[vandros]

Hi all! I'm quickly becoming a huge fan of (real) 10mm loads. Even in small g29 the recoil is not too bad (even when compared to my previous firearm - g19). But, as a relative novice, I want to further improve my recoil management skills.

I wonder if there are any solid tips for managing recoil for small-frame pistols, like g29, while using heavy and hot ammo loads?

From my research, here are some tips I've found:
- squeeze the handle hard (40% force trigger hand; 60% support hand)
- bring elbows and shoulders up some to make the gun move more back and forth, rather then up and down during recoil cycle
- aggressive stance (knees a bit more bent, feet a bit farther apart, torso a bit more forward)
- right hand (if you are right-handed) as high on the handle as possible
- pistol grip enhancement (stippling, skateboard tape, mag well extender/plate for pinky, etc.)
- work on upper body and grip strength (forearms, palms, shoulders, triceps, biceps, chest)

Any thoughts on these? Any other suggestions/ideas (as well as links and any useful references) on this topic?

I appreciate all the advice and help with this!

[Big Sam]

The biggest limiting factor is the physics of it all. A high end 10mm load in my G29 SF is having a big tiger by the tail. I have strong hands & arms but the hot 10mm ammo simply overwhelmed me for fast shooting.

I found 3 effective solutions. First and by far the most effective was putting Talon rubber grips (they also make the sandpaper type but have never tried them) on the gun. The extra traction more than made up for any lack of strength. Second was putting Pearce mag extenders on the mags. They allow the pinky to add a good amount of control and strength. Finally, I quit shooting the nuclear loads. I still shoot high power but not nuclear. I like the 155gr XLT at 1,330 fps or the 180 XLT at 1,235 fps.

The G29 is a great gun by most any measure. Hope you enjoy it!

[oceanbob]

I would say, practice, practice, practice. After a while you won't notice recoil at all. Good habits are important.

To shoot more, start reloading.

Good luck

[_The_Shadow]

I agree with OceanBob, good habits & practice = proficiency!
Pearce mag +0 extenders on the mags, provides a place for the pinky finger and added control...
I also use the Wolff Gunsprings two piece non-captive recoil rod and dual 21lb springs system in my G-29.
Handloading has been a labor of love, allowing for more shooting experience over time with tailored loads from mild to wild and even some conversion cartridges (357Sig & 9x25Dillon) from the G-29 platform.

[okietom]

Don't let go.

[99blkta]

I have and would add some form of grip tape to the pistol. Be it rubber or a heavily textured granular. I run a granular textured tape on all my pistols, except the recently acquired RIA 1911 in 10mm.

The tape plus the +0 extensions make a noticeable difference to me.

[cowboywannabe]

mag base plate that gives that little more to hold on to, instead of a two finger grip i can get almost a full three finger grip.

[pasky2112]

I'm happy to see this post. I just got my first G29...actually my first subcompact pistol ever. I fired it with my handloads i use in my G20 full size (all Gen 3's BTW) and was a little surprised how it handled me. I'm 6'2" 250# and love shooting my hot handloads (180's @ 1300'ish) in my G20 @ 45'...get 2-3" groups. But I wa having a hard time holding on to the G29. I think I made a mistake getting the SF maybe?? I've never had a pistol want to come out of my hand before. It was a little disconcerting, honestly.
All that said, it seems like the pearce extensions are going to be must. Anyone use the Pachmayer rubber sleeves on the SF? I tried a similar product (can't remember name) on my G23 CCW back when. But it was just inner tube material and tore when I tired to install it. The Pach looks to be more like my Hogue AR grip, which I love...but not for recoil purposes.

Thanks in adv.!!

- Dave

[nooner7]

+1 on Talon rubber grip and pierce grip extensions. Other than that, practice! Shooting my 45 now feels like a 22 :-D

[pasky2112]

Originally Posted by 99blkta

I have and would add some form of grip tape to the pistol. Be it rubber or a heavily textured granular. I run a granular textured tape on all my pistols, except the recently acquired RIA 1911 in 10mm.

The tape plus the +0 extensions make a noticeable difference to me.

I have some skateboard grip like a poor man's Talon I could use. But anyone ever try to remove it? Does it leave a lot of adhesive behind? Rubber vs. Grit Paper?

[AZson]

I'm looking for my first G29 but I do have the sand paper and the rubber stick on grips, I find I like the rubber better.

[Taterhead]

Shoot lower powered ammo until fundamentals are ingrained, and then gradually increase power factor. Shooting hot ammo that you are not comfortable with can induce some bad habits in a hurry.

