I get so much flack at the range for shooting a .380. What’s interesting is that the best instructors I’ve ever had never give me flack for it. I appreciate the great instructors like you and Stav!
I make no bones about preferring 9mm but I don't knock people who understand their limits. I won't allow others to give any flack to people who see 380 as their limit. It's a shame you experience that.
Great video. Any one that claims to be an instructor and tries to push you to a caliber that is uncomfortable for you to shoot doesn't under physical limitations, and that means they really aren't a well rounded instructor.
My first ever instructor said to buy the biggest gun that you could carry and shoot. The meanest .44 Magnum isn’t any good locked away because (for me) it’s too big to carry or too hard to shoot. I carried a .380 for many years, loaded with Winchester Black Talon (now Ranger SXT) defensive rounds. Low recoil, easy to carry and shoot all day…
"Hits matter more". Absolutely agree. My instructor told me that someone once told him that a .22 can't hurt anyone and his response was, "have you ever been shot by a 22"?
Great video. Here are a couple of tips that will help all shooters improve both comfort and accuracy that were not mentioned in the video: 1. Exercise your hands, wrists, and arms. Get some 5lb dumbbells, a gyro ball, and grip strengthening devices (that you squeeze) and use them 5-10 minutes twice a day. Get a routine like 30 wrist curls each hand, 90 seconds with the gyro ball, and 30 squeezes each hand with the grip strengthener every morning and evening. You'll find early on that you have some unused muscles that you were previously unaware of. This will exercise those muscles and that in turn will help you to better control a handgun. 2. Dry fire practice at least once per day. Pick a target on a wall and dry-fire 30-50 shots at the target while watching for movement over your sights and/or red dot. As soon as you start to press the trigger, keep you sights/red dot steady as possible. Practice slowly - speed will come with time. A significant cause of missing the target during live fire is the movement of the gun between the time your brain thinks "fire" and the bullet leaves the muzzle. The more movement, the bigger your shot group, which means the more you will miss. Dry firing will help with this. PS - Don't EVER compare yourself to other shooters. That's a dead-end road. If you want to assess your skill development, compare how YOU shoot today to how YOU shot yesterday, last week, and last month. What others do is what they do, and that's isn't really your concern. Enjoy the shooting journey.
Awesome advice! I recently realized I do not have the strength and endurance to hold a shotgun! A recent shoulder injury and laziness with strengthening it has been a real eye opener. Also, I’ve been shooting with women with other physical issues that can make self-defense even more challenging.
Great video. Thank you for sharing. I can't wait to share this with my husband, who doesn't believe in carrying anything less than a 9mm. I'm fairly new to shooting. I've had my concealed carry license for about a year, I'm exactly the same size as stav and have child size hands. I carry a hellcat. I recently got a glock 42 (after much convincing) because I want to be able to practice more without so much recoil. When my shooting is less than perfect, he always compares how he holds the gun to me and blames my grip. I realize he's just trying to help, but having someone else explain the "why" is comforting.
Very common, My 12 year old is bigger & stronger than Stav.....Sooooo It's very likely that your husband has little to no memory about what his size and strength felt like when shooting a 9mm as a kid. If you are Stav's size you are probably experiencing twice as much recoil as he does on every shot. Probably more to tell you the truth. Have him shoot a 10mm or 357 mag with full duty style loads not reloads or reduced power loads and see what he says after shooting 100rds.....After that he's going to fully understand why he prefers the 9mm and hopefully why you might prefer the 380....Dudes just don't know...There dudes....Mac....
Excellent video Mac!! Great explanation of recoil. I am purchasing the Ruger Security.380 to use for the next several months as my shoulder heals from injury and surgery. I currently shoot the S&W Equalizer, which is a nice 9 mm but the recoil is too much for my shoulder. Or maybe it’s because I’m old, 67 year old woman. Thank you both for all of the great information that you provide.
So well done and such and informative video. I really appreciate Mac's understanding that it is not true that so many people think their experience is the only experience. It's different for each person.
