Recoil difference between 9mm and .40 in XD and XDm pistols?
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It's been a few years since I shot an XD in 9mm or .40, but to my recollection, the .40 had a little more snap, but nothing to get alarmed about, if we're talking percentages, maybe 10%. The slides on the XD pistols present such a large reciprocating mass that recoil is absorbed and reduced. I'd venture the difference between the XD's and the M models are similar. Are you wanting to go with a firearm in .40? If that's the case, there are any number of softer shooting .40's these days, but if that's what you seek, go straight to the Beretta PX4. You'll not find anything that shoots .40 with less recoil than that. Not to belittle the Springers or any other firearm for that matter, but the PX4 is a miracle.
Mathematically, there's a significant difference between the calibers. According to Wikipedia, 9mm Luger has the following muzzle energy:
According to Wikipedia, .40 S&W has the following muzzle energy:
It is a bit difficult to always compare apples to apples here. But if we compare a 124 grain 9mm Luger Federal FMJ to the 165 grain .40 S&W Federal FMJ, that's 364 ft-lbf versus 468 ft-lbf respectively.
(468 - 364) / ((364 + 468) / 2) = 0.25 or 25%
That makes sense to me because with a .40 S&W you're simply pushing a heavier bullet with more powder than a 9mm Luger.
Of course, now you can get into heavier gun versus lighter gun, longer barrel versus shorter barrel, perhaps even revolver versus semi-auto. All of those considerations will affect felt recoil.
| 7.45 g (115 gr) Federal FMJ | 1,180 ft/s (360 m/s) | 355 ft⋅lbf (481 J) |
| 8.04 g (124 gr) Federal FMJ | 1,150 ft/s (350 m/s) | 364 ft⋅lbf (494 J) |
| 8.04 g (124 gr) Norma ENVY FMJ | 1,345 ft/s (410 m/s) | 498 ft⋅lbf (675 J) |
| 7.45 g (115 gr) Underwood JHP +P+ | 1,400 ft/s (430 m/s) | 501 ft⋅lbf (679 J) |
| 3.9 g (60 gr) RBCD TFSP | 2,010 ft/s (610 m/s) | 538 ft⋅lbf (729 J) |
According to Wikipedia, .40 S&W has the following muzzle energy:
| 10.69 g (165 gr) Federal FMJ | 1,130 ft/s (340 m/s) | 468 ft⋅lbf (635 J) |
| 7.45 g (115 gr) Cor-Bon Glaser | 1,400 ft/s (430 m/s) | 500 ft⋅lbf (680 J) |
| 10.04 g (155 gr) Federal HST | 1,160 ft/s (350 m/s) | 463 ft⋅lbf (628 J) |
| 8.74 g (135 gr) Underwood JHP | 1,400 ft/s (430 m/s) | 588 ft⋅lbf (797 J) |
| 12.95 g (200 gr) Doubletap FMJ FP | 1,050 ft/s (320 m/s) | 490 ft⋅lbf (660 J) |
It is a bit difficult to always compare apples to apples here. But if we compare a 124 grain 9mm Luger Federal FMJ to the 165 grain .40 S&W Federal FMJ, that's 364 ft-lbf versus 468 ft-lbf respectively.
(468 - 364) / ((364 + 468) / 2) = 0.25 or 25%
That makes sense to me because with a .40 S&W you're simply pushing a heavier bullet with more powder than a 9mm Luger.
Of course, now you can get into heavier gun versus lighter gun, longer barrel versus shorter barrel, perhaps even revolver versus semi-auto. All of those considerations will affect felt recoil.
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I have the XDM 4.5 in both 9mm and .40S&W. They both shoot just fine and I like them both. The .40 definitely has more "snap" to it then the 9mm but that is to be expected. How much more? I'm not sure but it is definitely noticeable but not difficult to work with. I probably shoot the 9mm more but that is just due to 9mm costing less than .40 ammo.
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I've never had or fired an XD 40cal. My XD is 9mm. I have fired a 45acp 1911 variety, just never owned one. The 45 actually had less recoil than my 357 mag wheel gun. But that's to be expected.
The felt recoil depends on a few factors. When it comes to .40, 165gr is snappier than 180gr. I don't have a 4" XD9, but when comparing a 4" XD40 with 180gr bullets and a 5" XD9, the felt recoil of .40 is greater, but not much so. Not sure why, but in my experience .40 and 10mm felt recoil is generally less in plastic guns.
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