357 or 45ACP Recoil comparison??

[Happy Hunter]

I have had a couple lightweight 1911s in 45 ACP. I used to have a 4" 686 (regret selling that).

The aluminum 45 1911 has more muzzleflip than the 686 but less punch in the recoil. I don't remember it too well since it has been 12 years since I shot the magnums thru the 686 and I did not shoot many of them. I shot factory mags because I did not reload magnums only 38 Special. I seem to remember the 158 gr were not fun but not bad either, I shot about 2 boxes of them. Then I bought some 125s... wow I did not like them even thru the heavy 686, I only shot about half a box of them. Factory light loaded 110 gr were so pleasant, that is what I kept loaded in it.

Thanks for the info!! I think I will pursue a 45 ACP someday. I don't have the money or time to experiment with a new gun now.

 

[tipoc]

Well there are two types of recoil.

Actual recoil is the amount of force that results from the action of the bullet being fired. In basic physics for every action there is a reaction. This "reaction" is the recoil. The recoil is figured by a calculation based on the weight of the gun, the weight of the bullet, the type of powder being used, and the velocity of the bullet.

A simplified version of the calculation is here:

http://www.huntamerica.com/recoil_calculator/

The other type of recoil is felt recoil. In my opinion, in handguns, this is the more significant of the two. Felt recoil varies from one type of gun to another based on the ammo and load being used, the type of gun (da revolver, sa revolver, semi-auto, etc.), the type of stocks on the gun and of course the shooter.

To me all loads of the .45 acp from an N frame revolver are pretty much pleasant to shoot. Not so all loads of the .357. One advantage of the .357 though is that it can be effectively chambered in smaller guns and you can shoot .38 Spl. from it.

Give some thought to the purpose of the gun. That is what you intend to have it do. Selection of a gun and a caliber can be matched to the task you have in mind for it.

My advice is to go out and rent or borrow a couple of guns and shoot some of both. Or better yet buy one. Shoot it and learn about recoil and the gun and loads for it yourself. In a couplea years buy another gun in a different caliber and learn about that some. You have time.

tipoc

 

[Sportsterguy]

Originally posted by Hoot:

Originally posted by tom turner:
.45ACP = a very pleasing, pleasant FIRM PUSH.

.357 = a nasty stinging slap and snap.

T.

What he said. +1

What they said.

 

[Andy Taylor]

Originally posted by Sportsterguy:

Originally posted by Hoot:

Originally posted by tom turner:
.45ACP = a very pleasing, pleasant FIRM PUSH.

.357 = a nasty stinging slap and snap.

T.

What he said. +1

What they said.

Yet another vote.

 

[snowman.45]

I have to agree with those who say the .357 mag. is "snappier". .45 ACP is more of a push than a jab.

 

[glypnir]

If you're shooting maximum loads, I agree that the .357 is much nastier. It's got more power.

Buffalo Bore, who likes to make high power loads, doesn't even make a standard .45 load. Their hottest +P is only 490 ft-lbs.

Their hottest .357 - non plus P - is 802 ft lbs.

And the velocities are different:

That hot .357 is 125 grains at 1700 fps!

The .45 is a 200 gr. at 1050.

So yes, the .357 push is probably faster and harder, and the sound is a higher pitched bark. The bullet is out of the barrel much faster.

But, so far as I am concerned, because the .357 is a revolver round, and you can get .38 specials as well, this is no problem. You want 208 ft lbs? No problem.

Since 45ACP is primarily designed for semi-autos, the manufacturers make a smaller range of powers - got to keep that slide happy.

I reload .38 special cases with 158 grain semi-wadcutters the minimum amount of HP38, and get wimpy loads for practice. Then I fire a few nasties at the end, just to make sure I can shoot with them too.

Then I fire a few extra nasties from my .44 Magnum just for shock and awe.

That's what you should really get - a .44 Magnum. It's designed for people who cannot decide between a .357 and a .45ACP.

It's got a big, heavy bullet - only about .02" less than a .45.

And you can load it with little baby charges - .44 Special - if you're worried about recoil

Or you can load it up to almost 1200 ft-lbs....

And the velocity is a bit lower. Not as high pitched a bark.

 

[Doug M.]

