Recoil in "all-steel" vs "Airweight" snubs

[Kentucky Rifle]

I finally got to compare the recoil of my 15 ounce 638 with it's 20 ounce brother over the weekend. To me, with non +P ammunition, the alloy 638 has only a little more recoil than the all steel snub. I thought about this and decided it's due to the grips. I've installed wider, Hogue Pau Ferro wood grips on my 638. I put the Hogue grips on before the first shot. They feel quite a bit wider than the walnut grips on my 331 J-frame or the original rubber grips that came on the 638. Like the double-stack Glocks, there's more area to spread the recoil around. Thus, perceived recoil is lessened. Anyhow, that's how I see it. The grips look nice too. I don't think wider grips would make much of a difference with an "AirLite Ti" though.

KR

 

[hawk0484]

Thanks!

I have my eye on a model 637 for pocket carry in the summer. I've been carrying (mostly) my model 65LS in a fanny pack this winter. My model 60LS will fit in my jeans pocket or in the cargo shorts I like to wear in the summer, but is a little heavy. I live in SC and think the heat and the pack with the model 65 may get to be a bit much. I am female and a bit too curvy to carry comfortably on the hip.

 

[ruger357]

I have the 649 and the 637. There is a big difference between the 637 and 649 when carried in my jean pockets. I retired the 649 to the nightstand.

 

[Airweight]

Similar experiences myself between a 640-1 and a 442. I have Hogue's on the 442, and the recoil actually feels tamer to me than the 640, which sports Barami Hip-grips. One-handed shooting with the 442 is still accurate, though pounds the center of my palm a little.

 

[Jim March]

15oz for a 38Spl gun isn't all that psycho. Things don't start coming really unglued (or should I say "uncrimped"? :banghead until you hit the 12oz or below range .

If it's a 357, 15oz is below where I want to be at. 19oz is my absolute lower limit for that, based both on recoil and the dang crimps holding.

 

[JCM298]

649 v 340SC

The difference in recoil between the 649 and the 340SC is unbelievable. Without shooting gloves, the 340 draws blood; a problem I never had with the 649.
I carry the 340 daily. It was bought as an "always" gun and fits the role very well.
Federal 130 grain Personal Defense loads do not seem to pull and neither do my 158 gr lead re-loads,
John

 

[Coltdriver]

I did a side by side between a 20 oz 940 in 9mm and a 15 oz Model 38 in .38.

Shooting standard pressure 125 grain in the 9mm and standard pressure 158 grain wad cutter in the .38 the recoil felt almost identical to me.

Both are easily managed.