Less recoil is the reason I prefer shooting my Ruger AR-15 over many of my other guns, I simply haven't figured out how to conceal carry it without wearing a trench coat. It's almost the same for my CZ-75, so I conceal carry a tiny Sig P365. Living in Maryland, I fear the hysteria of people when they see an armed man, so I conceal carry most of the time. Regardless of the weapon you carry, carry with a round in the chamber - when seconds count, you will be glad you did.
Is carrying an AR-15 concealed allowed in MD? It's not in OH (open carry is different, but that's another set of issues) so to even consider "concealed carrying" it would not be an option.
Great explanation. I try to explain this, but I usually get ignored. You explained it so anyone can understand. This is one of my favorite channels. I especially like the way Stav makes her stand on her beliefs unapologetically. I love that. My wife would have too.
THANK YOU! My first purchase was during the pandemic, and it was hard to get what I wanted. The well meaning dealer sold me a S&W .38 J frame because his daughter loves hers. I also bought a Shield Plus. Off to the range, shooting Shield while my daughter was shooting .38 she stopped shooting and said it hurt her hand. I then only used the Shield. I never realized that getting a rubber grip would help with that. I think the .38 is a great little gun for a lot of reasons, but if I don't carry it then it's useless.
These videos are excellent. Stav and Mac really break things down and teach in a very clear way. I have enjoyed all the videos I've watched thus far, particularly Stav's video about various clothing and bags so women feel comfortable carrying concealed. In this video, as others have mentioned, I very much appreciate Mac's comments about 380s because I, too, have heard people tell me that 380s aren't good enough. People can be such caliber snobs!
As a small framed woman over 60, I learned to shoot with a S&W 40 caliber. After that, I downsized to a 9 mm which was a breeze. I appreciate Mac's knowledge on firearms. I always learn something new. Thanks to both of you!
Excellent, informative video. Thank you. And just for a little confirmation: I shot a Bersa Thunder 380 (compact, metal frame, semi auto - not a revolver) stock and then a Bersa Thunder 380 with a big old fat rubber Hogue grip on it and the recoil management was Significantly!!! better with the Hogue grip.
Same, I'm 62 years old, lots of calibers in the safe but a .380 acp in my pocket unless I'm carrying a .38 j-frame and with my arthritis getting worse It's a steel frame .357 loaded with .38 special +p more and more to negate some of the recoil. And I'm 6'4" 260lbs and have always carried .357 or .40 S&W, but arthritis has me thinking of even .22 Mag or .32 H&R Mag revolvers might be in my future. I may give the Glock 42, 43? .380 a try as well because it is touted to have very little felt recoil.
Thank you very much for this video! I am a 1st time, completely green gun owner. I purchased a Smith and Wesson MP40SHLD. I loved the way it felt in my hand. I'm 5'9" and have a bigger hand and longer fingers. I was surprised at the recoil the first time I shot. I've been practicing with it, and it's getting much more comfortable, but after seeing this video, now I wish I had gotten a smaller caliber first, which I avoided because I thought they felt too small in my hand and I didn't think I would have as much control. After shooting mine I shot a Titan 25 ACP pistol, with much better accuracy. I literally hit the center of the target on the first shot! This video explains it clearly, and it makes perfect sense to me.
An excellent explanation of analyzing capability in the context of basic physics. Too many offer critical opinions without (fully) analyzing the scenario, without accounting for variance (age size & strength) differences. Accuracy on incapacitating impacts is the most important variable. Thanks for being an. "Test subject" to help educate new self protection candidates. Keep up the good work!
Hogue grips make excellent aftermarket grips for most semi-autos. Especially for smaller guns they can make a big difference by spreading the recoil impulse over more of the hand. I have added those or Talon grip tapes to several of my guns with narrower grips and it’s like shooting a different gun in some cases.
"I'm just a good old boy from Massachusetts but your gonna need to get real when you deal with me." Thats the best Dr.Phil Impression i can do over text....Thanks...Mac
Great video. He gets into enough of the physics behind recoil to give you a well-rounded explanation and understanding, but he does it in plain English. Bravo!
