How worse is the recoil of pump-action shotgun than that of a semi-auto shot gun?
- Thread starter ivyandsheila
- Start date
Get Limbsaver pads, this will help with the recoil
It depends. Weight of shotgun is a determining factor. And weight and height of a person plays into the felt recoil. I have a Mossberg 590 Shockwave SPX...it is a short and light pump - and it has the "bird's head" or "raptor" grip...it can't be shouldered, so you hold it at your help or if you dare, up high, but away from your head. I have yet to try a full sized slug through that, but even with Aguila shortshells with birdshot, I can feel it in my wrist. I am also a short guy.
Compare that to shooting slugs through my Benelli semi-auto, which I can shoulder and it has a nice pad. The ARGO system helps to absorb/dissipate some of the recoil. It is manageable for me, but not entirely pleasant - I can feel a bit in my shoulder. I can only imagine what shooting it through my Mossberg would be like with that grip.
Good news is that with the 870 there is a bunch of different accessories including Limbsaver pads you can get for it. I have an 870 in 20ga and the extra padding helps - but then I've only shot Winchester AAs #7.5 and 8 shot through it.
The other thing I have learned with shotguns is that you can learn different ways to manage the recoil. The pull/push tactic seems to work. But ultimately like anything else - over time with use and familiarity, the felt recoil will improve but each person is different.
Compare that to shooting slugs through my Benelli semi-auto, which I can shoulder and it has a nice pad. The ARGO system helps to absorb/dissipate some of the recoil. It is manageable for me, but not entirely pleasant - I can feel a bit in my shoulder. I can only imagine what shooting it through my Mossberg would be like with that grip.
Good news is that with the 870 there is a bunch of different accessories including Limbsaver pads you can get for it. I have an 870 in 20ga and the extra padding helps - but then I've only shot Winchester AAs #7.5 and 8 shot through it.
The other thing I have learned with shotguns is that you can learn different ways to manage the recoil. The pull/push tactic seems to work. But ultimately like anything else - over time with use and familiarity, the felt recoil will improve but each person is different.
- Location
- West Central Alberta
I had a Remington 870 super mag and 3.5 inch shells just plain hurt.
Now I have a Beretta a400 extreme plus and now I can shoot high speed steel 3.5 inch shells all day long.
Anthony Nardelli
Regular
- Location
- Newmarket, Ontario
I found it noticeably stronger but not so much that is was an issue. However, the pump action shotgun I used was a littler heavier, which absorbs a little more recoil.
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Yes. I wear one that goes over my shoulder and you cannot see it with my jacket on.
Don't care if people call me a pussy. Flinches are hard to fix. I rather enjoy shooting then hate shooting.
CZ Shooter
CGN frequent flyer
The recoil from a pump feels different than the one from a semi.
The pump recoil is quick and snappy, while the recoil from a gas operated semi (innertia operated feels kind of in between) feels much softer.
The reason for that is, that the pump is locked up and the recoil has no other place to go but straight into your shoulder.
With the semi, the cycling of the action takes away some of it and kind of breaks it apart, so it feels "slower" or gentler.
If I could make an analogy, the pump feels like a fast whip of a fly swatter (a big one of course), while the gas semi is more like getting hit with a slow(er) moving sledge hammer.
I could shoot the semi literally all day with no discomfort whatsover...with a pump, after about 1 box of 25, I'm starting to have second thoughts.
This goes for bird shot, buck shot or slugs.
The slugs will kick the hardest out of the bunch.
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Three inch slugs from a pump with a pistol grip and short barrel was just about the worst experience I had with a shotgun. Same gun, a proper shoulder stock and long barrel, was very manageable thank you.
TransAm1991
Regular
- Location
- Windsor, Ontario
My 930 Mossberg is a gas assisted, I can shoot 500 rounds and not feel it.
The Model 12 I just sold had a nice recoil pad, medium recoil.
Winchester 101 XLR with a plastic recoil pad was causing me to wince because it would actually cause pain after 100 Rounds.
Browning Citori CX is like shooting a .22.
My point is, it's all in the recoil pad. (All 12 gauge.)
The Model 12 I just sold had a nice recoil pad, medium recoil.
Winchester 101 XLR with a plastic recoil pad was causing me to wince because it would actually cause pain after 100 Rounds.
Browning Citori CX is like shooting a .22.
My point is, it's all in the recoil pad. (All 12 gauge.)
Yes that's true.
Recoil is part of the package, different people have more or less tolerance to recoil and it’s accumulative, the more consecutive shots you fire the more noticeable the recoil will become. From the beginning……true measurable recoil….
Lighter gun = more recoil
Heavier projectile = more recoil
Higher velocity = more recoil
Perceived or felt recoil is a combination of the above factors and how they affect the shooter and there are a number of things that can help reduce this felt recoil.
As mentioned, a gas operated cycling system spreads out the time of the recoil pulse.
A recoil pad to varying degrees will cushion the recoil by softening the recoil impulse
A good gun fit is often overlooked but is very important to avoid excess felt recoil.
Barrel or choke tube porting is promoted by some as a recoil reduction aid but in my experience it is most effective at limiting muzzle jump which can feel like recoil because it can cause a gun’s comb to smack your cheek unless the gun is properly fitted and mounted.
Measurable free recoil is always there, how you choose to reduce it’s effect on the person is up to the shooter.
Lighter gun = more recoil
Heavier projectile = more recoil
Higher velocity = more recoil
Perceived or felt recoil is a combination of the above factors and how they affect the shooter and there are a number of things that can help reduce this felt recoil.
As mentioned, a gas operated cycling system spreads out the time of the recoil pulse.
A recoil pad to varying degrees will cushion the recoil by softening the recoil impulse
A good gun fit is often overlooked but is very important to avoid excess felt recoil.
Barrel or choke tube porting is promoted by some as a recoil reduction aid but in my experience it is most effective at limiting muzzle jump which can feel like recoil because it can cause a gun’s comb to smack your cheek unless the gun is properly fitted and mounted.
Measurable free recoil is always there, how you choose to reduce it’s effect on the person is up to the shooter.
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Cameron SS
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ground Zero
Depends. I've shot some semis that kick as much as my pump. And I have a Remington versa max that barely feels like it kicks at all.
Heavier loads in a semi might kick more than lighter loads in a pump.
There are a lot of factors. Apples to apples is not that big of a difference.
