Reducing Recoil

Originally by Scot E. Heath (scot@hpfcla.fc.hp.com)
Addition of Tony Oliveira <aoliveir@indiana.edu>
Modified by Thijs Krijger <J.M.Krijger@Fys.ruu.nl>

A rec.gunner asks: If I'm not mistaken, recoil is reduced as the gun's weight
goes up. The synthetic stock is hollow, so I'm thinking about filling it with
lead shot contained in a plastic bag or something... Will this work? Also, the
buttpad that came with it is rather unfriendly... Will a softer pad help? Or
make it work...

Adding weight will help the recoil. It will also change the handling
characteristics of the gun.

A better recoil pad is a good investment. You can retain it if you go with
something in the stock later. I recommend a Pacmyer Decelerator or a Kick-Eez.

Here are a few more exotic alternatives:

There are alot of recoil supressors that get "built" into the stock. They can
be broken down into 3 groups:

  1. Weight/spring: These are the Breako's, the C&H, the Dead Mule, etc. They
     amount to useing mass and/or a spring to widen the recoil pulse and in
     some cases, re-direct it via an angled deflection of the mass.
        o ADVANTAGES: Easy to install, most require drilling a 7/8" or 1" hole
          in the stock parallel to the barrel and dropping them in. Cost is
          around $150 retail.
        o DISADVANTAGES: They are only somewhat effective.
		(Lowers recoil penalty with 5)

  2. Air/Oil damped moving butt: The two biggies here are the Counter Coil and
     the Soft Touch. They are basically oil or air dashpots (shock absorbers)
     with internal springs to return the butt to it's nominal position.
        o ADVANTAGES: They work very well. Since there is a dashpot involved,
          the recoil is spread out over a longer time but some energy is also
          disipated. Both brands may be made to incorporate "sliding combs". In
          this arrangement, the comb and the part of the recoil reducer which
          contacts the shoulder are fixed and the gun "slides" under the
          shooters face. This is very comfortable to shoot.
        o DISADVANTAGES: They are difficult to install. The Counter Coil and
          the Soft Touch both require the stock to be shortened approx. 3/4" to
          retain the original length of pull. They also require 3 somewhat
          precise holes to be drilled perpendicular to the butt of the gun. Not
          an easy task without a jig and a mill. Expense. Typical installation
          of the reducer is $450 - $600. If the sliding comb is desired, tack
          on an additional $450 - $900. Both the Counter Coil and the Soft
          Touch collapse if the gun is held tightly to the shoulder. People who
          use them get used to this and have good luck with them. I personaly
          find this annoying.
	(Lowers recoil penalty with 10 but bullets do damage as if silenced.
	If already silenced lower damage by 2)

  3. Counter acting impact device: This is the device manufactured by Browning
     and installed by them in their BT-99+ and Citori+ only. The device is
     basically a giant automatic center punch. It consists of a weight with a
     hole in the center and a small plunger held off to the side of the hole by
     a conical spring. As the conical spring is collapsed, the mass is pushed
     back against a spring until finally, the plunger moves to the center of
     the hole in the mass and the mass "snaps" foreward. This causes the recoil
     to be spread out into 2 small, wide pulses rather than one large one.
        o ADVANTAGES: They work very well. Effectiveness of this system is as
          good or (in my opinion) better than than 2). The difficulty to
          install is between 1) and 2). Only one hole needs to be drilled but
          it must be recessed so a mill is still very usefull. Unlike the
          systems in 2), the portion of this system hich contacts the shooter's
          shoulder is very stiff and will not colapse when the gun is held
          tightly. This system may also be made to incorporate the "sliding
          combs" but as far as I know, only one shop does this, mine!
        o DISADVANTAGES: Expense. Typical installation of the reducer is $450 -
          $600. If the sliding comb is desired, tack on an additional $450 -
          $900.
	(Lowers recoil by 15 but gives a +2 penalty to speed)


Later added by Tony Oliveira <aoliveir@indiana.edu>

	You might just add a compensator to the weapon. There are many after
	market add-ons, and many coustom compensators that can be built 
	right into the weapon.  Magnaport is the most common. Most very
	heavy rifles already have recoil buffers on compensators. (Like the
	Barrette). Glock, Colt,and Beretta pistols have many after market 
	add-on, and built in compensators ranging from $200 to $1000.
	Taurus now makes a .44 magnum revolver with a factory installed
	compensator.
	(Lowers recoil by 10)