# How do soldiers deal with recoil? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 21, 2009, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-soldiers-deal-with-recoil/514610 "2009-10-21T15:18:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-soldiers-deal-with-recoil/514610/21 "2009-10-21T21:43:46Z")
> [@sweeteviljesus](#): > > I don’t know what the MAG-58 (A.K.A. M240) is like though, but I think those are buffered like FN FALs are. I also helps if you use it properly. The way I was taught to use a MAG when lying down is like this - right hand on the pistol grip, left hand resting on top of the stock, right cheek resting on the left hand, shoulder (and much of your body weight) pressing into the stock, against the bipod. Basically, that way you’re pressing the weapon from both ends, minimizing recoil, although you still should keep your bursts short. > [@sweeteviljesus](#): > > BTW, weren’t Galils also chambered in 7.62x39 like Valmets? I think there was actually a 7.62 Designated Marksman variant made back in the 70’s, but it never really caught on. Maybe the South Africans liked it. > [@sweeteviljesus](#): > > What about things like an M82? I have seen shows where it seems like the rifle recoils about six inches, although they probably aren’t laying down a bunch of fire with that thing. Barretts are used by specialists who invest a lot of time and training in their weapons. Still, I think they treat them like a crew-serviced AT weapon - aim, shoot, wait a little for things to calm down a bit, and shoot again. They’re not made for short-range combat. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-soldiers-deal-with-recoil/514610/22 "2009-10-21T22:44:10Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > You’ll want to make sure the charging handle is locked before trying that, of course. Maybe twice. 😃 Don’t. Ride. The. Bolt. !!!111111one!!!lol! Damn, my nose hurts just thinking about it. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-soldiers-deal-with-recoil/514610/23 "2009-10-21T22:56:45Z")
I have a FAL. It shoots 7.62X51. For whatever reason, I have never had a problem with recoil. I’ve shot hundreds of rounds through it in a couple hours, and felt no discomfort afterwards. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-soldiers-deal-with-recoil/514610/24 "2009-10-21T23:15:15Z")
On the rifle range, sitting, kneeling, or prone position, we would use the M16A2 rifle sling to lock the rifle into our bodies, and settle our bodies into a stable position. Once you got the sight alignment and sight picture and all was balanced, you fired. The recoil would take the front sight off target, but with a stable position and locked-in rifle, the body-rifle combo would settle right back into position with the front sight back on target (or pretty damned close). Of course in real life, off the range, those skills would be used to some degree, but not nearly as well, if the shooter had time to prepare the shots. ---
**Author:** ![sweeteviljesus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-soldiers-deal-with-recoil/514610/25 "2009-10-22T02:25:14Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > I have a FAL. It shoots 7.62X51. For whatever reason, I have never had a problem with recoil. I’ve shot hundreds of rounds through it in a couple hours, and felt no discomfort afterwards. The FAL has a recoil buffer in the stock, IIRC. Doesn’t anyone shoot a Garand? ---
**Author:** ![yendis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ed8c4c/32.png) [@yendis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yendis)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-soldiers-deal-with-recoil/514610/26 "2009-10-22T07:50:34Z")
I’ve fired both a fn fal and the R4 (South African Galil) and the recoil is not that bad. I have also fired a .303 Lee Enfield and the recoil is a lot stronger, but still manageable if you brace correctly. The bruising on your shoulder after firing a large number of rounds can be considerable and hurts like a bitch the next morning. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-soldiers-deal-with-recoil/514610/27 "2009-10-22T13:50:21Z")
.303 will slap your face with the buttstock if not held propely. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-soldiers-deal-with-recoil/514610/28 "2009-10-22T13:55:15Z")
> [@sweeteviljesus](#): > > The FAL has a recoil buffer in the stock, IIRC. Doesn’t anyone shoot a Garand? \ No problem with recoil. Sweet shooting rifle. The SMLE, OTOH… Don’t even start with the Mosin-Nagant. ---
**Author:** ![sweeteviljesus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-soldiers-deal-with-recoil/514610/29 "2009-10-22T14:30:43Z")
It sounds like nice, heavy semi-auto or auto rifles are manageable as are assault rifles, but bolt actions are understandably painful, especially carbine-ized versions. So how did soldiers who were armed with bolt actions deal? Thanks, Rob ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-soldiers-deal-with-recoil/514610/30 "2009-10-22T14:32:00Z")
Aimed fire and a lot of wincing. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-soldiers-deal-with-recoil/514610/31 "2009-10-22T14:36:02Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > .303 will slap your face with the buttstock if not held propely. I can’t say I’ve noticed that, but generally the old military rifles were built on a “one size fits all” theory (although the Short Magazine Lee-Enfields did come with different buttstock lengths- Bantam, Short, Issue, and Long). People are affected by recoil in different ways, though- for example, I can comfortably shoot a .303 without any problems with recoil, whilst one of my smaller-framed shooting friends quite literally gets knocked backwards by the recoil. Having fired a Steyr AUG and an FN Minimi (both 5.56x45mm/.223 calibre) the last time I was in the US, I can confirm they have almost zero recoil. One of the reasons militaries are moving (or have moved, more accurately) towards smaller calibres is the lack of “felt recoil”- it’s easier to train recruits to shoot with a gun that doesn’t kick much, and- this is important too- the ammunition weighs less. You can carry more .223 rounds per kilo than you can 7.62x51mm NATO rounds, which sounds daft, but non-shooters often fail to realise just how heavy ammunition actually is. > [@silenus](#): > > Aimed fire and a lot of wincing. 😃 Jokes aside, bolt-action military centrefire rifles _really_ don’t kick that much. But the thing is, if you hit a target with a 7.62x51mm NATO, .303, .30-06, 7.62x51R, or 7.92x57mm Mauser round, it’s going to have a bad day and will (for all intents and purposes) be neutralised. A .223 or 7.62x39mm round doesn’t have the same “oomph” behind it. Short answer: Soldiers Back In The Day didn’t need to fire as much, because they were trained for aimed fire and their guns had fairly substantial stopping power. ---
