Handling Recoil in .45 1911 - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

crat0837 · 07-12-2008, 01:48 AM

I know, seems like a wussie question probably but I am gonna ask anyways since I am still a little new to the game.
I have only put 50 rounds through my .45 so far (big reason is the cost of the ammo!!) partly due to what feels like a HUUUGE recoil. I had my brother videotape me at the range shooting it and it doesn't look like it has a ton of muzzle flip, but it really feels like the recoil is kicking my butt!
Any tips on how to control the recoil a little?? I have been using the "proper" grip, have adjusted my trigger finger a little, and have practiced the 'strong elbow bent and weak arm straight' technique that I have seen many people doing.
My shots are hitting the target, just all over the place! So any advice would be MUCH appreciated!

**Dave Starr** · 07-12-2008, 06:16 AM

Keep shooting. When I first started shooting my XD45 tactical, my first handgun, BTW, I really noticed the recoil. Now, after 1200 rounds, I'm barely aware of it. Anticipating the recoil affects accuracy.

**Cannibul** · 07-12-2008, 06:52 AM

Eat your Wheaties.

BBQLS1 · 07-12-2008, 07:22 AM

How to shoot a handgun accurately by Massad Ayoob Issue #85

This should help if you haven't read it.

rjss · 07-12-2008, 07:32 AM

I would try a couple different positions as far as your arms go and see what feels the best. I personally keep my strong (right) arm straight and keep my weak arm bent because that's what works for me. Some people lock both arms. Whatever. Just make sure that you develop a stance that works for you, allows to get back on target quickly, and is repeatable so that you develop acceptable accuracy. You're probably flinching a lot due to fear of the recoil. For this some dry firing with snap caps at a target on the wall will go a long way. I never noticed how much I flinched until I started doing this. It will also give you practice in going through your stance checklist. I'm sure that the more you shoot the more comfortable you will get with the recoil.

As an aside, I have an XD9 and fired it back to back against a buddy of mine's .45. I thought the 9mm recoil was worse because it was more of a snap vs. the "push" of the .45. However, I guess its hard to compare since mine has a 5" barrel and his .45 was a S&W. I just thought that was kind of weird.

So Flo · 07-12-2008, 07:57 AM

When you say 'proper grip', what does that look like? Thumbs high? Tea cup?

I'd say keep shooting, and practice one handed, weak and strong.
Over time it'll get better!...or sell it to me for cheap!

BBQLS1 · 07-12-2008, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjss

As an aside, I have an XD9 and fired it back to back against a buddy of mine's .45. I thought the 9mm recoil was worse because it was more of a snap vs. the "push" of the .45. However, I guess its hard to compare since mine has a 5" barrel and his .45 was a S&W. I just thought that was kind of weird.

I have the same conclusions, but my 9mm is a much smaller gun than either of my .45s.

ElrodCod · 07-12-2008, 08:35 AM

Check out Molly. http://gunner.sixshootercommunity.or...andtheBaer.MOV

The Knight Of Light · 07-12-2008, 08:58 AM

Molly would do a lot better if she had her hips back a bit more.

This is my favorite article on the proper grip for a semi-auto.

The Combat Handgun Grip

BBQLS1 · 07-12-2008, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Knight Of Light

Molly would do a lot better if she had her hips back a bit more.

This is my favorite article on the proper grip for a semi-auto.

The Combat Handgun Grip

07-12-2008, 01:48 AM	#1
crat0837 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 154	Handling Recoil in .45 1911 I know, seems like a wussie question probably but I am gonna ask anyways since I am still a little new to the game. I have only put 50 rounds through my .45 so far (big reason is the cost of the ammo!!) partly due to what feels like a HUUUGE recoil. I had my brother videotape me at the range shooting it and it doesn't look like it has a ton of muzzle flip, but it really feels like the recoil is kicking my butt! Any tips on how to control the recoil a little?? I have been using the "proper" grip, have adjusted my trigger finger a little, and have practiced the 'strong elbow bent and weak arm straight' technique that I have seen many people doing. My shots are hitting the target, just all over the place! So any advice would be MUCH appreciated! __________________ --CRAT0837

07-12-2008, 06:52 AM	#3
Cannibul XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Moscow on the Willamette Posts: 2,113	Eat your Wheaties. __________________ Semper Fi Can't quote the "out of touch guy" any more! I don't own any guns. Guns are evil. KEVWYO - Please reply to this thread http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/politic...-anti-gun.html

07-12-2008, 07:32 AM	#5
rjss XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Southeast MI Posts: 126	I would try a couple different positions as far as your arms go and see what feels the best. I personally keep my strong (right) arm straight and keep my weak arm bent because that's what works for me. Some people lock both arms. Whatever. Just make sure that you develop a stance that works for you, allows to get back on target quickly, and is repeatable so that you develop acceptable accuracy. You're probably flinching a lot due to fear of the recoil. For this some dry firing with snap caps at a target on the wall will go a long way. I never noticed how much I flinched until I started doing this. It will also give you practice in going through your stance checklist. I'm sure that the more you shoot the more comfortable you will get with the recoil. As an aside, I have an XD9 and fired it back to back against a buddy of mine's .45. I thought the 9mm recoil was worse because it was more of a snap vs. the "push" of the .45. However, I guess its hard to compare since mine has a 5" barrel and his .45 was a S&W. I just thought that was kind of weird. __________________ Black XD-9 Tactical Remington 700 ADL .308 Remington 870 12 gauge Ruger 10/22 carbine Last edited by rjss; 07-13-2008 at 06:26 PM.

07-12-2008, 07:57 AM	#6
So Flo XDTalk 10K Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Wellington, Florida Posts: 13,032	When you say 'proper grip', what does that look like? Thumbs high? Tea cup? I'd say keep shooting, and practice one handed, weak and strong. Over time it'll get better!...or sell it to me for cheap! __________________ No Guns, Know Crime. Know Guns, No Crime! http://militarysignatures.com/signatures/member3984.png

07-12-2008, 08:58 AM	#9
The Knight Of Light XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Omaha, Nebraska(sublocated at a Sandy location far, far away) Posts: 8,874 Blog Entries: 13	Molly would do a lot better if she had her hips back a bit more. This is my favorite article on the proper grip for a semi-auto. The Combat Handgun Grip __________________ No Matter Where You Go, There You Are. USPSA #L3077 What a great number!!! http://theknightoflight.blogspot.com/ Creator of TOP 'O' THE PAGE!!! Moose Fight

07-12-2008, 06:16 AM	#2
Dave Starr XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Flint, Michigan Posts: 565	Keep shooting. When I first started shooting my XD45 tactical, my first handgun, BTW, I really noticed the recoil. Now, after 1200 rounds, I'm barely aware of it. Anticipating the recoil affects accuracy.

07-12-2008, 07:22 AM	#4
BBQLS1 XDTalk Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 81	How to shoot a handgun accurately by Massad Ayoob Issue #85 This should help if you haven't read it.

07-12-2008, 08:35 AM	#8
ElrodCod XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Pierce, FL Posts: 309	Check out Molly. http://gunner.sixshootercommunity.or...andtheBaer.MOV __________________ ElrodCod NRA life Member

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