Wife will shoot if I reduce recoil!
- Thread starter jonyork
- Start date
saskgunowner101
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- middle of Sask
I totally agree, the noise itself can make a gun seem much worse. AFAIC, if she can't handle an AR-15's noise or recoil, you'll be fighting a losing battle trying to get her shooting.
Hotwheels81
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- South of GP
amen dude, let her do her thing.
and i have to agree with whoever said you are trying to solve a problem that doesnt exist.
how many times has the recoil of that gun ever hurt her? probably about ZERO?
the real problem is she just doesnt want to shoot it.
have you tried putting some pink on it?
how many times has the recoil of that gun ever hurt her? probably about ZERO?
the real problem is she just doesnt want to shoot it.
have you tried putting some pink on it?
As others have said - it ain't the the recoil but the gosh darn noise. They make small foam plugs for little ears that go in deep - so she can double up - and make sure that she has decent high-rated Peltors that will shut the noise right off.
I bought my wife a JRC in 9mm. She ends up with a sore shoulder after a box of shells.
I'm sure she may have not held the gun properly a few times which contributed, but the point is that it's her gun that was specially selected so that she could shoot more rounds without having to deal with being scared of the thing and getting her ass kicked.
And yes the pink helps.
I'm sure she may have not held the gun properly a few times which contributed, but the point is that it's her gun that was specially selected so that she could shoot more rounds without having to deal with being scared of the thing and getting her ass kicked.
And yes the pink helps.
redshooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Central Ontario
I know everyone is trying to be helpful...
It's not noise, it's muzzle blast! Felt in two ways, noise to your ears and concussion to your body. Most new shooters are frightened to begin with. Having what amounts to a tiny bomb going off about 20" from your face when your already frightened doesn't always get reasoned away. Those of you that haven't fired anything really big may not appreciate the difference. Fire a Carl G 84mm RR and you'll get it. It may be recoilless but you sure do feel it when you send a round down range!
By all accounts the Linear comp will help. Better still get her shooting a 223 bolt gun with a 24"-26" barrel first to show the cartridge is a powder puff (if your on the right end).
It's not noise, it's muzzle blast! Felt in two ways, noise to your ears and concussion to your body. Most new shooters are frightened to begin with. Having what amounts to a tiny bomb going off about 20" from your face when your already frightened doesn't always get reasoned away. Those of you that haven't fired anything really big may not appreciate the difference. Fire a Carl G 84mm RR and you'll get it. It may be recoilless but you sure do feel it when you send a round down range!
By all accounts the Linear comp will help. Better still get her shooting a 223 bolt gun with a 24"-26" barrel first to show the cartridge is a powder puff (if your on the right end).
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
What I have done to tame my Norc M4 - adjustable gas block, heavier buffer tube, heavy buffer spring. Recoil in orig form was obnoxious.
Then I made reduced velocity loads using WCC735 and either 55 or 62gr bullets. I start by finding an accurate load... it will be slower then standard but shoot very well. I think my 62gr loads were poking around 25/2600fps
Then I play with the adj gas block until the bolt short strokes. Increase "1/2" turn and away you go.
When set up properly, the buffer doesn't actually hit the rear of the tube, this is what she will feel as recoil and it can be very pronounced in an overgassed high pressure set up. My rifle just goes schuck schuck and there little to no sensation of recoil impulse on the shoulder now.
Bonus, very fast back on target.
Second will be the barrel length - highly recommend 16 to 20" barrel. 14.5" is horridly loud made worst with any brake. I shoot a bunch of boomers in large cals and find my Norc M4 the worst to shoot at the range.
The rifle now wears a 18.5" Mcgowen for SR shooting. WOW, what a huge change in demeanor and now loading much hotter ammo with less concussion.
Shoulder and ear (double plug for sure) - that is where the perception of recoil comes from. Find a Safetly supply place.. Howard Leight 33dbs ear muffs. These have a higher rating the aircraft head sets. THEN add the 32db earplugs. It should get rid of a huge amount of noise... you know it is working if you have to yell at her and she may or may not hear you. Noise and concussion..... ladies do not like these at all
Make sure that first pull is a positive experience.... All the best and congrats on finding a girl willing to shooting with you.
Jerry
Then I made reduced velocity loads using WCC735 and either 55 or 62gr bullets. I start by finding an accurate load... it will be slower then standard but shoot very well. I think my 62gr loads were poking around 25/2600fps
Then I play with the adj gas block until the bolt short strokes. Increase "1/2" turn and away you go.
When set up properly, the buffer doesn't actually hit the rear of the tube, this is what she will feel as recoil and it can be very pronounced in an overgassed high pressure set up. My rifle just goes schuck schuck and there little to no sensation of recoil impulse on the shoulder now.
Bonus, very fast back on target.
Second will be the barrel length - highly recommend 16 to 20" barrel. 14.5" is horridly loud made worst with any brake. I shoot a bunch of boomers in large cals and find my Norc M4 the worst to shoot at the range.
The rifle now wears a 18.5" Mcgowen for SR shooting. WOW, what a huge change in demeanor and now loading much hotter ammo with less concussion.
Shoulder and ear (double plug for sure) - that is where the perception of recoil comes from. Find a Safetly supply place.. Howard Leight 33dbs ear muffs. These have a higher rating the aircraft head sets. THEN add the 32db earplugs. It should get rid of a huge amount of noise... you know it is working if you have to yell at her and she may or may not hear you. Noise and concussion..... ladies do not like these at all
Make sure that first pull is a positive experience.... All the best and congrats on finding a girl willing to shooting with you.