Excellent presentation !!! Ive been shooting pistols / revolvers for a good while and never taken a class. Learned a lot watching utube videos on this but this one is the best I’ve seen … and so I subscribed to your show. It’s the content but you and Stav are exceptional in your field. Your delivery gives viewers very thorough understanding to this very important subject of recoil control. If Mack was in my local I’d give his class a go. Thanks to you both for this valuable session.
Mac, I liked your explanation on recoil and breaking it down. I was thinking much of my issues with accuracy was improper trigger finger placement and hand not lined up correctly. I didn't consider what part the recoil plays. I have discovered my hand was off center and correcting that increased my accuracy. But you have given me more information to help me become more accurate. Thanks, Mac.
327 Federal, 32 H&R, 32 S&W Long, 32 S&W Short, 32 ACP have low recoil options. 327 Federal Magnum is very powerful. 32 H&R is also very capable. 32 S&W Long is under-rated and wadcutters are effective.
This was a great video. Learned a lot about recoil. I'm about a year old to gun ownership and right now only have an S&W Airweight revolver. Thanks for the tips about a better grip to absorb recoil. I'm going to go shopping at a gun show in a couple weeks to see about getting a semi-automatic. Been doing a lot of research. I'm so glad about your encouragement about having a .380 vs a 9mm. Several of the semis I'll be looking at are .380s.
Thank you Mac! This helped me wrap my head around why my petite wife hates my 9mm but loves her Shield EZ .380. The mass difference between us is less than you and Stav, but the principle makes sense. Thank you!!
Mac, I am active LE in NY for over 40 years and a police firearms instructor for more than 36 years. Our duty weapon is Glock 19 with NY2 Trigger. The most common problem I encounter over the decades is hand strength and the inability to squeeze the trigger. This is a great video, completely on point. Even an old dog like me can and hope to learn new tricks. Stay safe.
I have a Springfield 1911 9mm, S&W Shield 9mm, 38 Special snub nose and Ruger LCP Max. I like all these guns but I find that the LCP Max is the one that is always with me wherever I am. It is kind of snappy but I have added a Hogue grip and a stronger recoil spring and that helped quite a bit with recoil and I can shoot it well. I love that little gun.
This is awesome! My EDC is a .22 WMR. I have really bad arthritis in my hands and joints so a larger caliber is out. I get "the look" when I tell people I carry a .22 but I tell them two things: 1) self-defense is about placement over "stopping power" and 2) nobody wants to get hit with a .22 Mag at close range. Nobody! This is especially true with the short-barrel self-defense rounds available today. This video really helped me be more confident about the choices I have to make because of my condition...
Great job, great explanation, great video. You took all of the technical jargon and put it into plain English so everyone can understand. I've been shooting for over 50 years and practically know it all but like you said, nobody knows it all and there is always room to learn. And yes, I learned a little more than I did before I saw the video. I never gave much thought about how grips can make a difference until you enlightened me a little more. Thanks Mac.
I just recently took a all women's gun class in my area. They played us your wife's video on how to easily rack a slide. I've subbed and just starting to watching videos to learn more. This video was very helpful and so true with where my shots were going due to recoil with some of them. As a beginner it was a big shock shooting some of these guns. Thanks for saying that about a .22 revolver, I've shot one and it was fun and comfortable. I do think that is best to start with and then as I get more comfortable then maybe move on to something else. Lots of tips and wisdom in both of your experience. By the way you look and sound so much like Anthony Bourdain.
I noticed it took me more time than I would like to get off follow-up shots on my P365 9mm with 124gr self-defense ammo so I added a Hogue handall grip and a gas pedal to it and the recoil was way more manageable. I get the follow-up shots off much more quickly and accurately now, and in my mind that made it worth having to buy a new holster that fits the gas pedal (4 Bros).
Excellent video and explanation. I've retired the Ruger LCP Custom and Glock 43 and carry the Glock 42 for the reasons you explained. I can shoot follow-up shots much more accurately and a bit faster than with the 9mm G43. So I traded energy for accuracy and speed. I have a G26 and G19 and a 1911 Commander size in 9mm that I shoot well, but living in Florida my uniform is tee shirts and shorts so I generally carry the G42. BTW when shooting handguns I usually shoot 100-150 rounds of .22 before shooting centerfire just to be able to concentrate on the basics-also saves money.
