Good first 9mm for target shooting

[OR4NGE]

Hey there, just started shooting pistols.

Really enjoying shooting a ruger mk 2, a 1911 45ACP and a 357 mag revolver.

I would like to get into 9mm shooting but so far haven’t found a pistol I enjoyed. I really hate the sharp recoil of the 9mm pistold I shot compared to the heavier more pleasant recoil of the 45ACP.

I tried the CZ Shadow and disliked it and set my sight on a p226 but when I tried it I found the recoil equally unpleasant.

Is there a 9mm you would recommend or should I stick with 45 ACP ?

 

[OntarioTim]

How about a 1911 in 9mm? There are a few options in those.

 

[Chilidip]

If you found the recoil on a Shadow and a 226 unpleasant I really don't think you are going to find a 9mm that will make you happy.

 

[sailor723]

If you found the recoil on a Shadow and a 226 unpleasant I really don't think you are going to find a 9mm that will make you happy.

^This.....unless you spend a bunch of money and buy something like one of the big, heavy Sig X5's or maybe a P210 target. My X5 Scandic is about the softest shooting 9 I have fired.

 

[tharkhold]

^ yeah wow... with its weight (~46oz), the CZ is super tame in 9mm.

Everything else being lighter will have more recoil.

Other options would be the funky guns where the barrel is lower in the frame if you want tamer recoil; or get a pistol with a compensator.

 

[sixty9santa]

CZ Shadow 2

 

[carsmovies]

Were you shooting 115gr 9mm? If so that's probably why you didn't like it. Try 147gr. Much more comparable in feel to the 45.

 

[OkayShooter]

CZ Sp01/Shadow 1/2. All great guns. I should have went with them years ago.

Only way to get rid of the snap of 9mm, is to load your own.

 

[jimbo14]

If the recoil in a Shadow bugs you, my guess is your grip sucks. A proper grip will reduce the perceived recoil impulse.

Heavier weighted bullets and custom reloading all helps, but those changes pale in comparison to gripping the pistol properly.

 

[hatman1793]

Somewhat unusual if you enjoyed 357 magnum. Factory 357 magnum ammo has sharp recoil, much more than 9mm.

 

[tharkhold]

This thread clearly shows the 'perceived' part of 'perceived recoil'

 

[350 Mag]

Canik TP9SFX.

 

[Ironheart]

Beretta 92fs, baby eagle, sig p250

 

[silverfoxdj]

If you found the recoil on a Shadow and a 226 unpleasant I really don't think you are going to find a 9mm that will make you happy.

Exactly the Shadow almost shots it self..

 

[fdc]

As mentioned earlier a .357 kicks like a mule compared to the 9mm and reload with 147 grn projectiles to get a more .45 ACP like recoil.

 

[OR4NGE]

Great feedback ! Not sure what type of smmo I was shooting, I will try 147gr . And it might be my grip as well.

 

[OkayShooter]

The shadow you tried, might had a 10# recoil spring. My SP01 factory is 14# and tames recoil quiet well.

 

[tharkhold]

Wait, where are you? If you're close to anyone in here that can go to a range and have you try various guns... might be an option no?

 

[sonichanxiao]

If money is not a problem, try STI?

 

[jimbo14]

Great feedback ! Not sure what type of smmo I was shooting, I will try 147gr . And it might be my grip as well.

Factory 147gr ammo won’t help as much as a locsl IPSC shooter’s reloads.

Watch this video:

Most new shooters tend to hold a gun like a microphone or ice cream cone. Or they put their support hand on top of their strong thumb, or other equally useless support hand grip position where their support hand is doing squat to manage recoil. The net effect is mostly one handed shooting.

Watch the video and do exactly what Shannon says. That will start you off on the right path.