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9mm VS .45- Not a Question of Power

doomsknight62doomsknight62 Member Posts: 239 ✭✭✭
edited July 2002 in Ask the Experts
When I go to the shooting range and use my 9mm, I can produce nice groupings...but when I use my .45 I produce groupings like my kid sister. Both handguns are Glocks, and I am experienced with both. Does anybody else have a problem with this? Are .45's notoriously less accurate or do I need to suck it up and build some muscle?
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Comments

  • pikeal1pikeal1 Member Posts: 2,707
    edited November -1
    i wouldnt think its a matter of building muscle. I think its more of the anticipation of the recoil from the .45 I shoot 9mm usually at the range and just bought a .40. My first couple times out there, I shot like * because the recoil was a little stronger with the .40. my brain was expecting it and caused me to flinch before the triger broke.

    Just keep up the practice and try not to anticipate the trigger break.
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  • mballaimballai Member Posts: 1,280 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I think you need to forget what gun you are actually shooting with. 45 recoil is actually a bit more blunt. Just let it go up your arm.

    A bit of wrist curls and hand strengthening is good for all shooters and will pay off.

    Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead
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  • l-girll-girl Member Posts: 131 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have both a Glock 21 and a Glock 19. I don't enjoy shooting the 21 as much because it is such a light pistol and I feel the .45 recoil so much more. After a box of ammo, I've had enough. With a traditional 1911 .45, I can shoot several boxes because it is a heavier pistol with less felt recoil.

    One thing you can do to minimize the recoil on the light Glock is try using opposing grip force while shooting. Assuming you are right handed, your right hand is gently pushing the pistol towards the target. The fingers of your left hand are covering the fingers of your right hand in a two handed grip. Then pull towards your body with your left hand. The bicep of your left arm will be working against the tricep of your right arm. These opposing forces really help to minimize the felt recoil. Don't push and pull like a Charles Atlas ad, or you will shake and lose your sight picture. Just firm opposing pressure. This also helps with quick follow up shots.

    Best regards,Rich
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  • mballaimballai Member Posts: 1,280 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Good point I-girl. I really think they made .45 Glocks more out of demand rather than design. Glocks were built around the 9mm and merely adapted to other calibers. Smaller 45s and lightweight ones like the Glock are harder to shoot. This may not matter much for CQB, but it looks bad at the range. I sold off my 13 45 Para partly because it seems I was fighting the gun at every session.

    If you can't get the gun to do what you want, it might be time to use something else.

    Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead
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  • E.WilliamsE.Williams Member Posts: 1,101 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Something that has helped me with re-coil on larger calibers is like what I-Girl has to say.I brace my right hand with my left in a typical 2 hand position but I add my pointer finger of my left hand to the trigger guard and when Im ready to fire I tense that finger and it has helped me to keep that muzzle from rising so much.It does take some getting used to to keep your aim on point but once you do it makes a big difference.

    Eric S. Williams
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  • sfettysfetty Member Posts: 349 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The key to a good grip on a handgun is the force applied to the grip with the weak hand. Your weak hand pressure on the handgun should be considerably stronger than that of the strong hand. Also, an isosceles stance is an easier stance to adapt to when firing quick successive shots on multiple targets. Allow the recoil to go thru the hands and up the arms to the shoulders. Think of your hands and arms as a pistol rest. You want a very firm grip on the gun but not so tight that you start causing tremors in your hands and arms. Your chest muscles should also be in a firm tight mode to help reduce recoil. Hope this helps.
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  • sfettysfetty Member Posts: 349 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Once you have mastered the stance and grip on a handgun, you will find that it doesn't really matter if it is a 9mm or .45 you shoot, the results will actually be pretty much the same if you shoot the gun properly.
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  • Shootist3006Shootist3006 Member Posts: 4,171
    edited November -1
    My experience has been that the .45 cartridge is MUCH more accurate than the 9MM. Come to think of it, I have never seen an accurate 9MM. Check out any bullseye match (an accuracy match as opposed to an IPSC or IDPA speed match) and you will not find ANY of the top shooters using a 9MM.

    Quod principi placuit legis habet vigorem.Semper Fidelis
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