I am so pumped by Mack's recoil explanation. I have the Walther Colt .22LR 1911 Rail gun. It is a heavy gun, which is a good start to gradually adjust to recoil as I move into .380 and then 9 mm. Thanks for the lesson!
You always have my attention whenever Mac shares his wealth of information and experience. Much respect, sir, for all your service. Excellent discussion of the physics of recoil. I enjoy shooting a variety of firearms and calibers. My EDC is a Taurus GX4 (the standard model from a couple of years ago, not the new-ish XL or Carry versions). I chose it primarily because of its concealability, because I prefer pocket carry to any other mode of carry. It rides in a DeSantis Gunhide Nemesis holster #N38BJE1Z0, in the front pocket (nothing else in there with it, of course) of my Coleman utility pants. Because of its small size, the GX4 is a bit snappy, but manageable. I'm sure I could get rounds back on target more quickly with a .380, but I like the caliber, the capacity (11+1, plus a spare mag) and the concealability of the GX4. And it's reasonably light, fully loaded and in its holster it's just a hair under 1 lb. 9 oz.
Good job explaining recoil. I watch this channel with my wife who carries a G42 or G43X depending. She handles both just fine. Myself, I’m not much help. My first handgun was a Ruger Super Blackhawk in .44 Magnum I shot, carried, hunted with and reloaded for. I learned to mostly ignore recoil. Keep up the great content!
Hey Mac… I agree with your statements about the importance of hits in defensive situations. The ability to carry comfortably for smaller people is also important which is why the smaller 380s are so popular these days. Companies seem to be putting more R and D in these platforms. Thanks for the info!
I think Stav is a good gauge of recoil to the experienced smaller stature shooter of different firearms. I gain a lot of information from your channel. Thanks for the great vids!
Excellent explanation Mac. I’m an even fuller Home Depot cart than you (the one with the wobbly wheels as I get older!), and I’ll gladly shoot anything. I regret to admit that I never considered it from a more diminutive person’s viewpoint before. Thanks for the eye opener.
Wow Mac, absolutely phenomenal video. As was your goal, you really used simple language to make everything you said very understandable. I wish you were here in South Florida and I could see you for a lesson love the channel and obviously aside from you and Stav being lifelong personal partners, y’all make a great partnership on this channel. Can’t wait for the next video and also absolutely love Stavs new channel
❤ , again I have commented on different posts but always wanted to say I definitely enjoy your channel and the explanation and breakdown of the recoil and also , I have checked out the 32 mag, and still not completely sold on it but that may be from the 32 acp we talked about about, but definitely did change my perspective, and for the record I carry a 380. All the time as a backup , or even as a ccw. Depending on what I am wearing that day , people forget 380 is same cal , as 9mm , hist 9 mm had more knock down power than the 380 . I will never have any problem with risking my life with a 380. Not my first choice but again no problem to pull as my back up gun ty for your channel..
Recoil Flinch... On a revolver, at the range, have someone load it for you . Have them put 1 or 2 empty brass in the chambers along with the live ammo. This will show you how much RF you have allowing you to work on not flinching. A very good training aid...
Makes sense, good job explaining, sure there's exercises people can do to strengthen your hands forearms, arms. Guess about every strength exercise someone does could help
As always excellent video I appreciate all of your videos This video is the best explanation of recoil. ……….as a 2A community- we need more of these type of videos- yes for information and a professional representation of our community ………..in 2017 - I was enjoying a 357 My first bout of cancer was 2018 and I went from 357 to 38 …………in 2022 - the cancer returned and now 380 is my favorite edc round because of accuracy and comfort- SW EZ 380 is great …………. YOUR VIDEO HAS EXPLAINED WHY the recoil is much more tolerable in the SWEZ vs my beloved Snubby revolver KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK-!!!
