM revolver. I used my lightest 9MM revolver, the 940. After 8 rounds fired, Winchester and IMI 124 grain NATO only pulled about .002". Same test with the Federal 124 +P HST revealed .050" of pull. So bullet pull is a reality. That being said, I've never had it interfere with the function of any of my 9MM revolvers...

 

[max503]

BTW, I did a very informal test of bullets pulling in a light 9MM revolver. I used my lightest 9MM revolver, the 940. After 8 rounds fired, Winchester and IMI 124 grain NATO only pulled about .002". Same test with the Federal 124 +P HST revealed .050" of pull. So bullet pull is a reality. That being said, I've never had it interfere with the function of any of my 9MM revolvers...

I couldn't trust a gun/load combination that had any detectable bullet pull. If I was bound and determined to use that gun - if I had no other choice - I would probably add a stab crimp to the loads.

 

[Bladeswitcher]

BTW, I did a very informal test of bullets pulling in a light 9MM revolver. I used my lightest 9MM revolver, the 940. After 8 rounds fired, Winchester and IMI 124 grain NATO only pulled about .002". Same test with the Federal 124 +P HST revealed .050" of pull . .

After 8 rounds fired? What did you do, leave certain rounds in the gun through multiple reloads?

 

[arjay]

I’d rather shoot an N frame with 44 mags than a j frame with stout loads lol. That little gun just nails the nerve in my palm!

 

[Rock185]

Bladeswitcher, exactly. I shot 4 rounds, leaving one unfired round in the moon clip. Then loaded 4 fresh rounds in the clip and fired those, leaving the same cartridge unfired. Then measured the one that remained unfired.

I was surprised that the HST pulled as much as it did. I haven't tested it, but wouldn't be surprised to learn that some .357 ammunition in a light revolver might exhibit some pulling of unfired rounds too.

 

[duane_wade]

Bladeswitcher, exactly. I shot 4 rounds, leaving one unfired round in the moon clip. Then loaded 4 fresh rounds in the clip and fired those, leaving the same cartridge unfired. Then measured the one that remained unfired.



I was surprised that the HST pulled as much as it did. I haven't tested it, but wouldn't be surprised to learn that some .357 ammunition in a light revolver might exhibit some pulling of unfired rounds too.

I will certainly check that out next time I'm practicing with my 360 Airweight. Recoil is stout but manageable and not as bad since I swapped grips.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[JimCunn]

I've got three 9mm 637-2 J-frame conversions. Weight with titanium cylinder and combat grips is about 12oz (about 11oz lighter than a 940). Recoil with 147gr jhp is brisk, but not particularly unpleasant. So far, I've not had a problem with crimp jump.

 

[slabside2]

Been there done that with the Ruger LCR9 The only rounds that didn’t jump crump was Hornady critical defense and I tried out a lot of factory self defense Ammo. When they did jump it didn’t tie the gun up but it was noticeable when I unloaded the cylinder and checked the fifth round. The LCR is a great little carry gun. I sold the 9 and went with the 38spl.

 

[Nevada Ed]

It is all about Physics......

Take a Gas or recoil spring (A-5)shotgun vs a O/U type action

and a Auto pistol vs a revolver style weapon and you will find out that the no moving parts weapon, that does not reduce energy in any way, shape or form...................
will have a lot more Recoil, than the "Buffer system" working with the moving parts weapons, along with the weight of the weapon.

 

[delcrossv]

I like my EDC 940 a lot better after I switched the Uncle Mike's for Hogues.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I forget who said it, I think Massad Ayoob, but it might have been Clint Smith:

These guns are meant to be carried a lot, shot a little.

Unless you like pain, of course.

 

[MJK-MOD-547]

I was lucky to find S&W Hogues for my 9mm that were take offs from a newer model.

 

[JayFramer]

9mm is considerably more powerful than .38 special, despite the smaller cartridge case. Naturally, recoil will be sharper.

I know some believe the .38 special is more powerful than 9mm because of the long case, but it’s just not so.

 

[Univibe]

Even the material of a handgun makes a big difference.

I have shot Sig 10mm ammo, and my own similar loads, through a 1911. Not painful, but it's sharp snapping recoil.

I shot the same loads through my XDM 10mm with polymer frame. Wider grip, and the polymer absorbs shock. Much more pleasant.

 

[max503]

I forget who said it, I think Massad Ayoob, but it might have been Clint Smith:

These guns are meant to be carried a lot, shot a little.

Unless you like pain, of course.

I've got to question anyone who would even consider the phrase "shot a little". I've never been a fan of Ayoob.

 

[Andy Taylor]

It is all about Physics......

Take a Gas or recoil spring (A-5)shotgun vs a O/U type action

and a Auto pistol vs a revolver style weapon and you will find out that the no moving parts weapon, that does not reduce energy in any way, shape or form...................
will have a lot more Recoil, than the "Buffer system" working with the moving parts weapons, along with the weight of the weapon.

Exactly. My 625 kicks more than any .45 semi-auto pistol I've ever fired.

 

[chief38]

Semi auto's use some of the recoil to operated the slide and that absorbs recoil somewhat. The 9mm is a higher pressure cartridge than the old .38 specials and therefore a bit snappier too. There are also ergonomics to consider and many of the semi autos are a bit better in the hand than revolvers are for certain hands.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I've got to question anyone who would even consider the phrase "shot a little". I've never been a fan of Ayoob.

I'm not his biggest fan but he is often right on target in his writings and musings. Just not always, I admit that. But I don't know why you don't like that phrase because it's quite explicit and meaningful.