Marcus Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 Hi Im new to all this so forgive me if its a poor question, been reading about 'shooting' in general and the forum but this question is bugging me. I have read that a S/A has less recoil than say an O/U. Assuming they are both 12 bore, same load etc etc why do you feel less recoil in the S/A. I'm not thick , but can't fathom the logic behind it. The question is academic really, as I intend to shoot clays with an O/U, would just like to know Thanks in advance Marcus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 (edited) Semi autos are either recoil or gas operated. In either case some of the energy generated on firing is used to unlock the breech, move the bolt to the rear against spring pressure, eject the empty before being driven forward again by the mainspring collecting a new round on the way. In an OU none of the recoil energy is used to do other work in this way and all of it is directed straight into your shoulder. Edited May 13, 2009 by Blunderbuss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted May 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 Thanks Blunderbuss for that explanation. I knew there had to be an explanation, but being a novice and not knowing how a S/A works I was never going to work it out on my own Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cannon Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 Depending on what type of O/U you have depends upon the recoil. With an O/U the recoil cocks the gun again to fire the second shell. If you try to pull the trigger twice in succession without a load in the gun you will find you have to put the safety on and take it off between shots. Kinda going off topic here, but there is definately a noticeable difference between S/A and O/U's. The semi giving less of a thump Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeh Posted May 14, 2009 Report Share Posted May 14, 2009 The other reason people often forget, is quite simply, semi-auto's are normaly heavier. The heavier the gun = Recoil moves it less = you feel it less. But the working of the Semi's action is the main reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windknot Posted May 14, 2009 Report Share Posted May 14, 2009 The semi also delivers the recoil energy over a much longer time than a fixed breech gun (ie. SxS, OU). So the recoil is felt as a long push rather than a sharp tap. I recently got a Miroku 20 gauge, and dug out a box of Eurocrap cartridges that I thought were pretty soft shooting in my wife's semi-auto. Yeah, right! They were punchy as anything in the O/U- glad I only had the one box left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted May 14, 2009 Report Share Posted May 14, 2009 S/A Uses the recoil to eject the spent shell and load another. I once tried to fire my S/S one handed, almost broke my wrist I could fire all 3 shells out of my semi auto 1 handed and not even feel discomfort Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted May 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2009 Bigthug87 - im not far from you - Im in Bridgend. Do you shoot clays at all? Once Im sorted I am planning a visit to the club up at Cefn Cribwr - do you know it at all ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GW80 Posted May 14, 2009 Report Share Posted May 14, 2009 The other reason people often forget, is quite simply, semi-auto's are normaly heavier. The heavier the gun = Recoil moves it less = you feel it less. But the working of the Semi's action is the main reason. What semi's have you been shooting? They are lighter in my experince, you only have 1 barrel for a start off, the reduction in the recoil is nothing do with the semi being heavier!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter-peter Posted May 14, 2009 Report Share Posted May 14, 2009 The other reason people often forget, is quite simply, semi-auto's are normaly heavier. The heavier the gun = Recoil moves it less = you feel it less. But the working of the Semi's action is the main reason. bleeb where are you coming from? semie's are much lighter than o/u's gas semies have little recoil. inertia semie's like benelli are very light but kick hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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