I'm a dude that's heavier than Mac, but I still prefer a .380. Yes, I *CAN* shoot a 9mm and could carry the P365 in 9mm, but I choose to carry it in .380 given the reduced recoil and the fact that I feel more confident shooting it than I do shooting my full size P320. I've bought a bunch of firearms in .380 just because I much prefer shooting the cartridge which gets me to the range more and practicing more. I've also taught a friend to shoot (and I"m working on a few more) and chose to use the Ruger Security-380 to teach since it's a really pleasant shooter and won't intimidate people with recoil. I'd use a .22 if I had more confidence in my Taurus TX22 but it jams a lot and I don't want a new shooter to have to deal with that... It's good to hear your explanation about recoil and nice to hear someone encourage carrying what you're comfortable with rather than the same old tired comments asking why someone would choose to carry .380 when you can get 9mm in the same gun lol.
Small Size 6 Shot Revolver has its application in Ground Fighting situation in some cases if you are trapped in a Head Lock then you could not USE the two hand hold with a straighten extended arms If the thread bridge the one arm length distance you can punch the Kimber K 6 Revolver against the belly and pull the trigger
During dry fire practice , hold on your aim point and have your friend strike up under the muzzle , this will simulate recoil. Hand strength, learn to squeeze tight . Learning Focus under fire is the problem, it takes time to overcome the explosion happening in your hands , you have to learn to focus on your support hand and squeezing tight with your little finger and ring finger this will help to lock up your wrist.
One thing I’ve learned about recoil since getting into competition shooting is how important grip is. Not just the grip technique you use, but the size of your grip. I learned that I shoot a lot better by putting large backstraps on my guns. It makes a huge difference because then I have more surface area to get my support hand on the grip. I think especially if you’re a guy and you don’t have small hands, consider trying larger backstraps or grip panels, and see if that enables you to control the gun better. Lots of people like small grips because they might carry easier or feel better when they’re holding the gun, but I think bigger grips shoot a lot better.
The Magtech company makes a very interesting ammo, the 38 SPL SHORT (125GR LRN). With that ammo you can run a light recoil ammo with the energy of a 32 ACP keeping the same holster, speed loader and same gun, a 38 SPL :)
Wrist size also matters. The grip and bore axis also help mitigate recoil. With a semi-auto, there is a spring to buffer the recoil. I shoot an airweight and the recoil feels much more substantial than when I shoot my 9mm Shield. Great video!!!
Awesome video! Thanks. I am 5’2” also and 116 lbs., but I’m 60. I got a 9mm EZ, which was not as easy to rack as my Bersa 380, so my husband got it and I ended up buying a 380 EZ. I thought the CZ Scorpion and Keltec sub 2000 were cool so I got those, again, hard to load. So I have a Ruger AR-15 and Mossberg super bantam youth 20 gauge for home protection. Being able to load and manage recoil are much more important to me now than what gun/caliber I’m using.
Thats Awesome Tammy....I'm glad you're so well armed......We have the Walther PD380 at the house now and we will be testing it soon, but it's another great gun with light slide weight and easy to load mags....The Double-action trigger on the 1st shot is not good though but I like that gun companies are making guns for people with diminished hand strength....Mac
Great points all. Regarding stocks for S&W K frames what works for me is something the size and shape of the Pachmyer Presentation stocks. I use those and custom Herrett's that are only very slightly larger. I've found that when learning to shoot something with heavier recoil using shorter and more frequent sessions is a big help. Quit before everything heads south. I the last couple of years I started shooting 41 Magnum and 357 Sig. Both require more attention to grip than I used to giving. At this point it is a little annoying.
The 32's are underrated. 32acp meets the FBI penetration requirements. The few thousandths of diameter difference between the 32 and 9mm is not as critical as many say. Recoil is markedly lighter from the 32. The demo at the end explaining why the rubber grips work better for you was excellent.
yeah, the thumbs forward grip often gives me the same problem (off-hand comes off). Different grip styles for different firearms ftw! I tend to favor (almost exlusively) revolver grip style when firing semi-autos.
Excellent explanation in recoil!! Have y’all tried the Glock 25? It’s the size of the Glock 19, holds 15 + 1, .380 caliber and the smoothest shooting firearm I’ve shot to date!
