Do Suppressors Help Reduce Recoil?
One of the commonest things one can expect in an action movie is the suppressor or silencer. As portrayed by the actors, the suppressor does an excellent job of reducing the sound of gunfire. When paired with aiming accessories like the Trijicon RMR 1 MOA, shooters not only get a clear line of aim but can keep the sound to a minimum.
Although suppressors are great for reducing gunfire noise to the barest minimum, they offer more benefits than hearing protection. Suppressors also help with gun recoil by reducing the extra effort on the shooter’s part to stabilize the gun after each shot.
Understanding the benefits of suppressors can help you make the best use of them. This article dives deep into gun recoils and how suppressors play an important role in minimizing them.
What is a gun recoil?
A recoil is a natural response given after firing a gun. Regardless of how small the caliber may be, guns give varying recoil levels, with smaller calibers giving proportionately smaller recoils.
Due to the firing force, there’s no way to eliminate a gun’s recoil, however, it can be managed or reduced. Reducing or managing your gun’s recoil will require your knowledge of what recoil is and why it happens.
What causes recoil?
Actions and reactions are equal and opposite. That law of motion is one of the greatest factors behind the recoil effect you feel when shooting a fun. Newton’s Third Law of Motion explains recoil succinctly.
When a gun is shot, the explosion takes place within the gun – in the breach. This explosion produces a lot of energy, sending the bullet or round out of the gun at great speed. While a huge part of the explosive energy powers the bullet out of the gun, the residual energy is feedback on the gun and shooter. The effect of the energy causes the movement felt by the shooters after firing a round – and that is the recoil.
Essentially, recoil is the movement of excess explosive energy in either direction following a shot.
Dangers of gun recoil
Gun recoils can be scary and dangerous in unprepared situations. In worst-case scenarios, recoil can lead to multiple stray shots in different directions.
The recoil effect is most pronounced in beginners or novices who do not understand the concept or how to manage it. However, experienced shooters are more prepared for the energy feedback, thus reducing the shock and helping them cope better.
As earlier stated, recoils can be dangerous at the minimum and severe stages. Some of the common dangers include;
Scope eye or scope bite
Scopes are great for aiming. However, they can hurt your eyes or face due to unprepared recoil. This happens because an average shooter is prepared behind the gun and looking into the scope for focus. Shooters may lose grip of the gun after firing the shot, which can cause it to bump into their faces or hurt the eyes.
Shoulder injury
Smaller guns with smaller calibers have smaller recoils than rifles or shotguns with large calibers or gauges. There is a chance that larger rifles may cause shoulder injury when improperly positioned or when not pulled tight into your shoulders while taking a shot.
Shooters should learn to handle their firearm properly and position it correctly before firing to prevent shoulder injuries like bruises, dislocations, and separation.
Failure to feed or eject
Some gun types leverage recoil energy to recalibrate and cycle the action in preparation for the next shot. When not held steady and in place, the energy needed to cycle the action may not be reached, thus causing the gun to jam. The jammed gun may fail to eject from the action or fail to cycle the next live round into the chamber for the next shot.
Silencers and recoils
Silencers are a great way to reduce the sound of shots taken to protect the ears. They also play a key role in reducing the recoil energy fed back into the gun after the bullet exits the barrel at full force.
When a suppressor is deployed, the gas causing the recoil is trapped within the muzzle of the suppressor and gently dispersed, thus reducing the feedback and recoil felt by the shooter.
Other ways to reduce gun recoil
Although suppressors or silencers are great for reducing ear damage and recoil while shooting, other options exist for shooters looking to make the most of each shot. Below are some common ways to reduce the overall gun recoil when shooting.
Grip technique
Gun handling and shooting grip are two important aspects of gun use. The way a gun is handled and the shooting technique can determine the feedback and how bad the recoil is. Adopting the right grip technique can help prevent shooting injuries and improve shooting accuracy.
If you’re using a handgun, ensure a firm grip on the gun while shooting. The grip will reduce the recoil as it transfers from the gun to your hands and arms.
If operating a large caliber rifle or shotgun, place the butt of the rifle on your shoulder before shooting. This will prevent the recoil from dislocating or bruising your shoulder or upper body.
Muzzle Brakes
Most shooters attach muzzle brakes to the end of their threaded barrel. This addition is great for managing recoil as it directs the feedback energy in different directions. This attachment saves the shooter from the full blast of the recoil while improving their aim and handling.
Understand individual caliber
Gun owners or operators should know their calibers and the power they wield. As earlier stated, each caliber has its own feedback, and recoil from smaller calibers is relatively lower than from larger calibers.
Using the appropriate handling, grip, and shooting technique for each caliber can help to improve the overall recoil and how it is managed. For example, a .22 Short and .308 Winchester Magnum won’t feel the same after taking a shot on both. The level of recoil experienced on the two earlier guns will be significantly different than a .44 Magnum and a .44 Special. Understanding each firearm and the power they deliver can help you prepare better for the recoil it delivers after each shot.
Silencers or suppressors are other accessories that can be added to your firearm for improved focus and noise reduction. You can also add scopes to improve your aim. Shop the best scopes by visiting https://www.elevatedgunworks.com/product/trijicon-rmr-sight-adjustable-led-1-moa-red-dot-rm09-type-2/.
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