Jerry
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Mystic just saved me a lot of typing. He nailed it.
My wife is an active shooter. She does not like recoil and I have come to believe that recoil tolerance is like eyesight - it varies a lot from person to person.
If a rifle is over gassed the bolt slams back and is quite noticeable. Not painful, but noticeable. I deliberately download my short range ammo and choose the load that groups the best. It feels much different to shoot than the full power stuff. If you hand load, try dropping the powder charge by 2 and 3 grains.
If you don't handload, install a heavier buffer spring.
I have a NEA 14.5". It is a bit over-gassed compared to some others, but not as much as the Norc.
Noise (muzzle blast) is a big issue. If she is standing behind you, your 223 will sound like a cannon to her. The solution is ear plugs plus ear muffs. I wear this combo in CQB because the muzzle blast from some short barreled braked guns is painful without both.
I installed a S&K liner comp on my 10.5" gun (about $50). It really reduces the muzzle blast.
I suggest that when you start her off the first time, talk about sight picture and squeeze, to get her thinking less about noise and recoil. By the second shot she will realize it is more like a 22 than a cannon.
My wife is an active shooter. She does not like recoil and I have come to believe that recoil tolerance is like eyesight - it varies a lot from person to person.
If a rifle is over gassed the bolt slams back and is quite noticeable. Not painful, but noticeable. I deliberately download my short range ammo and choose the load that groups the best. It feels much different to shoot than the full power stuff. If you hand load, try dropping the powder charge by 2 and 3 grains.
If you don't handload, install a heavier buffer spring.
I have a NEA 14.5". It is a bit over-gassed compared to some others, but not as much as the Norc.
Noise (muzzle blast) is a big issue. If she is standing behind you, your 223 will sound like a cannon to her. The solution is ear plugs plus ear muffs. I wear this combo in CQB because the muzzle blast from some short barreled braked guns is painful without both.
I installed a S&K liner comp on my 10.5" gun (about $50). It really reduces the muzzle blast.
I suggest that when you start her off the first time, talk about sight picture and squeeze, to get her thinking less about noise and recoil. By the second shot she will realize it is more like a 22 than a cannon.
A muzzle brake makes a HUGE difference.. I just found out last night when I moved my brake to another upper and put the A2 hider back on my regular training upper... WOW... In comparison, the muzzle rise was in-f**king-sane!!! Took me a couple of hours to adjust my cadence to shrink the groups back to normal size. Make sure she double-plugs though 
FYI, I'm running the Miculek
FYI, I'm running the MiculekSo has she actually fired the gun? There's been a lot of condescending comments but there are some good ones too. Good hearing protection and one round with a shoulder pad might get her over the hump. Maybe a bipod? If it's still too much a recoil pad and longer barrel would probably be the biggest improvement. If she's still nervous maybe offer to stick your hand in between? Make sure she's got a good grip so she doesn't get punched in the shoulder.
Do you know what gun she fired before that made her nervous? If it was a 30-06 or something it's a night and day difference. Also you might be able to show her the difference in size to help ease her nerves.
Ammo might help a little. AE Ar ammo seems a little hotter than the AE red box or hornady steel match. I've had good results with the hornady steel match in my bolt gun
Do you know what gun she fired before that made her nervous? If it was a 30-06 or something it's a night and day difference. Also you might be able to show her the difference in size to help ease her nerves.
Ammo might help a little. AE Ar ammo seems a little hotter than the AE red box or hornady steel match. I've had good results with the hornady steel match in my bolt gun
Very good comments, all she knows is that was her ex's moose and bear gun. So that could be many things really. I will try the double up the plugs, get her one of those shoulder pads, and show her how little to no recoil there is by her putting her hand on my back/shoulder when I shoot it. I think that will get her over the hump. The linear comp might be an idea as well, but I like the shoulder pad as she could use it later on bigger things if shes so inclined.
Thanks for the tips!
Thanks for the tips!
My recommendation is as follows:
1. Double up on hearing protectors.
2. Teach her proper stance.
3. If one and two above don't work - weigh her down with accessories.
My 15 year old daughter at 115 lbs - standard Norc M4 - can outshoot her brother with a rifle all day long.
Note - I've cured her of the "chicken" wing hold. I now have her lower her elbow when shooting. Note spent casing and rifle is in full recoil.
Proper stance goes a long way to reducing the "jump" of the gun.
Not really an issue as I find most females take instruction a lot better then males. They just want to know why they are doing something - once they understand - they will continue to do so with minimal correction.
L
That makes sense. Moose bear gun was probably a 30-06 or up. Some guys are Rollin' with a .338 win mag. If you could round up a 30-06 round and put it next to a .223 round it should be pretty clear that they are a whole different ball game. Try and convince her to at least try a couple rounds one at a time before you go too far buying parts. I think once she's tried it she'll be fine.
Shoulder padding, ear protection, one at a time. Tight to the shoulder. Semis are good at absorbing recoil and the .223 is very mello already. lighter projectiles seem to have a little less recoil.
If she's still nervous, shooting from a bipod and rear bag keeps it very controlled and takes away the nervous stance. Make sure length of pull is comfortable too.
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Gunnerlove
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Vancouver Island
I 100% agree. Hot and cold drills with a lot of dry fire also help to get the fear of recoil out of people.
That said I don't like shooting shorty ARs indoors or under cover (I will do it but it is far less enjoyable).