Thanks....I have not but I know that I would like that gun.....But as far as a carry gun it would be too blocky for Stav....Glock 26,27,25 and 33 are all like carry a bar of soap in the box.....Mac
My take from this video is 1) a husband defending his wife & 2) a good shooting instructor understanding not all people interact with guns like you do. Much respect on both counts. The CZ is to me one of the lightest recoiling 9mm's I own. But I have stubby fingers so I modified it to fit me & quite successfully. It was obvious to me the gun didn't fit Ms. Stav(I'm southern & respectable ladies are addressed as Ms.) & I made suggestions for that IF she chose to take them. No, I don't like any 32 but I've carried one on occasion. I also didn't like my extremely rude Ruger SP101 until I had grips made for it specifically to deal with recoil in my hand. I didn't mention that gun in my comments on her revolver shooting because I doubt she would ever like a gun that size with full 357 magnum loads. 110 lbs, small hands & wrists don't deal with that kind of recoil well in most cases. She shot a gun that worked for her. The thing I like about this series & watching Ms. Stav shoot is that it gives me some insight into helping a lady I'm currently working with who is about Ms. Stav's size. I recommended she watch your videos & use the academy but unless/until she does I'm her resource. She chose a 9mm Hellcat & does well with it but I still start & end sessions with her on a 22. Thanks for what you do.
I've been in the gun industry for many years as a general gunsmith, armorer, and machinist in firearms manufacturing. Also basic handgun instructor and shooting simulator operator with occasional range safety officer duty in a large retail store with a range and a lot of rental handguns. I've gotten to see tens of thousands of people fire hundreds of thousands of rounds through everything there is and fired over 10,000 individual handguns personally. There are a number of distinct patterns I've seen over a long period of time. The ideal caliber for most women is .32. Which unfortunately is now not very popular and there's limited availability of current production guns. Though many excellent vintage guns are available. They're really not for most people though. Ammunition, especially in a caliber like .32 S&W Long, is rather more expensive than other calibers and very limited in selection. Most female first time gun buyers get steered towards the absolute worst choices for a beginner. Lightweight aluminum frame .38 Special snub revolvers and very small even lighter .380 autos. Sometimes one of the small ultralight 9mms. I've never seen any woman enjoy shooting them or develop a sufficient level of skill and proficiency. Shooting those guns always becomes a test of endurance of shock and pain. The autos often malfunction from lack of sufficient hand strength to grip them too, especially in the ultralight 9mm pistols. Many elderly shooters struggle with those as well. So no one ever gets good with them. They certainly could if they put in the time and effort, because I've seen small slightly built women handle full power .44 Magnum just fine. So it can be done. But hardly anyone wants to. Unless money is no object, the next best calibers become .22 LR and .22 Magnum. I love .32s generally and use many various autos and revolvers in several calibers as street guns, but I also handload all the ammunition. Otherwise it would be prohibitively expensive to shoot them so much. So that's the situation currently...
I think what's weird for me is I shoot my 4" .357 Taurus 65 better than my 9mm glocks or my .40 XDs. I was thinking maybe I should be carrying it with a crossdraw holster and calling it a day. I may only have 6 rounds but I can shoot them very fast. 4 shots rapid fire at 15 yards without having to readjust on moving targets. Must be how revolvers just fit in my hand like a glove. Meanwhile I'm struggling with my glock 19 at 10 yards. It's the weirdest phenomenon. I also shoot .45 acp very well. I can shoot my glock 30 better than my glock 19 or Xd-40 subcompact. But after messing with crossdraw I've come to love it. Maybe I'll use a Taurus 65 or Glock 21 in crossdraw. I'm heavy set, broad, 6'3. I don't struggle with that. Hmm. What does youe husband think? 🤔
Very well done. I have a little different take on recoil management, granted it requires solid fundamentals. I carry or more accurately, (pun intended) I used to carry a Glock 19. At the range I would also take a Glock 32 and start the session by running a few mags thru the G32 and then transition to the 19. Understand, I'm not recommending it, but it works for me. Good vid.
