SD40VE vs Glock23 Recoil

pvq · Sep 25, 2014

This is in no way intended to be a knock on the SD40VE which I am extremely happy with, and would not hesitate to recommend to anyone. I firmly believe at under $300, everyone should have at least one!

My sole criticism is that, for me at least, the gun seems to recoil appreciably more than my Gen 3 G23 with the same ammunition. I realize the gun is just shy of an ounce lighter, but I wouldn't think just once ounce would make that much of a difference. Perhaps its the different grip angle.

I was just wondering in any of you that own both have observed the same thing?

Thanks for your replies.

scwv67 · Sep 26, 2014

A year or two ago I shot a G23 and a SW40 side by side, but I really can't recall any impressions I may have had. That could just be my memory, or that there wasn't anything particularly remarkable about the experience.

I do remember thinking there wasn't much difference in recoil between a G19 and G23 though.

Ofc.JL · Sep 29, 2014

I find the .40 to be "kicky" in both guns, myself. Not uncontrollable, just definitely more recoil than a 9. But we know that is going to be true due to the physics at work in 9mm v. .40, regardless of brand.
And I have arthritic thumbs, too. Pro MX'er till I was almost 30. My ankles, knees, hands and thumbs are all starting to give me trouble now that I am over 50. Like my wife said "your payin' for your playin'!".
Seems to be true.

retired_diver · Sep 29, 2014

scwv67 said:
I do remember thinking there wasn't much difference in recoil between a G19 and G23 though.

I have a G23-2 that I bought new (1000's of rounds thru it) and I have to disagree with you in the above statement. A 40 is "snappier" than a 9mm IMO. The recoil between them is totally different; I have a sw9f and M&P9 that I am comparing them to but have shot friends g19's gen2,gen3,gen4 before.

scwv67 · Sep 29, 2014

retired_diver said:
I have a G23-2 that I bought new (1000's of rounds thru it) and I have to disagree with you in the above statement. A 40 is "snappier" than a 9mm IMO. The recoil between them is totally different; I have a sw9f and M&P9 that I am comparing them to but have shot friends g19's gen2,gen3,gen4 before.

I guess it goes to show how people perceive things differently. Now I was shooting 180gn through the .40, and I've heard that some of the lighter weight bullets are supposedly snappier, but to me there just wasn't enough difference to make note of between the 19 and 23.

I bought a Taurus TCP .380 from a friend who complained about the recoil. He said he could only put few mags through it before he had to put it down. My 4'10" daughter loves it and has since claimed it as hers. Go figure.

pvq · Sep 29, 2014

I certainly perceive a difference in recoil between the .40 and the 9mm. Truthfully I am not a fan of the .40 but through circumstance I find myself with enough rounds that I had to pick up a few .40 caliber handguns.

I too thought there would be a more significant difference between the 135 grain and 180 grain .40 caliber rounds, and when I first fired my SD40VE, I was utilizing 180 grain rounds which I assumed were causing the "snappier" perceived recoil. But I have since put 100 135 grain rounds through her and the recoil is the same.

As I type this I am thinking that perhaps recoil is not the proper term. Its more like the SD40VE torques my wrist to the left much more so than my G23. Perhaps its has to do with the bullet to barrel fit?

Obviously I'm no expert, I just find it more comfortable to shoot the G23, but as stated, at $300 everyone should have at least one SDVE (9mm or .40)

3shots · Oct 1, 2014

I have a glock 22 and a an sw40ve the S&W has less felt recoil by far with any ammo

ditto1958 · Oct 2, 2014

The two guns are in many ways almost identical. Same dimensions, same weight, same design.

They differ in three major ways, but only two would account for a difference in felt recoil. The triggers are a lot different, but I don't think that changes how the recoil is perceived. That leaves two things. The shape and texture of the grips are different, and the Glock has a wee bit of a lower bore axis than the SD has.

Next time you shoot the SD40, pay attention to how high on the grip your hand is. If you get it up as high as you can, the recoil will feel softer.

frankmako · Oct 8, 2014

i carry the g23 on and off duty. i have a sigma 40 for fun at the range. i can not tell any different between the two on recoil. i shoot a lots and recoil is not a factor for me. both guns are great guns. the sigma fits my hand better.

SD40VE vs Glock23 Recoil

pvq

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scwv67

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Ofc.JL

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retired_diver

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scwv67

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pvq

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ditto1958

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frankmako

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