I think tipoc's description of the variables is pretty good. The higher pressure loads, such as a hot .357 (Magnum or Sig - pretty similar) have a sharp, really unpleasant bark, lots of noise and muzzle blast. I think the felt recoil impulse is sharper, too - a fast shove. True recoil is a matter of physics, as some pointed out, but the "amount" of that energy is not the same as the manner in which it is felt. The additional noise and blast increase the perception of recoil, IMHO.

When one throws autopistol vs. revolver into the mix, it changes the comparison in two ways. The operation of the mechanism "uses" some of that energy, but you may also feel the impulse of the slide.

I've found that as I get older, there is something about the impulse of the .45ACP in an autopistol that bugs my shoulders and wrists a bit, but a HOT 9mm +P+ duty round, apparently due to the lighter bullet, does not. Other than duty training, if I go to a shoot school, I tend to take my 9mm auto - similar holster, same operation, easier on the old guy.

In a revolver, I think a steady diet of one of the two would make the .45ACP more appealing, regardless of use needs, and the .45AR can be loaded with some heavy SWCs at most of 1000 fps to do most anything you would need in the lower 48.

 

[rz625-8]

It is to bad that you,Happy Hunter cannot compare these 2 calibres in recoil to the S&Ws .500 2.5 inch 5 shot revolver the EES. Now thats a slapper and a stinger compared to a Ruger SP101 and the .45 revolvers or semi-auto pistols. But,,,,, all I can say is about the recoil between the 3, The .500,,,,,, WHAT A RUSH. rz625-8 And all you guys are wimps.

 

[andyo5]

There is no point in owning a .357 magnum revolver if you are just going to shoot .38 special loads in it. Having said that, I confess that I really don't like shooting .357 loads out of a lightweight (38 ounce) 4" revolver. It is brutal. I have one L frame 4" and two fully underlugged 6" .357 magnums, and there is a big difference.
A .45 automatic with normal 230 grain loads is a pussycat compared to full house .357s. There is no need to go +P with the .45 automatic. The regular powered loads are sufficiently disabling.

 

[Chuck Jones]

I've shot a zillion .45 ACP and quite s few .38s and .357s. I definitely agree with the push vs. slap guys.

You have to remember .45 N frames are bigger and heavier than .357 K&J frames and because of that size and weight much more pleasant to shoot.

N frame vs N frame the 4 inch and shorter .357s have much more blast and that adds some to the overall perception of recoil until you get accustomed to it. In 6 inch N frames (or with the muzzle heavy full underlug of the 6 inch .357 L frames) the difference is not nearly as big a deal.

While .357s can be mastered without too much fuss in the larger frame guns, there is no doubt the .45 ACP is more pleasant to shoot; right from the get go.

/c

 

[bnewc75]

Do you like butter or Tabasco on your waffles?

 

[44wheelman]

How about a rifle comparison: 7mm Rem mag vs. a 405gr 45/70. The small & fast vs. the big & slow.

 

[tipoc]

44wheelman,

What weight bullet for the 7mm?

tipoc

 

[LT]

I think the .357 is pleasant to shoot in a revolver of adequate weight as long as you have good ear protection. I qualified with full 158 gr swc loads every month for years. That 4" model 66 is still my go to gun. Recoil is manageable if you can muffle that blast.

 

[photoman]

Originally posted by Happy Hunter:
As I ponder between a Model 28 or a Model 25 in 45ACP. Which has more recoil??

Just depends on the ammo you use in each one.

I've shot light, +P .45 acp's that matched the bark and bite of a .357 magnum and I've shot mild .357's that matched the soft .45's.

Clear as mud.

 

[kennyb]

Originally posted by Hoot:

Originally posted by tom turner:
.45ACP = a very pleasing, pleasant FIRM PUSH.

.357 = a nasty stinging slap and snap.

T.

What he said. +1

make that +2

 

[Happy Hunter]

When it comes to hot sauces I like the ones with Habenero peppers. Nice and HOT. Tabasco is tasty with some bite.

However, burn in the mouth and other body places will "pass". I have enough hand problems that I don't want to beat on my hands with my handguns. I like 357 in my Ruger Blackhawk, it just flips and rolls, does not smack in the web so much.