[TDC20]

Originally Posted by Taterhead

Shoot lower powered ammo until fundamentals are ingrained, and then gradually increase power factor. Shooting hot ammo that you are not comfortable with can induce some bad habits in a hurry.

Great advice. And bad habits can be very difficult to break.

If you're focusing on recoil, you're going in exactly the wrong direction for learning how to shoot well. You have to be comfortable enough with the recoil that your focus is on sight alignment and trigger control, so that your hold is solid when the firing pin drops. That is how you hit what you're aiming at, and when you are doing it right you will not be thinking about recoil at all. If you find the recoil is distracting you, or you're anticipating it, then drop to lower powered ammo or even a smaller caliber that you are comfortable with, and then work your way up.

The grippy things and Pearce floor plates are necessary if the pistol is shifting in your hand during recoil.

Unless you're talking about recoil management for quicker follow-up shots. But it's a 10mm, why would you need a follow-up shot? You still get zero points for missing, so it makes sense to go only as fast as you can make good hits.

[pasky2112]

Thanks guys. I think I just need to make those mods on the grip, etc. to get a better fit. Then back down to some of my starter loads until I get a better feel of the system. That G20 really spoiled me! ;-) That 'mini sub-compact' sure has the power in a small pkg!
Like you said Taterhead, last thing i need is a flinch habit, etc. Although, I think it's not so much the recoil that bothers me, but the feeling the gun is slipping out of my hand. Then I start squeezing too hard and I lose focus. I'll see how the Pearces work and go from there.
Good stuff, Chaps Thanks again.

[hubcap500]

Recognize the difference between actual recoil and perceived recoil. Grip design, load ballistics, gun weight make up the physics part of recoil. Your mental condition(ing) make up the psychics part of recoil. You can only do so much with the physics side. With the right mindset (relaxed confidence) you can achieve and enjoy the big boomers. As Taterhead said, work up to it. Also if you find yourself developing bad habits like flinching, back off and take a break. Shoot something softer for a while or even dry fire. You CANNOT FIGHT against recoil successfully. It's an unbreakable physical law just like gravity. You CAN learn to MANAGE it successfully.

[G29SFWTF]

I have a sandpaper type grip covering the whole grip. This makes it feel very solid and I never have to re-aquire my grip after a shot. Great for the range but it makes it harder for conceal because the grip catches on your clothing.

[gatorboy]

Buy a 26" MTN bike inner tube. It will make grips for about 10 pistols.

[pasky2112]

Great tips everyone.
I think I'll practice alot w/ the mag extension first since I bought this G29 for CCW, primarily. I've heard about the rubber and grit style grip add-ons causing the ol' shirt-lift reveal. I don't want any of that...even in FL ;-)

This is my fav firearms forum. My apologies to the OP for hijacking your post.

[nickE10mm]

Shoot more...

Surprisingly enough, shooting more lower level, powder puff loads will actually INCREASE your proficiency with the hotter stuff.... its all muscle memory and mechanics.

[scarecrow734]

i am also glad to see this post. as i finally got around to shooting my G29. i was very suprised at how much kick it has. my hope was it was going to be about the same as my g33 but thats not the case. anyway i dont think i did bad for the first time out with the gun i ran 100 rounds thru it and had to stop my hand is killing me. the rubber grip does it make the grip much bigger? i have small hands and find the grip now about as big as i wanna go. also what about changing the spring does that really help? i ran a mix of underwood 180 tmj and underwood 180 xtp jhp thru it tonight at a distance of 10 - 12 yards.

[sharp]

Just grow a pair.....you should be all right.

[scarecrow734]

Originally Posted by sharp

Just grow a pair.....you should be all right.

yeah of bigger hands and i`ll be fine.

[Maine1]

throw a bath towel over a pullup bar, and grab a handful of the doubled towel. Hang your entire body weight from it for as long as you can, repeat with both hands.

When you can hang for 1 minute, the 10mm will feel like a 22.

[pasky2112]

A 10mm like a 22?? No...this is not a G20 I'm talking about.

I put the Pearce bases on my mags and have shot it more and my groups are shrinking @25yds... max IDPA distances where I shoot. I can routinely hit the 6" plates and pep poppers, now. I'm MUCH happier with it. (15yd slow fire results attached) BTW, I will trade my custom-made 'bad guy' targets for Large Pistol Primers..

IMHO, the G29 is a unique pistol when shooting real 10mm loads 100+ rnds / session.
At first, It felt like I was shooting a .454 Derringer! I'm liking the challenge.
Improvise, adapt, overcome...

[Maine1]

..and you need to understand that grip strenth will help ALOT in various areas of life, shooting included. Give it a try, what do you have to lose?