**Author:** ![Stealth\_Potato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Stealth\_Potato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stealth_Potato)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-soldiers-deal-with-recoil/514610/32 "2009-10-22T16:20:19Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Don’t even start with the Mosin-Nagant. I have a Mosin-Nagant M44 carbine, which I absolutely adore. It’s got a decent kick to it, but it’s really not all that bad. On one occasion I put 40 rounds through it in quick succession wearing only a thin shirt (okay, I was wearing pants too), and my shoulder was only _a little bit_ bruised at the end of it. 😛 Really though, the recoil of a Mosin-Nagant is solid, but not extreme. The recoil from a 12-gauge shotgun is much, much worse. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-soldiers-deal-with-recoil/514610/33 "2009-10-22T16:25:28Z")
About the Mosin-Nagant - you have to realize it was made for soldiers who would be wearing very heavy, thick woolen coats on top of several other layers of insulation. This also applied to the Mauser rifle. The thick cloth padding that (properly-equipped) Russian and German soldiers would have been wearing would go a long way in absorbing the rifles’ recoil. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-soldiers-deal-with-recoil/514610/34 "2009-10-22T16:37:44Z")
> [@Stealth\_Potato](#): > > Really though, the recoil of a Mosin-Nagant is solid, but not extreme. The recoil from a 12-gauge shotgun is much, much worse. I don’t know about that. My 12-gauge has a rubber butt-pad. My M44 has a brass plate instead. I’d much rather put 50 rounds through the Mossberg. But **Argent** makes a good point. If we were dressed like the soldiers “back in the day,” there would be more padding on our shoulders. For some reason, I don’t find the recoil from any of my Mausers to be near as bad as that from the Mosin, or the SMLE. Of course, the 6.5 Swedish is a full rifle, not a carbine, and is firing a sweet loading as well. ---
**Author:** ![Stealth\_Potato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Stealth\_Potato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stealth_Potato)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-soldiers-deal-with-recoil/514610/35 "2009-10-22T17:28:16Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I don’t know about that. My 12-gauge has a rubber butt-pad. My M44 has a brass plate instead. I’d much rather put 50 rounds through the Mossberg. But **Argent** makes a good point. If we were dressed like the soldiers “back in the day,” there would be more padding on our shoulders. Is it a semiauto shotgun? That would soak up a bit of the energy. I have a Remington 870 pump-action 12-gauge, and it too has a rubber butt pad; but even putting a few rounds of 3" buckshot through it without some additional protection leaves my shoulder bruised and stinging. With my Mosin, on the other hand, I feel like with appropriate attention to grip and bracing, I could fire it all day with only a bit of discomfort. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-soldiers-deal-with-recoil/514610/36 "2009-10-22T17:41:25Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > If we were dressed like the soldiers “back in the day,” there would be more padding on our shoulders. Not just “back in the day”; modern soldiers also wear plenty of padding, in the form of kevlar body armor. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-soldiers-deal-with-recoil/514610/37 "2009-10-22T17:44:11Z")
Nope. Pump. Mossberg 500. Oh, well. To each his own, I guess. If I was going to fire one gun all day, I’d pick my Ruger 10/22! 😃 eta: Lots of padding, when now they don’t need it. My kitten punches harder than an M16. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-soldiers-deal-with-recoil/514610/38 "2009-10-22T18:00:00Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > eta: Lots of padding, when now they don’t need it. My kitten punches harder than an M16. You say that like it’s a bad thing. ---
**Author:** ![Stealth\_Potato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Stealth\_Potato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stealth_Potato)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-soldiers-deal-with-recoil/514610/39 "2009-10-22T19:25:50Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Nope. Pump. Mossberg 500. > > Oh, well. To each his own, I guess. If I was going to fire one gun all day, I’d pick my Ruger 10/22! 😃 Huh. Maybe I just don’t know how to hold a shotgun properly or something? My Remington 870, rubber pad and all, causes sharp pain from pretty much the first shot (at least when I’m firing magnum shells, especially slugs; birdshot is a little bit better), but the Mosin just feels like a solid thump, even with the steel buttplate. ---
**Author:** ![sweeteviljesus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-soldiers-deal-with-recoil/514610/40 "2009-10-22T21:05:06Z")
The biggest problem I had was resting my cheek on the stock. With my Mauser, it felt like I’d been punched in the face. I had a similar issue with my (Chinese) SKS, although that had a factory stock on it and I had to scrunch up to get a good sight picture with that. I haven’t owned a shotgun for a while, but I remember the recoil being unpleasant, recoil pad notwithstanding. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-soldiers-deal-with-recoil/514610.md?page=1)